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9 February 2025

UPDATED: Alan Clark reference books

I've looked at comic reference books a couple of times before...

i). Dennis Gifford books here (with all Gifford posts here
ii). Lofts & Adley books are here
iii). Dennis Gifford is here 
iv). David Ashford is here
v). Ray Moore is here
vi). Martin Hamer is here
vii). Colin Morgan is here

And now it's the turn of Alan Clark...

I spotted this on sale recently (c/o ace ebay seller philcomics) who described it thus...
This approx A5 sized folder was given away with the Mar 8 1986 issue of Buster comic and the idea was pull-out sections in subsequent weeks should be cut out and folded to make a mini book, forming a 64 page book of the history of comics.

As you'll see this really is a history - it starts in Victorian times!








His very newest book (February 2024) is this one - priced at £36 (including postage) and available from Alan himself (ebay trading name of 'orsonwelles99' right here) - and looks at the crossover between, well, comic papers, music hall & early cinema. 316 pages long!

So prolific is Alan that I realise I'd missed one of his publications (from April 2023) - more details here

His very newest book (October 2023) is this one - priced at £30 (including postage) and available from Alan himself - ebay trading name of 'orsonwelles99' right here


His very newest book (December 2022) is entitled BRITISH GOLDEN AGE COMICS. COMIC PAPERS BETWEEN THE WARS 1919-1939 is in fact 2 books, priced at £33 for both and available here

The Laughs of a nation - the publications of Gerald G Swann is available here for £23



Just published (January 2022) is Alan's look at Comic papers of the platinum age, creators & their work: 1874-1914 - available for £25 (inc. postage from Italy)

The books is described as follows...

What is the British Platinum Age? Within these pages it’s defined as 1874-1914. It started with James Henderson’s Funny Folks and ended forty years on with the start of the 1914-1918 war. The Platinum Age was the ‘Big Bang’ of the comic universe. It was when the British comic was invented. It was followed by the ‘war years’, then the ‘nursery years’ After which the publishers created a raft of new titles for older readers. Which in turn paved the way to the Golden Age of the 1930s. That Golden Age crashed spectacularly after war was declared on Germany in September 1939 when once again paper shortages returned and staff and freelancers were again called up to join the forces. It was not until over a decade later that the industry recovered enough to start a Silver Age. That began with Eagle on April 14 1950. The war years, nursery years, the Golden Age and Silver Age are other stories. This book is an homage to the Platinum Age and its amazing publishers, editors, creators, writers and artists who were responsible for it. And which led to everything that followed.

COMIC PAPERS OF THE PLATINUM AGE is a 284 page, small size (A5), non-profit, limited edition publication the purpose of which is to promote and provide information about the editors. artists, writers and publishers of Platinum Age comics and story papers.

Well illustrated with rare titles. Informative text. 284 pages.


Just published (Autumn 2021) - and available here - are this pair of books on the 'golden age' of British comics.


Alan's other books that he's published since Autumn 2020 now all seem to be out of print (apart from 'The fun factory' volume) - so I'd order these books soon if you want them.

Just published (Summer 2021) is this book available from Alan himself at this ebay seller ID (orsonwelles99)

The fun factory of Farringdon Street by Alan Clark
subtitled - a history of Amalgamated Press 1890-1960


Recently published is this book (reviewed here)

From early 2021

From Autumn 2020...


From 1998 the Dictionary of British comic artists, writers and editors


From 1991 - "Comics an illustrated history" by Alan and Laurel Clark

From 1989 "The best of British comic art" by Alan Clark


From 1988 "The children's annual - a history and collector's guide" by Alan Clark

From 1983 - "The comic art of Reg Parlett - 60 years of comics!" by Alan Clark

From 1983 - "The comic art of Roy Wilson" by Alan Clark & David Ashford

as ever...if you spot anything I've missed just let me know

8 February 2025

Alan Class signing at Gosh! comics announced

This is today! Have fun if you're going!

Gosh! comics have announced a signing with publisher Alan Class - details below...

A comics legend will be with us on Saturday 8th February 2025, from 1-2pmAlan Class alongside Nick Neocleous will be signing Secrets of the Unknown. Here's what publisher Moonage Books say about it:

For 30 years between 1959 and 1989, Alan Class single-handedly produced American reprint comics for the youthful masses in the United Kingdom. His uniquely formatted square bound comics appeared every month in most of the newsagents up and down the country. But who was this elusive man? Finally, at 87 years old he has related his story to Nick Neocleous of Moonage Books and all the secrets of his publishing empire are now revealed. Along with many cover reproductions and facts and data about publishing and distributing comics through the 1960s and beyond.

