Radio interviews with Tim Pilcher, Graham Rawle and Paul Magrs

Book List: Celebrating Ephemera

Starting a new series of the bimonthly show on books, Alex Fitch talks to three authors whose work celebrates ephemera and pop culture detritus. 'Graphic Novelist' Graham Rawle discusses his latest novel The Card, which follows the journey of a man who believes he is being employed by the secret service to protect Princess Diana, via playing cards, bubble-gum cards and cigarette cards that are left in his path. Rawle is an author and University of Brighton lecturer who uses graphic design and typography in his work, including collage of text from magazines (Woman's World) and photographic montages (Lost Consonants et al.).

Also, Tim Pilcher talks about his crowd-funded memoir Comic Book Babylon which documents his time working at DC Comics' London office in the 90s, meeting pop culture celebrities such as Grant Morrison, Jonathan Ross, The Spice Girls and Adam Ant; while Paul Magrs chats about his novels and audio plays set around the fringes of Doctor Who, including his latest release Vince Cosmos, Glam Rock Detective where a Ziggy Stardust style pop star turns out to be engaged in an on-going war with aliens on Earth. Magrs also discusses his popular ‘Brenda and Effie’ series of books about the Bride of Frankenstein and a white witch running a B & B in Whitby.

8pm 'Clear Spot', Wednesday 1st May 2013, repeated 9am, Thursday 2nd May, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast at https://panelborders.wordpress.com/category/book-list

Comic Book Babylon project announced, probing "British Vertigo"

Author Tim Pilcher has announced a Kickstarter campaign to publish Comic Book Babylon: A Cautionary Tale of Sex, Drugs & Comics, probing a bizarre period when, to outsiders, British creators looked set to take over American comics.

Tim Pilcher’s shocking, revealing and completely unofficial memoir of DC Comics' legendary London office, will, he hopes, celebrate the Vertigo imprint's 20th anniversary, lifting the lid on an intriguing part of British comics history.

“For a few glorious years only, before cost-cutting set in, there was Vertigo's 'British Office' - the comics equivalent of the Loaded HQ in the 1990s," recalls Grant Morrison, author of Supergods, All Star Superman, Batman Inc. and The Invisibles. "Vodka, mushrooms, Es, sex, money, travel and the pure unleashed creativity of young people having a good time together."

Comic Book Babylon is the candid, uncensored and utterly unofficial of story of DC Comic’s infamous Vertigo UK office, written by one who was the heart of the drug-fuelled, creative whirlwind. It’s the odyssey of how comic fan Tim, in pursuit of his dream job, became the first British member of the DC editorial staff, and learning the harsh realities of publishing life.

Along the way he meets comics professionals and celebrities including Grant Morrison, Peter Milligan, Jamie Hewlett, Mark Millar, Garth Ennis, Philip Bond, Paul Gambaccini, Glyn Dillon, Jonathan Ross, The Spice Girls, Blur, Adam Ant, and many, many more. Revealing the crazy, halcyon days of the British comics publishing in the mid-Nineties, it blows the lid off the debauchery and excess that was part and parcel of the industry.

When you reach such dizzy heights, there’s only one place to go.

“It was an incredibly exciting time to be in comics," Tim recalls of his time in the offices of "British Vertigo". "We felt we could achieve anything at the Vertigo office, and things got a little crazy. This is the book I’ve been threatening to write for the past 20 years! I suspect the first people wanting to pick this up will be all the comics professionals, to see what I said about them. There should be some very worried writers, artists and editors out there!”

Revealing the reason for writing this latest book - as well as many articles for a huge range of magazines, he's written books like Erotic Com­ics: A Graphic His­tory and The Essen­tial Guide to World Com­ics (with Brad Brooks) - Tim says he wanted to let the world know that the comics industry is not all geeky and nerdy as some might think.

"In fact it’s every bit as hedonistic as the music business," he declares. "If Paul Gravett is ‘The Man at the Crossroads’, then I’m ‘The Man at the Centre of a 15-Car Pile-Up’!”.

Tim's first job in the industry was at Comic Show­case, starting as a shop assistant but eventually becoming its man­ager. After four and a half years of that he worked as an assist­ant editor for Art Young at the Vertigo UK office on titles like Kill Your Boy­friend by Grant Morrison & Phillip Bond, Enigma by Peter Milligan & Duncan Fegredo, The Extrem­ist by Peter Milligan & Ted McKeever, The Mystery Play by Grant Morrison & Jon J Muth and Rogan Gosh by Peter Milligan & Brendan McCarthy. He was a founder mem­ber of the Les Car­toon­istes Dangereux col­lect­ive, along with Brad Brooks, Roger Lan­gridge, Charlie Adlard, Paul Peart, Faz Choudhury, Jonathan Edwards, and Dylan Hor­rocks.

