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James Bacon’s “Irish Conflict in Comics” book gets national radio coverage

By John Freeman on May 1, 2026 • ( 0 )

James Bacon was recently interviewed on RTE Radio 1’s The History Show about his fascinating new book, Irish Conflict in Comics in the 20th Century. (26th April 2026)

Author and co-editor of 2026 Hugo Awards Nominee Journey Planet magazine James Bacon was recently interviewed on RTE Radio 1’s The History Show about his fascinating new book, Irish Conflict in Comics in the 20th Century.

Presented by Myles Dungan, The History Show show aims to discover how our world was shaped by history and, the interview, an extended version now online, offers some great insights into James’ book.

“I think coverage of comic book matters on National radio is pretty cool,” James, who also contributes to downthetubes tells us.

“I’m hopeful it interests people who may not already know about this type of thing or be outside the comic book community who might find it a welcoming introduction.”

He’s absolutely right. Do give this a listen.

*James Bacon, co-editor of Journey Planet. Photo: Sergii Paltsun*

James Bacon, also a much appreciated contributor to downthetubes, is an Irish fan, a train driver living in London. A Hugo Award-winning editor of the fanzine Journey Planet, nominated again this year, he is a comic fan and enjoys comic art, war comics, Star Wars, Irish aspects to comics and railways in comics or otherwise. He has been writing about comics for over thirty years

Irish Conflict in Comics in the 20th century: Rebellion, Nazi Spies and The Troubles by James Bacon

Published last year by Limit Break Comics, Irish Conflict in Comics in the 20th century: Rebellion, Nazi Spies and The Troubles is a unique catalogue of research, commentary, and discussion about Irish conflict and the portrayals of Irish characters in comics.

The absorbing book looks at over 150 comic stories and over 300 individual comic books, offering is an invaluable reference work for those interested in Ireland, Irish history, and comics.

• Listen to The History Show first broadcast on 26th April 2026 here: the interview with James Bacon begins at the 45 minute mark

• Irish Conflict in Comics in the 20th Century, Rebellion, Nazi Spies and the Troubles is available here from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

• Read James downthetubes articles, “A Blast From The Past: How a wartime issue of Sensation Comics offered a glimpse of a terrifying future” and “The Story of “Greann”, Ireland’s First Comic Book – from a veteran of the 1916 Rising”

• Journey Planet is online here

About the Author
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John Freeman

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.