Tripwire Talks To Lawless Show Runner Su Haddrell About The Past And The Present

She is The LAW!

Lawless is a comic convention that is popular with a great deal of British comic fans and creators alike. Tripwire’s contributing writer Paul N Neal recently had an opportunity to speak to event organiser Su Haddrell to find out how she makes it all possible…

TRIPWIRE: Just to start please, what would you say is your background in the comics industry? For example, when did you first become interested in comics? What were the earliest comics you remember reading or enjoying?

SU HADDRELL: The earliest comics I remember were The Beano and Bunty. They often kept my sister and I occupied during long car journeys. Later I found graphic novels of Tank Girl at Lancing library and started collecting from there. I didn’t get truly ‘into’ comics until I started organising a convention. From there, I’ve met some amazingly talented creators and gained a much deeper understanding of the depth of the craft and its fandom.

TW: Lawless began in 2014, I believe. What was the inspiration behind the convention? How did it all begin?

SH: My other half and I were going to a lot of conventions at the time. 2009 to 2015 was the height of geek pop culture and social media had really taken off. Everyone was sharing their fandom and finding new connections.

We had been organising geek meets and gaming days and these were really successful. A bunch of guys that I knew would cosplay as Judges and they suggested I do a Dredd themed convention. Dredd the movie had come out a couple of years earlier and was very well received within the community, so we tapped into a perfect storm of nostalgia and popular interest.

TW: Would you say Lawless has a mission statement for lack of a better description? Or an ethos?

SH: Thinking on this question, I’m finding it difficult to reduce the show into a single statement. It is a very niche convention, but we work hard to ensure that it’s friendly and welcoming. It should be noted that the show is as much for the creators as it is for the fans. A lot of our creators come along to catch up and connect with each other and to meet their fans face to face.

Our ethos is to respect the nostalgia of the comics that we grew up with and to support the new generation of work emerging for a new audience. Silliness and fun are very much the order of the day and there’s an opportunity for everyone to make new friends and connect with their heroes.

Photo credits: Rob Dawe Fowler

TW: Over a decade, would it be reasonable to say Lawless has grown and evolved? What would you say have been the significant changes from the early days?

SH: In the early days, it was very Dredd focused. It quickly expanded to 2000AD overall, and as we brought new creators on board, we expanded it again to encompass British comics in general – new and old. Marvel and DC are still always popular, but it’s good to highlight the comics that we grew up with and the new stories that are being told.

The format that we use – the panel room, a signing room and a traders room – is very much an ‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it’ model, and one that fits very well within the space that we have available. I have really enjoyed arranging art exhibitions at the show in recent years and would love to continue including this when we can.

TW: Many fans say that a number of once-loved conventions have outgrown their original roots within the comic industry to include movies and the world of various computer games. Would you say Lawless is still very much a comic convention at heart?

SH: Lawless will always be a comic convention at heart. We all love cosplay and shiny things, and we love getting our goodies signed and meeting our heroes, but the theme that binds us altogether are the comics. We bond over a mutual shared interest. Because we’re a smaller convention, we’ve avoided falling into the trap of turning into a giant toy fair, or a warehouse full of signing tables. The larger commercial conventions are fun, but in my opinion, they’re popcorn compared to a hearty meal.

TW: What can fans expect from Lawless 2025? Are there any particular events taking place during the weekend that fans should make sure to underline in their diaries?

SH: Our Ten Year Anniversary show last year was full of unique events and new ideas, which was a huge amount of work so I’m actually quite looking forward to getting back to our standard format this year!

We’ve got a fantastic guest line up and, as usual, we’ve tried to introduce some new faces with the old favourites. I’m looking forward to having Simon Bisley and Brian Bolland back to the show and equally looking forward to meeting Alan Davis, Aly Fell and Hunt Emerson.

Photo credit: Rob Dawe Fowler

SH: As we haven’t secured an exhibition this year, we’re using the space as an interview room, where the audience can spend more time with a creator, asking questions and hearing about their work.

I’m also really pleased that this year we’re managing to bring back the ever-popular Lawless Draw Off! Guests to be revealed, but we’ll be asking them to sketch audience ideas onto flip charts and then cheering for the winner. All sketches (no matter how random!) will be raffled off and the proceeds raised are donated to The Trussell Trust.

