COMBAT COLIN wins award for Best Independent / Small Press Comic!

The 2019 Comic Scene Awards results were announced yesterday and I'm very pleased to tell you that Combat Colin has won the award for Best Independent / Small Press Comic! It was nominated against some great comics, all of which deserve your support, and I'm very grateful for those of you who voted for Combat Colin to win. Humour comics are sometimes overlooked in comics awards so this was a very nice surprise. 

The above logo will appear on the cover of the next issue which I'm hoping to publish in late February (or later, depending on finances). It'll also appear on the cover of issue 4 when that goes to a second printing.

Meanwhile, if you haven't tried Combat Colin yet, all four issues published so far are still available exclusively from my online shop. You won't find them anywhere else! 
http://www.lewstringer.com/page7.htm

The superb Down the Tubes site won the Best Comic Media Award, and Enniskillen Comic Fest won Best Comic Con. Very well deserved! Congratulations to all the winners and runners up. The full results of the inaugural Comic Scene Awards can be seen in the latest issue of Comic Scene (No.11) which is currently available to buy as a digital download and the print edition will be in the shops on Thursday 19th December. Subscribe at this link:
https://getmycomics.com/comicscene

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Read Comic Scene for FREEEE!

As a sampler for potential new readers, Comic Scene have now made their second issue totally free to read as a digital magazine. (It was published in print a year ago.) It includes a variety of topics, and an interview with me, Tim Quinn, and others regarding our humour strips for Doctor Who Magazine! 

Read it for free at this link:
https://issuu.com/comicsflix/docs/comic_scene_comedy_issue_digital_2_/34?ff

The Dolls of St. Dominics

The latest Comic Scene magazine (No.7) is out now and features an article I wrote about Pow! comic of the 1960s. Unfortunately there wasn't room to use all the images I supplied to illustrate the feature so I thought I'd show one of them here. 

The Dolls of St. Dominic's was heavily inspired by the St.Trinians books and films, but done in a traditional British comic style. This busy full-page illustration from 1967 is by Ron Spencer, showing the Dolls at their wildest. As I said in the Comic Scene article, this series is probably too rude to be published in a children's comic today. (It would be good to see the Dolls revived and updated one day though.)

COMIC SCENE No.5 out this week

The fifth issue of Comic Scene will be on sale in selected branches of W.H. Smith, McColls, and various comic shops from this week. The 80 page issue features more comic strips than usual with a complete Captain Cosmic adventure, Flintlock, and more, in celebration of it being a 'Summer Special' edition.

Speaking of which, I've written a potted history of UK Summer Specials for the issue, illustrated with classic covers from the past scanned from my personal collection...

Articles by other writers include Spider-Man in the UK...

...Sweeny Toddler...

...and an exclusive on the forthcoming Tammy and Jinty Special, plus lots more!

You can order your copy of Comic Scene No.5 from the following link, or better still, subscribe!
https://getmycomics.com/ComicScene

Summer is here!

I've written a five page article on Summer Specials for the next issue of Comic Scene (issue 5). It'll be out in a few weeks but you can pre-order it, or subscribe to the mag, from this link:
https://getmycomics.com/ComicScene

COMIC SCENE No.4 - Coming soon!

There's a new issue of Comic Scene published on 23rd May and you can see a list of the contents here:
https://comicsflix.org/2019/05/11/comicscene-issue-4-full-contents-reveal/

This time, I've written a feature about the great Roy Wilson, one of the most influential artists in British humour comics. The article runs across four pages and features samples of his strips and art at a nice readable size. I think it's important to keep the names of such artistic giants alive, not only for nostalgists but for modern readers who may never have heard of them. 

As you can see (if you clicked the link) there's a good variety of other features in the mag too, including articles on M.A.C.H. 1, Batman in the 1960s, Draculass, indie comics and much more!

Comic Scene should be available from WH Smith and various comic shops... but I know how some people are finding it difficult to find it. (My local Smiths has dropped it, despite it selling, and won't order it in. I've heard similar stories from others too.) 

In theory, shops should be willing to order Comic Scene for you, but if they refuse, how can you get it? The best option is to subscribe directly from the publisher... and you can get back issues from them too. Here's the link:
https://getmycomics.com/comicscene

Comic Scene is the only print magazine that is dedicated to supporting and promoting British comics, so please stick by it and... buy it! 

Preview: COMIC SCENE No.3

There's a new issue of Comic Scene out this week and once again it's full of good stuff pertaining to comics old and new. The highlight for me was a new interview with veteran artist Ian Kennedy, who this year celebrates 70 years in the comics business! An incredible achievement, and Ian is still as skilled and sharp as ever.

