It's one of the most beloved events in the global comics calendar, and it's coming to Yorkshire this November.
Thought Bubble, the UK’s largest comic art festival and the highlight of the year for film, gaming and comic fans in Yorkshire, has confirmed it will be going ahead with a physical festival in 2021.
Due to take place at Harrogate Convention Centre on 13th and 14th November, the festival has just revealed some huge announcements for its lineup.
These include iconic American comic book writer Frank Miller, best known for his work on Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns and Dare Devil. Miller will appear alongside Eisner-nominated artist and writer, Joëlle Jones (Wonder Girl, Lady Killer), and multi-award-winning Thor artist Christian Ward.
And there's more. Leading comics figures such as Megdalene Visaggio, Doug Braithwaite, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Peter Krause, Sarah Graley, Matt Ferguson and Emma Vieceli are also set to attend.
The convention takes place over a weekend and will include hundreds of comic-creating exhibitors.
On top of this, there'll be panels, workshops, screenings taking place throughout the festival. We even hear there's an opera on the cards.
The event is scheduled to take place after the planned dropping of covid restrictions in the UK, however organisers are still being incredibly mindful about guests' safety.
Alongside the main festival and comic convention, there will also be a number of special projects taking place throughout the summer across Yorkshire.
These will include a series of ‘Thought Bubble Socials’ with the Belgrave Music Hall and Pop-up Bubs Lounge at The Beck and Call pub in Leeds and Deershed Festivals ‘Base Camp’ event in North Yorkshire.
Speaking on the upcoming festival, festiva; manager Chloe Green said: “It’s incredibly tempting to run screaming with excitement towards Thought Bubble 2021 when we have a line-up like this, instead we are cautiously edging towards those convention doors with so much hope.
"The comics community is bursting to get together, and we cannot wait to be with you all again!”
Tickets for Thought Bubble Comic Convention are on sale now with free admission for the under 12s, carers and over 65s, giving access to all events within the comic convention; panels, workshops, guest signing and the three huge halls of comic creating exhibitors, publishers.
Tickets can be purchases via the Thought Bubble website.
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Inside Sheffield’s new supersize JD Sports Store that has just opened in Meadowhall
Meadowhall has just welcomed a brand-new JD Sports Store - and it is absolutely mega.
Trainer and sportswear lovers, this one's for you as JD Sports has just opened the doors to its newest store.
Located in Meadowhall shopping centre on the Lower Level of the High Street, the new store is almost triple its previous size and spans a whopping 29,225 sq ft.
Shoppers can now browse an ever bigger selection of clothing, footwear and sportswear from big brands like Nike, Montirex, New Balance, Adidas and Berghaus just to name a few.
Image: The Sheff
To make your shopping experience even smoother, the new store features self-service tills so you can be in and out within a flash.
To celebrate the opening, Chunkz and Kenny from popular Youtube collective Beta Squad officially opened the store today and held a meet and greet for fans.
Image: The Sheff
And the celebrations don't stop there, as from Friday 31 July - Sunday 2 August customers can get involved in JD's Spin-to-Win, with the chance to win gift cards, trainers and JD-branded merchandise.
Not only that, but Montirex will be hosting games all-weekend-long.
And if you can't make it that weekend, then do not fear. As on Friday 7 - Sunday 9 August, The Crep Protect truck will be rolling into Meadowhall giving out free goodie bags for customers who sign up to JD Status and follow Crep Protect.
Image: The Sheff
Sneaker Throne will also be offering a shoe-cleaning experience, with demonstrations showing customers how to keep their trainers fresh using products available in-store and goodie bags will be on offer which will also include tokens to play the Cop & Flop game.
So, what are you waiting for? We'll see you there for a fresh new fit.
Shortlist for 2026 Mercury Prize announced with several northern names making the cut
Clementine Hall
The shortlist for the 2026 Mercury Prize has officially landed - and it's another huge year for music from the north.
The prestigious annual award, which celebrates the very best British and Irish albums released over the past 12 months, has unveiled its 12 nominated records ahead of this year's ceremony in Newcastle this October.
Among the biggest talking points is a first-ever Mercury Prize nomination for music legend and northern icon Sir Paul McCartney, whose latest album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane has earned him a place on the shortlist.
Elsewhere representing the north, Newcastle jazz collective Knats have been shortlisted for A Great Day In Newcastle while jungle pioneer Nia Archives, who comes from Bradford, is recognised for her acclaimed album Emotional Junglist.
Image: Audio North
Another artist flying the Newcastle flag is JADE with her debut solo album That's Showbiz Baby!, whilst other notable nominations include Olivia Dean, RAYE and and the charity compilation HELP(2) from War Child Records.
The full 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist is:
Paul McCartney – The Boys Of Dungeon Lane
Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
RAYE – This Music May Contain Hope
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream
Dove Ellis – Blizzard
Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle
Kojey Radical – Don't Look Down
JADE – That's Showbiz Baby!
Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist
Suede – Antidepressants
War Child Records – HELP(2)
This year's Mercury Prize ceremony will return to Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Thursday 22 October after the city successfully hosted the awards for the first time last year.
The 2025 event saw hometown hero Sam Fender take home the coveted prize for People Watching, and who knows - maybe The Toon will bag another prize for a hometown hero.
Georgina Pellant -
3rd June 2021 
