Rail Riders #16

Inspired by this post over on Down the Tubes I rcalled that I won a year's subscription to Rail Riders magazine (c/o a competition in new Eagle) and that I might be able to help John Freeman in his quest for some art from the comic strip Ben Racey. It turns out that there was more than just a Ben Racey comic strip in there...

Taken from Rail Riders issue 16 (Spring 1986)

Black Friday bargains

Right then, what Black Friday bargains are out there for folk...

2000ad shop
The bargains on the 2000ad shop can be found here and include...

50% off (so £9.99 instead of £19.99)

About 60% off (was £10.99, is £4.39) these 2 reprint volumes

60% off (was £30 is £11.99) volume 2 of 'Dan Dare - the 2000ad years)

Note that the 2000ad shop sale only runs until 23:59 GMT on Monday so you'll have to hurry to grab a bargain


Roy of the Rovers
Over (here) and (here) there are the individual Roy of the Rovers comics / books Kick-off, Foul play, Going up, Scouted, Teamwork, Play-offs . It actually works out slightly cheaper to buy them as individual books (from the Roy of the Rovers website) but if that's too much of a faff then there is a bundle here or you could add them to your order back on the 2000ad page to help keep postage costs down :)

Invincible Books
David 'Roy of the Rovers' Sque has illustrated this amazing story of Preston North End, as they say...For a limited time only we are offering our Preston North End - The Rise of the Invincibles graphic novel at a discount price of 25%!

This offer also includes FREE POSTAGE within the UK.

Retailing at £19.99, we currently have the book on sale at only £15.00 - but hurry, this special offer ends on Sunday 1st December 2019!

You can buy the book here

Asterix launch, part 2

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be invited along to the launch (at the Cartoon Musuem) of the new Asterix book - I included a number of photos in the 'official' write-up that went up ont he Down the Tubes website here. 

I ended up with plenty of left over photos, mainly of the sketches  that Conrad that had done, so rather thean waste those images I thought I'd share them here today (and yesterday)...enjoy! 

Asterix launch, part 1

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be invited along to the launch (at the Cartoon Musuem) of the new Asterix book (Asterix and the chieftain's daughter) - I included a number of photos in the 'official' write-up that went up on the Down the Tubes website here. 

I ended up with plenty of left over photos, mainly of the sketches  that Conrad that had done, so rather than waste those images I thought I'd share them here today (and tomorrow)...enjoy! 

Lion Picture Library issues 21-34

Following on from part one (here) and part two (here) of my guide to Lion Picture Library here's my (slightly incomplete) guide to issues 21-34

After issue 34 they don't appear to have named lead characters on the front cover so I've stopped my researches there. As ever, if you can help fill in any of the blanks just get in touch. Thanks to Steve Holland who's helped with the lead characters for some of my gaps.

Lion Picture Library issue 21 - Scoop Donovan

Lion Picture Library issue 22 - Commando One

Lion Picture Library issue 23 - Nick Douglas, secret agent

Lion Picture Library issue 24 - Commando one

Lion Picture Library issue 25 - Commando one
issue not to hand

Lion Picture Library issue 26 - Nick Douglas, secret agent
issue not to hand

Lion Picture Library issue 27 - Paddy Payne

Lion Picture Library issue 28 - Nick Douglas, secret agent

Lion Picture Library issue 29 - Daredevil Dawson

issue not to hand

Lion Picture Library issue 30 - Nick Douglas, secret agent

issue not to hand

Lion Picture Library issue 31 - Paddy Payne

issue not to hand

Lion Picture Library issue 32 - Nick Douglas, secret agent

issue not to hand

Lion Picture Library issue 33 - Daredevil Dawson

issue not to hand

Lion Picture Library issue 34 - Nick Douglas, secret agent

Rare 'Jane of the Daily Mirror' spin-off merchandise - part 2

Browsing that ebay the other day I came across this set of 8 cards that were produced as 'tie-in' merchandise for Jane (of the Daily Mirror) - I've previously look at Jane spin-off books and merchandise here

Here's an image of the complete set and then interior details of the interiors of the last 4 cards.

Cards are signed by Jane artist Norman Pett

I looked at the first 4 cards (here) yesterday.

Rare 'Jane of the Daily Mirror' spin-off merchandise - part 1

Browsing that ebay the other day I came across this set of 8 cards that were produced as 'tie-in' merchandise for Jane (of the Daily Mirror) - I've previously look at Jane spin-off books and merchandise here

Here's an image of the complete set and then interior details of the interiors of the first 4 cards.

Cards are signed by Jane artist Norman Pett

More to come tomorrow!   

Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers print signing today!

This is today - don't forget!

Gosh comics have recently announced (here) a signing with legendary comics creator Gilbert Shelton... 

As is says on their website...

