2000 AD Talent Search Returns to Thought Bubble 2026 – New Writers and Artists, This Is Your Shot

WEPAAAAA, creators, sharpen those pencils, charge those tablets, stretch those typing fingers, and tell the imposter syndrome sitting on your shoulder to take five, because 2000 AD is officially calling for the next wave of comic book talent.

The legendary 2000 AD Writer and Artist Talent Searches are returning for Thought Bubble Comic Convention 2026, giving emerging creators a rare chance to break into one of the most iconic comic book institutions in the game. We are talking about The Galaxy’s Greatest Comic, mi gente. This is not some random “submit your work and maybe someone looks at it in six years” situation. This is a real-deal opportunity where the prize is paid work with 2000 AD.

And let’s be clear: 2000 AD is not just another comic title. This is the house that helped launch, shape, and spotlight some absolute monsters of the medium, including Alan Moore, Jock, Brian Bolland, Al Ewing, Si Spurrier, DaNi, Charlie Adlard, and plenty more creators who went on to leave fingerprints all over comics, film, television, and pop culture. So yeah, no pressure. Just potentially life-changing creative pressure. Casual stuff, right?

The Talent Search, held in partnership with Thought Bubble UK, is built to discover the next generation of writers and artists ready to bring new energy, new ideas, and beautifully weird storytelling into the 2000 AD universe. Sci-fi? Bring it. Horror? Absolutely. Fantasy? Step up. Something strange that crawled out of your brain at 2:13 AM and refuses to leave? Even better.

Previous winners such as Rory McConville, Laura Bailey, Tom Foster, Honor Vincent, Sinu Senan, and Will Morris have gone on to regular work with 2000 AD and beyond. That is the part creators need to pay attention to. This is not just a trophy moment. This is a door. And if you have the work, the nerve, and the imagination to walk through it, this could be the kind of opportunity that changes the trajectory of your creative career.

For artists, 2000 AD has provided a published Time Twisters script from the mighty Rob Williams, titled “The Prophect of Lekbith The Great And Terrible.” Artists are invited to download the script, draw the pages, and bring their completed work to the 2000 AD booth at Thought Bubble on Saturday, November 14. From there, entrants can receive a short portfolio review from 2000 AD editors. The shortlisted artists will then be invited to the Artist Talent Search Panel on Sunday, November 15, where the winner will be chosen by a panel of judges.

For writers, the challenge is pure classic 2000 AD madness: pitch a two-minute Future Shock story. For those who somehow missed the memo, a Future Shock is a five-page story built around a sharp twist on the final page. Short, punchy, clever, and brutal when done right. No wandering around. No twelve-issue lore dump. You have five pages to hit the reader in the brain and make them say, “Ohhh, okay, I see you.” Writers can register at the 2000 AD booth on Saturday, November 15, with the live Writer Talent Search Panel taking place on Sunday, November 15, where entrants will be selected by random ballot to pitch their stories live before the judges.

And here is the big one, boss: generative AI is prohibited. Any entry found to have used AI in the creative process will be removed and banned from future entry. This competition is about human imagination, human skill, human mistakes, human weirdness, and that beautiful creative fire that only comes from someone putting in the work. No shortcuts. No robot ghostwriters. No “my prompt has a portfolio” nonsense. This is comics. Earn the page.

The competition is open only to those physically attending this year’s Thought Bubble Festival, so if you want in, you need to be there in person. Check the official details, read the full terms and conditions, and make sure you understand exactly how to take part in both the Artist Talent Search and Writer Talent Search before you roll up with your pages or pitch.

So get those pencils moving. Polish that twist ending. Make the judges uncomfortable in the best possible way. Bring the strange, bring the skill, and bring that creator hunger.

Because somewhere out there, the next great 2000 AD creator is staring at a blank page right now.

Might be you, Earthlet.

Now stop overthinking it and get to work.

Read the full competition details and terms & conditions here!