Moonage Books book, Secrets of the Unknown, by Nick Neocleous, revealing the secret history of legendary British comic publisher Alan Class is now on general release, after a successful crowdfunding campaign last year – and London’s GOSH Comics will host a special signing next month.
For 30 years between 1959 and 1989, Alan Class single-handedly produced American reprint comics for the youthful masses in the United Kingdom. His uniquely formatted square bound comics appeared every month in most of the newsagents up and down the country. But who was this elusive man?
Finally, at 87 years old, he has related his story to Nick Neocleous of Moonage Books and all the secrets of his publishing empire are now revealed. Along with many cover reproductions and facts and data about publishing and distributing comics through the 1960s and beyond.
Nick Neocleous has collected comics his entire life. He published the comics fanzine Graphic Eye, and, more recently three issues of his own comic Strange-Weird. He has also worked on many trading card sets including Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Vampirella, Doctor Who, The Prisoner, X-Men Archives, Marvel Premier 2014, Mars Attacks Heritage! Mars Attacks Uprising and many more.
London’s GOSH Comics is hosting a signing by Alan Class and Nick Neocleous on Saturday 8th February to mark the book’s general release. Alongside the copies of the book, a special Issue 250 of Creepy Worlds, one of Alan Class’s many titles, is being launched and will be available to purchase on the day.
• Secrets of the Unknown is now on general release, available from comic shops, including GOSH, and AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
• GOSH Comics Signing: Alan Clark and Nick Neocleous | 1.00 – 2.00pm Saturday 8th February 2025, GOSH Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR | You can pre-order a signed copy of Secrets of the Unknown from GOSH Comics website for mail-order or collection here | Keep up to date with all GOSH events on their Facebook event page
With thanks to Richard Sheaf for the heads up
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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.
Categories: British Comics, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events
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Does this include a checklist of all the issues?
It doesn’t.