ARCHIVED NEWS - FEBRUARY 2006

MORE FROM REDEYE
26/2/06: The latest issue of Redeye Magazine (#5), the small press comics magazine, is now available. Featuring interviews with Antony Johnson, The Rubins Sisters, Dal Worrow, Tharg the Mighty, Ian Edginton and D'Israeli, and Daley Osiyemi and David Bircham of Brodies Law, who also provide the cover.
The issue also has articles on Starlord, The 2000AD Art of Alan Moore and Comics in New Media, along with preview art, news and an expanded reviews section. All this crammed into 96 pages and still only £3.00, plus £1.50 postage. (Thanks to Matthew Badham)
Web Link: www.enginecomics.co.uk

SWASHBUCKLING ADVENTURE AND MORE, ILLUSTRATED!
22/2/06: US publisher Eureka Productions has just released Graphic Classics: Rafael Sabatini, the thirteenth volume in the Graphic Classics series of graphic novels, which includes work by some UK-based comics artists.
Graphic Classics: Rafael Sabatini features the origin of Sabatini's famed gentleman pirate "Captain Blood", adapted by Rod Lott and Carlo Vergara, and a great selection of mysteries and adventure tales illustrated by Stanley Shaw, Rich Tommaso, Roger Langridge, Jackie Smith, Milton Knight, Gerry Alanguilan and additional art from Hunt Emerson.
The Graphic Classics series presents the works of great authors in comics adaptations and heavily-illustrated text. The adaptations are written at an adult level, and utilise as much of the author’s original language as possible. The company's goal is to create books that are enjoyable for adults,presenting adaptations of the works of worthy authors who may be unfamiliar to today’s readers, yet accessible to children ages twelve and up. This volume is a bit of a departure in that it features the works of one of the lesser-known authors in the series.
Graphic Classics: Rafael Sabatini is available in bookstores, comics shops, or direct from the publisher at www.graphicclassics.com.

COMICS EXHIBITION IN LONDON
22/2/06: Illustrator and comic strip artist Simon Mackie (www.simonmackie.org.uk) has an exhibition of comic strip art at Take 5 Coffee Lounge, 6 Duke Street London W1 3EN from now to 30th April 2006.

BEANO #1 UP FOR SALE
18/2/06: A rare copy of the first issue of DC Thomson's Beano is part of this month's comics auction from UK-based Comic Book Postal Auctions. Published in 1938, the lot includes the original Beano #1 four-page Flyer in which Big Eggo, Lord Snooty And His Pals start their adventures.
Dig deep in your wallet, though: the reserve price is £3,800-4,400!
Also in the British section of the auction -- US comics are up for sale, too -- are collections of early British comics such as Film Fun, Radio Fun and early issues of the original Eagle. Original artwork offered includes the work of Dudley Watkins featuring "Oor Wullie" and the Dandy's "Desperate Dan"; a 1952 colour Eagle cover by by Harold Johns and Gretta Tomlinson; and a page of the new Dan Dare from a 1989 issue of the new Eagle, by Keith Page. There are some oddities, too -- how many people reading this will recall Hospital Nurse Picture Library, featuring stories from the tv hospital drama Emergency Ward 10?
The closing date for bids -- which can be by fax, post or secure bidding form - is 7 March.

MASSIVE LINE UP PLANNED FOR MAY COMICS EXPO
For the eighth successive year, the Bristol International Comic Expo (www.comicexpo.net) is back at the British Empire & Commonwealth Exhibition Hall coupled with talks at the Ramada Plaza Hotel for the weekend of 13-15 May. Organised by Mike Allwood of renowned UK comics shop Area 51, the Bristol Expo is the longest-running and most successful comics event in the UK ever. Click here for full line-up details and more information...

