Panel Borders, the only regular monthly look at comic books, graphic novels and sequential art steam* broadcast in the UK over the airwaves, delves into the story behind one of the country’s most controversial comics tonight.
Guest presenter Professor Martin Barker (from the University of Aberystwyth) investigates the story of Britain’s notorious Action comic, which (as Moose Harris recounts here, was launched on Valentine’s Day and banned by Hallowe’en in 1976.
Professor Martin Barker, Pat Mills and artist Jim McCathy. Photo: Lisa Mills
Professor Barker explores the rise and fall of the comic, what elements of the strips were censored and censured, and how the legacy of Action was continued in “The Galaxy’s Greatest Comic” – 2000AD.
Also, in a panel discussion entitled: “Poor, angry white kids”, Barker discusses Action with its creator, Pat Mills and 2000AD artist Jim McCarthy.
The talk was edited, and recorded at Graphic Brighton and Cine-Excess 2016 by Alex Fitch.
• Panel Borders: Action – The Story of a Violent Comic airs at 8.00pm Tuesday 8th March and is repeated 9am Wednesday 9th March 2016, Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com
• Read The Brief Story of Action by Moose Harris
• Read Colin Noble’s celebration of 40 years since the launch of Action and Bullet
* The steam bit is a lie. Sorry.
Categories: 2000AD, Audio, British Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Features, Other Worlds