An evening with Queer As Comics
8 July 2026
An evening of conversation celebrating the rich history and contemporary creativity of queer storytelling in comics. From early coded work to the underground comix of the 1960s and 1970s, the emergence of graphic novels to the expanding world of queer comics today, this event showcases the diverse ways of working, themes and genres that span the comic landscape, in two conversations with four innovative creators.
Bringing together ground breaking cartoonists Kate Charlesworth and David Shenton, who began cartooning in the early queer press of the 1970s and continue today, and contemporary creators Leo Fox and Ollie Hicks, in dialogue to discuss their comic work through the lens of fantasy, we explore queer comic storytelling past, present and future, from the perspectives of those who helped shape and continue to influence it.
Book a ticket for the talk and get free after-hours entry to Queer As Comics from 5:30PM before the talk starts. Early booking recommended as limited spots available. Find out more: Book now.(opens in new window)
Join us in the café from 6PM to grab a complimentary drink from our sponsors El Rayo Tequila before the talk starts.
This conversation accompanies Queer As Comics(opens in new window), on display in our Coal Stores Gallery from 5th June until 4th October 2026.
Paul Gravett, leading comic historian and curator of Queer As Comics, will be compere on the night.
Kate Charlesworth and David Shenton have a lot in common. Both have been in love with Dusty Springfield for the past 27 years. They also have been working cartoonists and illustrators since the 1970s, their work appearing in countless alternative and mainstream publications and LGBTQ+ newspapers.
Kate’s works include her acclaimed graphic novel Sensible Footwear: A Girl’s Guide (Myriad, 2019), which documents a personal and historical journey of British LGBTQ+ life, and graphic novel Sally Heathcote: Suffragette (Jonathan Cape, 2014). David’s works include Stanley and the Mask of Mystery (Gay Men’s Press, 1983), and his later memoir Forty Lie (Knoackabout, 2023), amongst many others.
Ollie Hicks is a comics creator and editor. The writer of graphic novel trilogy GRAND SLAM ROMANCE (Abrams, 2023), co-created with their wife Emma Oosterhous, and known for small press works including Last Summer at Camp Righteous, MASK4MASK and The Cuckening. Their next book with Emma, Gay Persuasion, a modern queer adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion, is forthcoming from Avery Hill in 2027.
Leo Fox is an artist and cartoonist from London. He graduated from the Slade School of Art. He makes surreal comics about gender and dream worlds. His books include Boy Island and Prokaryote Season, published by Silver Sprocket.
Paul Gravett is a London-based freelance journalist, curator, lecturer, writer, and broadcaster, who has worked in comics publishing and promotion since 1981. He is the author of definitive titles including 1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die and Manga: Sixty Years of Japanese Comics, has curated numerous exhibitions on comics, and is the co-director of Comica, the London International Comics Festival.
Join in person at Quentin Blake Centre, or online via livestream. Please select ‘online ticket’ at checkout to join the talk remotely.
Make sure to get down to the event at 6PM when the doors open to have the chance to grab a drink from our sponsors El Rayo Tequila.
If purchasing an online ticket, please note that you will receive an email with a booking confirmation upon purchase. You will receive a follow up email with a link to join the livestream ahead of the event.
Please feel free to get in touch with us at events@qbcentre.org.uk with any questions.
We want our events to be inclusive and accessible. If you have any accessibility requests or questions, please email events@qbcentre.org.uk or phone 020 4524 2657.
You can find out more about Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration’s facilities and accessibility here: Accessing the Centre.(opens in new window)
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