Comics UK

Most people here seem to ignore all the new UK comics that are available. Why?

Originally posted by Anonymous on the old forum on 22/1/2006

I do cast a critical eye over the comics stand from time to time.And to be honest,most of it is rubbish.They are either toy tie-ins or Japanamation rip-offs!None of the style of earlier comics.Yes,you are right about nostalgia,but it also relates to the artists and writers.Some people have tried to be too clever and introduce cgi comis such as Striker,but it personally did nothing for me.Which begs the question...hundreds of thousands of former fans are now in the 30 to 50 year old bracket.Where's the huge revival,editors?You have a captive audience waiting for Hotspur,Battle,Action,Valiant,etc to be relaunched.Ready money is waiting for you!

Originally posted by Captain Storm on the old forum on 22/1/2006

For graphic novel reprints of Action (Hookjaw); Eagle (Doomlord/ Dan Dare); Battle (Charley's War); Valiant (Steel Claw) and Lion (Spider), try ordering at http://www.SpitfireComics.co.uk

For online versions of the Leopard from Lime Street from Buster, golden age British comics and new stories in line with the Fleetway tradition for free, go to http://www.StarscapeComic.co.uk

For a pastiche of Fleetway/ DCT comics of the 1970s (such as Charlotte's War and No-Eyed Jim), go to http://www.SolarWindComic.co.uk

Can't say fairer than that!

Originally posted by Anonymous on the old forum on 22/1/2006

hi captain i totaly agree with you on that subject.

Originally posted by John britton on the old forum on 22/1/2006

To follow on from the Captain Storm,most modern comics lack variety.They feature one character week out/week in.
Even Roy of the Rovers(a title that suggested a one character focus)had various strips in it.

Originally posted by Brisey on the old forum on 22/1/2006

Yes, a lot of comics do have media tie ins. That's nothing new, unless we've already forgotten Film Fun, Radio Fun, TV Fun, TV Comic, TV21, Countdown, Look-In, Transformers, Action Force, Ghostbusters,...ah yes Captain Storm, and one called TV Tornado that your namesake edited.

Originally posted by Dan Leno on the old forum on 22/1/2006

If the nostalgia market for classic characters was "hundreds of thousands" then Spaceship Away and Classics from the Comics would be selling that amount. Fact is, most people who grew up on Lion, Hotspur, etc put it behind them and have zero interest in buying a comic now.

Originally posted by Reality Czeck on the old forum on 22/1/2006

Thing is Captain, time moves on and today's comics reflect modern trends just as they always have. In 20 years time the kids reading today's comics will have just as much fondness for them as we have for the comics of our youth.

There's no point in wishing comics were like they used to be. UK comics have always evolved. 40 years ago my Dad didn't think Smash was as good as Film Fun, and my Grandad didn't think Whizzer & Chips was as good as the original Illustrated Chips. Fact is, children's comics are aimed at children. But we can still appreciate the comics of any era, including today's titles, by stepping back from nostalgia and viewing them objectively.

Originally posted by Lew Stringer on the old forum on 23/1/2006

Fair point-but the criteria I used was did the comics entertain my children and the answer was no.
We as mainly Adults can look objectively but ultimately we are not the target audience.Comics that survive more than 2 years seem to be an exception.
If one looks at the US and Europe the target audience has risen and material adapted over the years.
I personally miss the 1st Supergirl-not the T and A new version but it sells.

Originally posted by Brisey on the old forum on 23/1/2006

Yes the target audience for US comics has risen but sales have also dropped. Most US comics sell far less than any UK title, which isn't very good for a country the size of America.

Originally posted by Anonymous on the old forum on 23/1/2006

I still get the Dandy and Beano (well, I'm 13) cause they are the only proper british comics out. If there were more I'd think about getting others. I might stop getting the Beano soon though. It doesn't make me laugh like the Dandy does cause all they do is get into mischief and I don't think that is funny. And it's not that varied. Dandy is though. From a genie to a superhero, from a desperado to some babies. Great stuff!!!

Originally posted by Ben B-S on the old forum on 23/1/2006

How come you don't consider Wallace & Gromit or Lucky Bag Comic "proper British comics" when they're drawn by people who have been working in British comics for 20 years or more?

What decade ever had "proper British comics"? The Eighties were different to the Fifties, which were different to the Thirties, which were different to the 19th Century comics. UK comics have always evolved. There is no "proper" format or style.

Time and time again I get the feeling that when people talk about comics not being "proper British comics" they really mean they're not like they were when THEY were younger. Think outside of the box.

Originally posted by Old Codger on the old forum on 23/1/2006

My kids love Classics from the Comics, preferring it to the new Beano and Dandy, which is a good enough excuse for me to buy it.
It could be just me but today's comics seem to have a higher advert:story ratio and fewer pages to boot.
Finally- I've never seen a copy of Lucky Bag- what's in it?

Originally posted by HighAndMighty on the old forum on 22/1/2006

Pages given to advertising vary. They're always higher on the run up to Christmas as companies are trying to flog their wares, but they're dropped back at present. This has been the case for many years. Advertising revenue is good for publishers. (And historically, it's good to look back on what toys/games/whatever were being sold 20, 40 years ago).

Lucky Bag Comic has been running for several years now. Basically it's a traditional style UK humour comic, monthly, 32 pages, full colour, sealed in a plastic bag along with cheapo toys and sweets. I did strips for about the first 20 or so issues. It must be up to issue 46 or so now. Click on the link below to see a cover.

Originally posted by Lew Stringer on the old forum on 23/1/2006

lew i have just seen your covers gallery and noticed the fun-tastic comic for the first time.can you tell us a bit about it,how was it well recieved,were there any plans in 04 to bring any of these characters back in a new comic.how many pages ,stories etc.i would have liked to of seen a copy.

Originally posted by Big bad bri on the old forum on 23/1/2006