The Lakes International Comic Art Festival

The materials used to promote the festival have been created by Jonathan Edwards, who drew eight characters he says “hopefully represent all the different facets of a modern comic convention”.

Four of these little guys have been realised in cuddly 3D by Edwards’ partner, Felt Mistress, and appeared in the window of Beales department store to promote the event, where they appeared with hundred of comics form the last four decades.

This year’s festival boasts appearances from comic luminaries including Junko Mizuno, Joost Swarte, Boulet, Rob Davis, Becky Cloonan, Dave Gibbons, Rian Hughes, Audrey Niffenegger, Fumio Obata, Woodrow Phoenix, Kristyna Baczynski, Jeff Smith, Oliver East and Darryl Cunningham.

More than 50 events will be taking place over the festival’s three-day run, and highlights include an appearance by Watchmen artist Dave Gibbons on the opening night.

We’re also particulatlry excited by the sound of the How a Viz Comic is Made project – which organiser describe as “a fully animatronic, interactive museum” created by the people behind Viz magazine.

There’s something of an international feel to the themes running through the weekend, with a “Konnichiwa Japan” strand and the “Here Come the Frogs” examination of French comic art.

Elsewhere visitors can enjoy a family zone for younger comic-fans; and a comic art trail of Kendal will see more than 40 shop and business windows across the town displaying comic-based work.

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival takes place from 17 – 19 October at various venues across Kendal. For more information visit http://www.comicartfestival.com