Enniskillen ComicFest: World-class talent delighted to attend

Paul shared his insights into how the event went, what it was like to have top-tier talents gathered right here in Fermanagh, and some other thoughts on ComicFest, now firmly established on the international comic convention circuit as a highly-regarded event.

How did you feel the ComicFest went overall?

Overall, I think it was a huge success. Coming out of Covid-19, I wasn’t sure just how people would take to ComicFest’s return. But in the end, we had close to a thousand people through the door. We had some fans travel over from England, one from France and even a couple from America. ComicFest has grown into a truly international event!

Was the event perceived as ‘for kids’, or were you happy with the turnout of older comic fans?

I feel it’s very important to encourage the younger fans, as they are the next generation of comics readers, and its writers and artists.

Garth Ennis with his new book, Battle Action.

This year, as Covid-19 still lingers, we decided to downsize ComicFest and just focus on the launch of [headliner] Garth’s [Ennis] new Battle-Action Special, so all promotion was directed at comics fans rather than as a more family-focused event.

Do you feel events such as ComicFest is a good introduction to the comics and printed content that many hit shows on streaming platforms are based on, or vice versa?

Definitely. For anyone wanting to start reading comics, or get back into reading comics, my advice would be to talk to talk to other fans, or a retailer at a comics-focused event, or a comic shop, and they can help point you in the right direction.

There is such a diverse range of publishers and genres in comics that it could get overwhelming if you’re not sure what you’re looking for.

SEE ALSO: 'The Boys' comic writer Garth Ennis to appear at Enniskillen ComicFest

What was it like having world-renowned writer Garth Ennis right here in Enniskillen?

It was a real honour to have Garth as a guest at ComicFest. He’s one of the most popular writers in comics, and his work is known right across the world. He’s written some of the best, and best-known, comics of the past 30 years or so. We’ve had big-name guests in previous years, but Garth is really on a different level.

Artist Kevin McHugh.

Garth was delighted with how ComicFest went, and the appreciation he received from the hundreds of fans who queued up to get his signature.

It was a real cross-section of fandom, with young kids there with [some of his work, such as] ‘The Punisher’ and ‘The Boys’, through to more senior fans, like myself, wanting some of his earliest work and his War comics signed.

To me, the best sign that a guest has enjoyed ComicFest is when they say they’d love to come back, and yes, Garth said that to me afterwards.

Did you get the chance to talk much with Garth, as well as other top talents such as Marvel artist Declan Shalvey, David Hunt (linked with Battle, and Eagle), and the other talented guests?

A real highlight of ComicFest every year is the chance to chat informally with the guests over a meal and a pint.

In fact, you could say that ComicFest continues long after the main event finishes!

Local Artist , Mark Reihill.

It’s also a chance for our guests to meet up again with other industry professionals that they may not have seen for a while.

Finally, it’s early days yet, but are plans already under way for ComicFest 2023, and if so, what might they be? Are you hoping that ComicFest, in Enniskillen, will be Northern Ireland’s top event for celebrating comics and spin-off media?

As the last guests and visitors head off for home after ComicFest each year, this is the question I’m always asked.

With there being so many comic conventions across the UK and Ireland, Europe and America, there is a great demand for potential guests to attend each of them, so invitations need to start going out up to a year in advance.

Basically, yes – as long as funding can be sourced. Unlike most comic conventions, ComicFest is free to enter in order to make it accessible to as many people as possible, so we rely on outside funding to cover the costs – and here I must thank Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and Experience Enniskillen, for their support.

But additional funding is always needed, so if there’s anyone reading this who’d like to help...

Also paying tribute to the success of this year’s Enniskillen ComicFest, the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Barry McEduff, said: “I would like to congratulate Enniskillen ComicFest on another very successful event.

“I am delighted that the Council was able to provide funding towards this event, which attracted significant numbers from the district, and various parts of Ireland, England, France and the USA.

“This was a welcome boost to our local economy, and showcased what our district has to offer.”