IPC Media, owners of classic comic archive, considers title closures

IPC Media - owners of classic but no longer published titles such as Lion and many comic characters such as the Steel Claw, the Spider and Robot Archie - has announced that it is undertaking a strategic review of its niche and specialist titles.

This is 'corporate speak' for cutting and selling off titles if they aren't doing well.

IPC Media publishes over 85 media brands, with print brands alone reaching almost two thirds of UK women and 44% of UK men – almost 27 million UK adults. In January, it re-organised its publishing businesses, the first phase in a long-term strategy to maintain readership.

IPC Media CEO Evelyn Webster says the strategy, creating a new, audience-facing structure comprising Connect for mass market women, Southbank for upmarket women and Inspire for men, is "working well". But clearly, like many media companies, the company is facing challenges to its publishing business, and there have been many redundancies behind the scenes as it retrenches to better deal with the new media market challenges of web, mobile and print... and magazine closures are also on the cards.

"While print remains the engine that drives our business, we are increasingly focusing on accelerating the development of our multi-platform offerings to our consumers," says Webster.

"As a result we need to review whether it is desirable for IPC to continue to publish the full range of brands that we currently own.

"This review may lead us to conclude that we sell some of our smaller titles to publishers where they would have a stronger strategic fit and will therefore benefit from a greater focus.”

The review will be conducted over the next few months.

If only they would sell off their comics library so someone make something of some of Britain's best-loved comic characters...

In Review: Tripwire 2009 Annual... Simply Awesome!

Regular readers of downthetubes will recall that as a result of distributor Diamond's recently-introduced minimum order levels, this latest edition of ace comics and genre magazine Tripwire is not being distributed in the US. (See news story).

While not the only victim of distribution changes brought on by the recession and, we assume, an attempt by Diamond to focus on promoting releases from bigger companies on the assumption they are to be of higher quality than material published by small independents, in the case of Tripwire this decision was a mistake, because the editorial team led by Joel Meadows have really pulled out the stops with this Annual and delivered a jaw-dropping publication well deserving of purchase and wider (that is, US, availabilty).

The magazine's stunning "Samuel l. Jackson as Nick Fury" cover by Jeff Carlisle (prompted by an in-depth look at Marvel Comics and its 70th anniversary) is the first indication of the title's quality. Design throughout is also superb, with strong text carefully counter-balanced with no shortage of great visuals - both art and photographic. (I'd argue for a consistent three-column layout and same point size throughout in future issues, but this niggly editorial view shouldn't diminish the worth of this product).

Editorially, the annual offers an incredible range of features including an exclusive interview with award-winning genre master Guillermo Del Toro discussing his new novel The Strain as well as a few tidbits on Hellboy 3 and upcoming movie projects; a guide to the critically-acclaimed low budget British sci-fi movie Moon starring Sam Rockwell and directed by Duncan Jones; a Bongo Comics interview with Bill Morrison; an exclusive and beautifully illustrated interview with comics veteran Joe Kubert, a guide to the rise of Tintin and a look at European comics, a handy retrospective to 30 years of Alien films - handy, given news that director Ridley Scott is to return to the franchise; and much, much more, including an eclectic 'Stripwire' section that features comic strips from the likes of Roger Langridge, Declan Shalvey, David Hitchcock and others..

When the project was announced earlier in the year it was described as the best Tripwire yet, and I can only concur - and how. Anyone who argues print is dead should be shown this top-notch, high-quality magazine, to show not only how print still has its place in terms of promoting the comics industry, but also as a template for future magazine publishing in a more digital age.

This is a truly awesome edition of Tripwire - buy it now!

• The Tripwire Annual 2009 is available now from all right-minded and quality comic stores in the UK and online from: www.tripwire-magazine.com

• UK retailers can order Tripwire from Diamond UK, item number APR097907. US retailers should contact Tripwire direct about ordering copies for their stores. Do it now!

• Latest Tripwire news on the Tripwire Twitter feed

• Tripwire on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/31004024@N04

Something Completely Different

... this surely has to rank as one of the best titles for a magazine ever. Someone tell Lew Stringer he was been pipped to the post sometime during the Second World War...

