Talk here about just about anything associated with British comics or story papers and the industry that does not fit in any other forum.
There are separate fora open to registered members for discussing specific comics, artists, websites etc.
comixminx wrote:
I was involved in the SSI as an associate member (if I'm remembering the term correctly). I was never a professional artist or writer so could never join as a full member of course, but I was interested in creating better links between the SSI and the small press and indie / self-publishing scenes of the time which I was involved in. Also I had lots of friends who were in the SSI and later CCG, including my then partner Andy Roberts, who was doing comics professionally at the time.
In some ways the links with the small press / self-publishing scenes were a bit of a slippery slope because on the one hand it helped to open it up for a wider group of people and on the other hand it meant that professionals saw it as being less relevant to their interests. Having said that it was also a sign of the times in some ways perhaps, in that there started to be many more ways for professionals to keep in touch, see each other regularly, compare notes and so on - compared to the older days. But others may have a different take on it, I appreciate.
Yes, the venue was so beautiful! A fantastic location.
That's a good point about it being useful for people to keep in touch, Jenni. Back then of course there was only one convention a year (two if you were lucky) plus the Westminster Comic Marts for pros and fans to socialise at. (Sometimes we'd meet up socially outside of those events for a pint and a pizza but that was just mixing with friends, not bringing in new people.)
Times have changed considerably these days, with conventions practically every weekend and the development of social media. (On the downside, there are less opportunities for newcomers to break into mainstream comics in the UK and make a living.)
Lew Stringer wrote:That's a good point about it being useful for people to keep in touch, Jenni. Back then of course there was only one convention a year (two if you were lucky) plus the Westminster Comic Marts for pros and fans to socialise at. (Sometimes we'd meet up socially outside of those events for a pint and a pizza but that was just mixing with friends, not bringing in new people.)
Times have changed considerably these days, with conventions practically every weekend and the development of social media. (On the downside, there are less opportunities for newcomers to break into mainstream comics in the UK and make a living.)
(Sorry this has gone )
No need to worry Lew. It will drift back soon enough. One thing no one has mentioned is the time frame for these meetings of the SSI. Was this the 70s, 80s or 90s?
I started to say something sensible but my parents took over my brain!
In Oxfam they had two of those large Robert Opie scrapbooks , one of which I already have and the other one I would have liked but didn't want to pay the £6.99p asking price.
I like these scrapbooks and have four at the moment,comic wise they only show the headings of the comics but they do show them in context with other goods that were on sale at the time.
Robert Opie seems to be involved in a lot of nostalgic advertising merchandise including fridge magnets which after buying one I have since been impelled to try and cover the fridge door with them.
Just went to buy Doctor Who Magazine and Simpsons Comics (both released three days ago), but WHSmith (Kingswood Hull branch) was sold out of (or had failed to put out on the shelves) both. Tried the nearby Asda, which was also either sold out or has stopped stocking them. Going to have to check the city centre later in the week.
I'm using this topic area to ask a question, and to make a request, as it would appear to be the most appropriate one. I am trying to get scans put up of the first four instalments of the serial The Silver Sword, which appeared in issues 200 (July 5 1986) to 203 (July 26 1986) of SUZY, the DC Thomson story paper for girls. I do have all the other episodes. If any member has these, and is willing to go to the trouble of putting them on screen for me to read, I would be very grateful. An alternative, and perfectly acceptable, method to me would be photocopies through the post. Anyone preferring to use the latter, please PM me for my address. I am perfectly prepared to refund the p&p as it will save me a four-hour round trip to the British Library to get the information.
Not so much a comic but its subscription. Have transferred my Beano sub to my partner's granddaughter as of the 6th January 2018.
Reading comics since 1970. My Current Regulars are: 2000 AD (1977-), Judge Dredd Megazine (1990-), Spaceship Away (2003-), Commando (2013-), Monster Fun (2022-), Deadpool and Wolverine (2023-), Quantum (2023-).
I remember when radio was the chief form of entertainment one of the programmes I listened to was Educating Archie (No! it wasn't when dinosaurs roamed the earth).Anyway I was at Melton undercover car boot yesterday and the only thing I found of interest was an Archie Andrews annual which beforehand I hadn't known existed.It had a fabulous colourful portrait of Archie cover and was in excellent condition.
I inquired about the price and was told it was £10 although the dealer said he would consider lower offers.I was only carrying eleven pounds with me and with the probability that my negotiating skiłls would only get it down to about eight pounds I decided to leave it.
Missed out a number of Valiants sold by Phil-comics on eBay. All because I got too engrossed in a film on TV.
Reading comics since 1970. My Current Regulars are: 2000 AD (1977-), Judge Dredd Megazine (1990-), Spaceship Away (2003-), Commando (2013-), Monster Fun (2022-), Deadpool and Wolverine (2023-), Quantum (2023-).