Alongside the copies of the book, a special issue 250 of Creepy Worlds is being launched and will be available to purchase on the day!

We welcome Alan and Nick to the shop who will be signing copies of Secrets of the Unknown and Creepy Worlds on Saturday 8th February, from 1pm. You can pre-order a signed copy of Secrets of the Unknown from our website for mail-order or collection by clicking the link here. We look forward to seeing you there.

Keep up to date with all news over on our Facebook event page.

7 February 2025

Frank Bellamy - life drawing

Just capturing for posterity this (unsigned) Frank Bellamy piece of art that was sold on ebay a couple of months ago (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256722977992)

Price was £225 (or best offer)


The seller said...
The artwork is a drawing from life, done at a life drawing class. I acquired this original from the Book Palace in 2009, who obtained it from Frank’s widow, Nancy.

6 February 2025

Alf - Marvel UK, part 3

Michael Carroll's timeline of Marvel UK comics (here) has an array of interestingly short-lived comics on that I thought I should create cover galleries for them. Sometimes this is easier said than done but let's return to my covers gallery for the 15 issue Alf comic from 1988-89.

Part 1 was here
Part 2 was here

Alf, Marvel UK, issue 11, March 1989, 40p

Alf, Marvel UK, issue 12, April 1989, 40p

Alf, Marvel UK, issue 13, May 1989, 40p

Alf, Marvel UK, issue 14, June 1989, 45p

Alf, Marvel UK, issue 15, July 1989, ??p
image not to hand - can you help?


Alf then seems to have merged with The Marvel Bumper comic (31 issues, 01/10/88 - 22/07/89). 

There was also an Alf autumn special - maybe using up unprinted material from the monthly comic??


5 February 2025

UPDATED: Bugs Bunny - London Editions & more!

Ok, so I'm filing this one under "comics I know nothing about". However, you've got to start somewhere! So here, from 1991, is issue #2 of Bugs Bunny - published by London Editions

There have been LOTS of comics featuring ol' Bugs over the years but I'm JUST looking for issues published by London Editions - can you help me out?? Thanks!

Ok, I've tried to sort these out a bit more - thanks to friend of the blog Lee Grice for sending me some new images which further confused/clarified things a bit for me?!?! 

1). Bugs Bunny, London editions
Bugs Bunny issue #1, London Editions, ??p
image not to hand - can you help?

Bugs Bunny issue #2, London Editions, 85p

Bugs Bunny issue #3, London Editions, ??p
image not to hand - can you help?

Bugs Bunny issue #4, London Editions, 90p
image not to hand - can you help?

Bugs Bunny issue #5, London Editions, 95p

Bugs Bunny issue #6, London Editions, 95p

where there are more issues?

I now think that Bugs Bunny monthly must have been a different title - it might still have come from London Editions - the price box is very similar on Bugs Bunny #6 (above) and Bugs Bunny monthly #6 (below). If you have images of Bugs Bunny monthly #1-5 that would really help!


2). Bugs Bunny monthly, publisher unknown
Bugs Bunny monthly issue #6, 90p

Bugs Bunny monthly issue #7, 90p

Bugs Bunny monthly issue #8, 90p

But then there these other Bugs Bunny comics too...


3). Bugs Bunny, the rectangle years
I'm putting these 2 together because the 'sale or return' box is in a rectangle on both



4). Bugs Bunny, London editions (part 2) or maybe not
This might be issue #12 of the regular Bugs Bunny run from London Editions [section 1]. I say this because:
a). the price is the same (95p)
b). the logo in the top left is very similar
BUT...
the font for the title has changed (and is now like the one used for Bugs Bunny monthly comic) 



4 February 2025

UPDATED: Popeye the sailor - Marvel UK

Michael Carroll's timeline of Marvel UK comics (here) has an array of interestingly short-lived comics on that I thought I should create cover galleries for them. Sometimes this is easier said than done but let's look at the 8 issue Popeye comic from 1989.

Updated with the cover to issue #3 - thanks to friend of the blog Richard Gilham. You'll see that the over was re-used for the holiday special!

Popeye the sailor, issue #1, February 1989, 45p

Popeye the sailor, issue #2, March 1989, 45p

Popeye the sailor, issue #3, April 1989, 45p

Popeye the sailor, issue #4, May 1989, 45p
image not to hand - can you help?

Popeye the sailor, issue #5, June 1989, 45p

Popeye the sailor, issue #6, July 1989, 45p

Popeye the sailor, issue #7, August 1989, 45p

Popeye the sailor, issue #8, September 1989, 45p

There was also, it turns out, a Winter Special too - 32 pages in length


and here's the other (earlier?) holiday special that I've discovered (from 1988)