How to Paint Rorschach

A bit late to the table with this one, but what with trips to London and the ramping up of the first of several new web sites during the day, I've been a bit sidetracked - apologies!

The April issue of ImagineFX – on sale now - boasts world-exclusive cover art from Watchmen artist Dave Gibbons, with an in depth workshop ‘How to Paint Rorschach’ and an accompanying video workshop from Dave on our free DVD.

There’s also an eight-page feature looking at the history and influence of the genre-defining comic, with comment from Vertigo Comics president Paul Levitz, Watchmen colourist John Higgins and one of the film’s concept artists Scott Lukowski.

The magazine's DVD also features over nine hours worth of video tuition, along with two fantastic comic creation software trials.

• IFX is on sale in WHSmith, Tesco, and all good newsagents. More info and subscription details at www.imaginefx.com

Electric Sheep Springs on Tainted Love

The all new spring issue of Electric Sheep Magzine, featuring illustrations by Oli Smith, Emma Price and Tom Humberstone and a new comic strip by Mark Stafford, focuses on Tainted Love to celebrate the release of the sweet and bloody pre-teen vampire romance Let the Right One In, with articles on incestuous cinematic siblings, François Ozon’s tales of tortuous relationships, destructive passion in Nic Roeg’s Bad Timing, Julio Medem’s ambiguous lovers and nihilistic tenderness from Kôji Wakamatsu.

Alex Fitch also reviews Timecrimes, in which a man who accidentally travels back into the past and meets himself, and looks at the similarities between Wall-E and the Planet of the Apes (!), Tania Glyde discusses her 'alter-ego' in The Last Seduction and Virginie Selavy interviews Tomas Alfredson, author of Let the Right one in...

• Electric Sheep Magazine is available in good UK bookshops now and available online (with a 15% disconut) at www.wallflowerpress.co.uk/category/electric-sheep

• More info at www.electricsheepmagazine.co.uk/magazine.html


• The March digital edition of Electric Sheep Magazine is online now and includes a review of Watchmen by Alex Fitch, Not Quite Hollywood and Bronson by Mark Stafford and a round table discussion of the short films of Jeff Keen by Tania Glyde, Alex Fitch and Kim Morgan

Crikey! scores with new Creator Interviews

The ninth issue of British comics magazine Crikey! is on sale now in all good comic shops and via its web site (www.crikeyuk.co.uk), featuring interviews with Enrique Romero on his Axa and Modesty Blaise newspaper strips, V for Vendetta and Kickback artist David Lloyd (who recently announced he had contributed to a new French anthology of war stories, Words Of Stars, see his official news page for more information) and a feature by 2000AD co-creator Pat Mills focusing on grils comics creators such as writers Gerry Finley-Day, Jenny McDade, and Misty and Tammy artist John Armstrong.

While there are some gltches in the production of the 52 page black and white 'zine and some 'padding' features that would have been better left on the Internet (such as Derek Wilson's Memory Lane), as cartoonist and British comics expert Lew Stringer notes on his ever-excellent blog, it's a step up from past issues in that the articles feature commentary 'from the source' when it comes to the history of British comics, rather relying on second hand material which Crikey! has been panned for in the past.

"Overall, Crikey! is improving," argues Lew, "but it sometimes depends too much on hazy memories as a substitute for facts." (Read Lew's review of the issue here)

• Crikey! costs £3.99 in shops and by PayPal online. A UK subscription to Crikey! costs £15.96 for four issues, Overseas Surface mail (anywhere) subscription £22, Airmail (Europe): £23.33, Airmail (United States of America/Canada/Australia)£28.00. See www.crikeyuk.co.uk/sub.html for details of current and back issues.

In Review: Dangerous Ink

After we plugged the alternative arts magazine Dangerous Ink recently, editor Tom Green very kindly sent downthetubes copies of the most recent issues -- and I'm very impressed.

Quite aside from the comics-related interviews -- which include 1960s Batman actor Adam West and 2000AD and one time Jane artist John M. Burns -- there's a smashing number of comic strips and illustration included in the magazine, of which Jenny's Weird Friend by Shug (which first featured in Reet! magazine back in 2004) and Batmook by James Howard are my favourites. (Just as an aside, Volume 1 Issue 4 features a double spread of Kreepy Kat, a strip well worth traking down online).