"Then I moved to Pen­guin Children’s Books, Dorling Kinder­s­ley, and then as asso­ci­ate editor on Com­ics Interna­tional for a few years with Dez Skinn," he told Comics Bureau in 2011. More recently he's been an editor at Ilex Press, where he has comm­iss­ioned a whole range of pop cul­ture and comic-related books such as War Com­ics: A Graphic His­tory by Mike Con­roy, the Eisner-nominated and Har­vey Award-winning Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga by Helen McCarthy and the brilliant Alan Moore: Storyteller by Gary Spen­cer Mil­lidge. He also commissioned me to edit SciFi Art Now, a collection of science fiction art, published in 2010.

He's also one of the founding members of the Comic Book Alliance, (www.comicbookalliance.co.uk), a not-for-profit organisation and "The Voice of the British Comics Industry" promoting books, graphic novels, webcomics and sequential art in its many forms.

"Comics were undoubtedly in my blood from day one," Tim says of his love of comics."I had 'four colour funnies' running through my veins before I’d even heard the expression. Cut me and I bled cyan, magenta, yellow and black. I inhaled the musty smell of old comics, as if they were perfume. I sweated Indian ink and I came in process white. It was my destiny to work in comics."

There are three versions of Comic Book Babylon planned: an eBook (with additional images), paperback, and 200 limited edition hardbacks, with covers created by design genius and comic book artist Rian Hughes.

“Rian’s out done himself,” said an impressed Pilcher, “The punky/acid house colours perfectly reflect the rave mood of the times in the book.” Hughes has also designed a limited edition print and three “Sex, Drugs and Comic Books” badges as incentives.

• Comic Book Babylon: A Cautionary Tale of Sex, Drugs & Comics launches Kickstarter on Thursday 4 April, 2013. See a preview of it here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/2016810024/1303051881?token=bb3f146a

• Website: sexdrugsandcomicbooks.blogspot.com

Jeff Keen talk at Brighton Museum

Tim Pilcher, founder member of the Comic Book Alliance, will be giving a talk on Jeff Keen, how comics influenced his work and how he, in turn, influenced (or at least foresaw) the future of comix, this Saturday (23rd February) at Brighton Museum at 2.00pm.

Artist and film-maker Jeff Keen (1923-2012) was one of the great figures of the British post-war avant-garde. Keen's work reveals a wild spirit of anarchic play, a fascination with surrealism, and a love of popular culture. His life-long commitment to Brighton & Hove will be celebrated in this display featuring a selection of his films alongside his paintings, drawings, poetry and assemblages.

Keen, who worked for Parks and Gardens for several years, spent most of his artistic career in Brighton and used the city as a major inspiration for his work. He ignored the hierarchies of the London arts scene and the wider world of avant-garde cinema in favour of a radical commitment to locality and intimate community.

Keen’s work focuses lovingly on a close-knit circle of real and imaginary friends at work and at play in and around Brighton & Hove.

• Jeff Keen – Comics and Techno Gazwrx: Full details here on the Brighton Museum page

Related links

• Jeff Keen Installation at Tate Modern

• Work on show at Frith Street Gallery, London 

Obituaries

• Lighthouse: www.lighthouse.org.uk/news/r-i-p-jeff-keen

• The Guardian: www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2012/jun/24/jeff-keen?newsfeed=true

Opinion: Too Many Cons, Not Enough Pros

With a series of comic conventions upon us in the UK, which began last weekend and continues on Saturday with Kapow in London, Comic Book Alliance organiser, comic creator and book editor Tim Pilcher ponders the future of the Bristol Comic Expo...

I’ve been attending comic conventions in Bristol ever since Kev F Sutherland first set one up to replace the defunct UKCAC, way back in 1999. That’s 13 years — unlucky for some. In that time, the conventions have changed hands and names several times, but it had always been a key event in the comic professional’s diary. 

For many years, it was the sole comic convention in the UK and, by default, it achieved an exulted status. However, in recent years there has been a huge surfeit of conventions, of various shapes and sizes, popping up all over the country. 

This year alone has seen London Super Comic Convention, Bristol Comic Expo, Cardiff Comic Expo, Exeter Comic Expo, and Hi-Ex (Inverness) and we’re not even halfway through the year. Still on the horizon are MCM Expo (London), Kapow (London),  2D Festival (Derry), Thought Bubble (Leeds), and probably loads I haven’t remembered!

