What's New

Update Archives For June 2007

26 June 2007

Special update - New catalogue category: Flash Gordon

In the Genres section of our online catalogue, you'll now find:

*Flash Gordon: “He saved every one of us!” Another of the iconic characters of comic strips and popular fiction, interplanetary adventurer Flash Gordon, joins the Spirit, the Phantom and Tarzan in gaining his own section in our catalogue. Flash, the lovely Dale Arden and the brilliant Dr. Zarkov have been thwarting the machinations of Emperor Ming and sundry alien badguys for more than sixty years, and still command a huge following today. A bewildering plethora of publishers have handled Flash’s adventures over the decades, including Marvel, DC, Dell, Charlton, Gold Key, Harvey, Kitchen Sink, and all items from each publisher will be listed here as stocks become available. Inaugurating this section we have entries from King, DC, and the UK Miller and World Distributors collections, as well as the contemporary Checker Books reprints which re-present Alex Raymond’s creation in handsome full-colour hardcovers. Look them over, but better be quick – remember, you’ve only got 14 hours to save the Earth!

Posted by Rob | 11:10 a.m. GMT | 26 June 2007

25 June 2007

British Update: Hornet, Valiant, Victor, and loads of 1950's British & Australian reprints of American originals.

Popular titles and rarities in this week's British update as follows:

*Vintage UK/Australian Reprints of US Material: Almost 200 new entries for this category, including super-heroes, war, western, comedy and a myriad of movie adaptations. 20+ World Distributors 'Movie Classics', (listed under the movie’s title) including Solomon and Sheba, Hercules, Rio Bravo, Ben-Hur, The FBI Story, Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; western adventures with Cisco Kid, Lone Ranger, Red Ryder, Two-Gun Kid, Wild Bill Hickok and more; war stories with Battle Cry, Battle Squadron, Fightin’ Marines, War and Combat; horror and mystery with Mystic and Spellbound; and Blackhawk, Captain Midnight, Daredevil, and Mandrake on the heroic front. Top of the crop, though, are two rarities, both featuring classic Fiction House reprints; the 68-page Fight Comics (which, oddly, features reprints of Jumbo and Jungle, not Fight, despite the promise of its Tiger Girl cover), and the outstanding Planet Adventure Book, a softcover album reprinting Mars God of War, Norge Benson, Star Pirate, Gale Allen and Her Girl Squad, and more, with art by, among others, Lily Renee, Murphy Anderson, Bill Benulis and Fran Hopper. This gorgeous item is in exquisite condition – but don’t take our word for it, see for yourself on our Cover Gallery – go to the catalogue page and click the link!

*Boys’ Adventure and War Comics: The two ‘Big V’s’ – Victor and Valiant – dominate our update this week, as we have additional stock of Victor from 1964 to 1975, with The Tough Of The Track, Morgyn the Mighty, and many stories of battle-scarred heroism, both historical and imaginary, to entertain the troops. Our Valiant update runs from 1964 to 1973, and is the conclusion of a virtually complete collection, which we’ve been gradually feeding into stock as time and space permits. Between the two titles, more than 500 items have been added to our list – but we don’t stop there! Hornet, Victor’s companion from the DC Thomson stable, has also been extensively upgraded, with new stock ranging from 1963 (the second issue) to 1969, a further 150+ items. Add on a scarce 1975 Lion special in FN+, and you’ll have hours of happy browsing ahead of you – check out the catalogue listing and dive in!

Posted by Rob | 05:13 p.m. GMT | 25 June 2007

American Update - Bronze Age Marvel

*Marvel: Kick off your platforms, fire up your lava lamps, and join us for a saunter through the sizzling Seventies with the House of Ideas! This was a time of flux for Marvel, with a lot of innovative and experimental series - and, let’s be honest, also a load of appalling tat - being launched; you decide which is which, as we refresh Amazing Adventures, Astonishing Tales, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Conan, Daredevil, Defenders, Doctor Strange, Fantastic Four, Ghost Rider, Hulk, Iron Man, Jungle Action, Ka-Zar, Marvel Spotlight, Marvel Team-Up, Master of Kung Fu, Power Man, Spider-Man, Strange Tales, Thor, and 2001, with the diverse talents of folks who came to prominence in this decade; Russell, Brunner, Starlin, Englehart, Gerber, McGregor, Isabella, Gulacy… oh, and some guy named Kirby! We’ve also acquired a very nice Strange Tales #100, scarce issue with Kirby and Ditko, which is a bit anomalous with the rest of this update – but what the heck, we didn’t want to keep you waiting for it! Enjoy!

