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The Esoteric, The Weird and The Beautiful: Vintage British and American fanzines, including early work by Alan Moore, offered at auction

By John Freeman on May 2, 2023

London-based auction and retail company Ancient Mariner Auctions has launched an online auction of a wide range of British and American comic, SF and fantasy roleplaying related fanzines and ephemera, including an item featuring the earliest work of author Alan Moore, and a copy of zine signed by Kirk Alyn, the first actor to play Superman.

The auction closes at end of this month, and the auction is being run through The-Saleroom.

A huge range of items, including fanzines, early British comic convention ephemera and programmes, American comic zines, some rare American comics, roleplaying game materials and more is included in the auction, including issues of well-known fanzines such as Fantasy Advertiser and Fantasy Trader, and rarer items, such as Utopia/ Valhalla #1, published in the U.K. in 1970, described as a “very rare double fanzine” that features the first published work of author Alan Moore, an article on H.P. Lovecraft.

Utopia/Valhalla #1 Cover (1970) - zine featuring first published work of Alan Moore

According to the lot description, only one issue of this zine was ever released and a total of thirty were distributed. As you can imagine, the estimated final sale price is high, at between £500 and £700. This is much less than the eye-watering price set by an eBay seller back in 2017 of £2700, which did not meet its reserve.

Here are just a few of the other rare items on offer. Also on offer is a copy of KA-POW #2, a title that’s possibly Britain’s first comics fanzine, which we’ve previously featured here on downthetubes.

The auction close 31st May 2023 and you can view the entire catalogue here at The-Saleroom.

If you want to check out online read-only digital editions of some of the British fanzines featured in this incredible auction, head to FANSCENE, curated by David Hathaway-Price, where many of them can be found, uploaded with the permission of the original editors/ publishers.

*#1 and 2 of the American fanzine, Anomaly, published during the 1960s. They feature material by Harlan Ellison*

*The very first British Comics Convention Booklet, published in 1968, documenting the beginning of organised fandom events in the UK. Cover by Jim Baikie*

*A pair of Frank Frazetta-themed Captain George fanzines released in the United States in the 1960s*

Captain George's Comic World #27, and American fanzine published in 1970 and signed on the front cover by Kirk Alyn, the original Superman actor — *Captain George’s Comic World #27, and American fanzine published in 1970 and signed on the front cover by Kirk Alyn, the original Superman actor*

*British Comic Media Fanzines published in the 1970s, edited by Richard Burton. Check out digital editions of this ‘zine on FANSCENE*

*Issues of the 1960s comic fanzine Eureka* | *Check out digital editions of this ‘zine on FANSCENE*

FOOM #20, the fan magazine published by Marvel

A number of the rare fanzine Marvel Mirror, published in the 1960s. (The auction description doesn't indicate if this is an American or British fanzine) — *A number of the rare fanzine Marvel Mirror, published in the 1960s. (The auction description doesn’t indicate if this is an American or British fanzine)*

*Sector, a British fanzine published in 1971, edited by Mike Cruden. Check out digital editions of this ‘zine on FANSCENE*

UNICORN #1 -5, a fantasy and comic book fanzines edited by Phil Clarke and Mike Higgs with beautiful covers. A complete set of early British fanzines. Check out digital versions of this ‘zine on FANSCENE

Warrior #1, published in 1974, Dez Skinn’s first take on the ‘Warrior’ brand, featuring reprints of “Wrath of the Gods”, art by John M. Burns, “Kelpie – Boy Wizard” art by John M Burns, “Erik the Viking”, art by Don Lawrence, “Heros the Spartan”, art by Frank Bellamy, “Olac the Gladiator”, art by Don Lawrence, and “Black Axe – Saxon Avenger” by Tom Kerr. Richard Sheaf has a feature on this incarnation of Warrior on his Boys Adventure Comics blog

*British Comic Con programmes from the early 1970s*

The first edition of Comic Mart Magazine, published in the UK in 1974. It features review of "Enter the Dragon" with Bruce Lee (1973). Also included is a programme for 'Comic Mart', described as "Britain's Largest Comic Fan Gathering" — The first edition of Comic Mart Magazine, published in the UK in 1974. It features review of “Enter the Dragon” with Bruce Lee (1973). Also included is a programme for ‘Comic Mart’, described as “Britain’s Largest Comic Fan Gathering”

*Various British Comic Con booklets from the 1970s*

• This auction close 31st May 2023 and you can view the entire catalogue here at The-Saleroom. You need to register in advance to bid

• Ancient Mariner Auctions Ltd., established in 2020 , is online at ancientmariner.auction

• If you want to check out online read-only digital editions of some of the British fanzines featured in this auction, head to FANSCENE, curated by David Hathaway-Price, where many of them can be found, uploaded with the permission of the original editors/ publishers

• Richard Sheaf has a feature on this incarnation of Warrior on his Boys Adventure Comics blog

ALSO ON DOWNTHETUBES

• Read our article on the attempted 2017 sale of an issue of Utopia

• Fanzine Flashback – KA-POW, Britain’s first comics zine?

With thanks to Rajeesh Shah

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.