Balancing the comics with alternative art are interviews with pop surrealist Leslie Ditto and illustrator Andy Hixon, and a creepy comic by Spyros Verykios that balances between the two 'halves' of the title.

Melding comics with alternative art may seem a weird combination for a magazine but it works. The design is excellent, with plenty of space given over to stunning and, on occasion, thought-provoking visuals. The writing is succinct and enjoyable, and the choice of comics from a variety of quarters affords their creators a print platform they might not otherwise have enjoyed.

This is a great looking, well put together title that's well worth tracking down and giving a try.

• Dangerous Ink is available from selected newsagents, comic shops and the Dangerous Ink web site.

So Long To Scrye

More bad news in the niche magazine market with word via ICv2 that F&W Media has decided to end publication of Scrye magazine with its April 2009 issue (#131).

Founded back in 1993, Scrye is the longest running periodical reporting on the collectible game market. As with other niche magazines that have folded of late, the rising cost of producing the magazine along with declining subscriber and advertising bases cited as reasons by current Scrye editor Joyce Greenholdt for shutting down the magazine.

Scrye is not the first game-related publication that F&W has shuttered, having closed down the Comics & Games Retailer trade magazine way back in 2007.

ICV2 comments: "the demise of Scrye testifies to continuing softness in the collectible card game market and to the overall effect that the current recession is having on magazines of all types," echoing concerns about the magazine and comics market made elsewhere in the difficult economic times. The title follows other niche titles such as Realms of Fantasy to the Magazine Graveyard, which will also close with its April issue.

Dangerous Ink interviews John M. Burns

(with thanks to Jay Eales): Cosmic Publishing, who also publish Comics International, have just released the first issue of the revamped, alternative arts magazine Dangerous Ink, which includes an interview with 2000AD and one time Modesty Blaise artist John M. Burns.

The interview spans his entire career, starting with his work for Link Studios in the 1950s alongside Harry Lindfield and Gerry Haylock, whose work also featured, much later, in another title he worked on, the 1970s comic Countdown.

Combining comics, 'fine' art, comic strips and more the magazine also has interviews with 1960s Batman actor Adam West and Canadian cartoonist Doug Wright.

The magazine was first conceived back in January 2007 by two Glasgow creatives, Will Couper and Tom Green. Past issues have included interviews with comic creators such as Joe Matt, Thomas Ott and Frank Quitely.

• Dangerous Ink is available from selected newsagents, comic shops and the Dangerous Ink web site.

Stacking the odds for Indie Magazines Success

Here's an idea which some enterprising comics publisher, or comics distributor, might consider as a way to drum up interest in their full range of titles.

The financial crisis will make 2009 a year of high innovation for independent magazines, according to Stack, a new association of independent publishers, described as the world’s first independent magazine recommendation and subscription service.

In an interesting way of drumming up new readership for the magazines, using Stack's new service readers can sign up to a single annual subscription and every month a different independent magazine is sent direct to their door. They never know exactly what’s coming next, but they do know that it will offer a beautiful and intelligent view from outside the mainstream, and at just £3 per issue, it’s cheaper than buying the same magazines in the shops.

“When we were researching Stack, people told us that their personal tastes were creative, intelligent and independent,” says Steven Watson, the group's founder, “but when we asked whether they read magazines that reflected those values, nearly 60% said no. Stack aims to bridge that gap by making it easier than ever for people to get hold of fantastic magazines.”

Without the marketing budgets of the bigger publishing houses, independent magazines have always had to find creative and cost-effective ways of reaching readers, and Stack is just one innovation currently emerging from the UK’s cash-strapped independents.

Magazines featured on the service include titles such as Russia!, Worn, Bearded, Plan B, Bad Idea, B-East and Electric Sheep.


BAD IDEA presents... Printomortis – Episode 1 from BAD IDEA magazine on Vimeo.

In related news for indie magazines promotion, the features magazine Bad Idea (www.badidea.co.uk) has this week launched Printomortis, a fictional TV mini-series that follows life at an independent magazine in the dying days of print. (The first episode may ring bells with many indie comics publishers, I suspect...)

