Multiverse Sneek Preview Released

After some teasing of comic fans last month, Multiverse - a new comics news magazine from by former Comics International editor Mike Conroy and team, which will be distributed to UK comic shops - has been announced.

A 20-page sampler available to read online here (or download here, PDF link) and other places on the web.

Visitors to the British International Comic Show this weekend will be able to pick up copies of a print version and the actual magazine itself is set to debut at the London MCM Expo at the end of the month (although copies may also reach BICS, too).

The free Zero Issue, which includes items on developments for Batman into a global franchise and Marvel's Spider-Girl will also be distributed in comic shops.

Barry Renshaw, perhaps best known for his work on the new Eagle Initiative and Redeye Magazine, is also involved in the project.

"I’m extremely proud of Multiverse," says Mike in his editorial. "It will be a £2.50 news magazine running to 52 pages and will plug the huge hole left on this side of the Atlantic by the demise of Comics International."

Unashamedly populist each issue will offer a mix of reports, interviews and features covering all aspects of the comics industry.

"It’ll provide straight forward reportage without hype and without bias alongside the much-missed rundown on all the UK-based comics events, in-store happenings and new
shop openings," says Mike.

After the problems Comics International had, why is Mike, who came off badly from that whole debacle, taking the risk of lanching a similar title? Is he mad? Isn’t print heading the way of the dinosaur, the dodo and the great auk?

"Well, if I thought it were, I wouldn’t be staking my future on Multiverse," he says. "Neither would I be as excited as I am over the prospect of being management-free, to produce the
kind of comics magazine that I envisage. And as for my sanity in taking this on… the jury’s out on that one!

"Digital – whether Internet news sites or downloadable comics – isn’t a replacement for hard
copy magazines, it’s simply a new competitor, which can coexist," he argues. "It won’t kill off publishing any more than television finished off radio or DVDs brought an end to cinema."

We certainly hope Mike's right. From forum posts over on the downthetubes forum, we know a lot of people miss a title like Comics International. Let's hope Multiverse fills the gap.

•  Read the Mulitiverse sampler available online here 

• Download the sampler as a PDF

• What do you think of Multiverse? Discuss it in the downtheubes forum (registration required)

Mystery of the Multiverse...

Could a Comics International-style comics magazine be in the offing? It certainly seems that way, judging by this image that just popped into the downthetubes mailbox...

Comics International publisher company dissolved

Cosmic Publications, previously publishers of Comics International (and, for a while, Dangerous Ink magazine), has been dissolved.

News broke after fans of Comics International spotted the dissolution of the company on the Companies House web site spelling an end, perhaps, to any further speculation that the much-loved comics news magazine created by veteran editor and publisher Dez Skinn might one day return.

Cosmic Publications bought Comics International from Dez after interest from several other publishers. Edited by Mike Conroy, sadly, the takeover proved problematic almost immediately, with late running publication and internal issues affecting production, before the magazine finally disappeared.

Despite several request for updates, downthetubes and other comics media made no headway with publisher Peter Boyce, who last claimed the title was "not dead" last September.

"Comics International dead?" Peter Boyce, also owner of Movie New Media told us. "It's news to me."

His comments came despite the lack of any regular issues, with the last publications being two Comics International Specials last July.

If the dissolution of Cosmic Publications means Comics International has now gone for good, will anyone step up and take on the title?

downthetubes understands that several companies have considered a new British-based comics magazine - aside, of course, from the British comics-devoted Crikey! - but have been waiting patiently to see if and when CI might return.

• More comments on the apparent demise of Comics International on the downthetubes forum

Comics International Not Dead, Says Publisher

Peter Boyce, publisher of Comics International, has categorically denied the long-running magazine has been cancelled, even though a regular issue has not been published for some months.

downthetubes approached Mr Boyce for comment after former editor and publisher Dez Skinn lamented the woeful state of modern genre publishing in the UK in a personal email. "I gather two of me wee bairns have died in the last month," he told us, "first Comics International and now Starburst."

The casual comment rang alarm bells with us, as we have been asking Comic International's editorial team for confirmation of the title's return for some time. But while the release date of a new issue has not been announced, we're pleased to report the title has not been cancelled.

"Comics International dead?" Peter Boyce, owner of Movie New Media has invested in several comic-related projects including the arts magazine Dangerous Ink and others, responded. "It's news to me."

Two Comics International Specials were published in July (see news story), suggesting perhaps that the frequency of the magazine was being changed. We're delighted to hear that the magazine may be returning.

Current CI Editor Mike Conroy was unavailable for comment but Dez said he was delighted to hear the rumours were ill-founded, adding "Ecstatic and relieved!