The fact is, with so many shows, creators are suffering from “convention fatigue”. Cons take up a lot of work time, for professionals. Very few have their expenses covered, unless they are guests of honour, and so it’s a double hit for them, in terms of time away from the writing desk/drawing board and earning money, while having to lay out cash just to appear at the show. Hence, many try and recoup their losses by charging for sketches, selling original artwork and comics, and sleeping with fans for cash (one of those is a lie). 

Consequently, many stayed away from Bristol this year in favour of the more lucrative London-based Kapow, due this coming weekend.

The other reason to attend shows is to talk to editors and publishers about work and network. This maintained Bristol as “the professional’s convention” as there were fewer fans and everyone could just mingle and hang out with friends they only saw once a year (an important part if you are a freelancer working alone at home). But now there are so many shows, it was the first con I’ve ever left saying to many, “See you next week”!

In this climate every show has to prove their worth, and unfortunately Bristol’s stock has been in freefall for sometime. The ever-decreasing punter footfall, and lack of major “hot” US guests and publishers has seen the convention becoming less of a viable option for both fans and professionals, particularly with so much competition. 

Every single weekend this May has been taken up by a show: Bristol last weekend, Kapow this, then MCM Expo and, finally, Collectormania. All of these shows see more punters through the door, have more exciting panels, with bigger name US guests and, frankly, make Bristol look old and tired. Most stallholders I spoke to didn’t make enough money this weekend to cover their costs, and a lot won’t be returning (to be fair, I did speak to a few who did OK, but they were targeting the non-comics readers). 

All this was compounded by no one turning up from either of “The Big Two” (or even “The Medium Six”), and star guest Denny O’Neill cancelling due to illness. Plus, having checked with a local journalist, I was stunned to discover there had been no local press or publicity arranged (no wonder less than 300 people turned up). 

Personally, the fact that some little s**** decided to steal the Comic Book Alliance’s Tank Girl banner was the last nail in the coffin.

Basically, something’s got to give, and the fat’s got to be trimmed, and it looks like Bristol is the first casualty to fall victim of the “Convention Wars”. I suspect it won’t be the last. There was a scurrilous rumour going around the weekend that the Birmingham ComiciCon/BICS has been cancelled this year. 

It seems a shame that Bristol Comic Expo should end on a whimper rather than a bang. I liked coming to Bristol, it’s a nice town and it was a great convention. But I, for one, shall not be back. And I know I’m not alone.

• Tim's original posting - reprinted here with permission - appears on his own blog, "Sex, Drugs and Comic Books".  His views do not necessarily reflect the views of DownTheTubes or its sponsors.

Tim Pilcher hails from Brighton, East Sussex. Writer, Editor, Chap; he is currently the chair of the Comic Book Alliance. I've written a few books on Sex, Drugs and Comics. Oh, and he's been called various things by people including a "seasoned writer", a "dope addled buffoon" and a "comics guru" apparently.

In Review: Dotter of Her Father's Eyes

Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes 
by Mary and Bryan Talbot
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Out: Now

The Book: Part personal history, part biography, Dotter of Her Father's Eyes contrasts two coming-of-age narratives: that of Lucia, the daughter of James Joyce, and that of author Mary Talbot, daughter of the eminent Joycean scholar James S. Atherton. Social expectations and gender politics, thwarted ambitions and personal tragedy are played out against two contrasting historical backgrounds, poignantly evoked by the atmospheric visual storytelling of award-winning graphic-novel pioneer Bryan Talbot.

Produced through an intense collaboration seldom seen between writers and artists, Dotter of Her Father's Eyes is smart, funny, and sad - an essential addition to the evolving genre of graphic memoir.

The Review: 

Father/daughter relationships can be fractious at best of times. Either the former is too protective of the latter, becoming inadvertently overbearing and prescriptive or, conversely, too immersed in work or personal projects and thus aloof and distant. It’s rare the father that can tread this tightrope successfully. It’s this relationship that Mary Talbot examines in her new graphic novel, Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes. Juxtaposing her own relationship with her father, James S. Atherton, a noted Joycean scholar, with that of James Joyce and his daughter Lucia, Talbot has created a bittersweet drama that will resonate with anyone who has a parent.

For a debut graphic novel, Mary’s writing is incredibly confident and assured. This may be partly due to her being an established, published scholar in her own right, and partly due to the fact that the book is drawn by her husband, Bryan, one of the UK’s most accomplished masters of the art. Bryan’s artwork mellifluously transports us up and down the timeline so effortlessly that we simply go with the flow. He very cleverly uses highly simplified, full-colour Julian Opie-like characters for the present day and Mary’s life story; a washed out sepia tone for Mary’s post-war childhood; and finally, a more rendered reality in a blue-wash to recount the tale of Lucia.