SPACESHIP AWAY SOARS TO NEW HEIGHTS
29/10/05: #8 of Spaceship Away, the brilliant science-fiction strip-packed glossy magazine featuring a new, original, Dan Dare comic strip, is now available.
This latest issue includes a re-coloured version of the first adventure of Hal Starr by Syd (Jeff Hawke) Jordan and nicely complements the continuing Green Nemesis Dare strip by Rod Barzilay, drawn by Don Harely, and Charles Chilton's Journey Into Space strip, drawn by Tacconni.
The magazine is packed with features and strip material and contin ues to delight, despite the high cover price necessitated by private funding of all the strips featured and other editorial costs. Hal Starr is a definite hit! This magazine is an absolute must for any fan of the original Eagle and anyone who enjoys top-notch science fiction comics.
• A single issue sub to Spaceship Away costs £6.99 but if you subscribe for six issues and you get the seventh free. Find out more by writing to: Rod Barzilay, 8 Marley Close, Preston, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 6DH, United Kingdom. Please include a sae with any enquiries.
• Read an interview with Spaceship Away publisher Rod Barzilay, which was first published in Eagle Flies Again #9: Click Here

MORE CLASSIC COMICS FROM HIBERNIA?
13/2/06: Publisher Hibernia, who released a brilliant collection of Doomlord strips last year, have just launched a web site. Intriguingly publisher David McDonald, who says he set up Hiberia with the sole intent of re-presenting tsome of his favourite stories from boy's comics from the 1970s and 80s, notes that "...later in the year I hope to have a couple of extra volumes to add to the page."
Hibernia's Doomlord collection, which features an introduction by creator Alan Grant, is available via the site. It's also on sale in Forbidden Planet International stores, Ace Comics, London's Gosh Comics and Travelling Man in the UK and Sub City in Ireland. (Thanks to Ricchard Sheaf for this tip).
Web Link: www.hiberniabook.bravehost.com (beware -- annoying pop-ups!)

BRISTOL PREVIEW SITE OPENS
13/2/06: A special site previewing the work of comics creators attending the Comics Expo in Bristol in May has just opened. The hope is that it provide a unique opportunity for exhibitors and visitors alike to take a virtual tour of the expo in advance of the event itself and "try before you buy" from a fabulous range of comics.
The site is the brainchild of Chris Lynch (www.monkeyswithmachineguns.com) and Craig Johnson (www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com), who plan to solicit as many exhibitors as possible to showcase their best works and provide a central one-stop-shop - not only for
potential attendees at the Expo, but also for general interest, for anyone
interested in independent comics.
• Check it out at www.engine4.net/bristolpreview

HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN YOUR P.E. KIT?
11/2/06: The latest Solar Wind publication -- the hilarious comic homage to British comics of yesteryear -- is now on sale. downthetubes.net received this particle-beam-accelerated laso-message from editor "Cosmic Ray" detailing the contents... "Issue Six of the national comic award-winning tribute to Britain’s comic heyday features a merger with Sporto – The Comic about Sport!
"It’s Traditional Sports versus Future Sports, with two teams of 11 strips (plus subs) competing for the comics title!
"The Solar Wind team, coached by none other than stellar editor Cosmic Ray includes Murderdrome: 1997, Griefbringer, Rollerbowls, Ultradarts 1999 and Death Olympics 2012AD. They may be the underdogs in this match, but they’ve slain many a bigger title in local merger derbies and have the added advantage of future technology and a high body count.
"Then, managed by The Ref, come such well loves strips as The Lofty and the Lowly, Donny Darto, Sidney’s Shoes, Freeze Frame Finnegan and Pot Luck! The Ref knows his job is on the line with this match. If he wins, it’ll mean a new lease of life for his comic, but if he loses then his logo will shrink each week and he’ll join Starlord and Big E on the dole queue.
"Entrance to this terrific match costs a measly £3 (plus £1 for ticket postage), and can be ordered from match official Paul Scott, 13 Kiln Crescent, Bishop Middleham, Ferryhill, County Durham, DL17 9AP, or via the website at www.solarwindcomic.co.uk.
"All match-goers will be thoroughly entertained with letters and features as well as the main match, and everyone takes home a free gift with (reputed) magical powers!"
We're also told, "Buy it now or we'll send the Boys from Terrace 13 round." But you sent us a free copy, Cosmic Ray! It is jolly good, though!

ACTION FORCE ART FOR SALE
10/2/06: Fans of UK comic Action Force may be interested to know art from the comic is currently on sale via the web site Battle Action Force art for sale at very reasonable prices: www.actionforcetoys.com at very reasonable prices. The art is by John Cooper, some of it from IPC's 1984 editions of the title. (Thanks to Ian Wheeler for this).

