NICE Covid-19 Fundraiser Auction launched on Catawiki in support of UK comic shops

By John Freeman on May 23, 2020

Jeff Chahal – among other things, organiser of the NICE convention – is running an online auction as a fundraiser for comic stores that are struggling financially, as we head to the other side of the Coronavirus Pandemic lockdown.

Fantastic donations from creators and fans for the NICE Covid-19 Fundraiser Auction on Catawiki include signed comics, signed graphic novels, original published art and sketches.

Avengers – Thanos by Doug Braithwaite – Loose page – Original Art

Fables – Commission by Mark Buckingham – Loose page – Original Art

Stranski – Stranski Original Sketch by Lorenzo Etherington – Loose page – Original Art

Tomb Raider #7 – Cover by Tula Lotay Original Art – Loose page – Original Art

New Gods – Darkseid by Ben Oliver – Loose page – Original Art

Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom #1 - Original Art Sketch - Stapled - First edition — Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom #1 – Original Art Sketch – Stapled – First edition

His plan is that money raised through the NICE Covid-19 Fundraiser Auction on Catawiki will be used to organise signings at stores and also used to help pay some bills at Diamond Comic Distributors UK.

This auction is well worth a look and in a good cause.

Jeff is no stranger to adversity as a shop owner, after a fire ripped through his backroom storage last year, but the Coronavirus Pandemic, which has seen stores closed to all but mail order for some (listed here) has hit everyone hard.

“We still have items coming in for auction,” says Jeff, and these will be run on a separate auction with dates to be announced soon.”

These include this fantastic donation from 2000AD and DC Comics artist Jock.

As of Monday 20th April 2020, UK Comic Shops remain closed – but some are still offering Mail Order services. Sara Kenny is building a spreadsheet of comic shops offering mail order to keep sharing and encourage people to buy comics from comic shops. Let her know via Twitter by commenting on this thread if you are a comic shop offering Mail Order.

Diamond Comic Distributors will resume shipping to UK comic shops on Wednesday May 27th (with regular timed deliveries to be made on Wednesday 27th due to Bank Holiday on Monday 25th May); Wednesday 10th June and
Wednesday 24th June.

Each of these deliveries will also include re-orders, and due to Diamond being unable to guarantee deadline dates they have told retailers they will endeavour to incorporate as many re-orders into each shipment as possible.

• NICE Covid-19 Fundraiser Auction on Catawiki

• Our British and Irish Comic Shop Map is here

If you have a pull list, subscription box, or items on hold at your local comic shop call, message your store owner. Arrange to get your stuff to keep income flowing for shops. Stores need the money right now and you’re going to need books to read

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.