The FLASH; Back in the UK

Another day, another new British comic, although admittedly this one is full of American reprint. Nevertheless, it's 'new' for those of us who haven't read those stories. Today, Titan Comics have launched The Flash in his own ongoing comic, to be published every 4 weeks. 

Presumably, The Flash Special that Titan published in the summer has proven to have legs, so let's hope this regular comic will run and run.

It's full title is actually DC Super Heroes: The Flash, presumably so that Titan can change the star feature if The Flash's popularity slows down. Not much chance of that at present however, with the first season of The Flash TV series released on DVD and Blu-Ray last week and the second season just starting on TV. (This last week I've watched all 23 episodes of season one and thought it was excellent. A superhero TV series that embraces its comics heritage whilst still appealing to the mainstream viewer.) 

The UK Flash comic has 76 pages, containing stories from the US Flash Nos.6 and 7 and Harley Quinn No.0, all from recent years. Yes, Harley Quinn is the back up strip. I'm afraid all I knew about the character is that she was the annoying one in Bruce Timm's excellent Batman The Animated Series and that she's an insanely popular choice of twenty-something cosplayers. The latter makes her an ideal character to feature as a co-star in this comic. There's also a Harley Quinn pull-out pin-up for every teenager's bedroom wall. 

It's interesting to see Titan expanding their DC Comics line to compete with Panini's Marvel comics, although the shelves are getting pretty crowded in WH Smith now. In two weeks there'll be another addition, as Titan make another attempt at an Arrow comic. (The previous one, a couple of years ago, only lasted a few issues, perhaps because its A4 size had Smiths place it with the junior and nursery comics!) Presumably the new Arrow No.1 will be the same size as Titan and Panini's other superhero titles so it can properly reach its target audience. Find out on October 29th.

The Flash No.1 is out now, priced £3.50.  

Doctor Who Comic restarts at No.1

Titan's Doctor Who Comic was given a revamp today by renumbering with Volume 2 No.1. The new issue is a great 'jumping on point' for new readers as the 84 page comic features the first three chapters of The Four Doctors written by Paul Cornell. Here's the PR direct from Titan...

What universe-shattering event brings the Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors crashing together, fuelled by the actions of a mysterious face from their past? Joined by their loyal companions Gabby, Alice and Clara, can the most recent incarnations of the Time Lord work together to overcome an unexpected foe and keep the laws of time and space intact – or will they be betrayed by one of their own? 

As history warps around them and the future looks increasingly uncertain, only three Doctors thinking and working together offer any chance of getting out of this trap alive! If only they didn't distrust each other on sight!

This epic, world-first adventure is written by Paul Cornell (Doctor Who TV episodes ‘Father’s Day’, ‘Human Nature’ and ‘Family of Blood’, and comics Wolverine, Captain Britain, MI: 13), with astounding art by Neil Edwards (Justice League Unlimited, Amazing Spider-Man, Iron Man) and glorious colours by Ivan Nunes!

The comic also features humour pages written by Cornell, with art by Marc Ellerby and Rachael Smith. 

Doctor Who Comic is an 84 page full colour British comic published every four weeks at £3.99. My local branch of WH Smith had a big display of them today, along with the Panini Marvel comics, so it's good to see them getting a bit more exposure than usual.                                                       

Surface Tension concludes

The final issue of the excellent mini-series Surface Tension is scheduled to be published this week from Titan Comics. Writer/artist Jay Gunn has crafted a fantastic story with some stunning artwork. A perfect example of the high standard of UK comics that are around these days.

Surface Tension is an engaging sci-fi mystery thriller about 'Sea Sickness' sweeping the world, compelling 99% of the human population to walk into the sea, compelled by strange coral structures, where they then dissolve. Two people return, changed. And then things get even weirder.

The story reads like a mature, more sophisticated modern-day version of the sort of engaging thrillers that would appear in Valiant or Lion in the glory days of UK adventure comics. As it's set on the island of Breith, amongst a small community of survivors, it has more of a timeless feel about it than if it was set in an urban city. 

This is quality stuff, and I'll be interested to see what creator Jay Gunn does next. Surface Tension No.5, on sale 30th September from comic speciality shops, $3.99 (about £3.15). A trade paperback collection will follow.

Titan Comics website: http://titan-comics.com/

Jay Gunn's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JayGunnArts

New comics coming in October

No less than three new comic titles will be launching in UK newsagents next month. Wednesday 14th October will bring us the first issue of D.C. Thomson's long awaited Thunderbirds Are Go magazine, which promises to feature "comic adventures" amongst its content. As the mag will solely be focused on the new series, not the classic, the strips will presumably be all new by British creators. John Freeman has more details of the mag over on his Down the Tubes blog:
http://downthetubes.net/?p=25736

...plus the official Thunderbirds Are Go magazine's website is here:
http://www.dcthomson.co.uk/thunderbirdsmagazine


Titan Comics will also be launching two new titles. Thursday 15th October sees the publication of The Flash No.1, so it sounds like the Flash Special that was published earlier this year must have been a hit.

