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Update Archives For February 2007

26 February 2007

Car Booty Collection Update - Web-Swinging Grand Finale!

*As many of you will remember, in 2006 30th Century Comics appeared on the ‘Car Booty’ TV show, purchasing a remarkable collection of (mainly) Marvel comics, with many key issues and complete runs of the classic Silver Age pantheon. Over the last year, we have been releasing this mammoth collection in a series of ‘Car Booty’ updates, and it’s now time to bid a fond farewell to the collection with a listing for the Amazing Spider-Man. Comprising most issues from 19 through to 200, including Annuals and the ND Giant-Sizers from the 1970’s, this features many milestone issues and villainous debuts, in a sweeping retrospective on the Wall-Crawler’s chequered career, many in really nice grade.

We may be saying farewell to the ‘Car Booty’ collection, but it’s very far from the end of our acquisitions – keep your eyes peeled for future updates! Even as I type these deathless words, two more very significant collections have just turned up. We turn another page...

Posted by Rob | 02:45 p.m. GMT | 26 February 2007

American Update - General DC & Marvel top-ups with many significant Marvel key issues

Additions to the Big Two Silver Age publishers this week as follows:

*DC: Additions to several popular titles, led by a run of Detective Comics from the beginning of the 'New Look' era, but including Action, Adventure, Blackhawk, Flash, Green Lantern, the Inferior 5, Rima the Jungle Girl, Wanted, and Wonder Woman, all newly enhanced for your shopping pleasure!

*Marvel: Several significant items this update, including an Avengers #4, with the Silver Age return of Captain America, in VG/FN for £280, Journey Into Mystery #66 with the second Hulk prototype story in VG+ for £45, Tales of Suspense #48 & #49, with the first ‘new’ Iron Man and the Angel guest-appearance respectively, X-Men #5 with the Evil Mutants, and #121 with the first full appearance of Alpha Flight (due back from the grave any day now…) in NM at £60. Avengers #4, Journey into Mystery #66, Tales of Suspense #49 and X-Men #121 can all be seen in our cover gallery feature; check the listing for links to scans of the covers. In addition, we have top-ups to our stock of Amazing Adventures, both first and second series (with Dr. Droom and Manoo, and the Black Widow & the Inhumans, respectively) and Avengers, Daredevil, Marvel Tales, Shanna The She-Devil, Strange Tales, the sci-fi anthology Strange Worlds, Tales of Suspense and Tales to Astonish, and Jack Kirby’s Machine Man and 2001.

Posted by Rob | 02:38 p.m. GMT | 26 February 2007

British Update - Humour Annuals, 1950s Captain Tornado, Lion 1965-1973, Tiger 1967-69, Beano, Dandy & Buster from the 1960s plus Nutty and more!

A solid selection of favourites in this week's additions to our British stock in the following categories:

*Annuals: Back on the humour beat with Beano from 1971, Beezer from 1971, the Broons from 2001, Dandy from 1972, and Sparky from 1975, a plethora of DC Thomson comedy stars ranging from GD to FN grades.

*Boys’ Adventure & War Comics: Three titles expanded this update: the US-size Captain Tornado from the 1950’s, tales of swashbuckling adventure in a companion title to Pango and Sgt. O’Brien. Lion has many new additions, including a selection from 1965, an entire year from 1969/1970 (following the incorporation of Eagle), and odd numbers from 1971 through 1973. Finally, a range of Tiger (& Hurricane) from 1967 to 1969.

*Humour comics and Picture Libraries: A scattershot series of additions to stock - Beano from 1962, 1968 and 1969, as well as 1980’s Summer Specials; Buster from 1965 (incorporating 'Big One') and 1968; Dandy from 1962, 1964, 1968, and, er, 2007 (Boy, has it changed…) with early ‘80s Summer Specials; and a strong run of Nutty, home to TV’s Bananaman, from 1980 through to 1985.

