Rare Scottish VULCAN comic with spooky free gift offered on eBay

By John Freeman on October 24, 2022

When IPC first published the weekly anthology VULCAN in 1975 they started with a trial run in Scotland only. Now, comic creator Lew Stringer, a much appreciated supporter of downthetubes, is selling that scarce first issue on eBay, cover dated 1st March 1975, complete with unused free gift.

The 32-page comic features reprints of 1960s adventure strips “Mytek the Mighty”, “The Spider”, “Trigan Empire”, “Saber King of the Jungle”, “The Steel Claw” and “Kelly’s Eye”, all starting from their first episodes! Plus, “Robot Archie” also features, in a four-page story with new artwork.

When VULCAN was a proven success, it was relaunched across the UK with a new first issue, but did not reprint the material that had been used in the Scottish edition. Instead, it ran with later stories featuring the same characters.

As well as this rare item – the inclusion of the free gift making this quite a collectible – Lew also has copies of his smashing Combat Colin comic for sale, and a boxed Corgi Beatles “Yellow Submarine” toy, too.

The VULCAN auction runs until next Sunday evening, and you can bid here

• Check out Lew’s items here on eBay.

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.