Then, on Thursday 29th October, Green Arrow No.1 hits the shelves, also from Titan. Both Flash and Green Arrow will feature American reprint from DC Comics. I'm not sure of the format yet but hopefully they'll be in the same 76 page format as Titan's Batman comics.  

Piracy Is Inexcusable

This cannot be emphasised enough. 'Piracy' of comics, or films, TV shows, music, games, whatever, is morally wrong. It's also illegal. Yes, I've heard all the excuses about how piracy "helps creators get more exposure" (cobblers!); how people "can't afford to buy every comic they need" (theft is never an option, and 'needs' include food and water, not comics); how they "wouldn't buy it anyway" (yet they like it enough to download a series); how they're "only sampling to see if I like it" (still no excuse for theft)... and so on. All the excuses boil down to the fact that some people just want something for nothing.

Some people might think it's cool to flout the law and gain comics illegally. Hey, they're "sticking it to the man". Except they're not. They're hurting the creators, damaging sales of a comic that publishers might then cancel because they think there's little interest in it, - when in fact thousands of copies are being read illegally. 

One of my favourite British comics at the moment is Surface Tension, written and illustrated by Jay Gunn and published by Titan. It's a fantastic, intriguing story and as the cover and panel sample shown here demonstrates the artwork is stunning. (And a fine example of how UK artists are still in the same league as those of the past.) On the Down the Tubes site today, Jay Gunn has written a passionate and important post about how piracy affected him. Perhaps if people aren't bothered about breaking the law they might consider the human cost of piracy instead. Give it a read...
http://downthetubes.net/?p=25088

And to critics who will undoubtedly say I'm "banging the same drum again", bloody right I am! Myself and many of my friends depend on comics to earn our living, and I'll defend our right to protect our work and our livelihoods against thieves as much as I can. 

Johnny Red returns in a new comic

Classic 1980s British comics character Johnny Red returns this November courtesy of London based publisher Titan Comics, by arrangement with Egmont UK.

The monthly eight-issue mini-series Johnny Red is written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Keith Burns. With a 'mature readers' advisory it promises to be a grittier take on the character than that of his days in the boys weekly Battle-Action. Ideal then for those who grew up with the character and who are now adults. (Although I suspect some will still want him exactly as he was in 1980.)

Johnny Red No.1 goes on sale in November and will be available from comic book speciality shops (not newsagents). However, from personal experience some shops order low on non-superhero comics so I'd advise placing an advance order right away to ensure your copy.

For more details of Johnny Red and the other Titan Comics being published in November, see the Bleeding Cool website here:
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/08/19/titan-comics-solicits-for-november-2015-doctor-who-johnny-red-and-the-sdcc-specials/

For an interview with artist Keith Burns, see the excellent The Beat website here:
http://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-introducing-keith-burns-artist-extraordinaire/
    

Titan's latest DC Comics

There's a long tradition dating back to the 1950s of British reprints of DC Comics and here's a quick preview of the covers to the latest Titan comics that reprint DC strips for UK readers. Two of these issues are already in the shops (Batman No.40 and Batman/Superman No.10) with Batman Arkham No.21 on sale this week (16th July) and DC Universe Presents/Justice League Trinity No.9 on sale 23rd July. 

The comics are full colour throughout and contain 76 to 100 pages an issue. You'll find them in branches of WH Smith, comic shops, and selected newsagents. Alternatively, if you subscribe there's a free Top Trumps DC Universe pack with every subscription. See the Titan Magazines website for full details: 
http://titanmagazines.com/ 

This week in British comics

Here's more proof there's still life in the UK comics industry with a brief look at several titles available this week that feature all new material. The Summer Special edition of 2000AD is out today, or 2000AD Sci-Fi Special as they like to call it, featuring revivals of a few old characters in brand new strips! 

The regular weekly 2000AD also hits the shops today with issue No.1936.

From London-based Titan Comics there's the second issue of Jay Gunn's excellent Surface Tension limited series. This is truly a superb comic with fantastic art by Jay.

Also from Titan Comics today is Scarlett Couture No.3, a thriller by Tottenham-born Des Taylor...

From Panini UK, Doctor Who Magazine No.488 will be in shops on Thursday (25th June), which includes another 12 page chapter of the serial Blood and Ice by Jaqueline Rayner and Martin Geraghty, plus a Daft Dimension strip by me.

There's also the latest issues of The Beano and The Phoenix of course, and probably some other titles I've missed. 