Posted by Rob | 05:06 p.m. GMT | 25 June 2007

17 June 2007

American update - EC originals, Fawcetts, Witches' Tales, Phantom & near complete run of Classics Illustrated!

Many venerably old and rare items for you to consider in this week's substantial American update in the following categories:

*Miscellaneous 1940-1959: Retro science-fiction with Ziff-Davis’ Amazing Adventures (including #3, with ‘Giant Kitten Attacks’ cover!), and EC’s Weird Science #10, featuring the notorious gender-bending story, 'Transformation Complete!', plus family-friendly hijinx with the mighty Marvel Family! New additions to Captain Marvel Adventures, Marvel Family itself, and Whiz Comics #51, with Captain Marvel judging the 'Ugly Beauty Contest'! This last item is in extremely high grade but for one specific defect which doesn’t impinge on the stories; for a closer look, check the scan in our Cover Gallery, which also features images of Amazing Adventures #3 and Weird Science #10 for you to ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at. Go to the item listings in the catalogue, and click on the links!

*Horror 1940-1959: The first half-dozen issues of the stunning Shock SuspenStories from EC. This series, widely regarded by many as the finest EC series, featured four stories per issue (horror, sci-fi, crime, and oddball suspense), and showcased not only the best scripting but also some of the finest art from EC’s stellar lineup, with Wally Wood, Joe Orlando, Jack Davis, Jack Kamen and Graham Ingels as mainstays. These mid-grade attractive copies feature Wood covers on all six issues, with outstanding ones on #4 and #6 – checkout our Cover Gallery scans for details! (Look in the listing and click on the link, fanboy..) Also, we have new stock for Harvey’s Witches’ Tales, the runner-up in the 1950’s horror stakes, with a particularly mordant sense of humour ameliorating the carnage and giblets. More gore on the way – hold on to your hatchets!

*Phantom: Lee Falk’s 'Ghost Who Walks', protector of Africa, has been in continuous publication since 1934, and we have a substantial increase in our stock from several decades. The 1950’s UK-based Miller series from the 2nd issue, 1967’s Phantom World Adventure Library, the 1980’s DC mini- and ongoing series by Peter David, Marvel’s ‘Phantom 2040’ from the 1990’s, and the 21st Century’s all-new Moonstone series and one-shots, for a cornucopia of exotic adventures!

*Classics Illustrated: An all-American update this time, with more than 150 copies added to our stock, resulting in a virtually complete run of this well-loved series of literary adaptations. Including many first printings in medium-high grades, this remarkable selection features unexpected artistic treasures such as Evans, Crandall, Morrow, Premiani, and Cameron, and reinterprets classic science fiction, horror and adventure tales for a new medium. Highlights include Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, First Men In The Moon, Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, War Of The Worlds and scores more.

Posted by Rob | 11:28 a.m. GMT | 17 June 2007

Alan Class signing 29th July 2007

We are delighted to announce that Alan Class, publisher from 1959-1989 of the popular fantasy titles Creepy Worlds, Secrets of the Unknown, Sinister Tales and many other series, is re-visting us for a return signing session following the highly successful event in 2005.

Alan has a totally unique insight into the history of comic publishing in the UK and is happy to share those memories with fans and those interested in comics' history. How many of us grew up reading the comics he published?

Alan has now released further file copies from his private collection and will be signing these between 2 and 5 pm on Sunday 29th July at our shop. Each comic will also come with an individual hand-signed
Certificate of Authenticity.

Also available will be a limited quantity of Collectors’ Sets consisting of the comic, the four-colour printing plates used to produce the matching cover and a Certificate of Authenticity. There will be new to the market Collectors' Sets available on the day and a special price promotion will also be available on these.