Other features include the final part of the look back at the history of Marvel UK. A great article but sadly stops short just before a lot of us began creating new material for the company...

A look back at Buster...

An interview with Roy Thomas...

An item on Avengers Endgame...

The latest episode of Marc Jackson's Whackoman strip...

...plus much more, including a look at the state of UK independent comics, Frankie Stein in the 1970s, Writing for the 13th Doctor, Batman in the 1950s, Pat Mills, and I've written a behind the scenes article on the Cor!! Buster Special...

Comic Scene No.3 will be on sale in WH Smith and comic shops from Thursday 25th April, or you can subscribe here:
http://www.getmycomics.com/ComicScene

Preview: COMIC SCENE Vol.2 No.2

In the shops now is Comic Scene Vol.2 No.2, an 80 page whopper devoted to all things comic. There are features on Captain Britain, Marvel UK, European Dan Dare comics, Batman in the 1940s, Roy of the Rovers, the unseen Glory Glory comic, Wonder Comics, comics conventions, indie comics, movie news, and more.

This issue also sees the start of a new series of articles I've written in the Corker pull-out section. The first one focuses on some of the important artists who significantly evolved children's humour comics over the decades. Future articles will cover other subjects related to the history of UK humour comics. If you like this Blimey! blog, you should enjoy those features, as they'll be a suitable replacement when this blog ends later this year.

If you're interested in comics (and you wouldn't be here if you're not), then Comic Scene is for you. It's the only High Street magazine dedicated to comics so it deserves your support.

Comic Scene is available from WH Smith and selected comic shops, - or you could subscribe from the website:
https://comicscene.tictail.com

or...

https://getmycomics.com/comicscene


...and here's an advance preview of next month's issue, on sale in April...

Cover preview: COMIC SCENE No.2

Editor and publisher Tony Foster has given us an advance look at the cover to Comic Scene No.2, which goes on sale next month. Amongst its many contents there'll be features on Marvel UK, the 2000AD version of Dan Dare, comics conventions, and a new column written by me. 

My article will be part of the new Corker! section and will focus on British humour comics. Basically it's bringing an element of Blimey! into print, so although this blog is being updated far less than it used to be you'll still be able to read articles by me in the pages of Comic Scene instead!

You can pre-order Comic Scene No.2 directly from the publisher at this website here:
https://tictail.com/comicscene/comicscene-uk-vol-2-issue-2-pre-order

Remember that Comic Scene Vol.2 No.1 is in the shops right now! A great issue featuring 12 pages of features on football comics plus loads of other features including articles on Mike Western, Batman, Marshal Law, the early days of Marvel UK, indie comics, and much more! You'll find it in WH Smith (next to SFX, 2000AD, etc), selected branches of Sainsbury, Easons, and McColls, and comic shops across the UK.  

COMIC SCENE returns to newsagents on February 21st

The first issue in the new series of Comic Scene will be on sale from Thursday 21st February. You'll find the 68 page glossy magazine on the shelves of WH Smith and Easons, plus various comic shops!

Comic Scene is the only magazine on the high street that is dedicated to features about comics, so give it your support. The new issue spotlights football comics and carries articles on Roy of the Rovers past and present, Billy's Boots in Holland, Striker comic, and more. 

Plus other features, including free gifts in comics and an excellent article on the late, great Mike Western! 

If you'd prefer to subscribe to the magazine and receive it in the comfort of your own home, you can find out how to here:
https://comicscene.tictail.com

From Vol.2. No.2, on sale in March, I'll be on board Comic Scene as a regular columnist too, so those of you who enjoyed this Blimey! blog will find the same sort of focus there, as my features will be mostly on humour comics and creators of bygone years.
https://comicsflix.org

...and last but not least, the Comic Scene Podcast goes live this week:
https://soundcloud.com/ComicScene

Comic Scene No.3 out now

The third issue of Tony Foster's Comic Scene is out now and available to buy from some comic shops or directly from the publisher here:
https://comicscene.org

This issue has a war comics theme, and includes articles on Fury, Commando, Rogue Trooper, Black Max and more. I'm not convinced theme issues are a good idea as I worry they might put off more readers than they attract, but this issue is also balanced with articles on Stan Lee's UK convention visits, independent comics, and the new Roy of the Rovers. 

Comic Scene is still a young magazine and still on a learning curve. For example, the previous issue's interview with the Beano's Emily McGorman-Bruce was illustrated with Nigel Parkinson's artwork, not Emily's. Other features were sadly lacking in comic art to illustrate their relevant points. However, things have noticeably improved with this issue, and I'm sure will continue to improve in the future.