Posted by Rob | 02:32 p.m. GMT | 26 February 2007

18 February 2007

British Update - Large format Boys' Comics inc. Specials and issues with Free Gifts

*Boys' Adventure & War Comics: A selection of oversized and special issues this week, with headline items including Jag #1 from 1968, the first of a short-run Fleetway adventure series that merged into Tiger after 48 issues; this comes with the original free gift of Bobby Moore’s Book of the F.A. Cup. Also with its original free gift is the 1965 TV Century 21 Summer Extra, with Frank Hampson and Ron Embleton artwork, and the Cosmic Capers Kit giveaway. There are further entries in our stocks of Boys’ World and TVCentury21 regular series, and a rare sighting of Lady Penelope, the TV21 spin-off starring Marina, the Man from UNCLE, (what’s he doing in there?), Space Family Robinson and Bewitched, among others. Rounding out this update are four Summer Specials – Valiant from 1968 and 1969 and Victor from 1968 and 1970 – in exceptionally nice condition.
Jag #1 and the TV Century 21 1965 Summer Extra (with their free gifts) are featured in our Cover Gallery. Follow the links from the listings for these in our Catalogue files to see the covers of the actual copies in stock.

Posted by Rob | 06:02 p.m. GMT | 18 February 2007

Alan Class Rough Guide Updated

As seen in our fabulous Features section, the ‘Rough Guide to Alan Class’ comics has now been further updated with new data on more than thirty additions to our stock. Given the diverse and eclectic nature of the AC comics, where super-heroes and the supernatural rest happily side-by-side from a dizzying variety of original publishers, consumers have often asked where certain series, genres or creators can be found; some day, we hope to refine this section into a definitive Index, but for now, these guidelines are at your disposal. Enjoy!

Posted by Rob | 05:58 p.m. GMT | 18 February 2007

11 February 2007

Star Collections Update (British) - 2 near complete runs of Countdown & TV Action

*Boys’ Adventure and War Comics:From the early 1970’s, we have not one but two remarkable runs of the classic Countdown, successor to TV21 in perpetuating the Gerry Anderson legacy with comic strip adaptations of Thunderbirds, Lady Penelope, Fireball XL5, Stingray, UFO and more, as well as original Dr. Who adventures and the brand-new eponymous sci-fi adventure, “Countdown”. This brave new venture used some of the top available talent – Blaylock, Langford, John M. Burns – to create stories that, while necessarily abbreviated, carried much of the tone of the original series. After 1971, actual TV21 reprints from Bellamy, Noble and Embleton were interspersed with the new strips, and adventure series such as The Persuaders and Hawaii 5-0 edged in, heralding its transformation to TV Action with issue 59; Dr. Who and UFO alone now carried the science-fiction banner in amongst Mission; Impossible, Cannon, the Protectors, Alias Smith & Jones, and a horde of funnies. Sensing that the readership was tiring of short instalments, the editors tried, from around 102, giving a ‘complete story’ to each feature on a rotating basis, but the audience was departing, and issue 132 was the final issue of this daring experiment at a quality TV-based title, with Dr. Who and a couple of comrades being transferred over to TV Comic. This collection is four short of completion – we don’t have a 101, 120, 127 or 131 to offer – but includes the final issue, the 1st TV Action ‘transformation’ issue, two first issues (one with original free gift – slightly used!), and two copies of most issues, most of the run ranging between GD-FN in grade.

Posted by Rob | 02:36 p.m. GMT | 11 February 2007

Star Collections Update (American) - Marvel Key Issues and High Grade cents Copies

*Marvel: A stupendous Marvel update this week, featuring many key issues as well as runs of favourite titles in very high grades. We have 2 copies of Avengers #16, the key line-up change issue, Captain America #100, the first of that title, 2 copies of Amazing Spider-Man #50 with classic cover, and 2 copies of Giant-Size X-men #1 in VG & VF. As well as these keys, there are cents copies runs of Daredevil (#5-#10) in FN+ or better, Amazing Spider-Man #22-#34 (some VF, mostly VF+) and a very long run of X-Men (about half the issues of the original 1960’s run) starting at #3, mostly VF or better. Cents copies in these grades surface rarely, and are sure to attract swift attention. We also have the X-Men reprint run from #67-#93, and early issues of the new X-men from #95-#111. A real treat this week for high grade Marvel collectors!

Posted by Rob | 02:31 p.m. GMT | 11 February 2007

American Update - Dell Movie Classics & Atlas Horror

More highly collectible American gems in this week's update as follows:

*Dell: New listings for the popular Dell TV & Film adaptations, with Hercules Unchained, King Richard and the Crusades, Spartacus, Thief of Baghdad, Twice-Told Tales, and a very early Twilight Zone, featuring art by Evans, Crandall, Sekowsky, Buscema and other classic illustrators.

