First impressions of the first issue of new comics magazine, ComicScene UK

ComicScene UK Issue One Promo

ComicScene UK, the new subscription only title, launches 1st May 2018 in print and digital format – and publisher Tony Foster is hoping to fund comic workshops for young people with part of the profits.

I really hope you’ll give this new magazine a try. It’s an effervescent mix of comics past and present that I think downthetubes readers will really enjoy.

Celebrating all that’s great about comics in the UK and worldwide the 64 page launch issue of ComicScene is published by ComicsFlix.org, based in Scotland. The magazine has over 20 of the best writers about comics and features some of the world’s most popular characters that have been published in the medium.

The launch magazine, Issue 0, also features articles by creator of 2000AD Pat Mills and c0-creator of Judge Dredd John Wagner.

“Hundreds of readers have subscribed already,” says Tony, who’s been busy promoting the title across social media and at live comic events.

Obviously, I’m a little biased about this new magazine as I’m one of the writers Tony’s enthusing about, but I’ve seen an advance preview of the title and the range of features, for me, is terrific. I was particularly intrigued by Apollo, the new moon landings inspired graphic novel coming later this year from SelfMadeHero and I really enjoyed the feature with its creators, who include artist Mike Collins.

David Moloney’s feature on Valiant and Lion, talking to two creators well versed in the way the British comics industry was being run at the time they were published, is also a fascinating read.

It’s also great to see fellow downthetubes member Ian Wheeler giving his attention to the new Doctor Who story featuring the Seventh Doctor (although I’m again biased there as I’m editing it!).

Contents in the launch issue include:

  • Nuts and Bolts – John Freeman on the comic scene, including the recent success of the Beano
  • Changing Face Of Dan Dare – Richard Sheaf takes a monthly look at the Pilot of the Future
  • How Comic Books Help Us Relive Our Childhood – by Benoit Peeters. How comic books help us to relive our childhood was first published – in French and in English – by The Conversation. French graphic novelist and critic Benoît Peeters is Visiting Professor in Graphic Fiction and Comic Art at Lancaster University, the first such appointment in the UK
  • The Prisoner – Stephen Jewell interviews Pete Milligan and Colin Lorimer on the new title from Titan Comics
  • OK Computer – Luke Williams debates digital v print comics
  • 21st Century Flashback – Fred MacNamara on Thunderbirds
  • Art Gallery – original unseen art with a story from Rufus Dayglo
  • Shiver and Shake – Martin Dallard takes a look at a fabulous first issue!
  • Hatch, Match and Dispatch: Valiant & Lion – David Moloney speaks to writer Chris Lowder and former comics editor Steve MacManus about the merger of two great titles.
  • The Growth of Cosplay – Louise Saul provides an insiders guide to the growth of cosplay at comic conventions
  • Creators Writes – Co Creator of Judge Dredd John Wagner tells us how his new character Rok of the Reds was developed
  • The Cartmel Factor – Ian Wheeler takes a monthly look at Doctor Who comics, including the new series of 7th Doctor adventures from Titan Comics
  • Free Comic Book Day – Richard Bruton on previous Comic Book Day issues
  • 25 years of Batman Mask Of Phantasm – Tim Hayes looks back at 25 years of Batman animation as Batman Ninja hits the screens
  • Captain Scotland – A new strip followed by an interlude by writer Tom J Farmer and art by Jose Rodriguez Mota and Valentina Mozzo introduces the new female Captain Scotland. Catch up with the story so far here
  • Through the Looking Glass: The Secret History of Toxic – John McShane takes a look at Toxic and the influence Scotland has had on comics.
  • That Whooshing Noise: 30 Years of Deadline – Tim Pilcher speaks to the original creators of the influential comic
  • 30 years of Tank Girl – Chris McAuley reads Tank Girl for the first time
  • Remembering Steve Dillon – Joel Meadows on one of the creators of Deadline, Steve Dillon
  • Judge Dredd v Batman – Karl Stock on the meetings of the Mega City Lawman and the Caped Crusader of Gotham
  • Rachael Ball: Creator of Wolf – Tony Esmond takes a monthly look at Small Press
  • Stuck in the 18th Century – Steve Tanner on the creation of Flintlock
  • Fanscene – 50 Years of Fandom – David Hathaway Price takes a regular look at fandom over the last 50 years with the infamous Unicorn
  • 50 years of Apollo Landings – Stephen Jewell takes a look at the new graphic novel Apollo, launched a year before the 50th anniversary of the Apollo landings
  • Collecting Roy of the Rovers – Richard Sheaf’s regular column on Roy of the Rovers and sport/adventure comics
  • The Last Word2000AD creator Pat Mills writes his new and regular column. #tlw
  • Whackoman – Marc Jackson’s new strip

Future issues include material on Judge Dredd v Judge Death, 2000AD, Halo Jones, Girls Comics including Tammy, Jinty, Bunty, 80 years of the Beano, Six Million Dollar Man v Mach One, “Charley’s War”, 40 years of Starlord and Misty, 50 years of fandom and comic con, 30 years of Hellblazer, Vertigo at 25, the new Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker, Superman at 80, Captain Britain, Mega City One, V For Vendetta and comics on the big and small screen, Miracleman, DC and Marvel in the UK, European comics … plus all the latest news and gossip from the comic, small press, cosplay and related media industry from some of the best writers in the business!

• If you’re liking the sound of all this, well – you can’t buy it in the shops, ComicScene UK is via mail order only. You can see all subscription details and offers below and at the website www.comicscene.org. Readers can comment on twitter #comicscene or email comicsceneuk@gmail.com – reader can also feedback and inform future content via reader surveys



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