TAMMY AND JINTY SPECIAL cover revealed

Copyright ©Rebellion Publishing IP Ltd.

Well done Rebellion in bringing back another classic title with a modern-day makeover. Diamond distributor's Previews website has revealed the cover and solicitation details of the new Tammy and Jinty Special that will be in newsagents and comic shops on 26th June!

The superb artwork is by Mike Collins, a long-experienced professional who has worked in comics for 35 years and these days is the storyboard artist on Doctor Who. 

Now, bear in mind that it's likely that this might not be the final cover. The illustration is final, but the logo placement might not be, and for all we know there could be added captions... or not. (There'll certainly be a barcode and Rebellion's company logo added later.) I'll post the finished cover when Rebellion send me the PR in the summer. I'm only posting this because it's already being shared on social media so I thought readers of this blog might want to see it too. 

Anyway, following on from The Cor!! Buster Humour Special (on sale 17th April), the Tammy and Jinty Special will be in WH Smith and comic shops on 26th June, with an impressive line-up of creators. Here's the solicitation info...

(W) Rob Williams, Emma Beeby, Grainne Mcentree (A) Rachael Stott, Various (CA) Mike Collins

Tammy and Jinty were two of Britain's best-loved girls' comics in the 1970s and '80s - ground-breaking female-led comics that covered everything from science fiction and fantasy to romance and domestic drama. This June, these classic titles return in the 48-page Tammy and Jinty Special, retooled for the 21st Century! 

A host of the finest modern creators pay tribute to this legacy of trail-blazing comics while introducing a new audience to the medium! None other than Rob Williams (Roy of the Rovers), Rachel Stott (Doctor Who), Rachael Smith, V V Glass (Assassin's Creed), Emma Beeby (Mata Hari) and many more present daring girl-led tales of roller derby, archaeology, codebreaking, ballet, space adventure and more!  

In Shops: Jun 26, 2019 

If you buy your comics from your local comic shop, now is the time to tell them to reserve you a copy as they'll be putting their orders in for June-released comics soon! Order ref: APR191915

The Tammy and Jinty Special is also part of the discounted pack of 2019 Rebellion Specials you can pre-order here:
https://treasuryofbritishcomics.com/catalogue//B0011

Review: APOLLO

Those of us old enough to remember the 1960s and the "space race" will know it was a genuinely exciting time to be a child. The endeavours for humans to reach out beyond Earth were rarely out of the news, and it became part of the zeitgeist, influencing children's fiction and toys. We devoured anything to do with outer space. The decade ended perfectly with man finally landing on the Moon in 1969, a moment that those of us who watched it on TV will remember in amazement forevermore. The picture quality wasn't up to much, but that only made us appreciate the distance those images were travelling from. Wondrous times.

The story of that first Moon landing is ideal for comics, depending on the creators of course. In lesser hands, 150 pages of three blokes cooped up in a space rocket and jumping about on the Moon for a while wouldn't be that satisfactory, but Apollo is handled by creators who know their stuff and have produced a compelling read. 

Written by Matt Fitch and Chris Baker, and drawn by Mike Collins (with colours by Kris Carter and Jason Cardy), Apollo uses techniques to keep the story moving along in a visually interesting way that's well suited to comics. The book begins with the launch of Apollo 11 in 1969, then there's a flashback to the tragedy of Apollo One to show us how precarious those missions could be. There are numerous other flashbacks during Apollo 11's journey, telling us more about the three astronaut's personal lives, hopes and fears. Fitch, Baker, and Collins build up the tension well, and even though we know how things turned out, there are still some moments of anxiety for the reader. That's a sign of a good comic, to pull the reader in and keep those pages turning.

Mike Collins is a good choice as artist, and not just because he shares the same name as one of Apollo 11's crew. His 35 years of experience as a professional artist have enabled him to draw anything with ease, and choose layouts that keep the pages interesting and varied. 

The colours by Kris Carter and Jason Cardy suit the art well, although the use of the Photoshop Colour Halftone filter is a little distracting at times. I was a bit disappointed that some dialogue used the F-bomb several times, which I felt was unnecessary. Not that I'm prudish, but because I think Apollo would have been perfect for school libraries, and that language would presumably prevent that. Don't let these small quibbles put you off though. For mid-teens and adults, this book is ideal.

The back of the book has an appendix with technical drawings of the spacecraft plus bios of the main characters, which is a nice bonus. Apollo is a great record of one of the most important events in history, and deserves a place on your bookshelf.

