I posted a few weeks ago about how Phil-Comics were venturing into publishing with a book on classic Christmas comic covers. Well the book is now out and a very impressive volume it is. The Dandy and The Beano 1937 - 1969 Classic Christmas Comic Covers is a beautifully produced hardback showing all the covers in their original published size.
It's a very professional looking product and Phil mentions he had the assistance of DC Thomson's Gordon Tait with the digital design aspect. The book is printed on quality matt stock and the reproduction of the covers is perfect. The vibrancy of the colours adds a warmth to the winter themes of the strips and captures the spirit of Christmases of long ago.
Every page is a delight to read. The artwork is of course top notch with artists James Crichton and later Charlie Grigg on The Dandy covers and Reg Carter and Dudley Watkins on the Beano covers. There also appears to be a couple of panels by Leo Baxendale on the 1959 Christmas Beano cover.
Something I didn't know before reading this volume was that between 1938 and 1940 there were two Christmas issues for each comic. This book features them all.
I know some UK comic fans prefer to wait to see if books like this turn up remaindered in discount stores but the success of this volume will determine whether there are any future collections of DCT material. Such a quality item deserves your support so I hope that (as I did) you'll order a copy directly from the publisher at http://www.phil-comics.com/christmas.php
Its great to see such early comics...
ReplyDeleteDudley's Bifffo Christmas covers are packed full of detail...though I like the Dandy ones as well...its funny seeing two Santas having a fight on the Christmas Dandy...;0))
What's interesting is how cruel a lot of the humour was in the 1930s and 40s comics. All harmless fun of course but harder edged than we'd get away with now. Signs of a changing society.
ReplyDeleteGuess what my daughter has just ordered fory birthday? ( Bless her heart!)
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Lew. The blog has been much missed. My copy of the Christmas Covers book arrived but I can't comment on it as I've tucked it away for reading on Christmas morning. Hopefully if the book is a success, Phil could do some more DC Thomson-type books. I'd love to see something featuring Dudley Watkins as Thomson's don't seem interested in releasing anything.
ReplyDeleteThanks Colin. I understand the book is selling well so hopefully there will be more!
ReplyDeleteTo be fair to DCT they have done quite a few nostalgia books over the years but it's a tough market to sell to shops these days. A large company like Thomsons would need big sales to justify doing such a book but if a small publisher does it under license it's more feasible.