Phil Comics eBay auction offers Robert Nixon Buster art and more

By John Freeman on October 21, 2019

The latest Phil-Comics on eBay auction features around 465 vintage comic related items, including original artwork from Beano and Buster artist Robert Nixon, a wide array of comics, annuals, holiday specials, books, batches and a few CGC graded comics to boot.

“Ivy the Terrible” drawn by Robert Nixon, published in The Beano in September 1990

Robert Nixon, who died in 2002, worked on comics such as The Beano, Dandy and Whoopee. Born in South Bank, Nixon moved to Guisborough with his family in the early 1960s.

On offer is a page of “Hire-A-Horror“, published in Cor! (cover dated 22nd September 1973); a page of “Ivy the Terrible“, published in The Beano in September 1990; a mid-1980s page of KP Skips front Man “Clumsy Colin” published in Buster in the mid-1980s; a double page spread of “Super Steve vs the NME Nasties” for Buster (cover dated 27th April 1985); a page of “School Team” published in Buster (cover date 4th January 1986); and a “The Gems” strip by Robert Nixon and Trevor Metcalfe for The Sun, published in 1978.

“Hire-A-Horror”, published in Cor! (cover dated 22nd September 1973). Art by Robert Nixon

Also offer is the cover art for Lion featuring “Robot Archie” by the brilliant Ted Kearon, for the issue cover dated 6th February 1965, for the story “Return of the Mole Men”.

A smashing “Robot Archie” cover strip for Lion by Ted Kearon, cover dated 2nd February 1965

Run by Phil Shrimpton, Phil Comics specialises in vintage comics and related items such as annuals, holiday specials, free gifts and original artwork.

Holding monthly eBay auctions, often with 500+ listings, they aim to bring a diverse array of items – and are always on the lookout for vintage comic collections, either to buy or auction on commission.

Here’s a selection of items – head to ebay.co.uk/str/philcomics for the full auction.

1992 2000AD Action Special

An early 1960s UK Batman Album 1

Beano Summer Special 1968

Cor Holiday Special 1981

Dan Dare in Reign of the Robots collection

This IPC / Fleetway Annuals 1985 Promotional Pull-Out Flyer offers a snapshot of how vital the annuals market used to be

Princess Tina comic (1967-1970), featuring “Jane Bond” and “Here Come the Space Girls”

A “Here Come the Space Girls” spread from Princess Tina comic (1967-1970)

Ranger Issue One, cover dated 18th September 1965 – which includes the first appearance of “The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire” by MIke Butterworth and Don Lawrence

Rover cover dated 9th October 1971, which includes an unopened Sure-Shot Shooter free gift

Sally Issue 3, cover dated 28th June 1969

Spellbound #2, cover dated 2nd October 1976

Super DC Comic #1 featuring Superman Batman, published in 1969, plus two free gifts

Terrific #1, cover date 15th April 1967 plus Iron Man Transfer free gift

Thriller Picture Library Issue 87

The first issue of Warlord, cover dated 28th September 1974

Warlord Summer Special 1981

• Head to ebay.co.uk/str/philcomics for the full auction

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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.