Apollo by Matt Fitch, Chris Baker, and Mike Collins. Graphic novel published by SelfMadeHero, London. £15.99 hardback. ISBN 978-1-910593-50-9

People First!

Art by Doctor Who storyboard artist Mike Collins.

I've just been informed of this superb auction for a worthy cause. The People First Merseyside Charity Auction has 30 pieces of original comic art from some of the top names in comics to raise money for people with learning difficulties.

People First Merseyside is an organisation for people with learning disabilities, managed by people with learning disabilities. They are a registered charity and a limited company.


People First has supported adults in Merseyside for more than 20 years. People First Merseyside started in 1988 and their members come from Liverpool and Sefton.

Art by Viz comic's Simon Thorp. 

The pieces for the auction have been drawn on the blank cover variants of various comics, and include an impressive array of talent: Simon Bisley, Dan Brereton, Nick Brokenshire, Mark Buckingham, Mike Collins, Boo Cook, Jonathan Edwards, Hunt Emerson, Duncan Fegredo, Cully Hamner, John Higgins, Kev Hopgood, Frazer Irving, Jock, Christopher Jones, Cam Kennedy, Roger Langridge, David Lloyd, Brendan McCarthy, John McCrea, Luke McGarry, Jim Mahfood, Alex Maleev, Brett Parson, Sean Phillips, Seth, Declan Shalvey, Simon Thorp and Steve Yeowell!

You can see all the covers here:
https://peoplefirstmerseyside.co.uk/2018/11/people-first-merseyside-comic-art-auction/

...and you can find the links on which to bid by visiting this page:
https://www.charity.ebay.co.uk/charity/People-First-Merseyside-Company-Limited/3196509

I've already agreed to contribute a cover for their next auction, but for now, don't miss your chance to bid on these. The auction runs until 8th December.

Photos from Wythenshawe Comic Con

It was an honour to be one of the invited guests at the very first Wythenshawe Comic Con, which took place yesterday, 9th June 2018. A relatively small convention, but it attracted a lot of people despite competing with the glorious weather outside. Lots of families there, including several kids in Dennis the Menace style stripey tops! I really enjoyed the day, and the event had a nice atmosphere. Thanks to John Webster for the invite and for looking after us all. A good day and I hope there'll be more!

Here's a few photos...

The Beano's Nigel Parkinson!

Colin Mathieson of Accent UK comics.

Writer and editor Dan Whitehead.

Doctor Who storyboard artist Mike Collins.

Artist, writer, editor David Leach.

A happy customer!

'tis I.

More photos on the Wythenshawe Comic Con Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/wythenshawecomiccon

The organiser, John Webster, also runs the Wow! Comix comic shops. Check them out if you're up that way:
https://en-gb.facebook.com/wowcomixstockport/

APOLLO lands soon!

A new graphic novel from London publisher Selfmadehero is arriving soon, and it sounds great!

Here's the PR....

NEW BOOK RELEASE
SelfMadeHero are delighted to announce the UK release of APOLLO, the dramatic account of that one giant leap for mankind in 1969 when  man first set foot on the moon, from an all british team of creators. Renowned writers Matt Fitch and Chris Baker team up with prolific illustrator Mike Collins (Doctor Who, Wonder Woman, Judge Dredd) to bring the story of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins’ momentous voyage to graphic novel form.

APOLLO is published in full-colour hardback on 7 June  (rrp £15.99) from SelfMadeHero. www.selfmadehero.com 

1969 saw one giant leap for mankind when the first man set foot on the moon. Neil Armstrong, Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin and Michael Collins were the torchbearers for our collective aspirations. Backed by the brightest minds in engineering and science, the three boarded a rocket and flew through the void – just to prove that we could. 

An all-British creative team tells the story of this historic moment. Writers Matt Fitch and Chris Baker (Dead Canary Comics) have teamed up with artist Mike Collins, the prolific illustrator of characters including Batman, Judge Dredd and Doctor Who, to unpack the urban legends, the gossip and the speculation to reveal a remarkable true story about life, death, dreams and the reality of humanity’s greatest exploratory achievement. 

Supported by extensive research from books, official documents and recordings, Apollo offers an authentic and unique account of this historic event ahead of its 50th anniversary celebrations. 

About the creators: 

Mike Collins is a comic book artist based in Wales. He has worked for Marvel UK on comics including Spider-man and Transformers; for DC Comics on flagship titles such as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, and for the UK’s celebrated weekly comic 2000AD on Judge Dredd, Slaine and Rogue Trooper, among others. 

