Dublin Comic Jam: Develop and share ideas with comic book artists

On the last Thursday of every month, a small but dedicated group of comic book artists gather in Inchicore for the Dublin Comic Jam.

Held in Little Deer Comics on Emmet Road, the gathering gives artists the opportunity to share their creations with others and develop their ideas in a collaborative and supportive environment.

The Dublin Comic Jam first started in 2008 and over the years thousands of comic strips, across all manner of genres, have been created by participants.

Katherine Foyle, the organiser of the Dublin Comic Jam and a Drimnagh resident, told The Echo about what people can expect at a jam, and emphasised that it’s open to all.

How many members are currently in the Dublin Comic Jam?

The numbers at the jam are constantly fluctuating, since there’s no requirement to attend every month, just drop in when you feel like it.

Usually we get around six people, in busy months it can be ten or more – but I’m willing to host a jam for even one participant!

We also have an online Discord server where people can chat between jams, which currently has 35 members.

How would you describe the atmosphere at Comic Jam events?

The atmosphere is very relaxed, casual. Usually the comics are funny, so that feeds into the general vibe and vice versa.

Especially since we’ve moved into The Little Deer, there’s a bit less pressure than in a pub where your work is potentially being seen and judged by passers-by.

What impact does being involved in the Dublin Comic Jam have on participants?

In the short term, a comic jam is a great storytelling exercise and pushes you to give up control over a narrative, maybe experiment a bit with stories you wouldn’t usually tell, and to get comfortable with less-than-perfect artwork.

Long-term, I can say from personal experience that it’s a great place to build connections with other artists, especially since comics in Ireland are mostly a labour of love.

How has the jam developed over the years?

This event has been around for years with different organisers, and it was the first event from what has become the Stray Lines comics collective, which has gone on to spawn publications, connections and events like the Dublin Comic Arts Festival, not to mention really rewarding friendships.

At the moment as well, we’re getting a lot of jammers who moved to Ireland or started making comics during the pandemic, and this is sometimes their first opportunity to socialise in person without a business element.

It’s great to see the community growing!

What would you say to someone who might be curious about joining, but is unsure of their artistic ability or might feel a bit nervous?

I would advise anyone who is nervous about their artistic ability to look at our back catalogue of jams! Actual drawing skill is a bonus, rather than a requirement, for comics.

Comics are about communication with words and pictures, so if you can make yourself understood, you can make a comic, and that’s a lot easier than people think.

I’ve definitely improved my drawing a lot at the jam, because it’s a great place to practice with no stakes.

Plus, it’s collaborative, so you only need to handle one panel at a time – if you’re worried about writing the end of something, someone else can always do it for you!

The next Dublin Comic Jam will be held in Little Deer Comics at 7pm on Thursday, September 29. It’s a BYOB event, and attendees bring their own art materials and are requested to wear masks.

For more information, follow @DublinComicJam on Twitter and Instagram.