The majority of this collaborative endeavour is incredibly smooth, but there are a couple of points where Mrs. Talbot has to highlight her husband’s inaccuracies (such as how her classroom was laid out) in margin notes. While this is an endearing insight into the creative process, it feels like too much fourth wall breaking to sit comfortably, instantly reminding the reader that they are reading a graphic novel, rather than being engrossed in the fascinating tale.

Perhaps it is unsurprising that Mary’s academic career has focused on gender politics and power, once you have read this story. Being the only daughter with four elder brothers; a domineering father; the appalling repression and treatment meted out to women in the pre-Feminism era; and that she had two sons; all indicate a natural, and understandable, desire to readdress the balance somewhat. Yet despite the obviously painful, and joyful, recollections, and analysis of her relationship with her father, Mary never descends into mawkishness or hand-wringing self-pity, and remains refreshingly clear of the mire of the “misery memoir” that the book could so easily have become. Mary’s writing remains constantly engaging, and brings every character to vibrant, empathic life, as she contrasts her coming-of-age with that of Lucia’s. Where Mary’s father seems distant yet authoritarian, Joyce appears weaker, agreeing with his wife Nora’s more bombastic and conservative views on womanhood, as both girls are belittled for failing to live up to their parents’ expectations.

Thankfully, Mary’s tale ends happier than the tragic Lucia’s, but both resonate long after the final page has been turned. This is destined to become a set text for graphic novel scholars.

I’ll confess my ignorance when it comes to Joyce, but this book sparked an interest in his life and writing and I started actively searching out further information, and no greater compliment can be paid than that. Fortunately there’s a comprehensive bibliography in the back.

Most fathers remain enigmas to their children, and it’s this attempt to understand her father’s motivations and moods—to get behind both his public and home personas, and in turn closure—that makes Mary’s writing so intriguing. Like the title’s pun suggests, Mary Talbot is wrapping up her father’s business, his memory and legacy. Dotting his eyes and crossing his tease.

• This review is cross-posted with permission from the Comic Book Alliance web site: the web site championing British comics and their creators 

• More about Dotter of Her Father's Eye's on Mary Talbot's official web site

Blogs/Interviews about the Book

• Mary Talbot's "Director's Commentary" at the Forbidden Planet Blog

• Interview with Mary and Bryan at Comic Book Resources

•  Mary and Bryan interview at Broken Frontier

•  Mary and Bryan at Bookmunch

More Reviews

•  Paul Gravett

"Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes is a fascinating addition to the emerging tradition of autobiographical graphic novels by the offspring of complex, often difficult, parents..."

• Rich Johnston at Bleeding Cool

"The book... not only educates but it inspires"

• Stephen Holland at Page45

"Dotter of Her Father's Eyes will strike chords far beyond those interested in James Joyce and his own creativity; but it will be additionally fascinating both for those devotees and followers of Bryan Talbot, for there are insights to be gleaned into the comic creator's teenage years when first meeting Mary, and their shared trepidation of life under the threat of nuclear annihilation."

•  Kashfi Fahim at Review Fix

"The Talbots continue the recent excellence in using the graphic novel as a tool to educate of important social issues. Although the issues are from a distant past, Dotter reminds us of the urgency in women’s issues and keeps the momentum moving along in the present and into the future."

•  Publishers Weekly

"Talbot’s illustrations show exceptional dexterity in moving from the monochromatic past to the more colorful present, with the changing color palette suggesting the changing social climate for women. Those looking for a graphic memoir that provides an insightful study of how 20th-century sexual politics played out on the home front will be hard pressed to do better than the present title."

• Rachel Cooke at The Guardian

"Talbot has a keen eye for the revealing detail, an important skill if you are working in comics. She makes connections, but never labours them."

• Stuart Kelly at The Scotsman

"There are some very deft little touches where she comments on her husband’s artwork – the fact her mother would have never worn a frilly apron; the way he doesn’t segregate the sexes in the classroom scenes. This is within the context of a wider awareness, from education to ballet lessons to obstetrics, on how women’s lives were directed into the 'unnatural. There can’t be many more frightening and saddening moments in graphic novels than the account of the birth of a first child, and the terse note 'without anaesthetic'."

•  Tim Martin at The Telegraph

"Borrowing its punning title from Finnegans Wake, this compact graphic memoir mixes Mary Talbot’s memories of growing up alongside her father, the irascible Joyce scholar J S Atherton, with a biographical sketch of Joyce’s troubled daughter Lucia.

"The hazy parallels between the stories have to do with clever men being so absorbed in their work that they neglect and inhibit the women in their lives which, in the autobiographical segments at least, makes for some forceful bouts of score-settling."

• Iris on Books

"I am still reeling from the impact of the combination of images and texts, and this book had me both laughing out loud, crying, nodding my head, and enraged at the prevalent attitudes of other people in Lucia and Mary’s life."

