James Bacon headed to Stoke-on-Trent for the latest Commando and British Weekly Comic Swap Meet, catching up with fellow fans aplenty, and creators, too…
There’s a strong crowd attending the Commando and British Weekly Comic Swap Meet, and on a beautiful day, the Methodist Hall in Wolstanton was brimful of comics and fans.
The longevity of these specialist Swap Meets is an astonishing achievement. This was the 20th – and, as always, it was really very good.
After attending a few comic conventions, Swap Meet founder Andy Yates realised that there were little to no comics and even less British titles available for fans at some of them. After buying in a collection of comics and needing to move on upgrades/doubles, Andy reached out to a Commando comics collecting group, to see if people were willing to meet up. Stephen Hume, Bruce Scott and the late Colin Noble were the first to answer.
The very first Commando Comic Swap Meet featured just eight dealers, Jan’s baps and cake, with Andy delighted to welcome fans. They have grown since!
The great benefit of the Swap Meet is variety, and that unexpected stock that could turn up. And indeed, my eye was caught by a fascinating selection of original artwork behind one dealer’s table, while another table was utterly full of very early Air Ace, Battle and War picture libraries, starting with the first issues, as well as very early Commando comics. Business was clearly brisk.
As purchases are made and comics shown, conversations flow, the variety ranges, covering Neal Adams’ Batman covers, the Judge Dredd Titan books covers, be it Bolland, Sienkiewicz or Mick McMahon, and the attraction of free gifts to buyers at the time and collectors of the moment. There is terrific value to be had, and as one watches the ubiquitous Sainsbury’s rectangular shopping bag swaying full of comics as fans leave, bargains and bulk deals are plentiful.
Bear Alley Books publisher Steve Holland was on hand, at this event, always such a source of knowledge and his productivity with books is amazing. I loved his book on Action and on the Air Ace Pocket Library: the colour, superb choices of images used, combined with the informed writing really a delightful and compelling read.
There was an astonishing and fierce trade in Panini World Cup stickers. I was surprised to see a 2026 sticker book nearly completed, such a fabled item from my youth. All my recollections of these sticker books are of them totally empty, or maybe a couple of dozen stickers at best. (Gratefully and thankfully, there was no lingering mentions of the fact that such a sticker album was not for me on this World Cup occasion, Ireland not having made it, but it was great to see such interest).
The general consensus of discussion of the main focus for most attending, Commando, is that the current creators and editorial team are doing a good job. There is a strong trade in Keith Burns covers: fans who have stopped buying have clearly been enticed back by his attractive and accurate work. The return of Sergeant Rayker and, more importantly, recent work by war comic legend’s Mike Dorey and Carlos Pino, are also appreciated, their interior work is superb.
Keith has now completed 50 covers for Commando, and Richard Sheaf has been cataloging the work on his Boys Adventure Comics blog.
Writer Colin Maxwell was on hand with new Beano fan club items, and he and fellow Commando writer Stephen Hume (who organises the Glasgow Swap Meets in his spare time) were fully engaged chatting. His fusion of comic and history knowledge sees some interesting discussions, and both are here representing the Commando comic, and, again, there seems to be some really good stories coming from the Dundee based publisher.
There was discussion of the stories by both guests, as well as stories by Rossa McPhillips, Georgia Standen Battle and Hailey Austin again, just reinforcing the sentiment that readers are enjoying recent work, and discussing it. Many more names were mentioned, including Stephen Walsh and others.
Also present was indie artist, comic book writer and adventurer Colin Mathieson, author of the excellent graphic novel, Zulu: Water Cart Rescue, whose work has reached wider audiences through his work for military museums and other organisations. (Upcoming appearances include the Ministry of Steampunk Asylum 16 event in Lincoln in August).
Veteran service personnel, polished and in blazers were also on hand, representing and in recognition of the charity, The British Legion. Some £432 was raised.
Keith Burns, Graham Coton, Colin MacNeil, Carlos Ezquerra and Ian Kennedy art was all on display in the art exhibition. Stuart Steel and Ed Walker have facilitated a fascinating range of art, as they seek other fans to display the pages, covers and interesting items they have, offering a welcome which is appreciated and discussed by fans.
At one stage, a fan mistook a Burns piece for Graham Coton. Ed Walker did a quick comparison between two pieces of artwork, both featuring Messerschmidt Bf 109 G and said “in my opinion you can see both artists love action and dynamics in their work and are obviously excellent. Keith Burns is surely the best current aircraft action artist and is the successor to Graham Coton in this field “
In between ample chat, and information traded, there was a chance to buy comics. I was pleased to find some unexpected Steve Dillon and John Higgins covers, and posters in Spider-man comics from Marvel UK. One often wonders what has one missed, and the full color work is terrific to come by. Art is not always signed, and sometimes it can be harder to confirm, but it was a lot of fun, checking and being astonished by the high calibre of work.
There’s a thoughtfulness, empathy and understanding about matters, and I think it comes across in the friendliness and that fans are keen to help. For example, I saw a chap who had bought a stack of comics check for another of who was looking for a single issue of importance. It’s that kindness that permeates these events, but also a life of comics, the art, and the emotional connection they create.
The next Commando Swap Meet is in Colchester on Saturday 10th October, and Keith Burns has been announced as a guest. Then it is on to Glasgow, in March 2027. Anyone keen to go to or host a Swap Meet should get in touch with Andy and the Admins via the Commando and British Weekly Comic Facebook Group.
Big thanks to Andy and Jan for this anniversary swap meet. Also thanks to admins Steven and Karl, as well as Stuart and Ed for the amazing exhibition, all who contributed art to the exhibition and Baden, Steven, Mike and all who helped to make it a terrific day.
James Bacon
• Anyone keen to go to or host a Swap Meet should get in touch with Andy and the Admins via the Commando and British Weekly Comic Facebook Group
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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: British Comics, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Exhibitions, Features, Reviews
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