Article:
Comics Pub Meet: Northern England
In the final part of this look at comics pub meets across the UK, we'll be looking at gatherings towards the North of England.The previous three parts have also looked at Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Birmingham, the beginning of my introduction to comics pub meets, and Tony McGee :
"Founded in 1996 by BugPowder's Pete Ashton and Jez Higgins, the veteran of pub meets is still going strong. What began as a small press meet up now encompasses the wide world of comics, beer and general pub chat. All are welcome to pop along."
This is in reference to The Old Fox, Hurst St, opposite Birmingham Hippodrome on the last Saturday of each month, between 4 - 11 pm. Here's a Facebook listing, You can contact Tony at truestories(at)blueyonder(dot) co(dot)uk and oh look, there's a Dark Weather collection on the way, along with lots of other indy comics classics!
Tony mentions another meet. Seemingly bare steps along Hurst Street is The Dragon, where on the second Thursday of each month, 7:30 - 11 pm, MC2 or the Midlands Comics Collective meet. Tony tells me they "met through Birmingham's Stripsearch comic art scheme which started in 2005. Although the MC2 have published several anthologies, the current focus is on relaxed meetings and the occasional convention appearance. If you're a Midlands based creative type, feel free to come along and join in." He recommends I mail Laura Howell who writes there's also a "group interest in individual publishing projects". The Facebook group is located here or email Mikey or Laura at info(at)comicscollective(dot, as above)

"Drink and Draw: http://www.myspace.com/ddscuk
(contact is Peter Frain)
their next one is at the 24hr comic challenge in March at The Tyneside cinema which is organised by P.R.E.S.S. (contact: me!) who will be hosting events throughout March and April:
http://pressukinfo.blogspot.com/
Paperjam comics (contact: Jack Fallows) also run a few events and have regular meets:
http://paperjamcomics.blogspot.com/ "