TW: You mentioned Lawless also has a charitable element and raises money for good causes. Could you tell Tripwire a little more about this?

SH: Initially we would hold a tombola to help raise funds to run Lawless again the following year. As the success of the show has grown, we decided to use those funds for charity.

This year our chosen charity is The Trussell Trust. The fact that people are going hungry in 2025 feels incredibly dystopian and very 2000AD. Lawless is a community and we all help and support each other. I’m proud that we’re in a position now to expand that reach and make a difference to others that need it.

TW: What is The Trussell Trust? Is that a food bank organisation?

SH: The Trussell Trust provides emergency food to people who need it. It’s a British- based charity dedicated to ending hunger. Primarily they support food banks across the UK, but they also help a lot of schools and local communities. A lot of our audience have previously mentioned feeling the cost-of-living crisis, being low on funds, or having a history of poverty or going hungry. This charity is something that we feel that we can support, because at any point, anyone of us might need their help.

TW: Some artistic legends have sadly left us, but are there any living legends that would be your dream guests to invite to Lawless?

SH: We frequently get requests for some of our more elderly creators to attend the show, but many of them find the trip too exhausting or too much of a distance.

Personally I would very much love to see Jamie Hewlett and Alan Martin attend, as I’m a huge Tank Girl fan for many years, so that would truly be a dream come true!

TW: What is the average number of attendees at Lawless each year? Is there a maximum capacity where tickets would be unavailable?

SH: We usually have around 300 to 350 attendees and that’s about our limit. We can fit up to 400, but it can then feel too overcrowded and packed, particularly in the main panel room or in the creators room.

TW: Is there a typical attendee of the convention? Or would you say it is an event that has a broad appeal? 

SH: We definitely have a ‘core audience’ of folk who grew up with 2000AD in the 70s and 80s. However, I’m pleased to say, that word of mouth over the years has extended our reach to many people of different ages and backgrounds. We have a number or younger fans visiting with their families, as well as folk travelling from Sweden, America and New Zealand!

TW: You mentioned cosplay is a fun part of Lawless. Roughly how many Judge Dredds have you met? Also, what has been the most creative cosplay you have seen so far?

SH: I don’t meet many Dredds, I DO meet a lot of Judges! Many Judges create a name for themselves or use their own surname to create their own Judge persona.  I think the most Judges we ever had was in about 2016 when we did a group photo outside of the hotel in the sunshine. I think there were around 40 Judges!

Photo credit: Rob Dawe Fowler

SH: There’s been some really imaginative cosplays over the years. Forgive me for not knowing the character or the 2000AD issue, but one year a chap came dressed as a waiter, with a spaghetti monster on a tray to recreate a Carlos Ezquerra (I think!) 2000AD front cover. A couple of years ago, we also had someone dress as Gnasher from The Beano, which was amazing.

Photo credit: Rob Dawe Fowler.

Note: Tripwire humbly suspects Su may have referenced Brian Bolland’s cover to 2000AD Prog 216.

TW: For many conventions, overnight accommodation can become an issue. Several years ago, UKCAC conventions offered a twelve-hour film marathon at the Scala cinema in London I recall. It was a chance to view a few movies and a place to rest. Has that ever been an option in Bristol?

SH: It is an option, and previously we have looked to put on some kind of evening or late-night entertainment, like Dredd film showings etc. The general response was that people preferred to head off to get something to eat and then come back and congregate at the bar. There were very few seats filled at the showings, and most people could be found crowding round a tiny table catching up with the friends they haven’t seen in the last year, or spending time with a creator they’ve always wanted to meet.

TW: I gather Lawless boasts a reasonable traders room? In your experience, what sort of goodies and collectables can be found there? Is it a room that will suit all budgets?

SH: The Traders room is always very popular and hosts a range of merchandise to suit anyone’s budget.  You can purchase small press comics and art, back issues of comic favourites, original art from 2000AD creators, and comic-related collectables and merchandise.

Photo credit: Rob Dawe Fowler.

TW: Do you have an “event voice” or do you ever let your hair down and enjoy the madness?

SH: I managed to let my hair down at the Ten Year Anniversary VIP Gala last year.  The ‘77 did an awards ceremony and then Sally Jane Hurst and her band sang us into the evening, so I got to dressed up and danced the night away. It was really great to take time out and enjoy everyone’s company, usually I’m running around like a mad chicken all day!