Panel Borders: Spring Conventions - revealing nore about Sprit of Hope

Continuing radio show and podcast Panel Borders' month of shows about anthologies and collectives, they have a trio of interviews recorded at two recent comic book conventions in London.

Recorded at Kapow!, Islington Design Centre (April 2011): Alex Fitch talks to editor Alan Cowsill and publisher Tim Pilcher (Comic Book Alliance) about the comic book anthology Spirit of Hope that they’re bringing out to help raise funds to support the people of Japan after the recent Tsunami disaster and to Joel Meadows, editor of Tripwire about the new digital incarnation of his magazine about comics and pop culture.

Also, in an interview recorded at the London Comic and Small Press Expo, Goldsmiths College last month, Dickon Harris talks to Shaky Kane about his career which has ranged from short pieces in a variety of anthologies such as 2000AD, Escape and Revolver to his serialised graphic novel, The Bulletproof Coffin, written by David Hine.

• Panel Borders: Spring Conventions airs at 5pm, Thursday 14/04/11, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com

• Spirit of Hope Facebook Group

Comic Book Alliance puts out charity comic appeal to help earthquake victims

Britain's Comic Book Alliance is putting together a fundraising comic to help raise funds to help earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan and New Zealand - and has put out an appeal for contributions.

"I’m sure, like me, you’ve been horrified at the devastating effects of the two enormous earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan," says CBA's Tim Pilcher. "Thousands that have lost friends, family, their homes and entire communities."

The CBA -- a not-for-profit organisation, primarily run by volunteers, dedicated to the promotion of British comic books, graphic novels, webcomics and sequential art in its many forms -- is looking for creators to provide some work free of charge so that they can put together an impressive package that will hopefully sell thousands and to raise as much money as possible to help those affected get back on their feet and to rebuild their lives.

"The contributions can be around any theme (earthquakes, tsunamis, loss, hope, survival, what that country means to you, personal tales, whatever…)" says Tim, "and could be a pin-up, or a one to four page comic strip. We may accept the odd prose piece from writers, but we’d like to like to keep these to a minimum, so please team up with an artist you normally work with."

"Obviously, time is of the essence here, so we would like to get the work in within the next two weeks (Deadline Saturday 2nd April). I know that doesn’t give a lot of time considering your busy schedules but I do hope you’ll agree that it’s for an important cause.


"Let’s show the world that comic creators care and how we can galvanise ourselves into positive action."
 
• If you would like to take part please contact Tim by email via  foundersATcomicbookalliance.co.uk for further details about formats, deliveries, or any other questions you might have. 

• The Comic Book Alliance:  www.comicbookalliance.co.uk

Comic Book Alliance charity auction extended by a day!

As we previously reported, The Comic Book Alliance - “The Voice of the British Comics Industry” - are offering comic fans some very special Christmas treats this week with their very first fundraising auction — including the chance to star alongside Batman in his new comic, Batman Inc; along with other experiences that money can’t buy!

The auction has proved to be so popular that the CBA have extended the auction by 24 hours so that fans can get in those last minute bids for some real bargains!

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the bidding and response to the auction," says CBA Chair Tim Pilcher, "but it soon became apparent that there are still a few people out there who haven’t heard about the auction, and we wanted to give them that extra chance to get a really special Christmas present for themselves or a loved one.

"This being our first auction we have, naturally, had a few teething problems, but we can assure all US bidders that all the items listed are available to American fans as well. Simply contact us via eBay.co.uk and we will ensure you can take part in this exciting event.”

The auction will now end on Sunday 12 December at 19:00 (GMT).

Grant Morrison (the award-winning writer who killed Batman and resurrected him!) will write the winning bidder into an issue of Batman Inc. featuring their name and likeness, courtesy of DC Comics and Frank Quitely (All Star Superman, Batman & Robin), winner of four 2010 Eagle Awards and one of the hottest artists in comics, will draw a personalised portrait of a winning bidder.

Frank Quitely’s auction will end slightly earlier on Saturday 11 December at16:30 (GMT).

Plus, as we reported with a full list of lots here, there are dozens of signed books, comics and graphic novels from high profile creators like Alan Moore (Watchmen), Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys), Charles Vess (Stardust), and John Wagner (Judge Dredd).

And there’s original comic art and signed limited prints by the cream of British artists including zombie art work by Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Bryan Talbot (Grandville), Sean Phillips (Criminal), John McCrea (Hitman), David Lloyd (V for Vendetta), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Rufus Dayglo (Tank Girl) and Garen Ewing (Rainbow Orchid).

There are no reserves, and all bids start at just 99p, so there’s the chance to pick up some real Christmas bargains for the comic fan in your life!