*Horror 1940-1959: More Atlas unleashed, with debut issues for Adventures into Weird Worlds and World of Mystery, plus new stock for World of Fantasy, Mystic, Astonishing, and Strange Tales. Join Heath, Everett, Maneely, Orlando, Benulis, Torres and scores more highly-regarded artists as we unearth a treasure trove of Pre- and Post-Code shockers!

Posted by Rob | 02:28 p.m. GMT | 11 February 2007

British Update - Thriller Picture Library & more, Modesty Blaise, 2000 AD, Eagle & other Collected Editions, Bunty & other girls, new Spaceship Away & new books about British comics

A huge British update this week in the following categories:

*Boys’ Adventure & War Picture Libraries: A very diverse range of stock this time, star of the show being an early run of Thriller, with the Saint, Robin Hood, Dick Turpin and other classic adventure characters in hard-to-find issues from 20 to 30; also, additions to our Super Detective, Commando, Lion (with Captain Condor) Pocket War and Sabre War series, and a premier issue of 1960’s oddity Radar, superhuman from another planet with a strangely familiar background and supporting cast.

*Collected Editions: A cornucopia of classics collected for your pleasure, with a new volume in the adventures of the original ‘girl power’, Modesty Blaise, plus Nemesis the Warlock and Strontium Dog begin complete sequential reprintings of their adventures from 2000 AD. There’s a second collection of vintage Commando Picture Libraries, the 1999 Thunderbirds compendium of reprints from TV21, and retrospectives of Roy of the Rovers, Dan Dare, the Best of Eagle and Eagle Annual, and more of the lovingly-assembled Hawk Book editions of Eagle Classics, with PC 49, Harris Tweed, Riders of the Range, and Frank Bellamy’s Fraser of Africa.

*Girls’ Comics and Picture Libraries: Bring on the Bunty! Beginning with 1958’s issue 10, further entries in our inventory of the most enduring British girls’ comic, featuring a selection from 1962 and a range from 1966-1968, with 'Slave of the Temple Dogs', 'Milly Marbles', 'Little Mother Meg', and the ever-popular 'Bimbo and Her Baby', which wasn’t a lifestyle option in the late 50’s! Plus, additions to our stock of Sally and Valentine, and the bizarre Mirabelle Pop, Film and TV Star Library, in which Hugh O’Brien introduces 'Hollywood’s Most Eligible Bachelors!' Zounds….

*Magazines/Books about Vintage UK Comics: Spaceship Away! Continues its nostalgic tribute to the original Dan Dare, with new adventures in the classic style, plus Jet Morgan and Syd Jordan’s Hal Starr, and retrospectives, articles and features on the original Eagle and its rivals. Now at its tenth issue, Spaceship Away goes from strength to strength. Also new to this section, Sporting Supermen, a hardcover look back at Wilson, the Tough of the Track, Roy of the Rovers and other iconic sports heroes, and the handsomely-illustrated Great British Comics, a brand-new retrospective of over a century of the UK’s cartoon stars.

Posted by Rob | 02:19 p.m. GMT | 11 February 2007

Coming Attractions - Further signing by Alan Class

Over the years, we like to host signing sessions by some of our favourite comics’ professionals at our shop. These events are highly successful and provide enthusiasts with an opportunity to meet and chat with comic creators in an informal atmosphere and obtain signed copies of their work to treasure.

We started out with Colleen Doran, writer/artist on fan favourite title 'A Distant Soil' as well as a wide range of art for Marvel, DC and other publishers, followed by Trina Robbins, author and comics historian. Steve Englehart, famous for his work on Avengers, JLA & Dr Strange (to name but a few) was our third guest and most recently, in November 2005, we were privileged to play host to Alan Class, the publisher whose comics were ever-present for those of us growing up in the 1960's and 1970's.

Over 40 fans attended the Alan Class signing, chatting to Alan about their memories of his comics and asking questions about how they were produced etc. It was a hugely successful day and Alan was happy to sign comics from his Private Collection for those attending.

We are delighted to announce that, following many requests, Alan Class has consented to do a further signing session at our shop later this year. We are currently in negotiation with him to arrange a date, so please watch this space for further details.

Posted by Rob | 11:18 a.m. GMT | 11 February 2007

5 February 2007

American Update - Golden Age DCs inc. Lois Lane #1, Superboy #5 & #6, Batman with Joker & Catwoman covers, plus Golden Age Simon & Kirby, Plastic Man #2, Dynamite by Pete Morisi, Spirit & more!