Matt Fitch and Chris Baker are co-founders of Dead Canary Comics, a small press dedicated to comics and graphic novels. Together they are the authors to Reddin (with Conor Boyle) and The Fitzroy, a collection of stories featuring artwork by Krent Able, Charlie Hodgson, Will Ronson, Scott Cooper and Will Kirkby. 

SelfMadeHero publishes works that provoke, entertain, inspire and inform through the medium of the graphic novel. The company is proud to showcase ground-breaking and beautiful work by authors and artists from across the globe, from the quirky and humorous to the political and profound. Releases for Spring 2018 include Jean-Pierre Filiu and David B.’s Best of Enemies, Vol 3; Andrzej Klimowski’s Poster Book; Reinhard Kleist’s Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: An Art Book; Jesús Carrasco and Javi Rey’s Out in the Open; John Harris Dunning & Michael Kennedy’s Tumult; and Martin Rowson’s The Communist Manifesto. 

www.selfmadehero.com 

DWM Limited Edition

The latest Doctor Who Magazine appeared in the shops yesterday, but at the Doctor Who Festival this weekend there'll be a chance to buy the issue with a limited edition cover, exclusive to the event.

The Festival Edition is limited to just 2000 copies, all numbered. The content is the same as the regular edition, featuring news, interviews, reviews, previews and the concluding part of The Highgate Horror strip by Mark Wright, David Roach and Mike Collins.

As I mentioned the other day, I'll be at the Festival on Saturday, at the Doctor Who Magazine stand, and will be happy to sign my Daft Dimension strip if you buy a copy of the mag. I'll also be available to do sketches if you wish to commission one.  

See you at the Doctor Who Festival at the ExCel tomorrow (Saturday 14th November). 

For full details of the Festival, visit their website:
http://www.doctorwho.tv/events/doctor-who-festival/

Doctor Who Magazine website:
http://www.doctorwhomagazine.com/

Cool day at Collectormania

I had a good day at Collectormania 23 at Milton Keynes yesterday. I didn't really know what to expect, having never attended a comics show in Milton Keynes before but I had a steady number of visitors to my table and enjoyed talking to, and sketching for, those who dropped by.

The event was held at Stadium MK and was situated around the concourse. As some of you know, I've never been into football and at 56 years of age this was my first ever visit to a football stadium! I must admit that, even with empty seats and no game on, I can understand the excitement and atmosphere such places could generate now that I've stood and gazed across the massive stadium.

With the show being on the concourse it did get a bit chilly at times due to the wet weather yesterday but at least we had fresh air all day. It was very busy, with thousands of visitors there to see guests from the world of film, TV, comics and sport including Nick Blood from Agents of SHIELD and the legendary Jack Charlton!

There were only a handful of comics guests at this event so it was an honour to be one of the few. Comics colleagues Lee Townsend, Martin Griffiths, and Mike Collins were also busy sketching for numerous visitors. 

Lee Townsend and Martin Griffiths at their tables.

Mike Collins, yesterday.

Cosplayers were very much in evidence too of course, including The Brigadier and a captured Dalek! 

All in all, a very pleasant day. My thanks to organizer Mike Conroy for the invite. The event continues today (Sunday 14th) but although I'm not there my three comics colleagues will be. I'm sure they're busy even as I type these words. 

I know some people have criticized these bigger shows for expanding to attract fans from TV and sport but I think it's a good thing. Most of the visitors I met yesterday had stopped reading comics when they left their childhood, (just like most people do) but some recognized my characters from the 1980s and others were just happy to meet a Beano artist. It's not going to turn them into comic fans and they're not going to be interested in adult comics, but the nostalgia factor intrigues them. 

The conventions that only focus on comics are brilliant too of course, and long may they continue, but the massive media/comics events have their own appeal too. There are a lot of people out there who attend these shows and they can be a good day out for fans and creators alike. 
http://www.collectormania.com/miltonkeynes/

The DAREDEVILS (1983)

By the early 1980s Marvel UK had progressed considerably since the company's early days of reprint weeklies edited from New York and packaged by a London office. Now based in Kentish Town Road, Marvel UK had expanded its staff and its commitment to producing home-grown material. In January 1983 they launched The Daredevils, a 52 page monthly with a mixture of reprint and brand new material.