While enjoying the lack of deadlines in his life (as the picture below shows) "Perhaps foolishly, we bought out one of the UK's leading back issue dealers shortly after selling Comics International," he tells us.

"Outside of a 16-year emotional attachment, it would be nice to have somewhere to actually advertise all that stock to keep my merry band busy!

"As for Starburst, it's a shame it never evolved instead of becoming merely a forgotten pathfinder for SFX."

Above: Dez Skinn enjoying 'retirement' from magazine publishing with Mail Order Manager Charlotte and best pal Leonie (who give Dez a lift in times of worry). Picture courtesy of Dez Skinn

Comics International Specials Go On Sale

Two Comics International Specials are now on sale in comic shops -- but the regular magazine is still in limbo, the next announced as not due until August.

The Star Trek Special celebrates the recent released JJ Abrams’ Star Trek movie reboot, looking back over four decades of the comicbook adventures of the Starship Enterprise. Charting the course of Star Trek comics from the very first 1967 issue from Gold Key all the way to IDW’s latest titles and taking in alternate realities, multiverse crossovers and more, this latest CI one-shot takes you on a warp speed tour through some of the strangest new worlds and civilisations you’ll never see on TV.

Heavily illustrated and showcasing unpublished artwork and more, it features interviews with key Star Trek creators, including British contributors to the Trek mythos - Dan Abnett, Mike Collins and Ian Edginton - as well as creators such as writers Mike W Barr and Diane Duane along with artists Gordon Purcell, David Messina and Scott Tipton. Star Trek fans who aren't even that interested in comics may be persuaded to pick up the £4.99 Special by the inclusion of interviews with Walter Koenig, who played Chekov in the original Star Trek series and Voyager‘s Doctor, Robert Picardo.

The Magazine is well designed - although perhaps with even more pages, the creator interviews could have been given more space and additional visuals - but this is a mere nitpick. It also includes a feature on the British Star Trek material created for the 1960s title Joe 90: Top Secret and later issues of TV21, material that many US Star Trek fans are unaware of. Definitely one for Trek fans to check out.

Also out now is Comics International Horror Special, going behind the scenes on some of the goriest and scariest titles in recent months. Designed more like the 'regular' Comics International title, it includes interviews with Tim Bradstreet, Alan Grant and other writers and artists responsible for such fear-drenched comics as Stephen King’s The Stand, Age of Desire, Savage, The Dead, Golly and Zombie Cop.

Also featured are Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch (sadly, in what looks like a print error that also seems to have affected the alignment of pages, the interview with Si Spurrier is unexpectedly truncated, simply cut at the bottom of the page, mid-sentence, never to be returned to) Superman and Batman vs Vampires and Werewolves.

The 52-page issue costs just £2.50 ($4.99) and is again on sale in many comic shops.

While it's great to see these Specials on sale -- particularly the Star Trek title, which is an impressive piece of work in terms of interview material and breadth alone -- along with these Specials comes the perhaps grim news that the next regular issue of Comics International (#208) is now currently not set to appear until early August. The continued delay is not helping the magazine: even loyal readers who've been in touch with downthetubes are in despair over its missing-in-action status.

"I'm a bit miffed at CI's attitude to be honest to its customers," said one on the downthetubes forum. "I think it's really poor - and having 're-discovered' [Diamond trade catalogue] Previews, it has all I need really and can be counted on month after month to be on the shelves

"If Comics International gets back on track properly I may go back to it, or if #208 is a good relevant up to date issue I may pick it up."

While we're aware that there have been many behind the scenes problems that have sadly combined, through no fault of those directly involved in the magazine's production, to sabotage attempts to re-establish a monthly frequency, the future of Comics International still seems far from secure. Let's hope the naysayers fears are, however, unfounded...

• More about Comics International at: www.comics-international.co.uk

Comics International Back for San Diego

Prompted by fans questions over on the downthetubes forum, Comics International's Barry Renshaw has sent us a short but hopeful message on the future of the much-missed comics news magazine, which has been consigned to scheduling hell for several months.

"We appreciate people have been waiting on info on Comic International's future," he says, "and [editor] Mike [Conroy] and I are working on a press release for the relaunch with 208 which will address all the queries of the forum.

"#208 will be out to coincide with the San Diego Comic Con and re-establish the monthly frequency we've been having problems with."

Barry adds that the CI Star Trek Special and the Horror Special should be in shops next week: having seen the interiors of the Trek Special it should prove a definite collector's item. It's beautifully designed and encompasses the entire history of Trek in comics with plenty of accompanying visuals. Fingers crossed, its publication will finally bring an end to CI's publication woes.

