With Christmas and New Year disappearing into the distant past, it’s time to start thinking about comic conventions again, and this means we turn our attention to the traditional season opener The True Believers Comic Festival 2020, which is held in Jury’s Inn, Cheltenham on Saturday 1st February 2020.

One of our favourite events of the convention calendar (check out our Show Reports from 2019, 2018 and 2017), we are set to return to the Jury’s Inn, Cheltenham on Saturday February 2nd for another fantastic day of comics, cosplay and more!

Tickets are still available and can be bought from http://oktruebelievers.com/tickets-2020

We caught up with founder and organiser Stuart Mulrain to find out more:

So what’s In Store for True Believers 2020?

SM: Troobs 2020 offers fans of all ages another day packed with comic book goodness.  We have a convention hall with 60 plus tables of comic creators, artists and back issue comic sellers, offering fans the chance to rediscover some old favourites, fill some gaps in their collections and discover new stories and creators as well.  We will also have a Troobs Creates workshop area, featuring a host of workshops, panels and drop in activities throughout the day, designed to get creators of all ages drawing and writing their own stories and art.  There will also be the usual Troobs favourites like the Celebrate Cosplay side of the event and our Charity Raffle, which will again be held to raise funds for the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.

You can find a full list of who will be there at http://oktruebelievers.com/whos-there-2020

How did you think last Last Year Went with the new venue?

SM: It’s always hard when you change venue, especially when that change means that you have to downsize your event, but – with the exception of a couple of teething problems – the event was a success for us in the new venue.  As with any kind of change, there were those who didn’t like it, and I completely understand that, but I think in the long run, it was a necessary move in order to keep the event going.  Fortunately those who didn’t like the change seemed to be in the minority, and a lot of people seemed to dig the old school comic con vibe that came from being in a more intimate environment, which gave it that great nostalgic feeling of a group of fans who love something, coming together to celebrate that love.

Have you changed anything from last year?

SM: As with any kind of change to an event, there were some teething problems to work out from last years event, which I think we’ve fixed (or at least improved on from last year), but that’s all practical stuff like tweaking the floor plan to flow better and rejigging the areas where the various events are run and how.  We’ve been incredibly lucky in the fact that we’ve built up a loyal fan base over the years, who love Troobs for what it is, so we’re conscious about not straying away from that thing we do, that they like so much.  We continue to lean more into our strengths each year, with more of a focus on small press and indie creators and back issue sellers on the convention floor and continuing to build on our workshops and panels, hopefully helping to fire that spark of creativity in others.

Making their debut at True Believers 2020

With it being the first convention of the year, True Believers is also a fantastic place to launch a new comic and here are just some of the great new titles debuting this uyear.

Artist Angst Vol. 2: Pretentious Nonsense by Kev Brett
Dogjaw #2 by Grayham Puttock
Galaxy Grappling Alliance by Damian Edwardson
I Before E Except After W, That’s Weird by Dave West
The King by John Tucker
My Little Green Bike by Helena
A Sketchbook Of Robots 2 by I Am Zoot

There are also several titles that have been previously available online, but are making their convention debut which are;

Campfire Stories by Asa Wheatley, Raquel Kusiak, Kevin Keane, Garry Mac, Sammy Ward, Elena Gogou, Natasha Alterici & Lucas Gattoni
Something Wicked 2019 from Future Quake Press
Zarjaz #35 from Future Quake Press

You can find full details of the titles debuting on the True Belivers website website at http://oktruebelievers.com/launching-at-troobs-2020

If any of this has whetted your appetite for comics, then tickets are still available and can be bought from http://oktruebelievers.com/tickets-2020