It's often thought that The Daredevils was intended to rival Dez Skinn's Warrior, which was likely to be the case. (Dez, an ex-Marvel UK editor, had set up Warrior the previous year.) I remember Alan Moore remarking that he and Alan Davis were in the strange position of competing with themselves, as they were doing Marvelman for Warrior at the very same time they were producing new Captain Britain stories for The Daredevils.

The Daredevils No.1 kicked off with a new cover by Paul Neary, and, inside, a new 8 page Captain Britain episode (which would increase to 12 pages in later issues). 

The comic's editor was Bernie Jaye, although Alan had a large influence in suggesting feature ideas which Bernie was happy to accommodate. For example, for the first issue Alan also wrote a six page article on Frank Miller's Daredevil (being a perfect accompaniment to the reprints of Miller's Daredevil strip in the comic), and a regular Fanzine Reviews column. 

I get a little annoyed when I hear some fans today claiming that Alan Moore hates fandom. In fact it's complete bol... well, to put it politely, nothing could be further from the truth, as proven in the pages of The Daredevils. Alan had his roots in comics fandom and was always encouraging new creators. With his Fanzine Reviews pages he went out of his way to promote fanzines he'd often paid for himself. This was a big deal for those of us starting out back then. No other British comic was promoting 'zines in this way, but here was Alan Moore giving us free publicity in a comic sold on the High Street. 

Another regular feature in The Daredevils was Frank Plowright's News Feature, looking at upcoming American comics. It even promoted those published by Marvel's rivals.

Humour was provided in the form of the Earth 33 1/3rd mini-strip by the ever-brilliant Tim Quinn and Dicky Howett.

There was also an Early Artwork feature, with each issue showing the very early work of top creators such as Dave Gibbons, Garry Leach, and David Lloyd...

The first few issues of The Daredevils also featured serialized Spider-Man reprints by Stan Lee and John Romita, although these were dropped after issue 4 to make room for more British material. The comic was rapidly developing into something unique and unmissable; a publication that not only featured comic strips but embraced them with well written articles and features. 

Every issue (except No.3) featured a full colour centrefold poster with new artwork by UK talent. I'll be showing these in more detail in a few days time. 

Issue 6 saw the start of a series of Night Raven text stories written by Alan Moore, with art by David Lloyd on the first chapter and Alan Davis in following issues.

The Daredevils No.7 (July 1983) has a personal significance for me because it's where my first professional comics work appeared. Again, this was due to encouragement from Alan Moore who introduced me to Bernie Jaye at a Westminster Comic Mart. Alan bigged me up, Bernie asked me to submit some ideas to her, I sent off a bunch of What If cartoons and they started appearing from issue 7. I'll always be grateful to Alan and Bernie for giving me my first break. Here's that very first one...

Issue 8 saw the publication of a great Daredevil spoof by Alan Moore, Mike Collins, and Mark Farmer. Grit brazenly parodied the Frank Miller Daredevil strips that were appearing in the same comic. This was Mike Collins' first professional work, again thanks to Alan Moore's input. Here it is...

Sadly, despite The Daredevils being one of the most unique and entertaining comics in the UK, it wasn't to last. With sales lower than hoped, Marvel UK pulled the plug with issue 11, merging it with The Mighty World of Marvel the following month. Disappointed, Bernie Jaye and Alan Moore quit, although some new material did continue for a while in MWOM. Other writers took over Captain Britain, Night Raven, and the comics/fanzine reviews. 

The Daredevils lasted just under a year, but what a year! If you've never seen it, the issues are worth collecting. Marvel UK went on to produce more new material of course (and I went on to do Captain Wally, Robo-Capers, Combat Colin, and more for the company) but they never did another publication with such a great mixture of strips and comics features. 

DWM 484 preview

Issue 484 of Doctor Who Magazine will be in shops across the UK from tomorrow (March 5th). This packed issue features a brand new complete 12 page comic strip, Space Invaders, by Mark Wright, Mike Collins, David Roach and James Offredi starring the 12th Doctor and Clara. 

There's also another Daft Dimension strip by me...

The rest of the issue is a fantastic mixture of features, interviews, and reviews, including a look back on the 1972 TV story The Time Monsters...

An in-depth analysis of the 1964 serial Marco Polo...

Plus loads more including interviews with Paul McGann and Bonnie Langford plus an exclusive interview with Doctor Who's head writer Stephen Moffat on the next series...

All in all, 84 pages of all-new material for just £4.99. Now in its 36th year of publication, Doctor Who Magazine is the essential mag for all fans of the show.