Comics International News

EUROPES LEADING TRADE PAPER Comics International is to continue its unique coverage of classic TV SF in British comics with six instalments devoted to the shows of Gerry Anderson.

Written by Shaqui Le Vesconte, the worlds leading expert on Anderson in comics, this mammoth and exhaustive series is to showcase artwork by some of the worlds 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 CI #205 (March 2008) under a special tribute cover [see below], with an overview of Andersons 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 60s weekly, TV Comic.

Part 3 (#207) is dedicated to the many strip incarnations of Thunderbirds while Part 4 (#208) features Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons and everyones favourite programmable boy genius, Joe 90. Comics based on Andersons 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 other Anderson concepts seen only in comics form.

Andersons 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).

SUBSCRIPTION INSTRUCTIONS:
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].

ABOUT SHAQUI LE VESCONTE:
He is a 40-something fan of television and comics. By day, graphic artist; by night, researcher and writer of articles on television, comics, television comics, and anything between. With Kim Stevens, Shaqui is responsible for websites about puppet series Space Patrol and Sara & Hoppity, the history of Gerry Anderson comics, and has written for Star Trek magazine and the website Look-Out. A fourth website, about the Junior TV Times, Look-in, is currently in preparation.

ABOUT COMICS INTERNATIONAL:
Acquired by Cosmic Publications at the end of 2006, CI 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.

COSMIC PUBLISHING is pleased to announce it has hired Barry Renshaw to the position of Production Editor on Europe’s leading trade paper, Comics International.

Reporting directly to editor Mike Conroy, Renshaw comes to CI from Redeye Magazine, the quarterly title focusing on today’s British comics scene he has self-published since 2004. He will be responsible for getting the 100-page magazine back on track and maintaining its monthly schedule.

"CI has certainly had more than its fair share of scheduling problems since Cosmic took it over at the end of 2006. It would be stupid of me to pretend otherwise," admitted Conroy. "Much of the problem has been down to difficulty in finding the right person to assist me on the production side. That’s not to say there aren´t people out there with the suitable qualities and background but Barry has everything I´m looking for and – as he’s proven with Redeye – the experience to back it up.

"Everyone I spoke to during my search had nothing but praise for him," he added. "Obviously the proof of the pudding and all that but – thanks to him – we’re already well advanced on CI #206 [see cover, below] and #205 has only just gone off to the printer!"

With #205 due to hit shops at the beginning of February and #206 set to follow on February 29, Conroy is confident enough in Renshaw’s abilities to begin planning major features for forthcoming issues. "CI will still be a news magazine but I´ve strengthened our ties with the major publishers so we’re able to look further ahead. I’m also looking to expand CI’s audience and intend to cover feature the big comicbook movie releases. Lined up over the next few issues are Wanted [#207], Iron Man [#208 – which also cover features Indiana Jones IV], Incredible Hulk [#209], The Dark Knight and Hellboy 2 [#211], Punisher War Zone [#212] and The Spirit [#216] as well as Star Trek XI, which will help promote our continuing series focusing on TV SF in comics.. We´ll also be spotlighting some of the films further down the pipeline – Wonder Woman, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Watchmen, Sin City 2, G.I. Joe and Thor – but I´m well aware that I’m editing Comics International so I won´t be neglecting comics readers. I just wish I could reveal some of the major projects we´ll be covering in upcoming issues but I’ve agreed to stay shtum until the publishers have made their announcements."

The latest addition to Cosmic’s CI team, Renshaw joins Associate Editor: Columns, Joel (TripWire) Meadows and Consulting Editor Richard Burton, the former Comic Media News publisher, who edited 2000 AD from 1987 to 1993.

Speaking of his appointment, he said, "The early issues of CI were instrumental in my wanting to become part of the industry when I was younger. I would never have thought that years down the line, I´d be part of the team that would be responsible for getting the magazine into the hands of other readers. It was surprising but gratifying to find out that my work on Redeye had impressed Mike enough for him to include me in his vision of what he wants CI to become. Along with Mike, Joel and the rest of the team, I hope to put to rest the ghosts of the problems of the past and forge ahead with stronger magazine."

ABOUT BARRY RENSHAW:

A Manchester-based illustrator/writer/editor, Renshaw is best known for the Engine Comics line of publications, including the series Seven Sentinels, the critically acclaimed Rough Guide to Self-Publishing and the award winning Redeye Magazine, which was described as a ‘must have’ by aintitcool.com. A regular on the convention circuit, he is an activist for the resurgent independent British comics industry and for raising the positive profile of the medium.

ABOUT COMICS INTERNATIONAL:

Comics International 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 launch, 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.

The latest issue of Comics International should now be available from comics shops and other retailers.

The new issue (201) of Comics International magazine should have already hit the stores by the time you read this. Check out our issues page for more information on it.

Weeks of aggressive bidding between a number of entertainment and media companies have culminated in the successful sale of the publishing rights in Quality Communications’ flagship title, COMICS INTERNATIONAL.

Following 16 years under the editorship of the magazine´s founder Dez Skinn (House of Hammer, Doctor Who Weekly, Warrior) the award-winning title will now be published by a film, TV and comics consortium fronted by author and CI news editor Mike Conroy.

"I feel that issue 200 was a fantastic one to bow out on, and with an increased workload of exciting new challenges for the company, I thought it would be wrong to let the magazine suffer when it would no longer be our top priority," Skinn stated, referring to the film and TV properties he currently has in development.

A familiar face in the comics industry, the magazine´s new editor Mike Conroy has a string of credits to his name. The founder of the prestigious Eagle Awards, he is also a contributor to comics-related titles from such publishers as Eaglemoss and Panini as well as author of Collins and Brown’s books, 500 Comicbook Action Heroes and 500 Comicbook Villains.

"CI is well respected throughout the industry, by publishers and retailers as well as fans and creators," Conroy commented. "That´s all down to Dez´s drive and vision. We want to build on that."

Remarking on Skinn´s 16-year tenure, Conroy added, "He has made CI into Britain´s longest running comics news magazine by a mile. He´s kept it going far longer than Comic Media News and Speakeasy put together. We´re in it for the long haul too. I´d love to beat his record, but I´m not so sure I´d still want to be the editor when I’m 84!"

Skinn adds, "Many people have told me how crucial CI has become to the industry, with its level playing field approach and its comprehensive coverage, not only of product, but also events, stores, websites and such. Add to that its volume of reviews and listings and I think it really has become a onestop shop for everything to do with comics. One way or another, Mike has been associated with CI for its entire run, so I feel the magazine will be in good hands as he now steps up to take on the top job."

In fact Skinn´s working relationship with Conroy dates as far back as the pioneering days of the mid-1970s, from comics auctioneering and the Fantasy Film Festivals through to the ground-breaking importer Maya Merchandising and The Edge of Forever comics shops.

Skinn summed up by saying, "It’s been a tumultuous 16 years on CI, following the growth of the direct market, the implosion of competitive distribution, and the increased creative freedom as many new publishers have taken on the status quo. Plus it has been fascinating reporting on the storm of short term booms and fads which the industry has somehow survived, through to the current wonderful situation where comics are acknowledged as a prime source for major hit films and graphic novels have taken off in high street bookshops."

Look for the first issue from the new publishers (#201) to be on sale in January 2007.