A stunning update this week featuring many scarce Golden Age gems in the following categories:

*DC: A striking selection of Golden Age classics, with three classic Batman issues leading off: #42, with a Catwoman cover and story, #52, with a Joker cover and story, and #69 wherein Catwoman presents 'The King of the Cats!' We have early Superboys, #5 & #6, with #5 showcasing the first of many Supergirl prototype stories; Golden Age issues from Adventure, with Starman, Sandman, and the Shining Knight; All-American, with Green Lantern, Hop Harrigan and Dr. Mid-Nite; More Fun, with Genius Jones and Dover & Clover; and All-Star (#50), with the legendary Justice Society of America. Finally – and while it may be stretching a point to call her Golden Age, she is pre-distribution – the much-pursued Lois Lane #1. All-Star Comics #50, Lois Lane #1 and Superboy #6 are now featured in our Cover Gallery; follow the links at the catalogue listings to see the cover images.

*Miscellaneous 1940-1959: Tough action is the theme of this week’s update, with Hillman’s Clue and Real Clue Comics (one a continuation of the other) featuring Simon & Kirby hard-boiled crime stories (accompanied in Clue by some of the most bizarre super-heroes ever, in Micro-Face and the Iron Lady…), plus three of the very scarce Dynamite from Comic Media in the 1940’s. This series started out as a ‘men’s adventure’ book, but was rapidly subsumed by Pete Morisi’s private eye creation Johnny Dynamite, who moved through a Spillanesque world of hot guns and cool dames. We’ve also got Fiction House’s Planet Comics, and the second-ever issue of Jack Cole’s iconic super-hero Plastic Man, for a multi-genre update of high-quality stock.

*Spirit: More re-presentations of Will Eisner’s classic noir crime fighter, with Volume 20 of the handsomely-produced Archive editions from DC, a 1940’s Canadian edition of the Quality series, the Colour Album and the Will Eisner Quarterly listings all updated. And for those of you who haven’t tried Darwyn Cooke’s new Spirit series, also from DC – don’t miss it; it’s a beautiful homage to Eisner’s work.

And if that's not enough to whet your appetite (and Lord knows it should be!), we have coming up in future weeks some very high grade early Silver Age Marvel comics and some more British rarities complete with free gifts, with great news for Gerry Anderson fans and absolutely tons more stuff, both British and American. Watch (as they say) this space!

Posted by Rob | 06:53 p.m. GMT | 5 February 2007

Star Collections Update (British) - Swift Morgan & Roy Carson by Denis McLoughlin

*Boys' Adventure & War Comics: Two legendary TV Boardman titles by Denis McLoughlin this time round – special agent Roy Carson and science-fiction adventurer Swift Morgan! These 2-colour US format titles, distributed through Woolworth’s in the late 40’s and early 50’s when American comics were unavailable, achieved a reputation that outstripped their short runs. Roy and his sultry assistant Silk faced off against nefarious villains such as Cheetah, Queen of the Spies and the evil Annette, while Swift and his voluptuous ‘gal pal’ Silver traversed space and time with a fine disregard for history or logic, ending up in Atlantis, Rome or White Sands USA with equal aplomb. This small but exceedingly rare selection includes the “Ancient Romans” episode that got Swift Morgan banned from Woolworth’s shelves for its (one panel of) suggestive content! (Don’t expect too much – it was a long time ago…). In all our years of trading, this is the first range of these titles that we’ve encountered, so don’t delay –order today!
Two sample covers are featured in our new Cover Gallery. Follow the links from the listings for these titles in the appropriate section of our online catalogue.

Posted by Rob | 06:37 p.m. GMT | 5 February 2007

British Update -- Annuals & Buzz

*Annuals: Several popular top-ups, including additions to our stocks of June, Princess Tina, School friend, TV Comic (with the John Steed/Tara King Avengers and Dr. Who), TV Tornado, and the hit of the week, the ultra-rare 1979 Dalek Annual in VF.

*Humour Comics and Picture Libraries: More Buzz! The last batch of this tabloid-sized Beezer companion that we had sold very briskly, so we’re pleased to welcome back Hop, Skip & Jump, Big Fat Flo, The Twitz at the Ritz, Calamity Kate & co. for another selection from 1973 & 1974, commencing with the second issue and running patchily through to 79.

Posted by Rob | 06:34 p.m. GMT | 5 February 2007