With Christmas less than two weeks away, the atmosphere was lively and festive at the Forbidden Planet Battle Action signing event in London on Saturday 14th December, which turned out to be very popular.
With Torunn Grønbekk, Garth Ennis, Keith Burns, Steve White, John McCrea, and Rob Williams all in attendance, the queue and desire to meet, and get comics signed, matched the line up with its impressiveness.
There was a lovely upbeat and positive atmosphere, the queue started before 2pm for a 3pm kick off, but it was a friendly and engaging group of fans. Soon it became apparent that some fans had flown in especially for the event: a group of Italians were present fro example, having flown in from Rome among fans who had travelled on arduous train journeys to make it to the shop.
Interest in Battle is obviously very strong, with the comic is now rushing towards its 50th anniversary next year, but fans could only have dreamed of the quality of contributors for the issues that we have been getting over the last few years in what is without doubt a comic book renaissance for Battle fans.
The current run from Rebellion Publishing is proving very popular amongst fans, and the comic has broad appeal, we all recognise that Garth Ennis with the Rebellion team is the lynch pin that has brought together some amazing artists and writers, creating incredible work, and fans have benefitted from his enthusiasm and passion for Battle.
As a Russian comic fan currently in foreign parts, Ann G noted: “Johnny Red is a peculiar case of a British culture phenomenon for me. This new series provides a fresh take on the past issues with no less entertaining stories with stunningly detailed aerial art – some spectacle to admire, by the team of Garth Ennis and Keith Burns.”
Whether it is McCrea’s brilliant and visceral work on “Hook Jaw”, Dan Cornwell on “HMS Nightshade” or Henry Flint on “El Mestizo”, the art has matched the scripts, capturing the sense of the story that gives one the sense of place, while the accuracy and excellent draughtsmanship on display draws in the reader.
It was impressive to see what amazing comics and items fans had brought along. Some had fuller collections and we know that some fans only really know how to show their affection and appreciation of the artists and writers by getting their comics signed; a physical demonstration of the joy that these stories give, turning favourite stories that reach out, entertain and connect into treasured cherished items. It is perhaps peculiar to comics, that fans have the level of access but also, the writers and artists, who kindly and generousky greet, welcome, and sign repeatedly, it is wonderful thing to observe, the passion and delight.
One fan, Lucca, had brought some original art, which was impressive. Comics that fans showed that they were getting signed included the current Scream, Battle Action and the most recent Hitman Omnibus edition, indeed these were popular, also The Boys, Warhammer 40K Sisters of Battle, Petrol Head, Judge Dredd, Dead Eyes, and even the “The Emerald Isle” issues of 2000AD, and a Preacher #1. It was quite the variety.
The recent “Rogue Trooper” story in 2000AD, “When a G.I. Dies”, by Garth Ennis and Patrick Goddard, was much mentioned by fans, and the Keith Burns cover looked absolutely stunning on Prog 2411. But there was also mention of Paddy’s next work, as fans got Issue 5 of the 2023 series of Battle Action signed by Torunn, wondering what next for the popular Nina Petrova.
Keith Burns had some really nice Johnny Red sketches and John McCrea had some prints, all of which were an added bonus to fans. The FP team managed this six person group signing very well, the staff’s positivity and relaxed approach adding to what was already a fantastic atmosphere, really nice, and fans took the opportunity of Christmas to purchase.
London at Christmas is pandemonium, the city is heaving, and as fans departed, we made our way to a local pub for a festive pint, catching up with fellow downthetubes writer Richard Sheaf. Adding surrealness to the day, there was a big parade of biking Santas on Charing Cross Road. The chaos was incredible, the impatient high end SUV’s blasting their horns, and traffic all about at a standstill. This was not a “Free Santa” protest as one wag put it, to “release Santa from Border Control incarceration for being an illegal immigrant” but rather a charity fundraiser to help St Thomas’ hospital.
An appropriate donation was made, and gratefully received, and so on a hectic Christmas Saturday afternoon, one could stand on Charing Cross Road, traffic lights be damned and see hundreds of Santas!
The perfect compliment to a really good afternoon.
James Bacon
Further Viewing…
Further Reading…
BATTLE ACTION #5
UK and DIGITAL: 18 December £4.99
NORTH AMERICA: 22 January $7.99
DIAMOND: OCT241860
COVER: Tom Foster
JOHNNY RED // A COUPLE OF HEROES by Garth Ennis (w) Keith Burns (a) Jason Wordie (c) Rob Steen (l)
“A Couple of Heroes” continues as the Flying Gun takes off for one last mission- and Johnny Redburn finds himself back where in the place his war began. Garth Ennis and Keith Burns tell the last story of the Red Devil, in Johnny Red.
DEATH GAME 1999 by Dan Abnett (w) Tom Foster (a) Rob Steen (l)
The return of the controversial Death Game, one of the stories responsible for the suspension of Action in 1976. A new take on the violent future sport!
Available in print from: Treasury of British comics webshop, online retailers, book stores, and comic book stores via Diamond | Available in digital from:Treasury of British Comics webshop, 2000AD app for Apple & Android
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James Bacon (he/him) is an Irish fan, a train driver living in London. A Hugo Award-winning editor of the fanzine “Journey Planet”, he is a comic fan and enjoys comic art, war Comics, Star Wars, Irish aspects to comics and railways in comics or otherwise. He has been writing about comics for over thirty years.
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