British small press comics facts for kids

British small press comics are special comic books made by people who love drawing and writing stories. These comics are usually created and printed by the artists themselves, often in small numbers, right here in the UK. Think of them like a zine (a small, self-made magazine) but filled mostly with cool comic strips!

These comics are a bit like minicomics in America or doujinshi in Japan. The name "small press comics" started in the early 1980s. It helped people tell them apart from magazines that were just about comics. Many famous artists got their start making these comics, like Eddie Campbell, Paul Grist, Rian Hughes, Jamie Hewlett, Alan Martin, Philip Bond and Andi Watson.

How Small Press Comics Reach Readers

Small press comics often find their way to readers in unique ways.

Selling Comics by Mail

One common way to buy these comics is through the mail. Creators use reviews, online ads, and even just word of mouth to let people know their comics exist.

There are also special services called "distros" (short for distributors). These distros hold many different small press comics. They help artists sell their work and take a small part of the price. Samu and SmallZone are two main distros in the UK today.

Comics at Events and Shops

You can also find small press comics at special events. These are often called conventions or festivals. Artists who know each other might share a table to sell their comics together. This helps them save money.

Some events just for small press comics include Caption in Oxford. There's also the UK Web and Mini Comix Thing in London. Creators often connect with people in other countries too. This helps their comics reach even more readers worldwide.

It's not very common for these comics to be sold in big comic book stores. That's because big stores often use large distributors like Diamond. However, some local comic shops do stock comics by artists from their area. Shops like Gosh! in London and Page 45 in Nottingham are known for having a wider range. Sometimes, even larger bookstores like Borders and Foyles in London have sold small press titles.

How Small Press Comics Are Made

For a long time, small press comics were made simply.

Traditional Making Methods

The usual way to make these comics was to use a photocopier. They were often stapled booklets, about half the size of a regular piece of paper (A5 size). This is similar to how American minicomics are made.

Some artists still make their comics this way. They like the handmade feel of it. Sometimes, they even decorate each copy by hand!

Modern Printing and Digital Comics

In recent years, it's become easier and cheaper to print comics professionally. This means artists can now make their comics look very polished.

Also, some of the spirit of small press comics has moved online. Many artists now create webcomics. These are comics that you can read on the internet.