Comic Scene is the only print magazine dedicated to UK comics, and as such deserves to be supported by every one of us who are interested in British comics past and present or who work in the industry. These days, when the media talk about comics they often mean American superhero comics. Even the recent HMV comics promo week was only promoting American material. British comics are in danger of being overlooked all the time, and the industry cannot afford to let that continue. It's refreshing to see Comic Scene trying to address this, and Tony Foster deserves our respect and support in his endeavours. Let's hope the magazine has a long run!

Comic Scene No.3, 72 full colour A4 pages, is available now, as are back issues and subscriptions:
https://comicscene.org

Cover of Comic Scene No.2 revealed

The publishers of Comic Scene have just revealed the cover to issue 2, on sale next month. This one spotlights The Beano on its 80th anniversary and there are also many other features on humour comics. I was interviewed on my Doctor Who Magazine work for this one. 

You can pre-order it now from their website:
https://comicscene.tictail.com 

Review: Comic Scene No.1

After the launch issue (Christened No.0) a few weeks ago, Comic Scene has now begun properly as a monthly magazine and No.1 is out now. In case you haven't heard, Comic Scene is a magazine dedicated to UK comics old and new, and this first issue delivers the goods with a nice range of subject matter.

There's quite a focus on female comics creators (and characters) in this issue, which I hope will educate the corner of fandom who still aren't aware that there are some great comics produced by women, and always have been. There's an article on Marie Duval, co-creator of Ally Sloper in the 19th Century, a feature on the late, great Yvonne Hutton who drew Roy of the Rovers in the 1960s/70s, and we're brought right up to date with an interview with talented Rachael Smith. There's many other features besides, including a look at Misty comic and more.

Other content includes a look back at the first UK comics con from 50 years ago, John Freeman on why it's no longer such a simple matter to launch new comics in newsagents, Vertigo comics at 25 (okay, that's an American company, but lots of Brits have worked for them), and a free sample pull out of Pat Mills' new book on the development of Slaine. 

And, as they say, much, much more! 

Some of the articles are still a bit too brief, but most are the right length to keep the magazine busy and varied. I hope that all readers of Blimey! are supporting Comic Scene. Basically, if you like my blog you should enjoy that mag, and when Blimey! is no longer around I hope Comic Scene continues for many years to come. 

You can find out more information on Comic Scene, where to find it, and how to subscribe, at the following link:
https://comicscene.org

Comic Scene No.1 cover revealed

Here's the cover to the first monthly issue of Comic Scene, the magazine of British comics, coming your way in August. 

The contents of this issue have now been revealed on their website. I was interviewed for it but it looks like it didn't make the final cut. Never mind. There are interviews with Karen Berger, Rachael Smith, and more. You can find out all about it, and how to order your copy, here:
https://comicsflix.org/2018/07/02/comicscene-uk-issue-1-content-reveal/

Review: COMIC SCENE UK Issue:0

It's been several years since the UK had a magazine about British comics. The last one was Crikey! which ended in 2010. Now, Tony Foster has produced a brand new publication; Comic Scene UK, which launched at the Edinburgh Comic Con last weekend.

This is issue zero, with the actual first issue coming out in August. Tony's done a good job here, assembling a group of contributors that include fans and seasoned professionals such as Pat Mills, John Wagner, and John Freeman. This 64 page debut issue features articles that include news on upcoming comics, reflections on comics long gone, and commentary on the industry. 

I would have liked to have seen an in-depth interview or two with comic creators on their careers to date. We don't really get that, but there are quotes and comments from creators about specific subjects. One highlight for me being reflections by Chris Lowder and Steve MacManus on their time at IPC during the Valiant and Lion merger. 

There's a handful of strips too. Marc Jackson brings us Whackoman! while Tom J. Farmer, Jose Rodriguez Mota and Valentina Muzzo present us with Captain Scotland, and Jim Wilkins does Deja Who?

Most of the features only run to two pages, so there's a lot to read in the magazine's 64 full colour glossy pages on a variety of comics. I'd have liked to have seen some coverage of the first half of comics history from the 19th Century to the 1950s but there's always room for that in future issues. Obviously it needs to focus on what people want to see, and in my experience, most fans mainly prefer comics from their own nostalgia, rather than those of the early 20th Century. 

It's an impressive start, and I wish Comic Scene UK every success for the future. I hope readers will give it their support. 

You can subscribe to Comic Scene UK at their website here:
https://comicscene.org