BEST OF MY GUY BOOK LAUNCHED
26/10/06 (with thanks to Richard Sheaf): Robson Books has released The Best of My Guy, a collection of photo strips featuring "before they were famous" actors, from the popular 1970s weekly magazine for teenage girls.
Included in the dubious denim collection are stories such as The Loving Vase starring Hugh Grant as Tim, a dodgy assistant in an antiques shop, who breaks Janie's heart by wooing her over a piece of pottery and promptly two-timing her.
He also features as Steve in The Go-Between, sporting a really terrible a haircut and a holey jumper -- but in this story his his girlfriend is doing the dirty on him.
Other stars who feature in the collection include Tracey Ullman as Louise, a "lonely face at the window" to stranger Gareth in Tomorrow Is The First Day and a bare-chested Tony Hadley starred as Gary in Sister Blackmail. George Michael also features as Tony in Too Much Too Young?
Introducing the collection, editor Frank Hopkinson reveals Tracey Ullman appeared in many stories before getting her big TV break.
"Hugh Grant turned up in the same holed jumper and overcoat for most of his photostory career," he writes, "while George Michael was due to star with Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley but Andrew couldn't get out of bed, and so George's mate David Austen stepped in at the last minute."
My Guy, launched in March 1978 quickly proved a popular rival to Britain's other photo-strip teen mag, DC Thomson's Jackie, selling some 300,000 copies a week at its peak. It folded in 2000, after 22 years in print.
Actor Julian Sands, actresses Alex Kingston (from ER), Saskia Reeves (Spooks), Francesca Gonshaw ('Allo 'Allo), Caroline Gruber, Cindy Shelley and Sarah-Jane Varley were all PhotoPix models recruited through drama school noticeboards. Coronation Street's Sally Whittaker also features.
"My Guy was fun and funky and for girls on the pull," Hopkinson declares. "Jackie at the time was regarded as 'slightly safe' and would include sensible features about careers to appease anxious parents. My Guy was unashamedly trivial, and a boyfriend was a must-have accessory."

• Buy The Best of My Guy from Amazon.co.uk: Click Here
• The BBC has a gallery of images from My Guy: Click Here

200 -- NOT OUT!
26/10/06: Quality Communications has just published its celebratory landmark issue of the comics news and feature magazine Comics International – a giant-sized squarebound anniversary issue.
Editor Dez Skinn says the celebration is marked by a raft of special features and guest contributors, in addition to its regular content which has made it Europe's favourite magazine of comics and graphic novel news and reviews.
A Civil War special, behind its hard-hitting cover covering Marvel Comics current cross-book epic, CI #200 features a Steve McNiven sketchbook with 25 unseen character design and frame layouts plus a lengthy Mark Millar interview.
Columns from CI's history making a special comeback this issue include:
• Ranson Notes by top artist Arthur Buttonman Ranson
• Beyond 2000 by ex-Tharg David Bishop
• Major Digressions by Peter Incredible Hulk David
The issue also features contributions from former Escape editor and comics pundit Paul Gravett (on the history of cinema influences in comics, Talking Shop by Stephen Holland (on deadlines versus fill-in artists) and Frame to Frame by Mike Conroy (on the filming of the Luther Arkwright movie.
There’s also the chance to win a Corgi superhero prototype statue, plus 14 pages of up-to-the-minute international new coverage, from the Beano as fine art, Warren Ellis's new Thunderbolts and child abuse graphic novels to United Nations comics, and the revelation that Rebus author Ian Rankin is to write comics and the new Midnighter series. (Oh, and a new Really Heavy Greatcoat strip written by John Freeman and drawn by Nick Miller marking 40 years of Star Trek – surely worth buying the Magazine for that alone!)
• Comics International is on sale in all good comic ships. For subscription information visit: www.qual-com.co.uk

TRUE BRIT!
23/10/06: Following up on the success of its earlier Commando collection The Dirty Dozen, Carlton Books have just published True Brit, 12 of the best stories from the Commando War Library.
For the generations of men whose obsession with military history was triggered by reading war comics in their youth, this is probably Commando's toughest-ever collection of Second World War stories, showcasing the best fighting action – on land, sea and air – from over 40 years of Commando comics.
Selected by current Commando editor George Low, the stories in this collection range from daring bomber raids over Germany, through close-combat jungle fighting against hard-as-nails Japanese, and depth-charge blasted submarine warfare, to hard-hitting battles across North Africa, Italy and northern Europe.
For everyone whose comic-book battle lust has ever been stirred by Nazi cries of 'Englander schweinhund', True Brit will transport you right back into fictional combat situations they'd forgotten were so entertaining, and a whole new generation can discover how Commando turns ordinary men into heroes. Aaarrghh!
• Buy a copy of True Brit from Amazon.co.uk: Click Here