Made in association with Channel 4 filmmaker Bronwen Parker-Rhodes, the series will run online and takes a satirical look at the troubles currently faced by print magazines.

“In the current climate, publishing businesses who remain overly reliant on advertising revenues will find life difficult,” says Jack Roberts, a founding editor of Bad Idea. “We’ve had to diversify our business and also experiment to reach new audiences, whether that’s by creating a web TV mini-series, conceiving and running new event concepts for clients like the V&A and Channel 4, or setting up the world’s first fully integrated online submissions facility for aspiring contributors. Stack is a brilliant example of the kind of fresh, imaginative thinking that is necessary if independent magazines are to hurdle the financial challenges we all face.”

Meanwhile, movie magazine Little White Lies is demonstrating that a magazine can both profit from and remain independent of the industry it covers. Renowned as the UK’s most honest and unmerciful film title, LWLies’ design team also create award-winning movie posters and branding for individual film distributors. The synergy between magazine and industry is demonstrated perfectly in the posters currently advertising the LWLies ‘Che’ issue.

The posters, which feature the magazine cover and the release date of the movie, were paid for by Che’s distributors Optimum, in a mutually beneficial move designed to get people into cinemas to see Che, and to get people into WHSmith to buy the magazine.

“We never pick cover movies for commercial reasons, or are paid or influenced by film distributors for our choices. We just love them, and we want to shout about them,” says Danny Miller, publisher of LWLies.

“When we work with great film distributors like Optimum, they understand this and are keen to help us out.”

• Check out Stack and the titles offered at: www.stackmagazines.com

Planetary Stories with a British flavour...

(via writer Erwin K. Roberts): The coming of the new year also brings new issues of the quarterly sister web magazines Planetary Stories and Pulp Spirit, described by their editor as an online homage to the S-F pulp magazines of the 1930s through the 1950s. Some stories in the latest issues have a British element, hence this news story.

The Planetary Stories masthead proclaims "Galaxies Smashed, Worlds Saved, Time Travelled." The lead story in the 13th issue is "Acroscaphe" by Lou Antonelli and Edward Morris. Here, at the height of the Cold War, is a potential First Contact tale. The Royal Navy discovers a strange sphere floating in the mid-Atlantic. A NATO wide team is assembled to investigate.

While Planetary Stories covers the science-fiction and fantasy areas of adventure fiction, Pulp Spirit ranges across many other genres. Issue #4 features two westerns, a Spicy Armadillo story, plus Erwin K. Roberts' latest contribution.

In "How The Name Came" by Erwin, a Yankee pilot lands (literally) in the middle of a British special operations mission on some of those 'very special islands' in the WW2 Pacific Theatre of Operations. Strange and Terrible Things follow.

• Planetary Stories #13: www.planetarystories.com/PS13.htm
• Pulp Spirit #4: www.planetarystories.com/PulpSpirit4.htm

Starscape Comic Turns Magazine

For the past seven or so years, Chris Smillie's Starscape has been a comic then a webcomic, inspired by the idea of the evolution of traditional British comics, such as 2000AD, Mighty World of Marvel, Eagle and the Victor, taking up the title 'Valiant for the 21st Century'.

Now, Chris has announced Starscape comic has evolved into Starscape comic magazine.

Now, along with all-new comic strips from emerging and established creators from 2000AD, Marvel, DC Thomson etc., plus classic tales from the golden age to modern classics, Starscape also presents Comicscape and Moviescape, offering news feeds, reviews of current and past comics, graphic novels, tv series and films, plus downloads of classic movies, serials, cartoons and fanfilms.

Chris wants all fans of the title to get involved in the revamp, perhaps by sharing your views on the latest graphic novel, a favourite fantasy book or a sci-fi drama from many years ago. If you have the desire to interview comic creators (contacts preferred but not required) or are looking for somewhere to publish your comic, or a story to draw, then head over to StarscapeComic.co.uk or pitch your ideas to Chris via editorATstarscapecomic.co.uk.

Please note, there's no indication in Chris' PR for the relaunch that there is any renumeration for contributions -- check with him for more information.

