Comics artist and archivist David Hathaway-Price has just added BEM #1, a rare item of 1970’s British comics fandom to his fantastic digital archive, Classic UK Comic Zines.
BEM #1, published by future Harrier Comics publisher Martin Lock in November 1973. His first newszine, a “Comic-Con Special”, notes the latest developments behind the scenes at DC Comics Shazam title; the problems future Forbidden Planet co-owner Nick Landau was having with UK Customs over importing US comics; the worrying news that new US comics will cost eight pence in shops, reflecting US price rises; and news of impending changes for the Marvel Comics line, driven by Stan Lee.
The 12-page issue, sold at comic marts, one of the only ways fans learnt more about the comic industry back in the 1970s, also offers the advice that fans must now expect to pay a staggering £10 for early issues of 1960s Marvel superhero comics, alongside numerous reviews and more.
BEM ran from 1973 through to 1982, 36 issues in total, and looking at the gallery of covers, it’s interesting to see how the title evolved over a decade, as print production facilities available to small publishers improved.
The addition of BEM #1 to the Classic UK Comic Zines archive comes thanks to comics historian Peter Hansen, who has also provided other vary rare items from his fanzine collection to David’s amazing, invaluable fandom resource. Look out for a video interview with Peter on downthetubes next week, revealing his hopes for the future of his collection, some of which often features in exhibitions around Britain.
• View the BEM section of Classic UK Comic Zines here
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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.
Categories: British Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
Not connected with this item, but I see that “the French army is to create a ‘red team’ of sci-fi writers to imagine possible threats. A new report by the Defence Innovations Agency [I kid you not] said visionaries [sic] will ‘propose scenarios of disruption’ that strategists may not think of”.
Such as a little green man with a big bald head and floating about in the air, sat on a tiny boat-shape craft, ordering his troops to kill all humans; and an invasion of dustbin shape robots with sink plunger-like exterminators roaming the corridors of the Elysee Palace demanding to be led to “Le Docteur”. Sacre bleu!
Hand me my sketch pad now.