Discussion of comics copyright and trademarks of classic British comics spurred by Rebellion’s established ownership of the TV21 brand led me to investigate which titles Marvel Comics registered in Britain. Or, largely, Marvel UK – who were keen to put their very firm property stamp on various projects down the decades. My investigations turned up some interesting “Might Have Been” titles from the 1990s.
Superhero Comics
Sassy Smart Women of Pre-Super Hero Comics in the Spotlight at San Diego Comic-Con
Before Batman and Superman were even a glimmer in Bill Finger and Jerry Siegel’s eyes, Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson created National Allied Publications, which would then go on to become DC Comics; one of the largest comic publishers in the world. Last year, Hermes Press released DC Comics Before Superman: Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson’s Pulp Comics, written by his grand-daughter, Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson. Some of that history will be in the spotlight at a panel titled “Sassy Smart Women of Pre-Super Hero Comics”at the upcoming San Diego Comic Con…
Counting down to the new Death’s Head from Marvel!
The countdown has begun to an all-new Death’s Head mini series from Marvel, launching 31st July 2019 in all good comic shops! Starring Death’s Head, originally created by Simon Furman and Geoff Senior in the 1980s, the new series is… Read More ›
Swinging Sixties British superhero Johnny Future returns! Collection out next year
Never before reprinted in the UK, 2000AD and Treasury of British Comics publisher Rebellion will publish a complete collection of Johnny Future next year, a stunning superhero strip that appeared in 1960s comic Fantastic, featuring art by the late Luis Bermejo
Albion: Looking back at Wildstorm’s “British Invasion”
As Rebellion rolls out more classic comic collections and gears up for the second Vigilant special from Simon Furman and Simon Coleby, Luke Williams looks back at earlier revivals of some British comic characters… Rebellion are receiving plaudits for reviving… Read More ›
Crowdfunding Spotlight: Advent Comics’ Tenth Anniversary anthology, Facets
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, US indie publisher Advent Comics has launched a Kickstarter to publish a 100-page anthology, Facets to mark the occasion – and, like many smaller comics companies across the globe, makes no bones about how it sees… Read More ›
Amazing Fantasy #15 sells for £9600 in UK Compal Auction, Dandy 2 for £4550
There was clearly some fierce bidding in the latest ComPal comic and comic art auction, with some high prices paid for the top lots, among them a copy of Amazing Fantasy #15, the first appearance of Marvel’s The Amazing Spider-Man,… Read More ›
Simon Bisley “Slaine” art offered (and much more) in latest Comic Link auction
The Spring Featured Auction at US auction house Comic Link starts closing next week – and along with rare US comics includes a wide range of original art, from creators that include British artists Simon Bisley, Alan Davis, Dave Gibbons,… Read More ›
Crowdfunding Spotlight: Frenemies: The Lost Planet by Yishan Li and Monty Nero
Yishan Li and Monty Nero have created Frenemies, a sci-fi comic updating the best of classic films like Star Wars, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Raiders of the Lost Ark with strong LGBTQ and straight characters from around the world…. Read More ›
John McCrea’s solo exhibition opens in Birmingham
Paul H. Birch reports on the opening of comic artist John McCrea’s solo exhibition at the Birmingham gallery Havill & Travis at Primitivo. Work from throughout John’s long and illustrious career is being showcased, including original cover art drawings framed with… Read More ›
Your chance to be Captain Britain – 1970s style!
A rare, unworn 1970s Captain Britain costume goes under the hammer at eBay auction house Phil-Comics next month…
Gallery: Spider-Man – Far From Home
Due to hit cinemas in the UK at advance screenings from 1st July, Spider-Man: Far From Home is set in Europe, pitting the superhero against a new threat.
In Review – Avengers: Endgame (and the perils of writing reviews of a blockbuster)
Review Tim Robins WARNING: For those of you who still haven’t seen the film, there are spoilers in this review. You’ll find out why we chose to include these below. The Film: Adrift in space with no food or water,… Read More ›
Roads Not Taken: How Marvel UK’s Motormouth might have looked
During the development of the “Genesis 1992” Marvel UK universe in the early 1990s, Editorial Director Paul Neary explored different paths for its core characters, developing the look of them over at least a year with numerous artists before settling… Read More ›
Fred Hembeck draws Captain Britain
American cartoonist Fred Hembeck has been parodying superheroes for years – snd now you can own one of his original creations at a bargain price
Flashback: The Dawn of Marvel UK’s “Genesis 1992” Project with Liam Sharp, Bryan Hitch and more
Before Marvel UK’s “Genesis 1992” characters first spread their wings in their first US format books and weekly British comic Overkill, Editorial Director Paul Neary and I put together a promotional booklet promoting the characters, printed on the office photocopiers,… Read More ›
Inside View: Titan Comics’ Avengers: Endgame Movie Special
Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame – The Official Movie Special is available now in hardcover and in news stand variants from Titan Comics in the UK – and Titan have provided some interior images of the title, on sale in the… Read More ›
HBO releases WATCHMEN Official Tease
US channel HBO has released its first a teaser trailer for a new series based on Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons seminal 12-part comic series Watchmen. Set in an alternate history where “superheroes” are treated as outlaws, this drama series… Read More ›
In Praise of… Comic Writer Robert Kanigher
Today marks the anniversary of the death of American comics writer Robert Kanigher, one of the most prolific comic book writers of the last century, who died in 2002. A US Army veteran, Robert “Bob” Kanigher was involved with the… Read More ›
In Praise of… Jim Steranko’s Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Like many people who grew up in the pre-digital era, for Alan Woollcombe childhood entertainment meant chocolates, bikes and comics, along with now extinct hobbies such as plane spotting, bird watching and stamp collecting. This is a story about a lifelong love affair of his. But it’s not for a person…