• More about Comics International at: www.comics-international.co.uk

Missing in Action: Off the Frame

One casualty of the delayed publication of Comics International was a special "Off The Frame" cartoon by John Freeman and Paul Harrsion-Davies, the brief to note news of a proposed Weerewolf by Night film project and tie in with issue's Captain America feature.

Something of the moment, it's unlikely it will now feature in the magazine, which is particularly disappointing since Paul, to his credit, turned the art around to a tight deadline, only for the title to fall into a publishing void for some months. Such is life in publishing sometimes...

With that in mind, I'm happy to publish it here for your (hopeful) enjoyment... Comments welcome!

Comics International #207 - On Sale At Last

Much delayed, Comics International #207 is now on sale, offering a variety of comics features, reviews and news items covering comics on both sides of the Atlantic (and beyond).

Alongside features on the new Watchmen movie, out next month, Marvel Apes (released last year), DC/Wildstorm's recently-launched Gears of War (launched last October), Joe Kubert's Unknown Soldier, Captain America and the new El Diabolo title (launched last September) are several features of interest to British comics fans.

Jim McCarthy talks candidly about Ominbus Press's Sex Pistols: The Graphic Biography, drawn by Steve Parkhouse, published last year, while Shaqui le Vesconte continues his engaging history of comics inspired by the TV shows of Gerry Anderson, which includes spreads by Frank Bellamy and Don Harley, and rare early drafts from The Complete Thunderbirds project by illustrator Andrew Skilleter.

Also in the issue is an interview with Jason Wilson, co-creator of the controversial Smuggling Vacation graphic novel.

While some of the issue's coverage of the comics world is perhaps a little dated by force of circumstance -- those circumstances not explained in the magazine, which is sure to puzzle subscribers and others -- downthetubes is assured the team fully intend to make certain #208 is not6 so long a wait, and two Comics International Specials are even now close to completion to complement the Magazine. (More news on those soon).

• Comics International is available now from comic shops and the official web site

Comics International Goes Ape!

In the latest issue of Europe’s comics industry trade paper, which goes on sale week beginning 29 September, writer Karl Kesel, artist Ramon Bachs and editor Steve Wacker talk exclusively to Comics International about making monkeys out of superheroes in Marvel Ape while a special Apes in Comics feature provides the lowdown on four colour primates.

Featuring four alternate covers and priced at the usual £2.99/$4.99, the 100-page Issue 207 also contains Selling Captain America to the World, in which a host of top creators offer their views on how those outside America might react to the in-development movie that features Marvel’s patriotic superhero in action during World War II.

Also included alongside a comprehensive news section are a host of regular features and columns as well as numerous other exclusives, among them:

• The writer/artist team of Joshua Ortega and Liam Sharp discussing Gears of War, DC/WildStorm’s tie-in with Microsoft’s soon-to-be-released sequel to its top-selling computer game.
• Vertigo’s new Unknown Soldier faces tribal genocide and other horrors in 21st century Uganda: Joshua Dysart and artist Alberto Ponticelli reveal the hard work and passion that went into melding comicbook fiction with real life tragedy.
• As reported by downthetubes, Jason Wilson’s Smuggling Vacation has caused a stir in the British media. The cartoonist discusses the genesis of his controversial debut graphic novel
• Writer Peter Milligan plumbs The Depths as he offers his thoughts on Namor and reveals the outlines his Sub-Mariner six-parter for Marvel.
• El Diablo is being revived and writer Jai Nitz reveals his intentions for the new version of DC’s 1960s hero. Artist Phil Hester talks about the project from his point of view while also discussing Golly, the series he is writing for Image.
• Thunderbirds are Go! CI’s unique in-depth examination of TV SF in British comics continues with the third in a six-part series devoted to strip spin offs from Gerry Anderson shows. This time the focus is the the ever popular rescue drama series that made SuperMarionation a household word.

• For more about Comics International visit www.comics-international.co.uk

Comics International Returns to Action!

After a prolonged absence from comic shops, Comics International is finally about to return to the stands -- and is offering its readers the opportunity to win a ClanDestine original specially drawn for the competition by British writer/artist Alan Davis, the creator of the Marvel series.

The art (pictured above) can be won in the much-delayed issue #206 of Europe’s comics trade paper, which goes on sale week ending 8th August. Featuring four alternate covers (see below) and priced at the usual £2.99/$4.99, the special 116-page issue includes an interview with Alan about his plans for his superpowered family as well as a host of regular of regular features and numerous other exclusives, among them:

• Famed Cerebus cartoonist Dave Sim talks about glamourpuss – in which he takes a unique look at the fashion industry – and Judenhass, which shines a disturbing spotlight on the Holocaust

• Strangers in Paradise writer/art Terry Moore reveals all about his new self-published series, Echo.