Support the UK comics industry! You'll find 2000AD, The Beano, and Doctor Who Magazine in WH Smith and other High Street newsagents. Surface Tension and Scarlett Couture are available from comics speciality stores. The Phoenix is available by subscription and in selected branches of Waitrose and Waterstones (plus some comic shops).   

Titan Comics: http://titan-comics.com/

2000AD: http://www.2000adonline.com/

Doctor Who Magazine: 
http://www.doctorwhomagazine.com/

The Beano:
http://www.beano.com

The Phoenix:
http://www.thephoenixcomic.co.uk/


(2000AD cover images taken from the superb Everything Comes Back To 2000AD blog. An essential place for every fan of the comic:
https://2000ad.wordpress.com/ )

New Death Sentence from Titan

Well this cover certainly grabbed my attention. You'd never have seen that on the front of Hotspur or Tiger. It's Monty Nero's stunning artwork for the cover to Death Sentence: London No.2, out in July. 

Before that, issue one will launch next month, and here's the cover to that...

Proving that there's still plenty of life in British comics if handled in the right way, Titan Comics are based in London but distribute some of their comics internationally. They have numerous titles out now, many by UK creators. Death Sentence: London is only one of them. Here's the pitch...

• The smash-hit sex-and-superpowers epic returns, with a brand-new artist and an all-new ongoing series! • GREAT NEW JUMPING-ON POINT: Titan's biggest creator-owned smash is back! • Picks up right where the bestselling graphic novel left off – with London in ruins, psychic manipulator Monty ripped in half by failed musician Weasel - and rabbit-hatted invisible artist Verity missing, presumed dead! • As England pulls itself back from the brink, new G-positive powers are popping up all over! • As martial law and forced abstinence prey on the mind of the London Mayor, the American alphabet agencies are watching the London warzone with interest – and special agent Jeb Mulgrew might be next to be thrown into the fire! • Gorgeously grimy fully-painted art by hand-picked creator Martin Simmonds! • As timely and resonant as ever, and packed with all the creative swearing, outrageous use of powers and satirical social commentary you've come to love – Death Sentence is back to lay claim to your hindbrain and devastate your pull list!

Death Sentence: London No.1 is published on June 10th at $3.99. To find out more, and to see Titan's range of comics, visit their website:
http://titan-comics.com/

Here comes The Flash!

Next Thursday (May 7th) sees Titan Comics publish The Flash No.1, a 100 page full colour comic featuring DC Comics' Scarlet Speedster, reprinting a few of his contemporary adventures.

Although the character has appeared in numerous UK comics over the years, I believe this is the first time that The Flash has had his own British title since the early 1960s, when Thorpe and Porter published a black and white reprint series.

Titan's The Flash No.1 is only a one-off for now, presumably to test sales. I'm speculating that a regular series might follow if it proves successful enough. Hopefully the comic will attract a lot of interest due to The Flash TV show.

The Flash No.1 will be priced at £3.99, which is pretty good value for 100 full colour pages. You can find out more, and how to buy a copy by post if you prefer, by visiting Titan's website here:
http://titanmagazines.com/t/souvenir-one-shots/uk/the-flash/1/     

Doctor Who Comic No.2 preview

In the shops today was the second issue of Titan's Doctor Who Comic. Another 84 pages packed with strips featuring the 10th, 11th, and 12th Doctors by some top talent including Robbie Morrison, Dave Taylor, Al Ewing, Simon Fraser, Nick Abadsis and Elena Casagrande. 

Here's a few snapshots I took of my copy...

Doctor Who Comic No.2, £3.99. Not to be confused (although some do) with Panini's Doctor Who Magazine which is still going strong every 4 weeks (see here) or Immediate Media's Doctor Who Adventures mag for younger readers.

The new Doctor Who Comic is here!

Today saw the launch of Titan's new Doctor Who Comic in UK newsagents (although so far I've only seen it in WH Smith). I was surprised to see that the format is A4, rather than the US format of the Titan and Panini comics. Also, Smiths are displaying it in the young children's comics section with The Beano, Dora the Explorer, Angry Birds Magazine etc rather than alongside Doctor Who Magazine, 2000AD, and the aforementioned other Titan and Panini comics. I can't help feeling its intended age group may pass it by as Doctor Who Comic is aimed at a more sophisticated reader than the juvenile titles it's sharing its shelves with but presumably Titan have good reasons for doing it. 

The comic itself is a squarebound 84 page publication with exactly the same paper quality that Titan's CLiNT comic had. The content repackages the first issues of the recent individual Doctor Who comics that are sold in specialist comic shops. So we get long episodes featuring the 12th Doctor by Robbie Morrison and Dave Taylor, the 11th Doctor by Al Ewing, Rob Williams and Simon Fraser, and the 10th Doctor by Nick Abadzis and Elena Casagrande. Excellent value for £3.99 considering each story would cost around £3.00 each in its original format. 