TW: Can you say a few words about the ’77 please? Has the evolution of The ’77 been fairly important to Lawless as an event?

SH: The ‘77 are a fantastic group of creators, and they’ve come on in leaps and bounds over the years. The story goes that The ‘77 formed their fledgling ideas at Lawless and stayed in touch to develop their anthology comic and launched it on Kickstarter that year.

They’ve since expanded into several further publications including This Comic Is Haunted and LOL! and worked with Ian Gibson to release his magnum opus Lifeboat. Following their success, I invited them to sponsor the show, as we had a very mutual audience, and they fitted in nicely with our promotion of new publications that had a nostalgic feel.

The character of Lawless was created from that partnership, and the rest is history!

TW: Can you share any family friendly anecdotes from your times at Lawless?

SH: There are many funny moments at the show, often little things where people have made me laugh, or there have been groups of people just being silly for silliness sake. I heard that one year Brian Bolland was unable to sleep and popped down to the bar at 3am, to discover a whole bunch of fans and ended up sitting chatting with them into the wee small hours.

I’ve heard stories of Glenn Fabry losing his shoes, rows of Judges crossing the road and inflatable T-Rex costumes fitting into lifts. One of my favourite things to watch is the Draw Off, as there are always some great laughs.

TW: Knowing Glenn a little, I am not astonished to discover he may have caused some good-hearted amusement.

SH: Ooooh ooh, I just thought of an epic family friendly story.

Photo credit: Cathy Bevan

SH: Last year, my mum came to the show for the first time. She knew that I ran a convention, but hadn’t quite grasped the extend of its popularity. As it was the ten year anniversary, I invite her to join us for the weekend, and I added her to the official guest list poster as “Su’s Mum.”  Everyone spent the entire weekend asking her for hugs, asking “Su’s Mum” to sign things, having their photo taken with her, and generally making her into a huge celebrity for the day.  It was awesome.

TW: Almost my final question: Apart from Judge Dredd. do you have a personal favourite 2000AD character?

SH: I’ve just started reading Chopper! In the last 18 months I learned to surf, so Chopper very much appeals, and I did enjoy seeing him win the Supersurf10!

TW: When and where is Lawless 2025? Are tickets still available?

SH: Lawless Comic Con is held on the 24th and 25th May this year, at the Doubletree by Hilton, Redcliffe Way, Bristol. Tickets are currently on sale via
www.lawlesscomiccon.co.uk

TW: Is there anything else you feel fans should be aware of ahead of this year’s convention?

SH: We’ve got T-shirts on pre-order sale until 1 May! We’re doing a bulk request so place your order now and collect at the show on the day. www.lawlesscomiccon.co.uk

TW: It is likely far too soon to say, we live in an unpredictable world but avoiding larger world events getting in the way is it safe to assume Lawless will continue into 2026 and beyond?

SH: Absolutely! We’ll keep going as long as you guys keep on coming!

Photo credit: Lawless 2016. Rob Dawe Fowler.

TW: Do Lawless attendees receive a convention booklet each year?

SH: Everyone receives a programme when they come to the show, which is a booklet that includes a custom written and drawn Lawless comic, programme centrefold and a signing page. We’re hugely proud to have our own comic character and some amazing artists have interpreted his image and provided some fantastic covers!

TW: In two or three sentences can you say why fans should attend Lawless?

SH: If you want to meet the creators behind the comics you grew up with or talk about the work behind your favourite characters and see original art at your fingertips, then you are welcome at Lawless. If you fancy a pint with one of your heroes or just want to see some amazing cosplay and laugh at how many Judges fit into an elevator, then Lawless is your newfound family.

Come for the comics, stay for the tribe.

TW: Do you tend to take a lot of photos at Lawless?

SH: I don’t get a chance to, so we have an official photographer who does! The official Lawless photos are uploaded to the Lawless Facebook Group and the website after the event, and they’re always great to see.

TW: …And the unpublished photos are kept in a safe somewhere for blackmail purposes?

SH: I couldn’t possibly comment!

All photographs are credited to Cathy Bevan and Rob Dawe Fowler and are used here with the written permission of Su Haddrell.