TV Fun (Fleetway Publications) #01 (23 Mar 1988-05 Apr 1988)
Freestyle BMX (IPC Magazines Ltd.) #01 (1984) *magazine*
First Appearances:
Sergeant Rob Hunter (Hunter) in Warlord (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #133 (26 Mar 1977).
Births:
Patten Wilson (1969); Julius Stafford Baker, Jr. (1904); Sam Fair (1909)
Notable Events:
The Pet Shop Boys featured in a Smash Hits interview, looking back at Neil Tennant's career, in 1988.
The Glasgow UK Comic Art Convention took place in 1991, with winners of the UK Comic Art Awards being announced by Penguin.
Dave Gibbons became the first artist to be featured in a Superstar Evening by the Cartoon Art Trust in 1996.
The Warren Ellis–scripted Hostile Waters computer game, by Rage Games Limited, was released by Interplay in 2001.
Stanley McMurtry was a castaway on Desert Island Discs, on BBC Radio 4, in 2008.
Showing posts with label Neil Tennant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neil Tennant. Show all posts
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Monday, February 4, 2019
On This Day: 04 Feb
Batman: Gotham Central (Titan Comics) #01 (2016)
First Appearances:
Brigand Doom in 2000 A.D. (Fleetway Publications) Prog 717 (09 Feb 1991).
Births:
Mike Western (1925); Kenneth Mahood (1930); Derek 'Dez' Skinn (1951); Leah Moore (1978)
Deaths:
Sir John Paget Mellor, 1st Baronet (Quiz; 1929); Sydney George Hulme Beaman (1932); Stephen Roth (1967); James Friell (Gabriel; 1997); Dick Millington (2015)
Notable Events:
Bruce Bairnsfather began a tour of his "Old Bill and Me" lecture in 1919, with the first appearance at Hove Town Hall.
Rick Martin newspaper strip began in The Daily Sketch in 1957.
Marvel's Bullpen were present at the comic mart, at the Central Hall, Westminster, in 1984.
The first episode of original superhero sit-com My Hero broadcast on BBC One in 2000.
Neil Tennant was a castaway on Desert Island Discs, on BBC Radio 4, in 2007.
The SWALC micro-arts festival took place, in the Lord Clyde pub, London, in 2012. Bryan and Mary Talbot were in attendance.
First Appearances:
Brigand Doom in 2000 A.D. (Fleetway Publications) Prog 717 (09 Feb 1991).
Births:
Mike Western (1925); Kenneth Mahood (1930); Derek 'Dez' Skinn (1951); Leah Moore (1978)
Deaths:
Sir John Paget Mellor, 1st Baronet (Quiz; 1929); Sydney George Hulme Beaman (1932); Stephen Roth (1967); James Friell (Gabriel; 1997); Dick Millington (2015)
Notable Events:
Bruce Bairnsfather began a tour of his "Old Bill and Me" lecture in 1919, with the first appearance at Hove Town Hall.
Rick Martin newspaper strip began in The Daily Sketch in 1957.
Marvel's Bullpen were present at the comic mart, at the Central Hall, Westminster, in 1984.
The first episode of original superhero sit-com My Hero broadcast on BBC One in 2000.
Neil Tennant was a castaway on Desert Island Discs, on BBC Radio 4, in 2007.
The SWALC micro-arts festival took place, in the Lord Clyde pub, London, in 2012. Bryan and Mary Talbot were in attendance.
Friday, November 16, 2018
On This Day: 16 Nov
Births:
G. William Backhouse (1903); William Augustus Sillince (Silenus; 1906); Suzanne Henriette Einzig (1922); Nik Pollard (1945)
Deaths:
Bernard Greenbaum (1993)
Notable Events:
The Astérix strip made its first appearance in Britain, on the back page of Valiant in 1963 – although renamed 'Little Fred And Big Ed' for some reason.
The Pet Shop Boys' single West End Girls entered the charts at #80 in 1985. It would remain on the charts for sixteen weeks, taking the top spot for two weeks at the beginning of 1986.
Axa newspaper strip ceased publication in 1985.
Stan Lee concluded his signing tour in Fantastic Store at the Virgin Megastore, 14 Oxford Street, London, in 1991.
A Steve Bell cartoon depicting a press conference held by Binyamin Netanyahu, with Tony Blair and William Hague as glove puppets, appeared in The Guardian in 2012 to much controversy. After the Press Complaints Commission was brought in, The Guardian issued an editorial statement which sought to diffuse tension surrounding the cartoon.
G. William Backhouse (1903); William Augustus Sillince (Silenus; 1906); Suzanne Henriette Einzig (1922); Nik Pollard (1945)
Deaths:
Bernard Greenbaum (1993)
Notable Events:
The Astérix strip made its first appearance in Britain, on the back page of Valiant in 1963 – although renamed 'Little Fred And Big Ed' for some reason.
