What comics did you buy today?

[philcom55]

While Adolph Hitler was responsible for countless events of greater consequence one can't help wondering how British comics might have developed in the 1940s if the Second World War had never happened. As Digi suggests it's quite possible that DC Thomson would have got back into girls' story papers much sooner, while The Skipper and Magic would almost certainly have enjoyed longer lives. Meanwhile, Odhams' Modern Wonder could well have added to its lavish reproductions of Flash Gordon and regular cutaway drawings by L. Ashwell Wood to pre-empt Eagle by a whole decade.

Of course, the flood of American imports would have also continued unabated which might have seriously inhibited the rise of home-grown adventure strips during the 1950s.

- Phil Rushton

[geoff42]

in light of the recent weather, we could be in Summer mode. As a result, I've purchased various Marvel UK Summer Specials - Rom 1982 (an unusual one for its time, considering that it would be one of Rom's last appearance in Marvel UK at the time) for a fiver with postage. A little more than I expected to pay and yet, I managed to pay £11.85 for Incredible Hulk Summer Special 1982, Spiderman Summer Special 1979, and Spiderman Fun-book 1983 with no puzzles filled in. On top of all that, I obtained Captain Britain Summer Special 1979 for a fiver and then (I'm not sure whether I paid over the odds for this) Marvel Super Heroes Summer Special 1979 for £9.99. If that wasn't enough, I also won a Star Wars Summer Special 1983 with colour poster still attached for a fiver. I have seen this going for £14.99 at Silver Acre, and it's still available... I like Silver Acre for their product but, sometimes, I do believe they over price. And yet, I still buy from them. I guess they know that at some point at some time, someone will buy their product for certain reasons. At the same time, I can't help but crow when I purchase something at high grade that is so lower in price... swings and roundabouts, I say.

[geoff42]

today, I received a large bundle of modern Wizard comics from 1977/78. 36 in total in great condition. In my childhood, for some reason I can't explain, I enjoyed the likes of Bullet, Victor, and Warlord but never had any interest in Wizard or Hotspur. Now, I have a mission to collect these bygone issues. Already, by skimming through them for preliminary examination, my interest is piqued by the likes of "the clutching hand", "king cobra", and "Bernard Briggs". I hasten to add that king cobra and Bernard briggs are from Hotspur, which I have obtained earlier. From Wizard, there are plenty of stories with long-winded titles. The Clutching Hand stands out at the moment. Of course, when compared to later issues of Battle, Action and, even, Bullet, they are somewhat tame. But, I just can't help but collect them. It's always a find to recognise that a certain artist from these titles went on to draw the likes of Roy of the Rovers and Tiger. As a side note, going back to the long-winded titles that Wizard was bogged down with: i.e. Five Bullets for Idris the Cruel, is it any wonder why they could not compete with the modern titles of Warlord and Bullet who had the likes of "Twisty", "Smasher", "Sniper", and "Union Jackson"? But still, I have a fascination about the likes of Hotspur and Wizard - there's something so British about them that can never be replicated.

[George Shiers]

Just got a box of Shiver and Shake comics. Approx. 45 comics for $20NZD. That's roughly £10, so a good deal.

[blaing]

Well done, George.

[TwoHeadedBoy]

VERY nice bundle there, George!

This week, I got the last ten issues of Classics From The Comics from a seller on these boards, and this beautiful trio from Oxfam today:



That's a festive Gerald Scarfe book, a big fat Hunt Emerson compilation, and an S. Clay Wilson (Zap Comix) art book. Lovely stuff.

[geoff42]

received 5 issues of Battle and Valiant comic from 1977, splendid condition. There are more issues to buy from same seller, but they're left wanting as regards condition. It's a shame. A ratio of 4-1 I could accept but not 3-2. Anyone else having difficulties in buying Battle and Action issues in good condition? Anyone else having difficulties in buying Hotspur and Wizard from 1977/78? But still. I love the hunt!

[big bad bri]

Roy of the rovers complete 1991 & various 1981 ,83 85 only need another 54 issues for complete run i think as i taken various strikes etc into consideration.I also got the new 2000ad sci fi special.

[geoff42]

in collecting Roy of the Rovers, if you really was a stickler, would that mean collecting the huge back catalogue of Tiger (pre - 1977) as well? Now, that would be a mountain to climb.

[big bad bri]

i do want tiger as well but not for roy of the rovers & im not too fussed about holiday specials either as they are overpriced but i can understand as they were produced in smaller numbers & thrown away more.

[TwoHeadedBoy]

Went for a day out in Chester today, and came home with a few comics...



-28 issues of Groo the Wanderer
-Ogri: The Classic Collection volumes 1 and 2
-Two issues of Rip Off Comix
-Two issues of Brain Damage
-Ally Sloper No.1
-Blag #3
-Inkling #3
-ETC Comic #1
-Three issues of Issue 2
-The Beezer Book 1984

£25 for the lot

[DavidKW]

Could you tell me where in Chester you bought those comics 2HeadedBoy?

It's just I may be visiting Chester in a couple of weeks & looking for possible comic/annual outlets whilst there.

[TwoHeadedBoy]

Certainly - the Groo comics are from the Oxfam book shop in the town centre. They've got LOADS of 2000AD in there, plus a few issues of The 'Zine (which I already had). They seem desperate to get rid of them too.

All the rest are from the Chester Comic Co, on Brook Street (on your right as you leave the train station - a long and winding road with a few somewhat "seedy" places at the beginning of it before giving way to numerous charity shops). Mostly American stuff in there, but there's a book case full of annuals and a fair few boxes of underground/alternative stuff too. The guy says they have another shop in Rhyl, not sure if it's worth venturing over there just for one comic shop though.

[DavidKW]

Thanks two headed boy!

Think I'll know where to go in between seeing the sights and pubs of Chester.

[babington]

bought half a dozen issues of Ally Sloper's Half Holiday from 1885 and 1886 including the Christmas and Fireworks issues - never seen those before!