History in the Making: Announcing the Inaugural Young Comics Laureate

When Comics Youth was founded almost ten years ago, it was guided by a wild, tender belief: that comics can change the world. They are not just illustrations or stories on a page; they are instruments of empathy, tools for processing trauma, and frameworks for imagining futures otherwise denied.

Today, it is with immense pride that we announce a milestone in that journey: Mollie Ray has been chosen, through a public vote, as the inaugural Young Comics Laureate 2025–26.

Why Mollie Ray (Pronouns: She/They)

Mollie is an extraordinary young creator whose work exemplifies both the intimacy and reach of comics. Her graphic novel Giant is a luminous meditation on grief, tenderness, and resilience — a work that demonstrates how the personal can become profoundly universal.

Beyond her published work, Mollie has brought comics into schools and community settings, extending their transformative power far beyond the page. She has used the medium as a bridge: between young people and their sense of self, between communities separated by distance, and even across borders, from classrooms here in the UK to young people in Palestine.

It is this blend of deeply personal artistry and social vision that makes Mollie the perfect figure to lead this new laureateship.

📷 Follow Mollie on Instagram
🌐 Explore her work at http://www.mollieray.co.uk/

Why This Role Matters

The Young Comics Laureate is designed to complement the existing national Comics Laureate role, which has long been held by established professionals and hosted by LICAF. This new role recognises that the future of comics depends on listening to, investing in, and elevating young voices.

And crucially, it is a paid role. This was a non-negotiable for us. Too often, young creatives are expected to contribute their vision, labour, and leadership for free. That is not only exploitative; it undermines the sustainability of our cultural future. By paying the Young Comics Laureate, we are stating clearly: young voices are not ornamental, they are essential. Their labour is valuable, and it must be recognised as such.

Partnership and Gratitude

We are thrilled to be partnering with LICAF (Lakes International Comic Art Festival) on this historic appointment. Their commitment to comics as a living, evolving art form has been integral to this role’s creation.

We are also deeply grateful to the Charlie Adlard Foundation, whose funding has made this position possible. Their support is more than financial; it is a statement of faith in young creators and the futures they are building through their work.

Looking Ahead

Mollie will formally begin her tenure at LICAF 2025, with her journey culminating at LICAF 2026, where her impact will be celebrated nationally. Over the course of the year, she will not only represent young people’s voices but actively shape the landscape of UK comics through workshops, mentoring, and public engagement.

A Personal Reflection

As we approach our tenth year at Comics Youth, I find myself reflecting on what this moment represents. When we began, our vision was often described as naïve: to imagine that comics, often dismissed as marginal or niche, could become vehicles for justice and healing. And yet, here we are — celebrating a role that honours a young creator at the national level.

On a personal level, it is humbling and awe-inspiring. Who could have predicted that the dreams we sketched in the margins would fly so far, reshaping not only our organisation but the wider cultural landscape? I remain in awe of our team and the young people we serve. Their courage and creativity remind me daily that transformation begins at the edges, not the centre.

This is just the beginning of a new chapter. And it is one written, quite literally, by young people themselves. 💜

All my love,
Rhi xoxo