The Pet Shop Boys' single West End Girls entered the charts at #80 in 1985. It would remain on the charts for sixteen weeks, taking the top spot for two weeks at the beginning of 1986.
Axa newspaper strip ceased publication in 1985.
Stan Lee concluded his signing tour in Fantastic Store at the Virgin Megastore, 14 Oxford Street, London, in 1991.
A Steve Bell cartoon depicting a press conference held by Binyamin Netanyahu, with Tony Blair and William Hague as glove puppets, appeared in The Guardian in 2012 to much controversy. After the Press Complaints Commission was brought in, The Guardian issued an editorial statement which sought to diffuse tension surrounding the cartoon.
Monday, October 22, 2018
Captain Britain Vol.1 #1
13 Oct 1976. Cover price 10p.
36 pages. Colour & B&W.
Marvel Comics Ltd.
Edited by Larry Lieber & Neil Tennant.
Cover p: Larry Lieber (signed); i: Frank Giacoia (uncredited).
Free Captain Britain mask.
Contents:
Splashing out on full-colour pages, with which to showcase Captain Britain, makes a real difference to the title as a whole. Flat colouring really doesn't matter, and gives the strip the feeling of belonging to the same tradition as Captain America, Spider-Man and other US characters - this is a British character with firmly American roots. Lieber's cover design looks back to mid-sixties US covers for inspiration, and - compared to other British launches - shows great restraint in text placement.
Opening somewhere on Cheviot Hills, our fledgling hero faces off against Reaver and his associates. There are (Duddo?) standing stones making interesting background scenery for a action-packed sequence, as Reaver states that Cap is all that stands between him and enough power to rule the world. Reaver's forces don't stand a chance against the strength and reflexes of Captain Britain, who casually swats them away.
A highlight of this is the thought balloon: "I'm a physicist, not some... Super-hero!" Was a Star Trek re-run playing in the background when this was written?
Instinctively stating that Reaver can call him Captain Britain, we get treated to a flashback origin story - not the most elegant manner in which to impart this information. This section doesn't work quite as well. Darkmoor Research Centre, a top secret nuclear complex half-hidden on the lonely moor, is a bustling, futuristic facility which looks more like a hydro-power plant designed by a madman. That it is only half-hidden is an interesting fact - what was wrong with completely hiding it? Did they run out of time? Did they run out of money?
Brian Braddock, working as an assistant to Dr. Travis - a pipe in his mouth throughout, hopefully unlit considering his location - gets told that the complex is on the threshold of developing a practical, safe fusion reactor system which will solve the world's energy crisis overnight. Their conversation is interrupted by shooting from outside, and a nearby wall collapses as Joshua Stragg - the Reaver - enters in a futuristic tank to kidnap the assembled scientific minds.
Dr. Travis is killed in the assault, and Brian flees - abandoning his pipe - with Stragg's men in hot pursuit. Crashing his motorbike off a cliff, Brian has a vision of two immense faces. Informed that he is in an ancient circle of power, Brian learns that he is going to be judged on peril of his immortal soul. He is then told to choose between an amulet and a sword...
Which is where the story breaks off, sans a satisfying conclusion.
It feels like an American reprint, especially given the uncomfortable break just as things are getting interesting, a matter not aided by the very large panels more befitting a younger audience than intended. Still, this is a nice change from endless reprints, so must be applauded.
The Fantastic Four story continues on from material published in Titans, which is simply unacceptable in a launch issue - stories should feel fresh and exciting, and not immediately tie to other publications which are not assured to still be available. Facing certain death in the Negative Zone, Reed attempts to save himself as the rest of the team watch on via the Visi-Scanner.
Having been deprived of the opening part of this adventure I can't say that I care much how Reed survives (as he must), though it is an attractively-drawn tale with enough style to validate its inclusion.
Steranko's work is always appreciated, though (once again) we begin mid-story - there is no alteration to remove a "see last ish" reference in an opening text box, making me wonder is the decision to include the strip in this title was a last-minute decision. A couple of pin-ups - Nick Fury and Captain Britain - are also included, but special mention must be made of the free gift. There's a distinct lack of blue mouthpiece, but it is a great-looking mash when flat.
An unfocused and slightly scrappy first issue, but with an appeal which transcends its limitations.
36 pages. Colour & B&W.
Marvel Comics Ltd.
Edited by Larry Lieber & Neil Tennant.
Cover p: Larry Lieber (signed); i: Frank Giacoia (uncredited).
Free Captain Britain mask.
Contents:
.2 Captain Britain UNTITLED [] w: Chris Claremont; p: Herb Trimpe; i: Fred Kida, lettering by Irving Watanabe, colouring by Marie Severin.
.9 A Personal Message from Stan Lee introduction.
