STRIP Magazine on course for October launch in the UK

By John Freeman on August 17, 2011

Print Media Productions STRIP Magazine is on course for an October launch, with the strip line up now firmed up for the first issues.

The company has also selected the first winners of its Strip Challenge – but the winners will be revealed in the Magazine (they’ve been sworn to secrecy for now).

One change to the plans for the title is that it won’t launch immediately on the UK news stand – the result of discussions with their news stand distributor – so you’ll only find the first issues in comic shops or by subscribing.

But the company still plans to widen their sales to the UK high street in 2012, effectively ‘re-launching’ the title after its initial tranche of content draws to a close in early 2012.

There’s more information about these changes on the STRIP Magazine blog.

STRIP Magazine Issue One includes Black Ops Xtreme by John Freeman and PJ Holden; Warpaint by Phil Hester and John McCrea – the first episode will feature in an upcoming issue of Tripwire; Age of Heroes by James Hudnall and John Ridgway; Hookjaw, re-mastered by Jim Campbell and Gary Caldwell; ‘Hush Hush’ a prequel story to Stephen Walsh and Keith Page’s Iron Moon graphic album; Recovery Inc. by Michael Penick and Dean Deckard; and the first winners of the Strip Challenge.

The first issue will also have features on the 1970s comic Action that originally published Hookjaw, written by Moose Harris; and an exclusive interview with PJ Holden by Matt Badham.

The bumper 68-page STRIP Magazine Issue One will cost £2.99 and will come with a free poster, and will be on sale in October.

• More info at: www.printmediaproductions.com

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.