Creators Andy Fanton And Warwick Johnson-Cadwell Talk Hastings Comic Con

I’m looking forward to it as well! As for me, I’m a writer and cartoonist who has done work for Beano, Dandy, Viz and Cosgrove Hall Films, among others. Currently I’m writing Minnie the Minx, the Bash Street Kids and Roger the Dodger for Beano, and am working on my first children’s book too!

I’ll be bringing along comics and offering sketches, talking all things Beano and I’ll also have some promotional pieces for my forthcoming book as well!

What’s your favourite part of meeting readers and fellow creators at conventions?
Working on comics can often be a rather solitary affair, so it’s always really nice to get out and about for a bit and see some actual people! It’s genuinely so gratifying to meet readers and hear how the work affects them, it’s sometimes hard to gauge that when you’re working on your own! Really makes it all worthwhile.

Can you tell us a bit about your latest project and what inspired it? And are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you can tease?

I’m currently working on writing and drawing my first graphic novel for children called Hamsters With Hammers. It’s a comedy adventure about hamsters. With hammers. It was largely inspired by a love of fantasy (especially comic fantasy, like Discworld) and my son’s pet hamsters. I thought it would be a fun way to bring them together! Other than that, there’s a lot of Beano stuff coming, including a big Bash Street Kids serial starting in the weekly this summer!

I recently picked up Donut Squad by Neill Cameron which was just so much fun, absolute joy bursting from every page.

What advice would you give to aspiring creators?

Keep at it! If it’s something you really want to do, you’ll find a way to do it nearly every day, no matter if it’s only a little thing. I used to draw on any scrap of paper (even on the back of timetables when I was working at a cinema), and I think that persistence and practice definitely helped me in getting to where I wanted to be. Most of all, have FUN.

I think the nearest is starting my day doing a bunch of word games on the New York Times app (Wordle, Spelling Bee, crossword et al). I find it helps to wake my brain up and get it thinking about words, very useful for writing!

Why do you think conventions are important for the comics community and fandom?

They’re a great way for creators and fans to come together, or for would-be creators to get an opportunity to find out how comics are made. They’re great places to be among people who love the same sort of thing as you do.

I haven’t been before but looking forward to checking it out! I’ll have to keep an eye out (Not like King Harold).

I think the biggest thing I get from meeting readers and creators is a refreshed enthusiasm for making work. There’s a load of chatting that goes on with both groups and lots of new ideas are thrown up or reviewed / revisited. Conventions are often exhausting by the end but the creative juices  are flowing.

Skai Campbell’s “Jungul Man Thology” is ace,. He’s getting into comics by making and putting them out there, which is always inspiring. And I’m enjoying Sian Ellis’ “Tell The Bees” zine. Also, as that’s two and not one I’ll add Jordan Thomas’ and Chris Matthew’s “Mugshots” also, whatever John Allison is putting out.

Create comics. And if you’re a crummy artist but great writer looking for an artist partner or vice versa, consider not waiting to find the right collaborator. Write a good comic with ropey art or write a ropey comic with good art. Your strengths will come through, both skills will improve and you can start right away.

Keep busy. Advice I don’t always stick with but always wish I did.