Definitive book on British comics?

Lew Stringer · Post by **Lew Stringer** » 31 Oct 2006, 12:42

Great British Comics has just been published and I received my copy from Amazon this morning. In my opinion this is the closest to definitive book on British comics to date.

I haven't read it thoroughly yet so I don't know if there's any major mistakes in there but at a quick glance it seems accurate enough. (Although Toxic came out in 2002, not 2004 and Sonic the Comic ended before 2005!. Minor niggle.

)

Printing and reproduction of the many old strips is immaculate, and the design is easy on the eye whilst packing in tons of information. Where most previous books on UK comics have only shown covers, this book sensibly shows a huge selection of strips too so one gets a full-on experience of the variety of British comics.

Also, unlike some previous books on UK comics, this one doesn't perpetuate the myth that British comics are dead and brings us an optimistic note that in one form or other they continue.

There's something in the book that should interest everyone here.

Amazon seems to have the cheapest deal: http://tinyurl.com/yyd2jc

Definitely worth buying, but will people here buy it?

Comments?

Lew

Gary Northfield · Post by **Gary Northfield** » 31 Oct 2006, 13:26

Went along to the book launch on Saturday and picked up a copy. I think it's a fantastic book choc-a-block full of great images. My knowledge of British comics is pretty poor, so I'm finding the whole thing a fascinating read. It's great to see original artwork printed as well as a big emphasis on naming the previously anonymous creators of years gone by (well, maybe not so anonymous to people on here!).
So definitely a big thumbs up from me!

Here's Paul's website dedicated to the book....

http://www.greatbritishcomics.com/

colcool007 · Post by **colcool007** » 31 Oct 2006, 18:30

Was already thinking about buying the book, but I had still been holding off as I had not heard good or bad about it. But after Lew's ringing endorsement, this has definitely moved onto my 'Will Buy soonest' list. Would have been quite happy to buy it now, but just been hammered with a heavier than expected bill!

In summation, will be buying sooner rather than later (or as soon as my flexible friend cand afford it!

)

Lew Stringer · Post by **Lew Stringer** » 31 Oct 2006, 18:47

colcool007 wrote:Was already thinking about buying the book, but I had still been holding off as I had not heard good or bad about it. But after Lew's ringing endorsement, this has definitely moved onto my 'Will Buy soonest' list.

One of the many things I like about it is that it includes newspaper strips as well as comics. Some previous history books have tended to segregate them for some reason and I've never understood why. Modesty Blaise is as valid an icon as Minnie the Minx.

Lew

colcool007 · Post by **colcool007** » 31 Oct 2006, 19:45

Lew Stringer wrote:One of the many things I like about it is that it includes newspaper strips as well as comics. Some previous history books have tended to segregate them for some reason and I've never understood why. Modesty Blaise is as valid an icon as Minnie the Minx.

Lew

As are Andy Capp, Angus Og, The Perishers, A Man Called Horace, Beau Peep, Bogart...need I go on?

Lew Stringer · Post by **Lew Stringer** » 31 Oct 2006, 21:10

colcool007 wrote:
Lew Stringer wrote:One of the many things I like about it is that it includes newspaper strips as well as comics. Some previous history books have tended to segregate them for some reason and I've never understood why. Modesty Blaise is as valid an icon as Minnie the Minx.

Lew
As are Andy Capp, Angus Og, The Perishers, A Man Called Horace, Beau Peep, Bogart...need I go on?

Indeed, but unfortunately often overlooked when people talk about British comics. Good to see Paul's book balancing things out more.

Lew

Jimmy Screw · Post by **Jimmy Screw** » 31 Oct 2006, 22:56

Avidly waiting for my copy to arrive.

Glad to hear about the newspaper strips too. Example: Striker is probably the most popular comic story around and is currently published in a daily paper.

Korkythecat · Post by **Korkythecat** » 31 Oct 2006, 23:14

Nah, Striker's not a patch on Ball Boy...

Ian · Post by **Ian** » 02 Nov 2006, 08:42

Ive ordered mine and Im looking forward to it

I would ask that all forum members support this book by buying a copy asap.This way we open the door for future books on the subject of British comics.

Lew Stringer · Post by **Lew Stringer** » 02 Nov 2006, 10:44

Ian wrote:Ive ordered mine and Im looking forward to it

I would ask that all forum members support this book by buying a copy asap.This way we open the door for future books on the subject of British comics.

Speaking of which, there's another one just been published by the same company, although this one only focuses on sports strips:
http://tinyurl.com/ylm47p

Haven't seen it yet but I have it on order.

Lew

colcool007 · Post by **colcool007** » 02 Nov 2006, 18:53

Lew Stringer wrote:Speaking of which, there's another one just been published by the same company, although this one only focuses on sports strips:
http://tinyurl.com/ylm47p

Haven't seen it yet but I have it on order.

Lew

Now that one I want! Just recently got back into Wilson and Redondo's artwork enhances the fantastic stories. Now have to figure out how to afford both!

Lew Stringer · Post by **Lew Stringer** » 03 Nov 2006, 12:12

colcool007 wrote:
Lew Stringer wrote:Speaking of which, there's another one just been published by the same company, although this one only focuses on sports strips:
http://tinyurl.com/ylm47p

Haven't seen it yet but I have it on order.

Lew
Now that one I want! Just recently got back into Wilson and Redondo's artwork enhances the fantastic stories. Now have to figure out how to afford both!

My copy just arrived. After an enthusiastic introduction it settles into three main segments; one on each of the characters Wilson, Tough of the Track, and Roy of the Rovers. Those three are the book's main focus and each lengthy article treats the characters as if they were real, recounting their life stories (from info taken from the comics). Then there's a concluding chapter which briefly covers some of the other sporting characters such as Johnny Cougar and Billy's Boots.

So unless you're really into those three specific characters, and are more interested in the fictional accounts of their "lives" than the actual history of the comics and their creators, then maybe it won't appeal. It's definitely a nostalgist's book for the "They don't make 'em like that any more" brigade and I imagine the long accounts of each character's fictional achievements would only be of interest to either people who fondly remember the characters or hard core fans of UK comics.

Personally, I much prefer the Gravett book, and I wonder why Great British Comics is a softback when Sporting Supermen (surely with less appeal than its companion book) is the hardback. (Both are from the same publisher.) Admittedly I'm a little biased because I never liked sports stories as a child. Mostly because I was rubbish at sports and always got picked last for the team.

That said, it's good to see any book that raises the profile of comics in this country (and celebrates their history) so at just ?8.57 from Amazon, Sporting Supermen is well worth a look.

Lew

steelclaw · Post by **steelclaw** » 03 Nov 2006, 15:13

Lew I had a look at the said book in "Books" today, it's excellent, Annual size.

[img:500:500]http://images.amazon.com/images/P/18451 ... 63566_.jpg[/img]

steelclaw · Post by **steelclaw** » 03 Nov 2006, 15:17

I will also order this while I'm at it.

[img:500:500]http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/1 ... 08511_.jpg[/img]

Lew Stringer · Post by **Lew Stringer** » 03 Nov 2006, 15:25

Last year's Commando collection turned up cheap in one of those fly by night discount bookshops, so the new one might appear in such places too soon. (Not that they appeal to me I'm afraid.)

Lew

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