Alan Class certificated comics and collectors’ sets are also available by mail order for those who can’t make it on the day. Details on our website or contact us!

Further update bulletins on this unique event will be posted here throughout June and July.

Posted by Rob | 11:15 a.m. GMT | 17 June 2007

British Update - Hotspur 1963-1980, Battle, Eagle (1980's)

*Boys’ Adventure & War Comics: Two latter-day long-runners from Fleetway/IPC, the highly mutable Battle, from 1977-1988, following through its several mutations and incarnations as ‘Battle/Valiant’, ‘Battle/Action’, ‘Battle/Stormforce’, and the like. Whatever its companion du jour, Battle provided tough combat thrills with top-of-the-line talent such as Mills, Kennedy, Colquhoun and Ezquerra, and remains a force to be reckoned with. Following that, we turn to the 1982 Eagle revival, (from #2) with Doomlord, the revived Dan Dare, Sgt. Streetwise, Saddle Tramp, and more. Despite suffering by comparison with its illustrious parent, the 1980’s Eagle (in addition to naff photo-strips) had often superlative artwork by Oliver Frey, Mike Noble and their peers. In addition to most of the first year's worth of issues, we have new stock to later years 1988 & 1989. Highlight of this update, though, is a monster Hotspur overhaul, from 1963 to 1980, covering the gamut from sorting adventurers Motor-Bike Morgan and Grasshopper Green, plus historical pluck galore, through to the latter days of strange super-heroic hybrids like Red Star Robinson, Black Sapper, Scarlet Hawk and King Cobra. Approximately 300 issues new to our listing.

Posted by Rob | 11:00 a.m. GMT | 17 June 2007

11 June 2007

American update - More Silver Age DC, iconic 1950's Romance, Atlas (& more) War

A varied selection of American gems this week in these categories:

*DC: Yes, I know we just did a DC top-up the other week – but you buggers keep buying them! This week, we have straight-on heroism with the Justice League of America, by Fox, Sekowsky & Sachs, from #15, around two dozen issues from the title’s heyday including the classic 'Crisis On Earth-One'. And by way of marked contrast, rampant Silver Age Silliness with Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, as mentored by, among others, Siegel, Hamilton, Swan, Bridwell, Klein and Schaffenberger. Aliens, body-swapping, transvestism and beach bikini bondage… and Lois got up to some pretty strange stuff too! From #47 of Jimmy and the pre-distrib #4 of Lois. Plus, token top-ups to Detective and Metal Men, and we’re off for the next round!

*Romance: A small but stunning selection of gorgeous romance comics from various 1950's publishers: Quality's Love Letters #2, with a gorgeous Bill Ward cover, St John's slutty Teen-Age Temptations with cover and art by Matt Baker, a brace of DC's beautifully executed Girls' Love Stories, and more! The covers for Love Letters and Teen-Age Temptations are featured in our gallery. Follow the links from the Romance section on our on-line catalogue to see these superb works!

*War: A stellar bunch of Atlas war books from the 1950’s, with art by Gene Colan, Dave Berg, Joe Maneely, and Robert Q. Sale, in titles such as Battle, Combat Casey, Combat Kelly, War Comics, and the infamous Man Comics! Nice mid-grade copies, both Pre- and Post-Code, averaging GD/VG, and with excessive violence, racial stereotypes, and treacherous slinky dames galore… all very non-PC! Backed up by new entries for Charlton’s Attack, Fightin’ Army, and War, Dell’s Combat, and DC’s All-American Men Of War, Blitzkreig, Our Army At War (including the scarce Prize Battle Tales' Giant #216), Our Fighting Forces, and Sgt. Rock, for a multi-faceted view of conflict through the ages!

Posted by Rob | 02:56 p.m. GMT | 11 June 2007

British update - Lion 1971/72, Red Dagger, Beezer 1980s inc final issue, Beezer & Topper from early 1990s inc #1, Sally inc. final issue, Tammy 1972 complete and more!

