The June 2026 London Comic Mart at Bloomsbury’s Royal National Hotel underlined why this show remains the go-to market for back-issue comics and dealer trade in the UK — an hour-long sweep across the floor captured the constant churn of collectors, sellers and industry faces. For anyone following the health of the physical comics market, the event offered a clear snapshot of supply, demand and community activity ahead of the next Mart on 16 August.
Organised by Showmasters, the Mart is less a fan convention and more a working marketplace: long boxes, price-checking, and dealers reshuffling stock for the season. The Royal National’s location, once the site of the UKCAC conventions in the 1980s, still draws a mix of veteran shopkeepers, dedicated collectors and sporadic publisher presence.
June highlights and what they mean
A short walkaround video shot during the final half-hour gave a good sense of the day: focused browsing, competitive haggling, and the steady turnover of back issues spanning decades. That kind of activity matters because it shows collectors are still hunting physical copies — not just speculation or online storefronts — which in turn keeps local dealers and smaller publishers visible and viable.
Attendance patterns also hinted at trends: early-bird collectors still arrive for the first-hour bargains, while casual visitors drift in later for browsing. The trade-oriented atmosphere makes the Mart a practical place to complete runs or to source rarer back issues that often don’t surface on digital marketplaces.
Notable attendees
Industry figures were present during the June session, underscoring the Mart’s role as a networking hub as much as a sales floor. Among those spotted were veteran creators and executives who regularly attend UK shows.
- Dave Elliott — long-time creator and convention regular
- David Hine — co-creator of Spider-Man Noir and established writer
- Mike Holman — General Manager and Director at Diamond UK, making his first visit to this Mart
Their presence highlights how the Mart doubles as an informal meeting point where creators, distributors and retailers cross paths — a dynamic that can influence reprints, signings and local promotion down the line.
Practical details for visitors
For prospective attendees and sellers, the Mart remains straightforward and low-friction: a dealer-focused layout, on-site air conditioning, and nearby pubs where traders often continue conversations after the floor closes. Whether you’re a seller looking to move a collection or a buyer chasing a specific issue, the format rewards persistence and time on the floor.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | Royal National Hotel, Bloomsbury, London |
| Organiser | Showmasters |
| Typical schedule | First-hour early access, general entry throughout the afternoon; floor closes late afternoon |
| Next date | 16 August 2026 |
For collectors, the Mart remains one of the most reliable places to browse physical comics and meet the people who keep the UK comics trade alive. The June walkthrough reinforced that, offering a compact, market-focused view of an ecosystem that still prizes paper, presence and personal bargaining.
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Hello, I’m Jax. I guide you through the latest comics releases and enrich your geek universe.