Comic fans, families and curious newcomers can head to London’s South Bank this September for inQ!, a free queer comic fair celebrating LGBTQIA+ creators, independent publishing and graphic storytelling. With comics, zines, prints, signings and a welcoming community atmosphere, the popular event offers an easy way to discover fresh voices without spending a penny at the door.

Essential Takeaways

  • When: Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 2026, from 10.30am to 5.30pm.
  • Where: The London LGBTQ+ Community Centre on Hopton Street, near Blackfriars Station.
  • What to expect: Comics, zines, signed books, art prints, merchandise and exclusive small-press releases.
  • Why go: Entry is free, the event is family-friendly and creators come from across the UK.
  • Extra opportunity: The community table lets creators bring and sell their own comics and zines without paying for a stall.

London’s free queer comic fair is getting bigger

There’s something wonderfully tactile about a comic fair: the rustle of paper, the flash of a bright cover and the pleasure of chatting directly with the person who made it. inQ! brings that energy to London again this September, with a weekend devoted to LGBTQIA+ comics, zines and independent art.

The 2026 edition will take place at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre on London’s South Bank. According to the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre’s event listing, visitors can attend free of charge and won't need a ticket, making it an unusually accessible date for anyone keen to explore queer publishing. [2], [4]

The fair is organised on a voluntary, non-profit basis by artists Lauren O’Farrell, Chloe Starling and KitsuneArt. Their aim is straightforward but important: to give queer creators a visible, supportive place to share stories that might otherwise struggle to find a platform. [3], [4]

What can visitors buy at inQ! 2026?

The stalls will cover plenty of ground, from handmade zines and one-off publications to glossy prints, shiny merchandise and signed graphic novels. That mix is part of the charm. You might arrive looking for a particular artist and leave with a tiny comic, an unexpected recommendation and a new favourite character.

The exhibitor list includes established names, award-winning creators and newer voices. Featured artists include Eren Angiolini, Jenny Robins, Hamish Steele, Shazleen Khan, Dominique Duong, Alex Taylor, Bex Burgess and many more, with work spanning memoir, fantasy, humour, horror and everyday queer life. Broken Frontier's coverage also highlights the fair's broad creator line-up and its focus on independent comics. [3]

There will be a dedicated signing table featuring Hamish Steele, Shazleen Khan and Ed Firth, while further appearances are expected to be announced. For collectors, that could make the weekend particularly tempting, especially if you're after a signed copy or a publication launched specifically for the event. [2], [3]

A welcoming space for readers and creators

inQ! isn't just a shopping trip. The fair is designed as a community-focused gathering where people can meet artists, talk about the work and see the range of stories being produced across the UK. The family-friendly approach should also make it less intimidating for first-time visitors who aren't used to comic conventions.

A community table will offer another route into the event. Creators can bring their own comics and zines to sell for free, which lowers the financial barrier to taking part and gives emerging artists a chance to test the waters. [2], [3]

That matters because small-press comics often begin modestly, with a stapled booklet, a folding table and a creator hoping someone stops to look. inQ! gives those early projects room to breathe, and readers get the fun of discovering them before everyone else does.

Why independent queer comics matter

The wider comics scene has become more welcoming to diverse stories, but visibility still isn't automatic. Events such as inQ! provide a physical meeting point for work that can be personal, political, playful or all three at once.

The organisers describe comics and zines as tools for breaking down barriers and starting conversations. That idea is reflected in the event's structure: instead of separating artists from audiences, it puts them across the same tables, where a quick question can turn into a proper conversation. [3], [4]

For visitors, that makes the fair feel more relaxed than a large commercial convention. There are no towering brand displays or acres of merchandise to navigate, just the appealingly low-tech pleasure of paper, ink and people who care deeply about what they make.

How to make the most of the weekend

Start by checking the exhibitor and signing information on the official inQ! website before travelling. The event runs from 10.30am to 5.30pm on both days, and planning a shortlist can help if there are particular creators or signed editions you don't want to miss. [2]

Bring a tote bag, as comics and prints have a habit of multiplying. It's also sensible to carry a payment method that works for independent traders, although individual stalls may differ in how they accept payment.

The venue is at 60-62 Hopton Street, London SE1 9JH, next to Blackfriars Station. The London LGBTQ+ Community Centre provides an established home for community events and activities, so visitors can expect a setting designed around inclusion rather than a generic exhibition hall. [4], [5]

A small fair with plenty of heart

With a larger 2026 line-up and a free-to-enter format, inQ! looks set to be one of London's most inviting comic events this autumn. It offers the rare combination of easy access, serious creative talent and the warm possibility of finding something handmade and entirely unexpected.

As the organisers put it, the event is about comics, zines and the importance of celebrating vibrant LGBTQIA+ voices. Add a cup of tea, a decent biscuit and a bag full of new reading, and the plan sounds hard to argue with. [3]

Explore the exhibitor list, bring a friend and leave room in your bag for a brilliant little discovery.

Source Reference Map

Story idea inspired by: [1]

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