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British comic rarities in latest Phil-Comics, including first issue of Beezer, attract frantic bidding

By John Freeman on May 26, 2021

The latest Phil-Comics eBay auction is live, featuring 235 listings, largely British comics-related, with star lots that include the weekly humour comic, Beezer No. 1, published in1956, with Whizz Bang free gift, with bids currently at over £300, Commando No. 2, published in June 1961, with a cover by Ken Barr, copies of Oink! No. 1 and the Oink! preview comic (1986), a wonderful page of TV Century 21 “Thunderbirds” original artwork, by Frank Bellamy, plus first issues of Eagle and 2000AD.

Phil-Comics has previously sold early issues of Beezer for £525 and £545 – so we fully expect that No.1 to hit £500 before the auction closes this weekend.

The US items on offer include a reprint of Wally Wood‘s adult comic “Sally Forth“, which is also proving a popular item.

Here are the artwork items offered in this auction…

A single page of original “Thunderbirds” artwork, drawn and painted by Frank Bellamy, for TV21 206, cover dated 28th December 1968, the first page of the strip in this edition, but Part 4 in the overall time travel story. The art board measures 47 x 37.5 (18.5 x 14.75 inches)

A single page of artwork believed to have been published in a copy of the girls’ title Marilyn, published once owned by artist Jim Baikie, artist unknown – information welcome! The thick artboard measures 63 x 38 cm (24.75 x 15 inches) and has a Marilyn stamp to the lower right corner. There's a date, 4th September, but has been largely scuffed off. As a guess, based on the slight ink that is there, it probably says 1964 - but can't be sure. The art likely dates from the mid 1960s as this came with other pages from that era. An ink stamp number "8257" is printed on the reverse of the board — A single page of artwork believed to have been published in a copy of the girls’ title Marilyn, published once owned by artist Jim Baikie, artist unknown – information welcome! The thick artboard measures 63 x 38 cm (24.75 x 15 inches) and has a Marilyn stamp to the lower right corner. There’s a date, 4th September, but has been largely scuffed off. As a guess, based on the slight ink that is there, it probably says 1964 – but can’t be sure. The art likely dates from the mid 1960s as this came with other pages from that era. An ink stamp number “8257” is printed on the reverse of the board

An original full page, full story artwork for "Clumsy Colin" strip, drawn by Robert Nixon and published in Buster sometime in the 1980s — *An original full page, full story artwork for “Clumsy Colin” strip, drawn by Robert Nixon and published in Buster sometime in the 1980s*

A single page of “Roger the Dodger” artwork drawn by Bruce Glennard (not Robert Nixon as indicated in the lot information), the opening page of a one and a half page strip that appeared in Beano 2495, cover dated 12th May 1990. The art measures 59 x 45 cm (approx 23 x 18 inches). Two speech bubbles ("Thanks, Roger!" and "Okay!") are missing from the seventh panel on the right — A single page of “Roger the Dodger” artwork drawn by Bruce Glennard (not Robert Nixon as indicated in the lot information), the opening page of a one and a half page strip that appeared in Beano 2495, cover dated 12th May 1990. The art measures 59 x 45 cm (approx 23 x 18 inches). Two speech bubbles (“Thanks, Roger!” and “Okay!”) are missing from the seventh panel on the right

Here are just some of the items on offer…

*2000AD Prog 12, cover dated 14th May 1977, featuring the Mekon*

*Beezer No. 1, cover dated 21st January 1956, with free gift*

Commando No. 2, "They Called Him Coward", published in 1962. Cover by Ken Barr. Story by Eric Castle, with art by Armando Bonato — *Commando No. 2, “They Called Him Coward”, published in 1962. Cover by Ken Barr. Story by Eric Castle, with art by Armando Bonato*

*Lady Penelope No. 3, cover dated 5th February 1966*

The Best of Misty Monthly No. 4 - May 1986 — *The Best of Misty Monthly No. 4 – May 1986*

Starlord No.1, cover dated 13th May 1978, with free gift

*Starlord No.2, cover dated 20th May 1978, with free gift*

*Topper No. 767, cover dated 14th October 1967, with free “Whizz Bang” gift – clearly much used!*

*Valiant Summer Special 1980, with Brian Bolland cover*

The first two issues of Dez Skinn’s Warrior comic fanzine, published in 1974, long before he published his Warrior comic anthology, offering a variety of strips in black and white including reprints of “Heros the Spartan” and “Wrath of the Gods”. This item comes from the personal collection of the late comic artist, Jim Baikie, who sadly passed away in December 2017

The final issue of Wonder, No. 1760, cover dated 12th September 1953. Inside readers are advised of the launch of TV Fun the following week, an indication of the changing face of the media landscape... — The final issue of Wonder, No. 1760, cover dated 12th September 1953. Inside readers are advised of the launch of TV Fun the following week, an indication of the changing face of the media landscape…

*Wonder Stories Science-Fiction Volume 7 No. 6 , December 1935*

*The Compleat Sally Forth Comic Book Reprints by Wallace Wood (1998)*

Run by Phil Shrimpton, Phil Comics specialises in vintage comics and related items such as annuals, holiday specials, free gifts and original artwork.

Holding monthly eBay auctions, often with 500+ listings, they aim to bring a diverse array of items – and are always on the lookout for vintage comic collections, either to buy or auction on commission.

• Bidding on items in this auction begins to close on Saturday 29th May 2021

• Check out the latest auction items at ebay.co.uk/str/philcomics

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About the Author
Latest Posts

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.

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