Report and Photographs by James Bacon
Another Commando and British Weekly Comic Swap Meet, another cornucopia of comics, bargains galore, and a warm and friendly welcome. It was astonishing to see just how many comics were on sale, and how a variety of sellers have started to come out of the cracks, to make their way to the Commando Swap meets, presenting an incredible selection of comics.
Wolstanton Methodist Church Hall, Stoke-on-Trent was brim full of dealers on Saturday 21st June, but there has been an expansion of the event since my last visit here, and another hall was full of incredible art, and also more comics.
In fact, I was stunned at how many comics there were available. Dealers had come prepared in some cases, with full runs of Marvel UK titles bundled, be it Star Wars, Hulk Weekly, Marvel Superheroes, and all at great prices. (Getting comics for a pound is not a problem at a Swap Meet, indeed hundreds of comics were at 50p or four for a pound, but having full runs, was neat for some collectors, who took advantage). Some sellers, just wanted to move on extra comics from their collection, always an exciting prospect, as one never knows what one might find, and I was impressed to find a bunch of Marvel FOOM magazines for sale.
While Battle, Warlord and Victor are mainstays, there is definitely an awareness that both girls comics, and titles which had shorter runs, will sell – and spaces below tables were full of comics and bargains and deals were to be had.
There is a great spirit at these gatherings, and so much chat. An unusual bound edition of Lion was on display, as fans and collectors tried to help the owner figure out it came from. Bear Alley publisher Steve Holland was on hand, and his expertise on the title is unrivalled, and so there was much consideration and discussion about this unusual tome.
Steve is currently working on an Air Ace Companion, but had a wonderful table of comic reprints and indexes available, including Lion King of Picture Story Papers, an impressive 262-page volume, the first two volumes of Bear Alley Publishing’s Mytek books, Longbow, Eagles over the Western Frontand a favourite, Frontline UK. I love how Steve is not only such an enthusiastic source of information, but how his work is both enjoyable and helpful, and he embodies a spirit of discovery and information sharing that is brilliant. Do check out his blog if you haven’t done so, at bearalleybooks.blogspot.com.
Justin Marriott, the editor of Battling Britons and Comics Rule OK, was also on hand and very helpful and informative, and, indeed, turned up with hundreds of comics for the charity table. Justin is putting the finishing touches to the last ever issue of Paperback Fanatic, which many fans are looking forward to. Check out his books here on AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
The charity at this event was The British Legion, and some exceptionally affable members of the organisation were on hand, and over £500 was raised through the charity table and raffle which was excellent, and fans picked up some lovely items, including original sketches and some very rare comics.
Starblazer writer Mike Chinn was at the event, a prolific writer who had a considerable amount of books available for fans, which was excellent and was very engaged and willing to chat to fans.
The extra space was well utilised, the indefatigable Stuart Steele and Edward Walker were present with a lovely exhibition of comic artwork, but on this occasion, they had welcomed Mike Holman, too, who presented quite a selection of art for fans to view. Check out Mike Chinn’s books here on AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
I was impressed by a cover and three sequential pages of “Charley’s War” from Battle on display, from the issue cover dated 27th December 1980. Further Joe Colqhoun art was also on view, with some “Paddy Payne” from Lion. A Dave Gibbons “Dan Dare” cover for 2000AD Prog 81 was also on display, as well as a cover from The Dandy, Princess and painted artwork from Thunderbirds, as well as incredible sketches.
I asked Mike Chinn which was his favourite piece on display, and it was a recent acquisition, Steve Dillion’s cover from 2000AD Prog 535, which has Masterman and Maximan fighting, a scene from the Grant Morrison and Steve Yeowell “Zenith” series. It is an incredible piece and beautiful to see – so colourful, well drawn and of course, Steve was one of our finest artists.
Ed told me that the Air Ace Picture Library cover “Jet Scramble” by Graham Coton was his favourite on display, and it was wonderful to hear how he remembers buying the associated comic, finding it on a carousel when he was a youngster. It’s one of his favourite pieces in his whole collection. One can see why: there is a dynamism to the ME 262 cover, the colour use, the action and movement, although I admit, that I am unsure if it is a Typhoon or Tempest in pursuit.
Stuart loves the Keith Burns cover of the Battle of Britain Special from 2020, too, which features a Heinkel HE-111, Bf-109 and Spitfires – a stunning wrap around. There is so much occurring in this painting, although the eye is drawn around through the scene, and it is a brilliantly co-ordinated piece, a split second moment in the midst of action.
These were just some of the lovely art pieces that were being exhibited, but there was also artwork available for purchase, including “Johnny Red” and Commando artwork, and there was the opportunity to peruse and consider making a purchase, to actually have a piece of high quality art on one’s own wall, which was really lovely.
The expansion of the event was evident as there were four extra tables of comics available to purchase in the second hall, and there were some smashing old Battle and War Picture issues, amongst many other British comics.
One fan, who had travelled over from Wales, was determined to make the best of his time, and I was stunned when he showed me his back seat and boot. It was literally filled with easily over 1000 comics, and all bought at a good price. There was also kindness: I saw two fans looking at two piles of comics which they were both taking, and swapping over comics that the other would prefer more. There is an aspect here that there is delight from seeing fans acquire comics that excites them, and one can see when there is the “OMG” moment, that everyone enjoys.
Many thanks to Andy Yates, Stephen Hume, Karl Kenedy and Jan Yates who were brilliant and looked after everyone so well.
James Bacon
• Future events are planned in Colchester later this year – for more details see the Commando and British Weekly Comics Facebook group
James Bacon is currently going through edits on his book, Irish Conflict in Comics, which is planned to be released at Dublin Comic Con and looks at over 150 comic stories that looks at Irish characters and conflict with consideration, in comics
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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.
Categories: 2000AD, British Comics, Comic Art, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Exhibitions, Features, Reviews
In Review and in Pictures: Lawless 2023
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