These are top quality stories by top people in the comics industry, most of whom are based in the UK. I'm reluctant to call this publication a 'reprint comic' in the same way that, say, The Mighty World of Marvel is because the strips have only very recently appeared in their original format a few months ago, also by the same publisher. I'd rather consider this a 'British edition' than a reprint, in the same way that books have editions in different countries. But I suppose most will still regard it as a reprint comic so each to their own of course. 

In any case it's good to see another comic on the UK newsstands. Let's hope it proves to be a success! If you have trouble finding it in newsagents you can subscribe to it here:
http://titan.subscribeonline.co.uk/subscriptions/doctor-who-comic?offerCode=DWC1TM

***********************

By the way, to correct an assumption a few have made, this new comic does not replace Doctor Who Magazine or Doctor Who Adventures, nor does it feature the same strips. They're three different publications by three different publishers. 

DC Comics UK

On sale 12th March.

Like Marvel, the association with DC Comics and the UK has been going on for decades. In the 1950s there were British (and imported Australian) editions of DC (National) Comics on sale in British newsagents as import restrictions remaining from WW2 were still in place. (The original American DC comics didn't resume proper distribution in the UK until 1959.)

In 1969 Top Sellers launched Super DC as a monthly which ran for 14 issues and an annual. (See here.) In the 1980s there was The Super-Heroes monthly, and various UK editions of Batman, Superman and others. 

These days it's Titan Comics who have the license to publish British editions of DC material, and they currently have four titles: Batman, Batman: Arkham (both published every four weeks), Batman/Superman and DC Universe Presents/Justice League Trinity, which appear every 8 weeks. These comics follow the Panini format of US-sized comics with 76 pages (occasionally 100 pages), full colour throughout, with card covers. Each issue reprints three American comics for £3.50.

On sale now.

On sale 26th February.

On sale now.

You'll find the comics in WH Smith and selected newsagents but subscriptions are also available directly from Titan. Follow this link to find out more:
http://titan.subscribeonline.co.uk/subscriptions

My thanks to Titan Magazines for sending the cover images.

Titan to publish new Doctor Who Comic for UK newsagents

London based Titan Comics have been producing three seperate Doctor Who comics for the American direct-sale market for several months now, featuring the 10th, 11th, and 12th Doctors in their own titles. However, on February 26th, the company will be launching Doctor Who Comic, a chunky 84 page monthly repackaging those stories into one comic, which will be on sale in WH Smith and other newsagents. 

Each issue will cost £3.99, and will feature three stories, which is quite a bargain considering the individual Doctor Who comics cost around £3 each in Forbidden Planet. 

To find out more, follow this link:
http://www.doctorwho.tv/whats-new/article/titan-launches-doctor-who-comic-in-uk/

In case you were wondering, no this does not replace any current Doctor Who publications. This new comic is in addition to the ongoing titles Doctor Who Magazine, The Essential Doctor Who, and Doctor Who Adventures. Sounds like WH Smith might soon need its own Doctor Who section! 

Titan launch new Doctor Who comic

Titan Comics have today launched the first issue of Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor. This is a new companion title to their recently published Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor and Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor ongoing comics. 

Written by Robbie Morrison (Nikolai Dante, White Death) and with stunning artwork by Dave Taylor (Judge Dredd), Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor is in the standard format of American comics and on sale in comic speciality shops (not newsagents or supermarkets). 

(Please note that this is not related to Panini's Doctor Who Magazine which continues to publish every four weeks.)

Here's the press release from Titan.....

DON’T MISS THE STUNNING DEBUT OF THE TWELFTH DOCTOR’S ALL-NEW COMICS ADVENTURES!

Offering shocks, surprises, and galaxy-shaking revelations, seasoned TARDIS pilot Robbie Morrison (Drowntown, The Authority, 2000AD, Nikolai Dante) and New York Times-bestselling artist Dave Taylor (Batman: Death by Design; 2000AD) mark the start of their first five-issue run by diving headfirst into the console room and pulling all the levers they can – spinning the new Doctor off to his most challenging destination yet!

Freshly regenerated and with a new head full of unanswered questions, the Doctor (as played by Peter Capaldi) whisks Clara Oswald (as played by Jenna Coleman) away to a strange and distant world.

Clara thought she was in for an evening of marking essays on the Metaphysical Poets, followed by going out on a date – or at least trying to. You know, normal stuff.

Instead, she’s facing down exotic flora and fauna in her best dress, backing up the Doctor on a trek through traumatically alien undergrowth – and she doesn’t even know what the Doctor is searching for, or what will try to kill them should they find it!

New Face! New Doctor! New Beginning! Get in on the ground floor of this amazing ongoing series!

Now read the first four pages of issue 1 with this special preview:

Many variant covers have been printed for this first issue. See them all here: 

http://titan-comics.com/news/issue-1-variant-covers-for-doctor-who-the-twelfth-/