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Last signed copies of Alan Moore’s “Dodgem Logic” anthology offered by Knockabout

By John Freeman on April 13, 2023

The last remaining signed copies of Alan Moore’s Dodgem Logic #1 are currently up for sale in the Knockabout eBay shop – and lots of other wonderful stuff too, including comics by Bryan Talbot and books by Hunt Emerson.

Forty years after the heyday of the alternative press, writer Alan Moore launched the 21st century’s first underground magazine from his home town of Northampton. “Colliding ideas to see what happens”, Dodgem Logic set out to provide “a splash of subterranean exotica in a bleached-out cultural and social landscape”.

Eight irreverent issues were published from January 2010 to April 2011, seven editions available in the Knockabout shop, all featuring comics, stories, and articles by Moore, including the regular feature “Great Hipsters in History”. Only #5 is not on offer.

Regular columnists provided delicious, inexpensive recipes, wide-ranging medical advice, simple instructions for creating stylish clothing and accessories from next to nothing, and there guides too, from Dave Hamilton, co-author of The Self-Sufficient-ish Bible, on how to growing your own dinner by becoming a guerrilla gardener.

Alan Moore’s Dodgem Logic #1 - Cover by Tamara Rogers & Alan Moore — *Alan Moore’s Dodgem Logic #1 – Cover by Tamara Rogers & Alan Moore*

Alan Moore’s Dodgem Logic #1 - Sample Art

Dodgem Logic #1 came with a CD titled “Nation of Saints, 50 Years of Northampton music and, in the first of’s Dave’s environmental columns, a bold experiment in living with no money.

Not only seeking to give practical advice on getting through a rough stretch, Dodgem Logic was also committed to brightening the world with comics and cartoons from Kevin O’Neill and underground legend Savage Pencil; the musings of Father Ted, The IT Crowd and Black Book‘s own Graham Linehan or of the nation’s sweetheart, the implacably positive Josie Long.

In addition to a variously-hosted women’s column launched by Lost Girls co-creator and underground cartoon artist Melinda Gebbie, Alan Moore himself contributed a lead feature on the history of underground subversive publishing from its origins in the thirteenth century.

*One of three variant covers to Dodgem Logic #2. Photo by Mitch Jenkins*

*All three variant covers for Dodgem Logic #2, photos by Mitch Jenkins*

*Dodgem Logic #4 cover art by John Coulthart*

Dodgem Logic #5 - Cover — *Dodgem Logic #5 – Cover NOTE – NOT AVAILABLE FROM KNOCKABOUT*

Dodgem Logic #6 - Cover — *Dodgem Logic #6 – Cover*

*Kevin O’Neill’s cover art for Dodgem Logic #7*

Dodgem Logic #8 - Cover — *Dodgem Logic #*8

Subsequent issues of the publication created by “beautiful girls and strange old men ranting from soapboxes” continued the mix of articles and comics and illustration, delivering a magazine WIRED described in 2009 as “an engaging, educational and often hilarious read“. #2 includes a free eight-page A5 comic book, Weird Penises, by Alan Moore, step-by-step instructions for do-it-yourself diabolism in #3, along with a a free full colour T-shirt transfer by Melinda Gebbie.

Of particular interest to Kevin O’Neill fans might be Dodgem Logic #7, a 72-page issue featuring his striking cover art, plus “Cold Reading” story by Alan Moore, “Making the Case for the Super Moby Dick of Space” Kristian Hammerstad‘s uncanny artwork, plus contributions from Savage Pencil, David Quantick, Barney Farmer and Lee Healey.

The final issue, Issue Eight, includes artwork from Oscar Zarate and Kevin O’Neill, and the story, “A Child’s Christmas in the Blitz”, as recounted by the legendary Michael Moorcock.

Steve Holland has a guide to the content of most issues of Dodgem Logic here on Bear Alley.

A collection of The Best of Dodgem Logic was published In Italian in 2013.

EX-DIRECTORY by Bryan Talbot, with Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman — **EX-DIRECTORY** by Bryan Talbot, with Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman

Along with Knockabout’s range of Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers comics, and ace books by Hunt Emerson, also currently available from the Knockabout shop are copies of EX-DIRECTORY by Bryan Talbot, with Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman. This 32-page comic collects together various stories, some written and drawn by Bryan, and also includes strips written by Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Bryan.

• Check out the Knockabout eBay shop here

• Steve Holland has a guide to the content of most issues of Dodgem Logic here on Bear Alley

• A collection of The Best of Dodgem Logic was published In Italian in 2013

• Dodgem Logic – PREVIEWS solicits

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.