EAGLE FLIES AGAIN GOES OUT WITH A SCREAM!
The final, double-issue issue of Eagle Flies Again, the popular fanzine dedicated to British comics edited by Ian Wheeler, is published this week.
It's a packed, bumper edition with the usual variety of news, views and interviews. There's a retrospective of the short-lived horror comic Scream!, including memories of the title from the Group Editor responsible for it, Barrie Tomlinson. We also unveil a never-before-seen story from Eagle's bungling Columbo-esque detective Joe Soap, courtesy of writer Alan Grant.
Other features include an exclusive John Wagner interview, memories of Warlord and a two-page episode of EFA's own comic character, Dan Barton, drawn by Andrew Chiu. We also take a hot-under-the collar look at the top babes from British comics. And EFA readers bid the magazine farewell in our final packed letters page.
Finally, we're counting down the top ten British boys' comic characters. Who will be unveiled as our number one choice?
That's all wrapped up in another stunning cover from Graeme Neil Reid.
EFA editor Ian Wheeler is philosophical about the demise of the title. "It's sad to be finishing," he says, "but I'm confident that people will look back and say we stopped on a high and didn't outstay our welcome.
"When I published our first A5 issue nearly six years ago, I didn't realise what a rollercoaster of a ride I was starting and just how much affection many people would grow to have for EFA. I think we've captured a little of that magic that the comics themselves once had -- albeit not on a weekly basis! I also think we started something of a trend -- the Titan compilations, the Doomlord reprints, Albion. All those projects would have happened without us but I think we recognised that there was a gap for a title celebrating comics nostalgia.'
In addition to the new issue, The Best of Eagle Flies Again, a compiliation of interviews from the first ten issues of the magazine, remains in print. Gerry Embleton, Alan Grant, Ian Kennedy and Mike Western are amongst the comic legends interviewed within its pages.

BELLAMY IN THE SPOTLIGHT
25/10/06 The latest issue of Image comic Elephantman (#4) feratures four-page article (with, mainly, his Radio Times pictured) devoted to Eagle, TV21 and Garth artist Frank Bellamy this month. Next month Don Lawrence is the featured Brit being introduced to a US audience.
More info at: www.hipflask.com/issues/elephantmen04

COMICS COME HOME... TO THE HEART OF ENGLAND!
23/10/06: Britain's first ever comics convention was held in Birmingham in 1968. Since then, comics fans have also gathered to celebrate the medium they love in Brighton, Bristol, Glasgow, London and Manchester.
Now, comic book fans are preparing to indulge their passion in England's second city again at the Birmingham International Comics Show and everyone is invited to join in the celebrations on the 9-10th of December.
It promises to be a spectacular weekend featuring some of the biggest and brightest names from the UK along with all-star international guests. There is already an events packed programme of panels, signings, and the finest speciality shops and comic book dealers attending ready to offer some fantastic bargains and rare purchases, plus some extra special surprise convention exclusives!
This major event all takes place at The Custard Factory, the city's popular arts and media complex. With on-site bars, restaurants, a movie theatre and gallery space there will be room for all and activities to suit all tastes, young and old alike.
The Birmingham International Comics Show promises to be a show to remember, so if you love comics make a date... Christmas is coming a little early this year!
• For further information & to reserve tickets visit: www.thecomicsshow.co.uk

A sample page from War by Ciaron Cross: click on the image for a larger version

SAYING NO TO WAR - SNEAK PEEK
15/10/06: Brighton-based Paper Tiger have just released a couple of sample strips from their upcoming anthology War -- a non-profit fundraiser comic with all proceeds going to Campaign Against The Arms Trade (CAAT).
Contributions to the title are still welcome (the deadline for submissions 15 November) with a request for comics on an anti-war theme, be they satirical, pastiches of old propaganda war comics and films, factual, educational and hardhitting or with fictional universal themes.
"The hope is to create an intelligent, challenging anthology to promote awareness and express strong views but also to entertain and be diverse without being overly preachy," says editor Sean Duffield. "We hope that people will recognise that this project is to help support a worthwhile organisation committed to fighting the global armstrade in various ways and in the spirit of goodwill will contribute something for it."
CAAT are trying to cut down the world's use of arms through direct action, community projects and education about who is selling arms to who, our own government and companies connections to arms dealing and what these arms are actually capable of.
• For more info about CAAT visit their website: www.caat.org.uk

DALEK KILER LIVES AGAIN
15/10/06: A group of Doctor Who fans have produced an animated adaptation of Abslom Daak - Dalek Killer, the popular character from Doctor Who Magazine.
Produced by Altered Vistas, Abslom Daak - Dalek Killer is their eleventh Dalek-inspired film.
The animated film is an adaptation of the orginal 1980 Doctor Who Weekly strip of the same name that first introduced the character of Daak to the world, written by Steve Moore and drawn by Steve Dillon.
The animation stars Richard Dadd as the voice of Daak and Anola Chase as Taiyin.
Also included on the disc is a comprehensive bonus documentary all about the Daak phenomenon which includes his every single appearance in comic strips, novels, short stories and records, plus a video of Daak clips to accompany the flexi-disc release of The Slaves of Kane's Abslom Daak - Dalek Killer Theme, a free gift given away with Doctor Who Magazine when I was editor (what was I thinking?).
• Visit the AV web site to find out how to get hold of a copy of Abslom Daak - Dalek Killer: www.alteredvistas.co.uk

