In the shops now...

Just time for a very quick rundown of some of the comics available this week in British newsagents. First up the 2000AD Sci-Fi Special is very welcome. The traditional Summer Special is a rarity these days so it's great to see Rebellion upholding the tradition. I'll get the negative point out of the way first though; remember how IPC's Holiday Specials started out with 96 pages back in the 1960s, then reduced to to 64 in the 1970s, and slimmed down more to 48 pages years later? Sadly, this year, the 2000AD special is just the size of the weekly, at 32 pages. However... there is a fantastic free Judge Dredd poster by Chris Weston, plus all-new strips featuring old favourites Judge Dredd, Ace Trucking Co., Sinister Dexter, Robo-Hunter, and Rogue Trooper with creative talent including John Wagner, Brendan McCarthy, Nigel Dobbyn, Dan Abnett, Tom Foster, Jimmy Broxton and more. Never mind the width, feel the quality! 

The weekly 2000AD (Prog 1990) is once again packed with greatness. Judge Dredd, Brink, Black Shuck, Outlier, Scarlet Traces, with creators including Colin MacNeill, Dan Abnett, Inj Culbard, Leah Moore, John Reppion, Steve Yeowell, Ian Edginton, D'Israeli and more. Who could resist?

Judge Dredd Megazine No.374 is another whopper of an issue at 64 pages thick, including Judge Dredd, Realm of the Damned, Blunt, Lawless, and extra features. Carlos Ezquerra, Alec Worlsy, Pye Parr, Boo Cook, Phil Winslade and more. Mega!

Titan Comics have launched a Harley Quinn mini-series and No.1 (of 3) is out now. 76 pages reprinting three Harley Quinn DC comics by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti with various artists. 

Panini UK bring Marvel Legends to a close with issue 24, but it's relaunched next month with a new first issue as part of the company's refresh of their Marvel Collectors Editions. Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America star, with creators such as Stuart Immonen and Jason Aaron contributing. 

For younger readers there is of course The Beano, and this week's issue is set to keep kids busy in the first week of their holidays as the comic comes bagged with several gifts. One of which is the Gnash-Attacker Glider kit, a new design of an old-school free gift many of you will be familiar with. All the usual favourite strips are included such as Dennis and Gnasher, The Bash Street Kids, Minnie the Minx, and I'm glad to say my Pup Parade page is still running.

D.C. Thomson's newest title Danger Mouse No.1 is out now. 36 pages of all-new fun, including an 8 page comic strip adventure written by Alex Collier but with anonymous artists, a page of short funnies, and other exclusive artwork. It also comes bagged with a few good quality gifts; an invisible ink pen, notebook, and ultra-violet light to read your secret messages, plus a Danger Mouse eyepatch! 


Panini have a new issue of Doctor Who Adventures out today, with artwork from Russ Leach, Grant Perkins, and more.

There's also a Guardians of the Galaxy comic (a one-off I think) featuring strips using screen grabs from the cartoon show, and last but not least, another issue of The Phoenix in selected WH Smith and Waitrose branches. 

Plus various independent comics available from comic shops and mail order. So UK comics are still surviving, despite what some may claim. To keep up to date with developments always check out john Freeman's brilliant Down the Tubes blog on a daily basis:
http://downthetubes.net/