Has there been a convention soley for The Beano & others?

[BillyWhizzer]

Hi guys, I had a quick look on the search to see if my topic has been mentioned already and couldn't see anything.

Has there ever been a convention soley dedicated to British comics? i.e The Beano and past publications like The Dandy, Whizzer and Chips, Beezer, Topper, Buster, Nutty, Sparky, Knockout and others.

[Lew Stringer]

Hi guys, I had a quick look on the search to see if my topic has been mentioned already and couldn't see anything.

Has there ever been a convention soley dedicated to British comics? i.e The Beano and past publications like The Dandy, Whizzer and Chips, Beezer, Topper, Buster, Nutty, Sparky, Knockout and others.

Not just for humour comics, as far as I know, but there were a few in the mid 1970s for British comics in general. Comics 101 organized by Denis Gifford in 1976, and Strips '78 organized by the SSI for example:
http://lewstringer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/ ... oklet.html

It's not cheap putting a convention on so it makes more sense to appeal to fans of American comics as well. Unfortunately many UK cons of the past have focused too much on US material, at the expense of virtually ignoring UK output in some instances. I think there's more of a balance these days though.

[BillyWhizzer]

Thanks for the answer, Lew. I'll have a read of your blog later.

I'll be attending ICE in August. I'll pop over to your table.

[ISPYSHHHGUY]

I'm always disappointed at the generally sparse representation of UK comics [compared to USA stuff] at such conventions: I sometimes pick up some UK annuals, though.

[Lew Stringer]

I'm always disappointed at the generally sparse representation of UK comics [compared to USA stuff] at such conventions: I sometimes pick up some UK annuals, though.

Yes, Kev F. Sutherland balanced things out a bit when he was organising the Bristol events, by inviting DC Thomson editors and promoting The Beano etc.

On the one hand I can appreciate that cons have to appeal to the fans who like comics for older readers, as those people are financially independent (as opposed to children who have to rely on their parents taking them to the events). On the other hand, I've always thought it a shame that many fans have no interest in the artistic merits of comics they've grown out of. (That doesn't apply to members of this forum of course, who obviously can appreciate people such as Ken Reid, Geoff Campion, and Mike Western on the same level they'd appreciate Wally Wood, Frank Miller or Geoff Darrow for example.)

[ISPYSHHHGUY]

Believe it or not, there's a fairly healthy representation of UK saucy seaside postcards at some of these events, and I diversified into this side of collecting.

[Lew Stringer]

Believe it or not, there's a fairly healthy representation of UK saucy seaside postcards at some of these events, and I diversified into this side of collecting.

Ah, I think we're talking about two different kids of events. You're referring to comic marts rather than conventions I take it? Your point still applies though, in that marts are usually heavily focused on American comics rather than British ones.

[philcom55]

I'm pretty sure I can remember going to a 2000AD-themed con in London a few years back.

- Phil R.

[starscape]

Dredd-con used to be an annual affair.

I have sold both UK and US comics at these Cons but the US massively outsells Brit comics.

Having said that, the Lakes Festival is looking excellent:
http://www.comicartfestival.com/

[Lew Stringer]

I'm pretty sure I can remember going to a 2000AD-themed con in London a few years back.

- Phil R.

Yes, and there's also one for The Phoenix comic this year too I believe, but unless I'm mistaken BillyWhizzer was asking about any that have been devoted to traditional British humour comics in general.

It might also be worth mentioning that all UK cons mainly feature UK based guests of course, even though many of them work for American comics.

[philcom55]

The trouble with British comics is that they divide into so many special-interest groups with little or no crossover: Eagle, TV21, 2000AD, Commando, Girls' Comics, 'Big 5' story papers, etc. Even in the field of traditional British humour comics collectors generally confine themselves to a rough 20-year window - thus fans of the current Beano are unlikely to have much in common with fans of its 1940s incarnation, let alone Funny Wonder or Illustrated Chips!

- Phil R.

[Lew Stringer]

The trouble with British comics is that they divide into so many special-interest groups with little or no crossover: Eagle, TV21, 2000AD, Commando, Girls' Comics, 'Big 5' story papers, etc. Even in the field of traditional British humour comics collectors generally confine themselves to a rough 20-year window - thus fans of the current Beano are unlikely to have much in common with fans of its 1940s incarnation, let alone Funny Wonder or Illustrated Chips!

- Phil R.

True. I can appreciate that nostalgia will be the dominant factor but I've never understood why any comic fan would want to limit themselves to that. The history of comics is fascinating and the comics of our personal "20 year window" have all evolved from strips, art styles and design formats of the past.

I know that few of us have the finances or space to collect everything, but sampling various comics and formats from different decades helps us build up a knowledge of the history of comics.