The latest Toys & Collectables Timed Auction from Ancient Mariner Auctions – offering “a Smörgåsbord of Toys, Wargames, Comics & Role Playing Games” – includes a number of lots that featuring largely British comic comic zines, including some rarities.
Among them is a copy of Heroes Unlimited #6 featuring a cover by the late Paul Neary, a fanzine published by Anthony Roche, who, in 1966, was editor of a comics fanzine called The Merry Marvel Fanzine, the first comics ‘zine published on this side of the Atlantic. Plus, a copy of the first issue of Sub-Plot #1, published by future comics professional Steve Craddock, featuring strips by Steve, in 1970.
As we’ve previously noted, fanzines already existed in the US, but it would be over six months after the debut of The Merry Marvel Fanzine before the first British comics fanzine, Ka-Pow, produced by Phil Clarke and the late Steve Moore, would appear, in July 1967.
In producing The Merry Marvel Fanzine, and, subsequently, seven issues of Heroes Unlimited, Tony, all unbeknownst to himself, helped set in motion a tradition of ‘zines and communication between comics fans that continues, unbroken, to this day.
In addition to its Paul Neary cover, thanks to David Hathaway Price’s brilliant online-only FANSCENE archive, we know Heroes Unlimited #6 also includes a comic strip, “Death Makes it Play”, by Paul and an interview with American comic creator Dick Giordano. With the permission of the title’s original editor and publisher, you can read every issue of Heroes Unlimited here – and, of course the special celebratory Heroes Unlimited #8, published in 2018, is available to read over at Journey Planet.
Forty-nine years in the waiting and the making, Heroes Unlimited #8 is an incredible zine of fantastic proportions and wonderful content that bookends the publication that helped kickstart British comics fandom in the 1960s.
Ancient Mariners Auctions “Toys & Collectables Timed Auction” is online at The-Saleroom and ends on 5th March 2026 | View the Full Catalogue here | Please note, you must be registered to bid
Here are some of the zines and comics ephemera included in this auction…
Ancient Mariners Auctions “Toys & Collectables Timed Auction” is online at The-Saleroom and ends on 5th March 2026 | View the Full Catalogue here | Please note, you must be registered to bid
Head downthetubes for…
A digital archive of British comic fanzines, curated by David Hathaway-Price with full support and permission of the titles’ original editors and publishers
• FANSCENE Archive: Heroes Unlimited
• FANSCENE Archive: Fantasy Advertiser
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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.
Categories: Auctions, British Comics, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Other Worlds
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