SNEAK PEEK!
14/10/06: Check out this cover and interior art from Spectacular Spider-Man #142, on sale in

Cover and interior pages from Spectacular Spider-Man #142, on sale in November. Click on the image for a larger version. Spider-Man © Marvel

November. Script is by Ferg Handley, inks by Lee Towsend, colour by John Charles.
"The art has a bit of a manga feel to it," says Jon Haward, "as well a Marvel hero style."
Sadly, after five years and 30 issues, this will be Jon's last issue of Panini's Spectacular Spider-Man - but he bows out with style with a strip featuring three green goblins, Camillion, Spiderwoman and Mysterio!
The comic has jumped in sales down the years, selling 15,000 copies in 2001 but has reached 50,000 while Spider-Man is in the spotlight thanks to the movies. Spectacular Spider-Man reportedly sells about 30,000 copies a month but new distribution deals with super markets like Safeways and Tesco may soon see sales rise again.

THE MOON QUEEN FLIES IN
14/10/06: Comics creator Chris Reynolds has just launched a new online strip, The Moon Queen. Chris was the principal artist and publisher of Mauretania Comics, a collection of which was published by Penguin Books -- the first graphic novel commissioned by a major British publisher back in 1990.
You can subscribe to The Moon Queen for $2.75 per quarter- which means Chris gets some money for creating the strip from his readers - or simply view it online. (Chris told us he considered a password-protected system like Modern Tales but decided on the honour system instead. We think you should honour him by coughing up).
• Link: www.metropoppyfield.com/moon_queen
• You can also buy Mauritenia Comics, including The Dial and Other Stories and other work by Chris, from www.lulu.com/metropoppyfield

MILLER DOES LONDON
14/10/06: Really Heavy Greatcoat artist Nick Miller is among the creators who have contributed to a revised second edition of Graphic Classics: Jack London from Eureka Productions.
This fifth volume in the Graphic Classics series of comics adaptations of great literature, this new edition features more than 50 pages of new material, including a completely redrawn That Spot by
Nick Miller, written by Antonella Caputo.
New to this edition are adaptations of The Red One illustrated by Mark A. Nelson and The Wit of Porportuk by Filipino artist Arnold Arre. There's also a new comics adaptation of To Kill a Man by Greek illustrator Kostas Aronis.
Returning from the previous edition are A Thousand Deaths by J.B. Bonivert, Jan, The Unrepentant by Hunt Emerson and six more thrilling stories, all wraped in a dramatic new cover by Jim Nelson.

• Buy the second edition from Amazon.co.uk: Go
• Buy the first edition from Amazon.co.uk: Go

• Buy the second edition from Amazon.com: Go
• Buy the first edition from Amazon.com: Go

ANDERSON UPDATE
9/10/06: The Gerry Anderson Complete Comic History site has just published a raft of new features centring on the comics inspired by the Thunderbirds TV series. The latest Upload, featuring a cover by Japanese Thunderbirds fan artist Sangata (his site is in Japanese), jumps through some of the many strips devoted to the series, from TV21, through Countdown, into the 1990s with The Complete Thunderbirds Story, and up to date with part one of a series on the Redan magazine.
The update includes three interviews: artists Alan Willow, Andrew Skilleter and Lee Sullivan, and TV21 sub-editor Brian Woodford reminisences on his career in comics.
The new features also include part three of 'Yesterday's News Today', part two of the Corgi Model Club checklist, and a couple of bonus features!
Web Link: www.technodelic.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

COMMANDO PRICE RISE
5/1/106 (thanks to Vic Whittle): The price of DC Thomson's Commando Library has just increased to £1.20 per issue. Just released is a new Ramsey's Raiders mission, #3949 Raiders in the Reich. Upcoming stories in the range are The War Watch, Air Raid! (probably by Alan Barnard with art by Jose Maria Jorge), Chamber of Horrors and Haunted by Fear.
You can now order your Commando 2007 calender at www.dcthomson.co.uk/annuals. The calendar costs £9.99 (inland) & £11.99 (airmail).
• More information on the official web site at: www.commandomag.com

DC THOMSON ANNUALS ON SALE ONLINE
3/10/06: DC Thomson are now offering their 2007 annuals via their web site -- and calendars too. In addition to the Beano and the Dandy, long-defunct girls title Mandy also has an annual this year.
Web link: www.dcthomson.co.uk/annuals

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