In Review: The Tripwire Annual 2008

Review by John Freeman

Joel Meadows has edited and designed Tripwire since 1992, and, as editor of the magazine and a freelance journalist for newspapers such as The Times, The Indpendent and various other titles, has interviewed almost everyone of import in the comics world, including Alex Ross, Alan Moore, Mike Mignola and more.

Despite his numerous other writing credits, it's Tripwire that remains his passion (that, and photography) and this passion is nowhere more evident than in the pages of the latest annual, wraped this time in a gorgeous Doctor Who cover by Tommy Lee Edwards.

With a remit that includes television, film and animation as well as comics, I'd best describe this as an essential snapshot of developments in those industries, something that magazine and books can deliver that the web, with its constantly changing flux of material, cannot. Readers could pick up this Magazine five years from now and get a feel for some of the cutting edge developments for key sectors of the entertainment industry in 2008, and still learn from the sheer wealth of material included.

This latest annual is elegantly designed by someone who knows the best way to present the visuals in a way that complements the editorial -- something many magazine designers, with their idiotic predilection for seeming hip, using white lettering on brash colours that make whole sections illegible for example fail to achieve. The title offers a fascinating, carefully chosen selection of material, presented in a way that will appeal not just to fans of an article's subject matter but also for those simply dipping into the mysteries of, for example, Futurama or the many worlds of Michael Moorcock, for the first time.

Features include interviews with Bryan Fuller about the Emmy award-nominated hit TV show Pushing Daisies; with Tim Kring and Jeph Loeb on the future of Heroes; a celebration of the "renaiassance" of British sci-fi, wirh articles covering Doctor Who (fronted by a stunning double page illustration by Jeff Carlisle), Life on Mars and Primeval (the latter highlighting design secrets on the show); an entertaining and informative interview with Matt Groening, David Cohen and Bill Morrison discussing the return of Futurama in the form of made-for-DVD movies as well as to TV; and a look at Pinewood Studios’ new plans.

For comics fans, the annual includes an enjoyable by Andrew Colman feature on the seventy year history of Superman; an interview with graphic novelist Posy Simmonds, author of Tamara Drewe and Gemma Bovary, who talks about illustration and her career; and a feature about the career of James Bond storyboard artist Martin Asbury; and a much fought over list of 15 grahic novels for 'regular readers', books the Tripwire team recommend for people who don't read comics such as Ethel & Ernest by Raymond Briggs and We Can Still be Friends by Mawil.

Michael Moorcock also talks about Elric - a film starring the character is imminent - and Walt Simonson, Michael Whelan and P. Craig Russell discuss translating Moorcock’s vision to the comics.

There's plenty more, too: the magazine is a veritable cornocupia of visual and editorial delight for someone like me, rounded off with a small selection of short. sharp but carefully selected comic strips from creators such as Roger Langridge, Jamie McKelvie and Declan Shalvey, whose No Witnesses is "silent strip" perfection in terms of storytelling.

This is a truly excellent collection, taking full advantage of the beauty of print in presenting stunning visuals in a way that the Internet has yet to emulate in any meaningful way. Editor Joel Meadows has an instinctive feel for the advantages of print as opposed to the immediacy of the electronic medium and puts those skills to good use throughout.

The next Tripwire Special will be released at the end of February 2009 and will focus on Superheroes in comics, TV and Film and in the works are a Joss Whedon interview, a DC feature that chats to Grant Morrison and Geoff Johns about the current state of play in the DC Universe, a Marvel feature that chats to Brian Bendis and Ed Brubaker and also a looks at Marvel in the wake of Secret Invasion. Look out for updates via Joel's Walls and Bridges blog.

• You can buy Tripwire from any good comic shop (or they should be able to order it for you via Diamond). The title will be available soon via online sales points.

Links

Tripwire Annual: www.tripwireannual.com
In development as of 18 September 2008
• Walls and Bridges: Joel Meadoews' Blog • Tripwire Specific Posts (including layout examples)
• Read a 2008 interview with Joel Meadows, discussing his other 2008 project, and Studio SpaceTripwire on the Forbidden Planet International blog • Buy the 2007 Tripwire Annual from amazon.co.uk which includes interview with Mike Mignola

Doctor Who DVD Files Magazine "Market Tested"

Last month, we reported on a new Doctor Who magazine in development from part works publishers GE Fabbri, publishers of the Doctor Who magazine Battles in Time and magazine-video titles such as Ronnie Barker, Charmed and Stargate SG-1.

