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.
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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: Auctions, British Comics, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Other Worlds
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