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Hibernia’s Fleetway Files, an incredible history of British comics, flies off the shelves!

By John Freeman on May 21, 2018

New from independent publisher Hibernia is the brilliant The Fleetway Files, the fourth release in the publisher’s ‘Comic Archive’ series. It’s an utterly brilliant guide to the background behind some of Britain’s best-loved comics, crammed with amazing interviews and features.

It’s also selling its limited print run fast – so if you want a copy, you’d better order now!

The Fleetway Files includes wonderful rarities such as these designs for the short-lived Wildcat comic by Ian KennedyFleetway Files explores the publishing phenomenon that was IPC Magazine’s comic division. Formed in 1969, the comic division brought together different comic publishing houses under one group and thereafter published an avalanche of titles and creativity for the best part of two decades.

This great new title from Hibernia looks at all facets of this time, from Girls and Humour comics to Football and Adventure, with interviews and contributions from all the main movers such as editors David Hunt, Barrie Tomlinson, Bob Paynter and the late Gil Page, who helped sell Fleetway’s strips around the globe. (A sticker album from Brazil

Fleetway Files also contains interviews with the late Scott Goodall who wrote a huge number of strips fro the company, James Nicholas (Tomlinson), Ian Vosper – and there’s a small contribution from the late Jan Shepheard, 2000AD’s first Art Editor, and much more.

The launch of the new Eagle and the genesis of its incarnation of Dan Dare is examined with the help of Barrie Tomlinson and David Hunt. West County 1980s cosplayers, coffins in Kings Reach Towers and Dan Dare movie treatments are all included!

Incredible rare and never seen before artwork by Ian Kennedy and Vanyo features in the ‘Creating Comics’ section, looking at the original pitch and characters sketches of Wildcat comic and Battle’s “Storm Force”.

The Fleetway Files includes wonderful rarities such as these designs for the short-lived Wildcat comic by Ian Kennedy

There’s also a fascinating look at a sticker album published by an Italian company that was discovered via Brazil – illustrated throughout by Ian Kennedy. The story behind it is astonishing, as are hints that there might be another similar production out there, somewhere…

Massimo Belardinelli art collector Robbie Cox provides an amazing double page spread of previously unpublished Belardinelli artwork, intended for the short lived Tornado, curiously working from Brian Bolland designs.

If that’s not enough, in association with 2000AD publisher Rebellion, Hiberna proudly included the ‘Treasury of British Comics Sampler’ – 16 page section or ‘pullout’ in grand Whizzer and Chips tradition! Rebellion’s Ben Smith and Keith Richardson tell of Rebellions acquisition of the Fleetway archive and their plans for the future.

The Fleetway Files includes a wonderful year by year guide to Fleetway’s Humour Comics

Also included courtesy of the Treasury line is the origin of “Hot Shot Hamish”, “Sergeant Strong’, Zenith’s “Amazing Three” and more with art from British legends like Ken Reid, John M. Burns and Denis McLaughlin.

Written and edited by David McDonald (Scream Zine It’s Ghastly, Beyond 2000AD and One Eyed Jack and the Death of Valiant) with additions articles by Jenni Scott, (JintyBlog) and Matt Bowen (Buster Website), with design and additional material by Richard Pearce and article editing by Mike Donachie, Fleetway Files arrives with a big thanks to Dez Skinn for some last minute proof reading (Yes – that Dez Skinn!)

There’s a geat interview with Fleetway editor Ian Vosper, talking Roy of the Rovers and more, in The Fleetway Files from Hibernia

The Fleetway Files is Hibernia’s most ambitious offering – 106 pages plus cover, perfect bound, lavishly illustrated with colour throughout. All of Hibernia’s previous ‘Comic Archives’ sold out fast, soit;’s no surprise over half the print run was snapped up in just a few days of initial release. Don’t miss out!

• The Fleetway Files available in print from the Comicsy website here. All Hibernia titles are limited print runs, get it here for £10.49 before is sells out!

• There is a digital edition Fleetway Files available for 4.99, please send payments via Paypal to doomlord@eircom.net and Hibernia will forward a PDF within the day.

• As a special offer to celebrate the release of Fleetway Files, there is a digital pack available of all Hibernia’s Comic Archive series available: Scream Zine It’s Ghastly, Beyond 2000AD and One Eyed Jack and the Death of Valiant and The Fleetway Files all together for only £10. Please send payment via paypal to doomlord@eircom.net and Hibernia will forward a PDF within the day . Please mark all digital payment ‘PDF’

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.