Start-up business celebrating comics creators at convention

A comics publisher launched with support from Teesside University is celebrating the work of talented creators at its convention.

Founded by comic creators James Brady, Tom Philipson and Theo Pickering, CoCo Comics publishes digital and physical comics and anthologies.

Some of its popular titles include The Magician’s Curse, Strange World and AzeVentures, comics created by the founding members of the business.

The team, whose shared passion for comics brought them together during their studies at Teesside University, also organise events which champion other comic creators, and they are looking forward to hosting CoCo Comic Con next month.

After successfully launching the inaugural event last year, which was held above a pizza restaurant, the team were looking to expand for its return.

Tom Philipson, 22, from Gateshead, said: “The first CoCo Comic Con went great, it was really incredible. I’m super excited for the next one because I think it’ll be bigger and better.

“It’s still cool comic creators in a room, hanging out and selling stuff, but every year we’re hoping to do something a bit different and exciting.”

CoCo Comics aims to highlight the importance of comic creators through its event. Tom added: “I think it’s always good to remind the creators and exhibitors that they are the only reason that the events happen. They’re not second fiddle to an actor from Doctor Who or Star Wars, they are the backbone of the event. I think that is the ethos of what we want to do with any event we put on in the future. Creators come first.”

During their studies within Teesside University’s School of Arts & Creative Industries, James, Tom and Theo started to discuss their plans for the future.

Having forged a bond as members of the Comics Society, the group decided to team up and launch their own business with support from Teesside University’s Launchpad FUEL programme, which helped them to kickstart their business by providing access to workshops, mentorship, resources and funding.

James, 25, from Hebden Bridge, graduated from Teesside University with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Comics and Graphic Novels. He said: “The Launchpad FUEL programme was really good. It helped us sharpen the focus of what we wanted to create with our business and made us think about the brand that we were making.

“We managed to get a grant which helped us through our first year of production - printing, hiring other artists to work with, paying for trips to Comic Cons, that sort of thing. It was really instrumental in getting us off the ground.”

Tom added: “It’s a great thing for people to have the opportunity to present their business idea and potentially get funding for it. If you have the passion and a good idea, they will support it, so it’s very exciting and motivating.”

Lizzie Dixon, Enterprise Officer at Teesside University, said: “The Launchpad FUEL programme provides fantastic support for burgeoning entrepreneurs to get their business ideas off the ground, but one of the most important things participants must have to be successful is passion.

“Even then, James, Tom and Theo’s passion for comics was clear, and we are thrilled to see that they are continuing to share this love with the wider public as their business grows.”

CoCo Comic Con is set to take place on Saturday 24 June, 10.00am – 5.00pm, at The Storey, a historic building in Lancaster.

It is free to members of the public, who are encouraged to come along dressed up as their favourite comic book characters.

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