Yet another great selection of British comics this week, featuring many ever-popular titles in the following categories:

*Boys' Adventure & War Comics: More of the classic Lion, this time from 1971 and 1972, including the first merger issue with the upstart Thunder – Black Max, Fury’s Family and Adam Eterno join Robot Archie, the Spider, Spellbinder and Zip Nolan for a classy line-up of adventure strips. And a splendid selection of Red Dagger, DC Thomson’s late-1970’s compilation which spotlighted a different hero each issue: Morgyn the Mighty, war aces Sniper and Killer Kane, sports stars Twisty, Tasker, and Cast-Iron Bill, and more. A short-lived series which wasn’t terrifically successful at the time, Red Daggers are much sought-after today, and seldom last long (so grab ‘em while you can!)

*Humour Comics & Picture Libraries: Leading off with another mammoth restock of Beezer, focusing this time on the years 1981 (including the first at the new smaller size), to 1990, including the final issue, #1809, which brought an end to the series’ 30+ years of publication. It returned, however, the very next week with Beezer & Topper, allied with its old sibling and starting again from #1; we have the first issue and many from the first four years of publication. In addition, we’ve another Topper top-up, from 1986-1988, and a couple of scarce Holiday Specials from the 1980’s from Whizzer & Chips and the short-lived Nipper. Much more humour to come in the following months – Beezer, Topper and Cor fans particularly should keep an eye on the website!

*Girls’ Comics and Picture Libraries: Two much sought-after series from IPC/Fleetway this week: first, Sally, the ‘Comic for the adventurous girl’, which had a number of innovative and imaginative strips in its scant three years - perhaps too imaginative for the general readership, unfortunately. This substantial 40+ copy update includes the final issue, 27th March 1971, in which, without so much as a ‘Great News, Chums!’, 'Cat Girl', 'Sara’s Kingdom', and 'Maisie’s Magic Eye' leap over to Tammy, and the rest are consigned to limbo. Following on, we have Tammy for the entire year of 1972, averaging VG, with 'Jilly Liar', 'Skivers’ School' and other bad role models in abundance. We’ve also got a selection of Debbie from 1977, and a 1958 Bunty, #14, in GD/VG to tempt you this week – start saving your pocket money!

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

4 June 2007

British Update - Tiger #1 (1st Roy of the Rovers!) & #4, 1950's Lions, Junior Express and classic Eagle plus Dandy & Beano from 1950's - 1970's, Summer Specials, Radio Fun 1953/54, Topper, Beezer and more fun!

Another stunning selection of British comics for you this week, led off by Tiger #1 (how often do you see that?):

*Boys Adventure & War Comics: Save That Tiger! We have the very first issue of Tiger from 1954 for your delectation this update; an attractive GD/VG, with only rusty staples precluding a higher grade, this issue saw the debut of Frank S. Pepper and Joe Colquhoun’s Roy of the Rovers, kicking off our footballing hero’s forty-plus year career as an icon of British comics, including a lengthy run as the star of his own spin-off title from 1976, and a recent well-received revival! A cover image can be seen in our Cover Gallery – go to the listing in the catalogue and click on the link provided for your comfort and convenience! We also have the fourth issue from the same year, and a selection of the companion title, Lion, with space-ace Captain Condor and company, averaging GD/VG, two of the scarce Junior Express Weeklies with Jeff Hawke, and further top-ups to our vintage Eagle stock, with Volumes 4 and 5 recharged and ready to go!

*Humour Comics & Picture Libraries: Top of the shop is a classy selection of Dandy from 1964 (one of the rarer years), through to 1975, 70+ issues added to the lists; backing this up is a scattering of Beano from 1954 to 1977, including scarce Summer Specials from the early 1970’s in decent grades. Radio Fun joins us from 1953/1954, with the cartoon adventures of Norman Wisdom, Jimmy Edwards, the Beverley Sisters and 'Radio’s Merry Mimic', Petula Clarke! (And how many decades will it take for her to live that down?), and a heaping helping of Topper from 1980 (the year it gave up the tabloid ghost and went standard-sized), plus a handful of issues from 1985-1988. All this, plus quick touch-ups on Beezer, Buster, Cheeky, Jackpot and Nutty, for a festival of fun!

Posted by Rob | 09:27 a.m. GMT | 4 June 2007