Back in September 2011, Attic Brand Media launched its official Merlin magazine, based on the BBC TV fantasy series of the same name (also known as The Adventures of Merlin) – but although the title fell victim to the company going into administration after just one issue, that wasn’t the end of publishing tie-ins with the series, although their history is a little convoluted.
Before Attic Brand Media’s title launch, Titan Magazines featured Merlin in its Totally… magazine, a publication with a generic “umbrella” title that enabled it to spotlight various shows and new films.
In 2010, Merlin featured in Totally… No. 4, and Titan returned to covering the show in Issue 19, published in December 2011 – utilising commissioned material for Attic Media’s second issue of their title, including the comic strip written by Damian Kelleher and drawn by Lee Carey; and also headlined the series in Totally… No. 30, one of the last issues of the title, published in December 2012.
Titan launched the monthly title Totally… in 2010, each issue focussing on a different licensed property, including animated movies such as Shrek Forever After, Madagascar, Megamind and Puss in Boots, toys such as Hot Wheels, and TV characters and series, including Wallace and Gromit, M.I. High, Primeval – and Merlin.
Each issue included posters, puzzles, free gifts and, with the exception of the first Merlin-devoted issue (presumably because, at that point, Attic Brand Media’s license precluded their use), original comic strips, all featuring that issue’s chosen topic.
Totally… ran for 32 issues, closing in 2013.
During the development of Attic Brand Media’s publication, several artists were considered to draw the comic strip, including Smuzz, whose credits encompass work on 2000AD‘s “ABC Warriors” and the independently-published Crucible saga.
In addition to the magazines, in print, Merlin span off into “younger reader” books, “activity” books, a Book of Mystery and Magic, and four annuals, dated 2010 through to 2013. Some items are hard to find than others – especially the magazines, as many collectors have discovered.
The Adventures of Merlin: A TV Success Story
Launched in 2008, the Merlin TV series told the story of young Merlin, played by Colin Morgan, coming to grips with his powers and destiny in Arthur’s Camelot. The show was quite a success, both in the UK and across the globe, running for five seasons until 2012, all available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Because the series hinged on the young Arthur remaining oblivious to Merlin’s magic – though other characters would learn the young wizard’s secret across the span of the series – once he became king, and learned the truth about his friend in the very final episode, the show’s producers felt it had run its course.
“As soon as Arthur knows that Merlin has magic, we felt the format of the show was over,” Johnny Capps, co-creator of the BBC fantasy series with Julian Murphy, told Radio Times last year, in an interview that discusses a possible revival. “Because the format of the show was that he had to hide it. It’s the end of the story – or the end of this version of the story.”
Delving into the various Arthurian legends, Capps says he and his co-writers were “like magpies” when working on Merlin, picking their favourite parts from Cornish, Welsh, Scottish and Irish traditions. “The myth is so fascinating and so rich, so we looked at all of those things and it was always about subverting expectations, twisting all of those legends.”
“Julie Gardner and Russell T Davies really helped us be bold with our vision of making it [like] Smallville and doing the origin story of not only Merlin, but Arthur, Guinevere and Morgana and all of those legends,” Capps recalled of the show’s origins. “They really helped us massively to hone the format of the show.”
Although there has also been talk of follow up films, there are no current plans to revive the series, although Capps and Murphy have discussed ideas.
“All of that mythology is utterly superb. Julian and I talk a lot about exploring the legend again.”
• Merlin is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer and streaming on Disney+ outside the UKMerlin Magazine: The Issues
• Totally Issue 4: The Adventures of Merlin
Published by Titan Magazines
Cover date 30th October 2010
• Merlin Magazine Issue One
Published by Attic Brand Media
Launched 9th September 2011
One issue only – featured here on downthetubes
This first issue – and only issues – came with two gifts – a Magic Crystal Set and The Great Dragon Glider toy
• See also: Merlin magazine will return, but no launch date set
• Totally Issue 19: The Adventures of Merlin
Published by Titan Magazines
Cover date 29th December 2011
Billed as the second issue of the “official magazine”, as we reported here, this issue of Totally… utilised material commissioned by Attic Brand Media, which went into administration.
Totally #19 came with comic strip, “Serpent Trap”, a free sticky Serket, a Merlin keyring and four special badges. There was also a chance to win Arthur’s gloves, and a trip to the Merlin set, as well as loads of other special prizes.
• Totally Issue 30: The Adventures of Merlin
Published by Titan Magazines
Cover date 13th December 2012
In addition to series news, features and a poster, this issue included a four-page magical comic adventure
Web Links
• Merlin is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer and streaming on Disney+ outside the UK
• Comic Vine has a guide to Titan’s Totally… comic magazine here
• Lee Carey – blog Items featuring his work on Merlin comic strips
• Radio Times: Merlin co-creator looks back, 15 years on – “We talk a lot about exploring the legend again“ (Wednesday 20th September 2023)
Johnny Capps reflects on the creation of the BBC’s popular fantasy hit, its final episodes and whether a revival could be in the offing.
• The Cast of Merlin – Photo Shoot by Russell Philip Henry Peek for GT Magazine
- 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: British Comics, Comics, Creating Comics, Features, Other Worlds, Television
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