• Further details on auction can be found at: www.eBay.co.uk: search for the seller, comic_book_alliance or at www.comicbookalliance.co.uk.

Comic Book Alliance charity offers Batman fans the chance to star in a comic alongside their hero

Last updated 10th December

Yes, you read that correctly! Thanks to the Comic Book Alliance, this is a fund-raising auction where the highest bidder will get to star alongside the Dark Knight in his very own comic!

Not only will the winner's name be included, but Chris Burnham will also draw their likeness into the story as well. All written by "the man who killed Batman" no less award-winning scribe and comics legend, Grant Morrison!

Batman Incorporated is the new best-selling comic book from Grant Morrison highlighting the new status quo in the Batman series as Bruce Wayne takes the Bat-franchise global.

The winner, who will appear in will feature in Batman Inc. #4 on sale 16th February 2011.will have the choice to be brutally slain by the villain or dramatically rescued by Batman in a story that takes Batman in a desperate race across two continents and two decades in a spectacular battle to save the world from a terrifying new threat.

The auction is being run by the Comic Book Alliance, “The Voice of the British Comics Industry”, who are offering comic fans some very special Christmas treats this very first fund-raising event.

Along with an appearance in Batman Inc.,  Frank Quitely, winner of four 2010 Eagle Awards and one of the hottest artists in comics (All Star Superman, Batman & Robin) will draw a personalised portrait of a winning bidder.

Alan Moore tribute
book - signed by Alan

"This is ideal," enthuses Quitely. "Some lucky bidder gets to enjoy a cutting caricature of themselves, I get to exercise my cruel sense of humour, and the CBA gets the money it needs to help it carry on its vital work — everyone's a winner!"

Plus, there are dozens of signed books, comics and graphic novels from high profile creators like Alan Moore (Watchmen), Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys), Charles Vess (Stardust), and John Wagner (Judge Dredd).

Walking Dead art
by Charlie Adlard

And there’s original comic art and signed limited prints by the cream of British artists including zombie art work by Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Bryan Talbot (Grandville), Sean Phillips (Criminal), John McCrea (Hitman), David Lloyd (V for Vendetta), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Rufus Dayglo (Tank Girl) and Garen Ewing (Rainbow Orchid).

The CBA supports and promotes comic creators, publishers, retailers and distributors, both in the UK and abroad. At the heart of the Alliance, founders Tim Pilcher, Shane Chebsey and GM Jordan have assembled an Advisory Board made up of leading academics and professionals from a wide spectrum including chat show host, turned comic book writer, Jonathan Ross and V for Vendetta artist David Lloyd.

In the last year the CBA has helped organise and promote major exhibitions and sent thousands of free comic books to the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. The CBA also runs a website that helps the general public find their local comic book retailer (www.comicshops.co.uk) and with over 1.5m visitors.

“The UK has one of the most creative and extensive comic publishing industries in the world," feels CBA Chair Tim Pilcher, "a legacy that has produced some of the best artists and writers currently working in the medium. It’s been wonderfully overwhelming to see so many of them generously donating their time and items to this very worthy British cause and coming together to support the medium they love.”

There are no reserves, and all bids start at just 99p, so there’s the chance to pick up some real Christmas bargains for the comic fan in your life!

Complete List of items in the Inaugural CBA Auction

• An appearance in Batman Inc. written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Chris Burnham. Courtesy of DC Comics

• Personalised caricature by Batman & Robin artist Frank Quitely

Fables art by
Mark Buckingham

• Two pages of Fables original artwork by Mark Buckingham

• Spider-Man original artwork by Andie Tong

• The Walking Dead artwork by Charlie Adlard

• Daredevil limited edition print by Adi Granov

Criminal art by
Sean Phillips

• Criminal original artwork by Sean Philips

• Tank Girl original artwork by Rufus Dayglo

• Peter Pan signed limited edition book, pus original artwork by Charles Vess

• Original Letraset Manga Artwork by Nana Li

• Inspector Gadget original artwork by Dave Windett

• Whiteout signed print by Steve Lieber

• Yesterday’s Tomorrow’s hardcover signed by Rian Hughes

Luther Arkwright
limited edition print

• Luther Arkwright signed limited edition print by Bryan Talbot

• Punisher original artwork by Laurence Campbell

• Warhammer 40K original artwork by Kev Hopgood

• War Machine original artwork by Kev Hopgood

• Marvel Heroes original artwork by Kev Hopgood

• G.I. Joe original artwork by Kev Hopgood

• Button Man 3: Killer Killer graphic novel and Strontium Dog script signed by John Wagner