• Crime novelist Duane Swierczynski discusses Cable and his Lone Wolf and Cub-style reboot of Marvel’s time-travellin’ mutant bad-ass.

• Writers Dan Jurgens and Ron Marz discuss DC’s multiverse; specifically the restoration of the Tangent Universe in Tangent: Superman’s Reign.

• Writer Joe Casey speaks about the challenge of resurrecting Rob Liefeld’s Youngblood, his own Image graphic novel, Nixon’s Pals, and writing The Last Defenders for Marvel. In addition, artist Chris Burnham talks about how Nixon’s Pals was developed.

• Original Hellblazer writer Jamie Delano talks comics and in particular Narcopolis, the Avatar four-parter he describes as being “in the territory of adult horror/fantasy”.

• From Four Feather Falls to Stingray... Comics International's ongoing in-depth examination of TV SF in British comics continues with the second of six installments focusing on strips based on shows from Gerry Anderson, the man who made SuperMarionation a household word.

It's good to see the magazine finally back on the stands and let's hope the title is finally over its production difficulties and back on a regulat schedule at last.

Alan Davis' new CI Cover

Courtesy of Comics International editor Mike Conroy, downthetubes is one of the first sites to be able to post a sneak peek of Alan Davis' stunning cover for Issue 206 of the comics news magazine.

The issue includes a competition to win some ClanDestine artwork, Alan's latest Marvel Comics book.

• Visit the Comics International web site

Comics International back in favour

After many behind the scenes problems too tiresome to detail here, there's some good news for Cosmic Publications, the publishers of comics news magazine Comics International, with the Famous StarStore blog the latest to offer a positive review of the title, now hopefully back on production schedule.

"The reinvented British comics industry monthly is going from strength to strength," they reveal to the uneducated who might not already know, and "This latest issue [of Comics International] features some great stuff, including a great piece on the Dan Dare relaunch, features on Heroes, 30 Days of Night, Stardust, World of Warcraft comics and more."

Giving the magazine a 10/10 rating, the store's staff reckon "This title really is indispensable, and remains very readable for a wide audience of fans, pros and the curious. Their coverage of the obscure and forgotten is always entertaining too. A magazine that deserves a much larger readership."

For those who don't pick up Comics International already from their local comic store, the magazine proves its quality by publishing the Really Heavy Greatcoat by myself and artist Nick Miller, so we're inevitably a little biased about it. But if you haven't picked up an issue in a while, Issue 205 may be a good place to start. In addition to the features above it also includes a terrific piece on Gerry Anderson TV series-inspired comics such as TV Century 21 and Countdown by Shaqui le Vesconte - the first of six features spanning over 40 years of comics.

• Cosmic Publications is offering Gerry Anderson devotees an exclusive a money-saving opportunity to have these six special issues featiring Anderson-related features delivered direct to their door every month as they come off the presses. Not only is it dropping its usual 12-issue minimum, but it is offering six issues for the price of five! Get #205-210 for just 15 (19 first class) in the UK; mainland Europe 25/36; rest of the world $60 (air)/$46 (surface). Full details here

New Comics International Issue No.202

It's been an unsettled few months for Comics International but the new issue is a corker. Down the Tubes writers Ian Wheeler and John Freeman, along with Dez Skinn, continue their look at comics based on cult TV shows by examining Danger Man (look out for The Prisoner soon).

There's also news of a new classic Star Trek comic, a superb feature on Spiderman 3 and Pat Mills talks about his revamp of MACH 1 (oh yes!). Nice issue, Mike!

Ian Wheeler

Comics International sells out

Just had an e-mail from Comics International editor Mike Conroy who tells me demand for its first issue of the new-look mag has been phenomenal and retailers around the UK are reporting a virtual sell out within the first four days of the 100-page#201 going on sale.

The issue includes a piece on TV's The Avengers by myself, Ian Wheeler and Dez Skinn, and of course I'd like to think it was this that boosted the sales, although it's more likely to be pent up demand for the delayed magazine -- it was worth the wait, though! -- and coverage of Frank Miller's stunning 300 movie.

Conroy advises that anyone requiring extra copies of the £2.99 issue are urged to phone 01621 877 231 as soon as possible. Publisher Cosmic Publications has less than 300 copies left in its warehouse and these are being made available for reorder to retailers on their usual terms. The minimum reorder quantity is 10 copies.

Comics International #202 is scheduled for April 13 and will include a Danger Man in comics feature.