Although GE Fabbri confirmed the Doctor Who DVD Files part work was in development at the time of our first report, they told downthetubes the project was at a very early stage but that "early development" has now reached a limited "market test" in the Tyne Tees TV region of the UK.

The tests usually run for some eight issues before a later nationwide launch, beginning again (obviously) at number one.

Copies of the test are on sale in outlets such as WH Smiths in Scarborough and the title, which we're told will start with a focus on the new series that began with Christopher Eccleston but may later feature older stories from the original Doctor Who, is clearly aimed at younger readers, as was Battles in Time, which recently completed its initial run.

Based on the test issues it appears the first run of the Magazine will cover all four seasons of the show to date and the Christmas specials.

Doctor Who Part Work in the Offing

(with thanks to Jeremy Bentham and Tony Clark): Alerted by a posting on the web site of Blackpool's Who shop, it seems plans are afoot to release a Doctor Who DVD Files Magazine.

Part works publishers GE Fabbri, publishers of the Doctor Who magazine Battles in Time and magazine-video titles such as Ronnie Barker, Charmed and Stargate SG-1 are behind the plans, but told downthetubes the project was at a very early stage.

"This magazine is still in a development stage and we are not able to confirm where and when this magazine will be tested in the UK," a spokesperson told us.

If the project goes ahead it will join Battles in Time, Doctor Who Adventures and Doctor Who Magazine on British news atands, as well as Titan's Torchwood Magazine. Talk about your Time Lord takeover...

Pubishing News Closes, Victim of Web Competition

British book trade weekly Publishing News, which has occasionally covered graphic novels and related illustrated books in its pages, is to cease publication. The issue of Friday July 25th will be the last.

In a statement on the magazine's website the publishers stated the publication, founded in 1979, has been hit by the same problems that have affected all magazines and newspapers: advertisers have shifted increasing proportions of their spend to online and direct sales.

The closure reflects problems facing all niche publishers. Titan Magazines, for excample, moved its SF magazine Dreamwatch to the web some time ago.

'This has been a sad and difficult decision to make," commented PNL's founder and Chairman, Fred Newman, commented, "but the nature of the book trade which today offers a multiplicity of ways for publishers to sell books both to booksellers and to consumers has changed dramatically. For the biggest book publishers, the trade press is now only one of many options for the promotion and sale of their titles."

Newman stressed that all other activities of PN Ltd are unaffected by the closure of Publishing News. The company will continue to organise the British Book Awards and has recently signed a new two-year contract with its headline sponsor, Galaxy. The team involved in the management both of the Awards and the British Book Industry Awards, Alastair Giles, Merric Davidson and Midas PR, will continue in their roles.

Also unaffected is the Christmas Books Catalogue, a joint venture with the BA. The 2008 edition is now in production and close to one million copies will be distributed through bookshops. BML, the leading research agency for the book business, will also continue, mounting its usual Books and the Consumer Conference in March 2009.

Art Reviw - 30 stars of tomorrow

Glossy art magazine the Art Review showcases 30 stars of Tomorrow in its March 2008 edition and, although he's not featured on the actual list it self, 2000AD artist Ian Gibson makes a play for some of Charles Saatchi's spare cash by illustrating the cover of the magazine.

• Keep up to date on all things Art Review related here...
http://www.artreview.com/

Book and Magazine Collector 292

The latest issue of Book and Magazine Collector, number 292 dated March 2008, has two comics related articles by the writing duo of David Ashford and Norman Wright.

In the latest of the Great British Comic Artists series they cover Mike Hubbard, best known for taking over the Daily Mirror's Jane strip from Norman Pett, but who also worked on Knockout, Tina, Modern Wonder and Look and Learn amongst others. The 13 page article includes a photo of the artist and a short Price Guide to his publication.

