Two gorgeous Don Harley-created Dan Dare sketches, rare Beano and Dandy issues from World War Two and plenty of Fleetway Picture Library items are just a few of the lots in the September ComPal comic auction, which has just opened for bidders.
The Dan Dare and Digby original sketches offered, drawn in 1988, are in Indian ink and crayon both signed by Don, who remains a regular contributor to the Dan Dare-inspired title Spaceship Away.
The Dan Dare sketches are just one Eagle-related lot, as also on offer are complete volumes, unbound, of the first seven years of Eagle, the comic where Dan Dare first appeared.

Beano comics from 1944 – more info here
Beano and Dandy fans will be interested in some of the other lots, as, along with early promotional items for The Dandy, they include a large number of rare wartime issues of both comics (given that paper was rationed and recycled, there aren’t many of these about). Post war issues of The Beano from the 1950s are also among the lots as is the only Dandy to feature “Keyhole Kate” on the cover.

This 1945 edition of the The Dandy is the only issue to feature Keyhole Kate on the cover. (Regular cover star Korky the Cat was relegated to half a page at the back)
As usual, a number of comic artists’ work features in the auction, including further offerings of “Desperate Dan” and “Oor Wullie” art by Dudley Watkins, a page of a “Custer” story from JAG by Geoff Campion and a Thunderbirds page by Frank Bellamy from TV Century 21. A number of TV Century 21 comics are on offer, too, including a Holiday Special girls comic alternative, Lady Penelope.
There’s also some superb Cowboy Picture Library original cover artwork on offer by Studio Ami artist Alessandro Biffignandi for Cowboy Picture Library 440, published in 1962 – along with numerous Picture Library lots, including Air Ace and Giant War.
Overall it’s another feast of British comics nostalgia, and there are many US comic lots up for grabs, too, including Issue 50 of Amazing Spider-Man with a great cover from John Romita (senior). In a major move for the British comics auction house, the company has now teamed up with the-saleroom.com to provide bidders with real time bidding details, viewable online, as bids are placed. To register to bid, just click on this link to the-saleroom.com and follow the instructions.
You can still view and browse lots at Compalcomics using the familiar format, but you can no longer submit your bids there. Postal bids are still being accepted and not be viewable unless they are bettered – just like eBay. You will also no longer need to telephone or email us to raise your bids as all the latest bids will be viewable online in real time at the-saleroom.com. To include their commission of 3%+VAT the new buyer’s premium will be 14%.
• If you have a question about any of the items in the catalogue, send an email to Compalcomics director Malcolm Phillips at comicbookATcompalcomics.com. Visit ComPal at www.compalcomics.com
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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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