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 along with the opportunity to buy and sell them. CAPTION was last held in 2025, and is expected to return in 2026.
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.Roberts, Andy. "Andy Roberts' 1993," Linusland (8 May 2005).
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.Cugley, Damian. "Small press night at the UK Comics Creators' Guild," [email protected] post (26 Nove. 1993).
CAPTION moved venues to Wolfson College for 2004 and 2005. From 2006 to 2013 it was held at the East Oxford Community Centre.
CAPTION skipped a year in 2014. It had been planned to be held in Brighton, but a scheduling conflict with the University of Brighton forced the show to be canceled."Caption skip year," CAPTION blog (28 March 2014). At that point, the show announced its intention to mount future shows in a different British city each year.
CAPTION also skipped a year in 2016 before returning in December 2017 for the convention's 25th-anniversary show."Caption 2017," CAPTION blog (27 October 2017).
The event returned to Oxford in 2025 with speakers including Darryl Cunningham, Andy Oliver, Bobby Joseph and others. "Caption 2025,"Caption 2025 website.
Dates, themes, and special guests January 1992: no specific theme 17–18 July 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 19–20 July 1997: EuroCAPTION — guests include France's David B, Spain's Max, and the Netherlands' Maaike Hartjes 25–26 July 1998: The Death of CAPTION Summer 1999: SpaceCAPTION1999 — guests include Bryan Talbot 12–13 August 2000: You cannot kill that which is already dead 18–19 August 2001: Love is ... CAPTION 2001 17–18 August 2002: CAPTION Noir August 2003:Allass, Marcia. "Lovely Bristols," Sequential Tart vol. 6, issue #6 (June 2003). CyberCAPTION — guests include Carla Speed McNeil 14–15 August 2004: CAPTION is History — guests include Al Davison and Pat Mills 30–31 July 2005: Bargain Basement CAPTION 5–6 August 2006: CAPTION RemixBadham, Matthew. "CAPTION Revealed," Judge Dredd Megazine (2006). 11–12 August 2007: Dreams and Nightmares 9–10 August 2008: Timewarp CAPTION 15–16 August 2009: CAPTION is away with the fairies 31 July to 1 August 2010: Mad Science 6–7 August 2011: Austerity 18–19 August 2012: CAPTION Summer Special 24–25 August 2013 10–11 October 2015 1–2 December 2017: 25th anniversary show 16–17 August 2025: Caption REBIRTH 8–9 August 2026: PIRATE Caption
References
External links
Alleged Literature by CAPTION co-founder Jeremy Dennis CAPTION co-founder Jeremy Dennis' Cleanskies