10 All the Excitement of the Battlefield from Atlantic advertisement.
11 To Celebrate the Launch of Captain Britain (half page) announcement. / Fun Jokes (quarter page) advertisement for novelty catalogue. / Free Stamp Collectors Outfit (eighth of page) advertisement for The Bridgnorth Stamp Co. Ltd. / Free Complete Stamp Collectors Outfit (eighth of page) advertisement for Philatelic Services.
12 The Fantastic Four One From Four Leaves Three! w: Stan Lee; p: John Buscema, i: Joe Sinnott, lettering by Mike Stevens.
r: edited Fantastic Four (Marvel Comics) #110 (May 1971).
17 Get These 4 Great Mags Everyweek! (three quarters page) in-house advertisement for Super Spider-Man, Planet of the Apes and Dracula Lives, The Titans, and The Mighty World of Marvel starring The Incredible Hulk and the Avengers / Free Next Week... Captain Britain Boomerang!! (quarter page)
18 Have you got a meccano tank, plane, horse, jeep, submarine, skyscraper, motorboat, showboat, racing car, railway-engine, taxi cab, windmill, cable car set? (half page) advertisement for Meccano. / Marvel T-Shirts (half page) in-house advertisement.
24 Captain Britain's Fun Page puzzles. w:/a: Owen McCarron.
25 A Marvel Masterwork Pin-Up Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. a: Jim Steranko.
r: cover from Strange Tales (Marvel Comics) #167 (Apr 1968).
26 Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. From Hell -- Fury! w:/a: Jim Steranko, lettering by Jerry Feldman.
r: cover from Strange Tales (Marvel Comics) #159 (Aug 1967).
31 A Marvel Masterwork Pin-Up Captain Britain! p: Herb Trimpe, i: Fred Kida.
32 Win These 3 Great Mogul Toys advertisement.
Splashing out on full-colour pages, with which to showcase Captain Britain, makes a real difference to the title as a whole. Flat colouring really doesn't matter, and gives the strip the feeling of belonging to the same tradition as Captain America, Spider-Man and other US characters - this is a British character with firmly American roots. Lieber's cover design looks back to mid-sixties US covers for inspiration, and - compared to other British launches - shows great restraint in text placement.
Opening somewhere on Cheviot Hills, our fledgling hero faces off against Reaver and his associates. There are (Duddo?) standing stones making interesting background scenery for a action-packed sequence, as Reaver states that Cap is all that stands between him and enough power to rule the world. Reaver's forces don't stand a chance against the strength and reflexes of Captain Britain, who casually swats them away.
A highlight of this is the thought balloon: "I'm a physicist, not some... Super-hero!" Was a Star Trek re-run playing in the background when this was written?
Instinctively stating that Reaver can call him Captain Britain, we get treated to a flashback origin story - not the most elegant manner in which to impart this information. This section doesn't work quite as well. Darkmoor Research Centre, a top secret nuclear complex half-hidden on the lonely moor, is a bustling, futuristic facility which looks more like a hydro-power plant designed by a madman. That it is only half-hidden is an interesting fact - what was wrong with completely hiding it? Did they run out of time? Did they run out of money?
Brian Braddock, working as an assistant to Dr. Travis - a pipe in his mouth throughout, hopefully unlit considering his location - gets told that the complex is on the threshold of developing a practical, safe fusion reactor system which will solve the world's energy crisis overnight. Their conversation is interrupted by shooting from outside, and a nearby wall collapses as Joshua Stragg - the Reaver - enters in a futuristic tank to kidnap the assembled scientific minds.
Dr. Travis is killed in the assault, and Brian flees - abandoning his pipe - with Stragg's men in hot pursuit. Crashing his motorbike off a cliff, Brian has a vision of two immense faces. Informed that he is in an ancient circle of power, Brian learns that he is going to be judged on peril of his immortal soul. He is then told to choose between an amulet and a sword...
Which is where the story breaks off, sans a satisfying conclusion.
It feels like an American reprint, especially given the uncomfortable break just as things are getting interesting, a matter not aided by the very large panels more befitting a younger audience than intended. Still, this is a nice change from endless reprints, so must be applauded.
The Fantastic Four story continues on from material published in Titans, which is simply unacceptable in a launch issue - stories should feel fresh and exciting, and not immediately tie to other publications which are not assured to still be available. Facing certain death in the Negative Zone, Reed attempts to save himself as the rest of the team watch on via the Visi-Scanner.
Having been deprived of the opening part of this adventure I can't say that I care much how Reed survives (as he must), though it is an attractively-drawn tale with enough style to validate its inclusion.
Steranko's work is always appreciated, though (once again) we begin mid-story - there is no alteration to remove a "see last ish" reference in an opening text box, making me wonder is the decision to include the strip in this title was a last-minute decision. A couple of pin-ups - Nick Fury and Captain Britain - are also included, but special mention must be made of the free gift. There's a distinct lack of blue mouthpiece, but it is a great-looking mash when flat.
An unfocused and slightly scrappy first issue, but with an appeal which transcends its limitations.
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