Caption (comics convention)

CAPTION is an annual comics convention specialising in British small press comics. It was first held in Oxford in January 1992, subsequently being held in summer each year. Loosely based on a theme, each year's event offers panels and workshops related to small press comics[1] along with the opportunity to buy and sell them. There is also a significant social aspect. CAPTION is currently the longest-running comics convention in Britain.

Clown
StatusInactive
GenreComics
VenueOxford Union Society (1992–2003)
Wolfson College (2004–2005)
East Oxford Community Centre (2006–2013)
Coventry (2015)
The Phoenix, Brighton (2017)
Location(s)Oxford (1992–2013)
Coventry (2015)
Brighton (2017)
CountryUnited Kingdom
Inaugurated1992
Most recent2017
Organized byAdrian Cox, Damian Cugley, Jeremy Dennis, and Jenni Scott
Websitecaption.org

CAPTION differs from other conventions by breaking down the distinction between named guests and other attendees, avoiding segregation or special treatment of guests. In addition it prioritizes the social interaction of attendees by encouraging comics creators to place their publications on the CAPTION stall, managed by a rota of volunteers.

History

CAPTION was founded in 1992 by Adrian Cox, Damian Cugley, Jeremy Dennis, and Jenni Scott. Between 1992 and 2003 CAPTION took place in the Oxford Union Society.

Ed Pinsent was an early star of CAPTION conventions, selling his Fast Fiction on his stall.

In 1993 Andy Roberts moved to Oxford, and was able to lend his considerable experience in art and design to the convention.[2]

In 1994 Peter Pavement started selling zines from around the world as well as repackaging other small press comics, and his zine Pavement Pizza became Ground Level.[3]

CAPTION moved venues to Wolfson College for 2004 and 2005. From 2006 to 2013 it was held at the East Oxford Community Centre.

The convention has undergone a number of changes of organizing committee during its existence while continuing to be run by a core of Oxford-based comics creators, fans, and connoisseurs.

CAPTION skipped a year in 2014. It had been planned to be held in Brighton, but a scheduling conflict with University of Brighton forced the showed to be cancelled.[4] At that point, the show announced its intention to mount future shows in a different British city each year.[4]

CAPTION also skipped a year in 2016 before returning in December 2017 for the convention's 25th anniversary show.[5]

There has not been a CAPTION show since 2017.

Dates, themes, and special guests
  • January 1992: no specific theme
  • July 17–18, 1993: Comics: Art or Trash? — debating the status of comics within culture
  • Summer 1994: Sex & Drugs & Rock'n'Roll — guests include Hunt Emerson, Pete Loveday, and Bryan Talbot
  • Summer 1995:
  • Summer 1996: Lazy CAPTION
  • Summer 1997: EuroCAPTION — guests include France's David B, Spain's Max, and the Netherlands' Maaike Hartjes
  • Summer 1998: The Death of CAPTION[6]
  • Summer 1999: SpaceCAPTION1999 — guests include Bryan Talbot
  • August 12–13, 2000: You cannot kill that which is already dead
  • August 18–19, 2001: Love is ... CAPTION 2001
  • August 17–18, 2002: CAPTION Noir
  • August 2003:[7] CyberCAPTION — guests include Carla Speed McNeil
  • August 14–15, 2004: CAPTION is History — guests include Al Davison and Pat Mills
  • July 30–31, 2005: Bargain Basement CAPTION
  • August 5–6, 2006: CAPTION Remix[1]
  • August 11–12, 2007: Dreams and Nightmares
  • August 9–10, 2008: Timewarp CAPTION
  • August 15–16, 2009: CAPTION is away with the fairies
  • July 31–August 1, 2010: Mad Science
  • August 6–7, 2011: Austerity
  • August 18–19, 2012: CAPTION Summer Special
  • August 24–25, 2013
  • October 10–11, 2015
  • December 1–2, 2017: 25th anniversary show

References
  1. Badham, Matthew. "CAPTION Revealed," Judge Dredd Megazine (2006).
  2. Roberts, Andy. "Andy Roberts' 1993," Linusland (May 8, 2005).
  3. Cugley, Damian. "Small press night at the UK Comics Creators' Guild," Archived April 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine comix@world.std.com post (26 Nove. 1993).
  4. "Caption skip year," CAPTION blog (March 28, 2014).
  5. "Caption 2017," CAPTION blog (October 27, 2017).
  6. Scott, Jenni. "The death of CAPTION," Archived April 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine CAPTION official site (1998).
  7. Allass, Marcia. "Lovely Bristols," Sequential Tart vol. 6, issue #6 (June 2003).
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