Ashford and Wright also contribute the cover story, One Hundred Years of Billy Bunter. This 14 page article covers the Bunter character from his original appearance in The Magnet story paper in 1908 to his last new appearance in the novel Bunter's Last Fling in 1965.

If the comics articles in the magazine aren't enough to tempt you to buy the issue there is also a 13 page feature on the American science fiction author Theodore Sturgeon.

• Book and Magazine Collector costs £3.50 and is available from WH Smith or directly from the B&MC website.
• (Quite coincidentally, Lew Stringer has just posted an entertaining feature on Billy Bunter on his blog along with samples from various strips - and so has Steve Holland on Bear Alley).

Exclusive: Stand By For Action!

Comics International is to continue its unique coverage of classic TV SF in British comics with six linked features devoted to the shows of Gerry Anderson.

Written by Shaqui Le Vesconte, a leading expert on Anderson in comics (he's webmaster for Gerry Anderson: The Complete Comics History), this mammoth and exhaustive series is to showcase artwork by some of the world’s top illustrators who brought the fantastic worlds of International Rescue and Spectrum to life on the page, including such greats as Frank Bellamy, Ron Embleton and Mike Noble.

This special series begins in Comics International #205 (March 2008) under a special tribute cover, with an overview of Anderson’s 45-year long association with comics. With each succeeding 100-page issue also featuring an appropriate Anderson cover, Part 2 (CI #206) focuses on the early years spotlighting Four Feather Falls, Supercar, Fireball XL5 and Stingray in the 1960s weekly, TV Comic.

Part 3 (#207) is dedicated to the many strip incarnations of Thunderbirds while Part 4 (#208) features Captain Scarlet and Joe 90. Comics based on Anderson’s live action projects, UFO, Space:1999 and others are explored in Part 5 (#209) while Part 6 (#210) wraps it all up with a look at Project SWORD, Agent 21, Starcruiser and those Anderson concepts seen only in comics or test story form.

Anderson’s many creations have not just appeared in British titles. His vivid futures hold global appeal to young and old alike. Accordingly, the six-parter will also explore various international editions.

Cosmic Publications is offering Gerry Anderson devotees an exclusive a money-saving opportunity to have these six special issues 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).

To take advantage of this offer, email subscriptions@comics-international.co.uk with your name, address and payment details quoting reference FAB01 OFFER or send to: Comics International (Department FAB01), 8 Galliford Road, Maldon, Essex CM9 4XD, England. PayPal [sales@comics-international.co.uk] and all major credit cards accepted. Make cheques etc payable to Cosmic Publications. Subscriptions enquiries telephone: 01621 877231 [011-44-1621 8772321 from North America].

Acquired by Cosmic Publications at the end of 2006, Comics Iinternational was launched in April 1990 to fill a need for a trade magazine for the US and UK comics industry. From its 48-page 4,000 copy debut, it has expanded to a 100-page monthly with many pages in full colour and a circulation in excess of 24,000. Read internationally by fans, collectors, publishers and creators, it is the independent guide to the world of English-language comics.

Murky Depths

A quick plug now for Murky Depths, a quarterly anthology of top quality speculative fiction, including comics, with sprinklings of horror and fantasy that push the boundaries of science fiction. The first issue was released a couple of months ago but the editor has just shoved its existence under our nose, so we're obligingly giving it a plug on Hallowe'en (review will come later).

Each story in the magazine is complimented with its own unique artwork and the title also features articles that cut across the genres and mixed disciplines add authority, humour and maybe a little controversy.

The first issue features several short stories including State Your Name, a short story by the brilliant Jon Courtenay Grimwood (illustrated by Denis Pacher), and four comic strips:
Death and the Maiden, Part I by Richard Calder, The Other Woman by Chris Lynch (art Dark Smith), Empathy by Luke Cooper and I Bleed Light by Ed Norden. There's also an interview with Monkeys With Machineguns publisher Chris Lynch.

If you are thinking of sending Murky Depths a submission, read their Submission Guidelines first since, if these are not followed they may reject your story unread. Not only does Murky Depths publish established authors but also encourages and welcomes new writers.

• A single issue of Murky Depths costs £6.99 and you can buy it from their web site.