British Comic Art Convention

British Comic Art Convention
1968 attendee badge. Art by Mike Higgs
Status	Defunct
Genre	Comic books
Venue	Waverley Hotel, London (1969, 1971–1973) Regent Centre Hotel, London (1974–1977)
Location(s)	Birmingham (1968, 1979) London (1969, 1971–1978, 1981) Sheffield (1970)
Country	United Kingdom
Inaugurated	1968
Most recent	1981
Organized by	Rob Barrow (1973–1978)

The British Comic Art Convention (usually known by the moniker Comicon) was an annual British comic book convention which was held between 1968 and 1981, usually in London. The earliest British fan convention devoted entirely to comics, it was also the birthplace of the Eagle Awards.

Most editions of Comicon took place over two days, usually on a Saturday and Sunday. The convention featured floorspace for exhibitors, including comic book dealers and collectibles merchants. Along with panels, seminars, and workshops with comic book professionals, one of the highlights of Comicon was the Saturday all-night film show.

The first Comicon was organized by Phil Clarke and was held 30 August – 2 September 1968 in Birmingham, England. The first show attracted both professional and amateur creators of the time, including Alan Moore, Paul Neary, Jim Baikie, Steve Moore, and Nick Landau. It also featured a "fancy dress" contest, in which contestants dressed up as characters from the comic books.

Comicon '69, held in London, was organized by Bram Stokes, "Godfather of British fandom" Frank Dobson, and Steve Moore. Comicon '70 was organized by Sam Plumb and held in Sheffield. Comicon '71 returned to London (where it stayed, except for a one-year return to Birmingham in 1979), and was organized by retailer Bram Stokes and later-Marvel UK editor Dez Skinn.

Comicon '72, the fifth annual show, was organized by Nick Landau, later to become publisher of Titan Books. The Comicon '72 program booklet featured artwork by Robert Crumb, Kevin O'Neill, and Mike Higgs.