• Wasteland hardcover graphic novel signed by Antony Johnston

• Alan Moore: Portrait of an Extraordinary Gentleman signed by Alan Moore

• Rime of the Ancient Mariner graphic novel signed by Hunt Emerson and Samuel Taylor Coleridge

• Smuggling Vacation and Day of the Deal graphic novels signed by Jason Wilson

• Day of the Deal exclusive “prison edition” graphic novel signed by Jason Wilson

• The Erotic Adventures of Space Babe 113, Complete set signed by John Maybury

• Iron Man & Black Widow limited edition print signed by Khoi

• Wormwood: The Last Enemy signed by Garth Ennis

• Wormwood: The Last Battle #1-3 signed by Garth Ennis

• The Boys Limited Anniversary Edition hardcover graphic novel set (1-5) signed by Garth Ennis

• The Boys #39 Signed by Garth Ennis

• The Boys #40 Signed by Garth Ennis

• The Boys #41 Signed by Garth Ennis

• Preacher: Books 1 & 2 Deluxe Hardcover Editions Signed by Garth Ennis

• Preacher: Dixie Fried graphic novel Signed by Garth Ennis

• JLA/Hitman Issues 1 & 2 (complete) signed by Garth Ennis

• Hitman: Ten Thousand Bullets graphic novel signed by Garth Ennis

• Hitman: A Rage in Arkham graphic novel signed by Garth Ennis

• Crossed graphic novel signed by Garth Ennis

• Battlefields: Happy Valley and Tankies signed books and script by Garth Ennis

• Territory original artwork by David Lloyd

• Abe, Temptation, Candleman signed books and original art by Glenn DakinHorse print signed by Emily Hare

• Strange Embrace hardcover graphic novel signed by David Hine

• Daredevil European Tour limited edition print signed by Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale

• Signed print by Hermann

• Hermann exhibition poster signed by the artist

• The Rainbow Orchid original art by Garen Ewing

Peter Pan by Charles Vess

• The Rainbow Orchid Book 1 & poster both signed by Garen Ewing

• The Rainbow Orchid Book 2 & poster both signed by Garen Ewing

• Bart Simpson’s Treehouse of Horror #9 signed by Gary Spencer Millidge

• Strangehaven graphic novel (Book 1), print and postcard pack signed by Gary Spencer Millidge

• Strangehaven graphic novel (Book 2) and print pack signed by Gary Spencer Millidge

• Hitman original art by John McCrea

• The Authority original artwork and signed graphic novel by Simon Cobley

• Low Life: The Red Seas graphic novel signed by the artist, Steve Yeowell

• Burke & Hare graphic novel signed by Martin Conaghan & Will Pickering

• Tours de Bois-Maury signed print by Hermann

• Merry Christmas Mr Zombo (from 2000 AD) Script signed and illustrated by Al Ewing

• Blake's 7 replica badge by Termight Replicas

• The auction runs until at 7.00pm GMT on Sunday 12 December at 19:00 (GMT) later than previously advertised - see news story - on www.eBay.co.uk: search for the seller, comic_book_alliance or further details can be found at www.comicbookalliance.co.uk. (Frank Quitely’s auction will end slightly earlier on Saturday 11 December at16:30 (GMT)

Tube Surfing: One Man Lord of the Rings, Manga Cross Stitch and Space Hoppers!

• Heading to Edinburgh's Fringe later this summer? Perhaps to catch up with Kev Sutherland and the Falsetto Sock Company, who are sure to be there? Then you might also be interested in a new show from Canadian actor Charles Ross, who first made an impact on the Edinburgh Fringe when his debut show, One Man Star Wars Trilogy, which was a surprise sell-out hit of the 2006 event. He's back this year with his equally hilarious follow-up One Man Lord Of The Rings in which he recreates the enchanting world of Middle-Earth, armed with nothing more than a pair of elbow pads and his outrageous imagination, at the E4 Udderbelly, E4 Udderbelly's Pasture, from 6-16th August 2009. More info: www.onemanlotr.com (Photo: Lisa Hebden)

• With the nominations collected, the ballets are about to open for the 2008 Eagle Awards, the comics industry's longest-running awards. Co-founded in 1976 by Mike Conroy, editor of Comics International and author of new Ilex Press release War Comics: A Graphic History (see news story), the awards offer UK comics fans a unique opportunity to nominate their own choices and vote for their pick of bunch in each category. The award categories cover comics and creators, as well as comics-related titles. Vote for nominees in the Eagles Awards here

• Via numerous upset comic creators, worrying news appeared in The Sun reporting that one-time 2000AD artist Ron Smith, 80, was in court over alledged child abuse. We can now report that at 3.00pm today the jury unanimously found him not guilty. Guildford Crown Court confirmed the details

• To quote blogger Giles Poitras, "Oh god it was only a matter of time. And who else but the wonderful Helen McCarthy could do a book called Manga Cross-Stitch." Who else indeed! Helen McCarthy, author of ILEX's 500 Essential Anime Movies and many titles on Japanese manga and anime, is the UK's leading expert in this area, and now she has turned her hand to teaching how to incorporate the skills of needlecraft with this popular Japanese graphic art form. Manga Cross-Stitch, available from ILEX, will be out soon, but in the meantime the Japan Foundation is presenting a lecture and workshop held by Helen McCarthy, on Wednesday 1 July, in London. Places are limited so get your tickets quick, as there will a chance to stitch your own manga design on the day.

