31 December 2023

Eric Parker female heads (part 1 of 4)

I've recently begun a lengthy series of blog posts all about renowned illustrator Eric Parker (check out his Wikipedia entry here) who had a 50 year (!) career as a comic illustrator.

I've looked at Roughs (part 1) here
Roughs (part 2) here
Roughs (part 3) here
Roughs (part 4) here

and now we turn our attention to the start of a series of illustrations of women's heads...





This image (below) is on the reverse of the image (above) so is included here for completeness




30 December 2023

London comic book convention

I've looked a few different conventions before....

Bristol comic expo (2004-2014) is here
London comic festival 2003 is here
Kev Sutherland festival original art is here
A 'Lawless 2019' miscellany is here
Boys and Girls exhibitions of the 1950s and '60s is here
Glasgow comic art convention is here
Edinburgh art convention is here
Hi-Ex convention is here
UKCAC - part 1 - is here
UKCAC - part 2 - is here
UKCAC - part 3 - is here
BICS convention is here
Glasgow comic con is here
Kapow! comic con is here
British comic conventions 1970-76 is here 
British comic conventions 1977-81 is here 
Comic conventions miscellany is here
Comics 101 is here
Strips 78 is here
Comicon 1972 is here
Eaglecon 80 - part 1 - is here
Comicon 1971 is here
Comicon 1970 is here
Bristol comic expo 2023 is here
ALL the Lawless 2023 posts can be found here

And now here's another one! Yes, it's the London comic book convention at Alexandra Palace, 1992.







29 December 2023

UPDATED: workin klass Super Hero #1 - Glenn Fabry

Ages ago (here to be precise) I looked at a really early Glenn Fabry comic - the 2nd issue of Workin' klass Superhero to be precise - I know that there was never an issue #3 but I'd never looked to see if I could find out anything about issue #1.

A quick bit of googling tuned up some cover images from Lew Stringer's blog here and on John Charles blog here

Still not seen an actual copy in the flesh but, fingers crossed, one day!

and now with a few more inages...
Here's Stevie Nicks (back cover)





28 December 2023

UPDATED: John Gillatt - original art

Shamelessly lifted (for posterity!) from the always interesting "BOCAC - British Original Comic Art Collectors" Facebook group are these two examples of John Gillatt's work for his Dutch (reprint) publisher.




The lucky owner said...These came into my possession back in 1987, given to me by the owner of an art agency in Chichester Rents, London (long since demolished!)

and now another image has come to light...
the owner says...
The Dutch 'Het Stripschap' had ten original covers made by John in their archives. They where returned to John in 2012.

27 December 2023

Bryan Talbot - the battle of London

There's a piece to be written some day about (limited edition) prints by Bryan Talbot. Today isn't that day but I'm going to (as ever with these things) kick it off, because you've got to start somewhere right?

If you've got any prints with Bryan's artwork on do get in touch - I'll happily add them to an updated version of this post at some point.

The battle of London




all images c/o ebay seller phil4comics

26 December 2023

UPDATED: undated annuals

As it's Christmas time it must be time to look at undated annuals, I  recently picked up my second undated Eagle annual as I know they're pretty uncommon - either as a mis-print or as a deliberate act. 

Care of friend of the blog Michael Carroll I can add this undated 1977 Action annual to the listing...

Now (c/o Scott Bartlett on the '77-2000AD Facebook group) I can add a 2000AD annual to this listing... 

Previously I just has an undated Eagle annual for 1972 (below) - the front cover and spine are undated...


Here's what it should have looked like...

The Eagle annuals of 1971/2/3/5 all seem particularly set-up to have the date removed (if necessary) as it's a different colour to the rest of the cover...

...and now I have an undated 1971 annual too
The date has also been removed from the spine

...and now I have an undated 1975 annual too

So now I'm just after undated annuals for 1973 - if you can help me out with these just let me know...


I've read a theory that it was done so that the annuals could be shipped overseas where, because of the time taken to get them there by boat, they'd need a longer shelf-life to sell and if the annual was dated people wouldn't buy it as the year was already well under way.

Here are some other examples - anyone else got any other examples or theories about undated annuals? 











25 December 2023

Roy of the Rovers - the game (1989)

Who found this under their Christmas tree in 1989?

Thanks to Barrie Tomlinson for pointing out that Mike White provided the art for the box.