Yo Comics!, a free-entry comics fair designed for young people aged seven to fourteen, is returning to Stanley Arts in South Norwood on Sunday 22 March.
Launched in 2025, the fair offers a platform for everyone from professional comic creators to budding young artists to showcase and sell their work. Alongside the market stalls, visitors can enjoy creative workshops led by leading names in comics, as well as a free reading room for a quieter moment.
Professional creators will be selling comics and graphic novels from just a few pounds, signing copies and chatting to young people about their creative process. Guests include favourites like Gary Northfield, Tor Freeman and many more.
The fair is organised by Helen Jones and co-founder Hannah Lee Miller. Helen is currently completing a PhD on children’s comic-making at Goldsmiths, runs an after-school comics club and has co-written a book on comics in education. Hannah has worked in children’s television production on shows including Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee, alongside creating and selling her own comics.
Helen said: “We started Yo Comics! because we wanted to create a comics event for all ages, but particularly for seven to fourteen-year-olds. We felt this age group had a real love of comics but no events specifically aimed at them.
“Other comics fairs might sometimes include material that is not suitable for younger readers, so we wanted to create a safe space for all young comics readers and makers.”
There will be six workshops running throughout the day, all for just £3 each. Character design fans can team up with Marc Jackson (the Beano, The Phoenix, GOOF) to invent unforgettable characters, while master storyteller Woodrow Phoenix (Donny Digits) will share his comic building blocks to help budding writers form brilliant plots.
Aspiring publishers can join Comics Youth for an introduction to micro-publishing, where participants create, print and even distribute their own mini-comic or zine. Gary Northfield (The Phoenix, Bog Eyed Books) will guide children in crafting Mighty Mega Pets adventures, and Tanya Scott (Wizkit) will help conjure up medieval monsters. There’s also a dynamic manga and zine-making session with manga brand Mayamada.
There will be a number of free activities on offer too. Head to the Chill Out Comics Library, where you can pick up a free copy of the Phoenix and the Beano and sink into a bean bag for some relaxed reading. In the Megaphone Zone, visitors can help create a giant collaborative comic and 3D mega mural.
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The organisers created the fair to give young people a platform to share their work. Inspired by the joy children take in running their own playground comic fairs, they now offer schools and youth groups the opportunity to exhibit and sell their creations alongside professional makers.
This year, over twelve youth groups and young creators will be taking part in the fair, ranging in age from six to fourteen.
When: Sunday 22 March, 11am – 5pm
Where: Stanley Arts, 12 South Norwood Hill, SE25 6AB
Price: Free entry, workshops are £3
To book a place on a workshop, visit: yocomicsfair.co.uk