• (via Bear Alley): A number of British creators have made the shortlist for the British Fantasy Awards 2009, amongst them Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean (best novel (and best non-fiction for his blog) and best artist respectively) and numerous others in the Best Comic/Graphic Novel section.

• This sounds fun: CBBC has commissioned a new science series, Space Hoppers, an interplanetary adventure series featuring Professor Brian Cox. Using animation and CGI and experiments, the series investigate what one might need to go on vacation in outer space and the extreme environments in the Solar System. Set to launch in 2010, which happens also to be the BBC's Year of Science, the seven episode series is produced in conjunction with BBC Science's series Seven Wonders Of The Solar System, also hosted by Cox.

• The British Cartoon Archive, based at the University of Kent's Templeman Library, recentlylaunched a new website and is now featuring a gallery of old Andy Capp cartoons by Reg Smythe.

• Tim Pilcher, author of Erotic Comics: A Graphic History, has been talking to Salacious Scribbles about the relationships between erotica, porn and the comics genre; how Volume 2 was stopped by Australian customs; and a whole lot more with Louise Bak, poet and radio show co-host, for men's magazine Toro. In Tim's own words: "Good erotic comics have to abide by the same basic rules that any comic book genre has to. That is, good story pacing, believable/ empathetic characters, an involving storyline and quality design and page layout." Erotic Comics is a guide though the talent and artwork of this much maligned art form. Read the interview here

Justice Bill Petition: Opposition Mounts

Concerns about Britain's Criminal Justice & Immigration Act 2008 which came into effect in January 2009 and Section 49 of the Coroners and Justice Bill which is currently being reviewed in Parliament are growing among comics creators and fans, with over 360 signatories to an online petition voicing concern about the legislation.

As we previously reported, both of these Acts could impact on the creation of comic books and how they are sold, both have the potential to land innocent people in court, on the sex offender register or in jail. Campaigners are asking that the Prime Minister and the government as a whole respect the concerns of artists, writers, publishers, readers and retailers all over the UK and include a specific clarification in the law that ensures that no innocent comic creators or owners of comics can ever be prosecuted unfairly by a misinterpretation of the current laws.

These laws actually extend to any form of image making (paintings, sketches, doodles, etc) and not just the comics media, so everybody will be effected by it. The government wants to legislate that any drawing they deem "inappropriate" is tantamount to the same laws as a photography, thus preventing anyone from drawing certain things.

If ever there were "thought crime" laws, these are it, argue campaigners, who have now formed the Comic Book Alliance to raise awareness about the issue as well as promote British comics.

"It needs some sort of clarification of what would come under it," says comic creator and Clown Press publisher Adam Grose in an interview for politics.co.uk. "It needs plain English and not such an open interpretation. Once it becomes law it's suddenly up to the police – although obviously the CPS make a judgment on it. But unless you know where you're standing you've got be very careful.

"It really hit me when they mention books by Alan Moore like The Lost Girls or Watchmen. People have even talked about how [2000AD's] Judge Dredd might be affected. It's highly unlikely, but then it might affect what editors will accept."

"This is a very serious and dangerous act that is being pushed through Parliament," feels Tim Pilcher, author of Erotic Comics. "We need to educate the public about this.

"If we don't stop this now we will have thrown away a huge freedom of expression. This is the thin end of an enormous wedge. The consequences of which could ultimately be a government deciding what is "approved art" and what is banned, which sounds a lot like 1930s' Germany to me."

• Sign the petition: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Protect-Comics
• The Comic Book Alliance has been set up to promote this campaign as well as British Comics: www.comicbookalliance.org.uk
• You can write to your MP via WriteToThem.com

• What do you think? Discuss this issue on the downthetubes forum
• For a complete look at the new law, visit the official site

• For further comments see:
• Coroners and Justice Bill: the most toxic law ever?
• www.theregister.co.uk/2009/01/19/evil_cartoon_badness
• Mark Lawson commented on these proposals in The Guardian way back in May 2008
• "Professor Sapient" outlines the issues in considerable detail here, also noting censorship elsewhere - more food for thought