DEZ SKINN INTERVIEWED
10/2/06, updated 12/2/06: Comics International editor Dez Skinn talks about the state of the British comics industry and the new V for Vendetta film in an online interview posted on Big Monster TV, in their Entertainment section (no direct link available).
"There's a couple of glitches I hope they'll fix," says Dez. "They have me down forproducing Warhammer instead of Warrior, for example.
"Maybe it's a logical progression I should have done," he suggests. "'Your two favourite comics merged into one! House of Hammer and Warrior combine to become...Warhammer!"
V For Vendetta is scheduled for a 15 March release in the UK. The film was selected for screening at the Berlin Film Festival.
• Watch the interview on BigMonsterTV
• V for Vendetta offiicial film web site

DAN DARE BOOKS ON HOLD - FOR NOW
8/2/06: Titan Books has put its Dan Dare books range "on hold", with no further releases planned at this time -- but downthetubes has learnt that no final decision on the range has been made, and there is still a chance new volumes reprinting the classic British strip from Eagle will continue.
"We do not have any plans to collect any further stories at this time," Titan is advising enquirers, "but it is possible that this could change in the future."
Prisoners in Space was released last November, the seventh volume in Titan Books' series to date.
downthetubes sources told us no final decision had been reached, so there's hope the books may continue. Despite the high quality of the range, and much critical praise from Dan Dare fans, it appears sales remain an issue, despite the obvious influence of Frank Hampson's work on US artists such as Al Williamson and others.
• More Dan Dare information, web links and full Titan Books Dan Dare checklist: Click Here

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ACTION!
7/2/06: IPC's Action comic is 30 years old today! (No.1 was published Saturday Feb 7th 1976, cover dated Feb. 14th). DC Thomson's Bullet came out the same day, but never had the same impact of course. (Thanks to Lew Stringer for the reminder).
• More about Action on this fab web site: www.sevenpennynightmare.co.uk

ALBION DELAYS EXPLAINED
4/2/06: Much delayed, US publisher Wildstorm has lined up the following release schedule for the final issues of the Albion mini series, the Alan Moore-plotted story written by Leah Moore and John Reppion, drawn by Shane Oakley.
Issue 4 is now expected in April, with 5 and 6 to follow in May and June.
"Basically, we finished writing the series about six months ago but there have been hold ups with the art," John Reppion oulined via comics site Newsarama, shortly after news broke that he and Leah had signed an exclusive deal with US publisher Dynamite. "The problem with working for a big company like DC is that everything has to fit into a schedule. Inkers, letterers and colourists are all working on numerous other jobs so if your book misses it's slot then the delays start to mount up.
"The same goes for the actual printing," he added. "If you miss your slot then there's a wait to get another one (or so we've been informed).
" All of this has resulted in the series being re-solicited so that, instead of jamming the issues in here and there where there's a gap, we’ve now got three regularly spaced dates."
Despite the delays to release of Albion, a second UK-character inspired title, Thunderbolt Jaxon, by Dave Gibbons and John Higgins is now being published. A third title based on IPC's comics characters -- details not yet public but watch this space -- is also the works.

MORE HEROES FOR COMICS-INSPIRED CITY
4/2/06: NCsoft Europe ihas announced that the latest update to the comics-inspired City of Heroes and City of Villains universe is due to arrive in April. Free to subscribers, Issue #7: Destiny Manifest will provide extensive new content for high-level players.
Two new zones, Grandville and Recluse's Victory (featuring the evil Lord Recluse himself), will be accompanied by new missions, new power sets, costume options, base features and an improved graphics engine - and NCsoft say the world's favourite super-powered MMO will look better than it has ever done before.
Web Link: www.cityofvillains.com

NEW RETROSPECTIVE RELEASED
4/2/06: The latest issue (#27) of Tony Ingram's fanzine Comics Retrospective is now out.
Always eclectic (this guy has a heck of collection), the lead article this month is on the comics career of Tarzan. There are also features on the 'Brown-Watson' annuals, The Avengers Files and more besides. Priced £1.40 it's available from Tony Ingram, 3 Lower Harlings, Shotley Gate Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 1QE. Include a large stamped addressed A4 envelope with any order and make cheques/POs payable to Tony Ingram. (Thanks to Richard Sheaf)