We’re launching a brand new Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers print just in time for Christmas, and we thought what could be a better way to celebrate it than having Gilbert Shelton here to sign it? Yes that’s right, Gilbert Shelton will be here signing on Saturday November 23rd, 1-2pm!

One of the most iconic creators of the underground comics scene of the 1960’s, Shelton has been actively creating ever since. Few creators of the San Francisco underground movement could claim the cultural cachet that Shelton has, in particular the Freak Brothers looming large over an entire counter-culture as The Hilarious Stoner Comic That I Used To Have But Somebody Stole From Me (now conveniently available in a bumper omnibus edition!)

We’ve worked with Gilbert to create a print using artwork from a French edition of Freak Brothers that really captures the colourful, anarchic nature of the strip. We’ll be getting just 100 copies of the print signed, so don’t dilly-dally, pre-order one on our webstore now!

Gilbert will be here from 1-2pm on Saturday the 23rd November. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet one of the true comics legends. If for some unfortunate reason you can’t make it, then you can pre-order a signed copy of the Furry Freak Brothers Omnibus, Fat Freddy’s Cat Omnibus, Fifty Freakin' Years with the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers Compendium or The Best of Wonder Warthog from our webstore for collection or mail order.

Keep up with any updates on the Facebook event page.

Poster from the last time Gilbert did a signing at Gosh...

The fall of Deadworld signing - tomorrow

This is tomorrow (Sat 23rd November) - don't forget!


Over here Forbidden Planet London have announced the signing of 'The fall of Deadworld - book 2' featuring Dave Kendall and Kek-W

The signing takes place 2-3pm on Saturday 23rd November 2019.


As it says on the FP website...
Judge Dredd universe horror for fans of Clive Barker!

They are the four horsemen of the horror apocalypse Dark Judges who declared that life itself is a crime. As they continue to turn their world into a necropolis, young Jess Childs rallies a team of survivors to rescue the one person who can help her prevent the death of the world Judge Fairfax who is imprisoned deep in the belly of Sector House 13.

Judge Death will not let his old protégé go easily, but the Chief Judge has his own problems...Phobia and Nausea’s loyalties wax and wane, Sister Psiren is struggling to supress her old identity, and her new apprentice Casey is turning out more ambitious than anyone reckoned…
Kek-W is the real name of a comics writer who sometimes uses the pseudonym ‘Nigel Long’. He’s apparently “a mysterious droid who haunts the ducts between sub-levels 42b and 17h, deep beneath the Nerve Centre”. As well as ‘Dreams of Deadworld’ he has created and worked on many 2000AD scripts.



If you can't make the signing then you can pre-order the book here (and a signed copy of book 1 here)

The rise and fall of the Trigan Empire - 'variant cover' image released

Currently available here on the Treasury of British Comics website is the hardback edition of The rise and fall of the Trigan empire volume 1. 

as it says...

This 304 page hardcover features an introduction by Liam Sharp (The Green Lantern) and contains the following stories
-Victory for the Trigans
-Crash in the Jungle
-The Falling Moon
-The Invaders from Gallas
-The Land of No Return
-Revolt of the Lokans
-War with Hericon
-Revolution in Zabriz
-The Lokan Invasion
-The Revenge of Darak
-The Alien Invasion
-The Reign of Thara
-The Invasion of Bolus

Featuring stunning artwork taken from crisp scans of Don Lawrence original artwork, this first volume includes a touching introduction from Liam Sharp (Green Lantern), who – along with Judge Dredd artist Chris Weston – was mentored by Lawrence early in his career.

Co-created by Mike Butterworth and Don Lawrence, The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire has been named as a major influence by the likes of writer Neil Gaiman (Sandman), artist Dave Gibbons (Watchmen) and Brian Bolland (Judge Dredd), amongst many others. This special hardcover edition perfectly showcases the remarkable talent of Lawrence, who is rightfully regarded as one of the finest artists in British comics history.

Originally published in the anthology titles Ranger from the first issue in September 1965, and Look and Learn from June 1966 until April 1982, the series told the story of an alien empire on the planet Elekton that was heavily influenced by history, particularly Roman. Created by Mike Butterworth, who died in 1986, and artist Don Lawrence, who died in 2004, the series’ mix of political intrigue and Lawrence’s lush painted artwork won a host of fans worldwide, and proved to be highly influential, inspiring a generation of comic book creators with its depth and beauty.

Don, who started out as a comics creator in the Gower Street Studios in London, first working on Marvelman before moving on to Karl the Viking for Lion. Other artists who worked on the strip include Ron Embleton, Miguel Quesada, Philip Corke, Oliver Frey and Gerry Wood.

Although the strip has seen only limited English-language release it remains one of the most popular comic series in Holland and Germany, with over two million albums sold.

Orders are only being taken for the hardback on their website up until 4th December. 

However over on the Forbidden Planet website they've now posted up the cover (by Chris Weston) to the hardback - it looks absolutely fantastic and is available to order now (and after the 4th December I'm sure) here