Zones - London Editions, 1990

Inspired by an article I came across recently about DC action! I thought I should add its sister title Zones to the blog here - if only to add it to the growing list of '90s comics that I've covered here.

The articles in question are here (on Michael's Carroll's essential Rusty Staples blog) and here (on the much missed Starlogged) blog.

From the publication dates (below) you'll notice that it was published in the months when DC Action! was not being published. I'm unclear why they didn't just publish DC Action! monthly but there you go.

Zones, issue 1, April 1990, published by London Editions, £1.75

Zones, issue 2, June 1990, published by London Editions, £1.75

Zones, issue 3, August 1990, published by London Editions, £1.75

Zones, issue 4, October 1990, published by London Editions, £1.75

BICS, 2006+ programmes

I've looked previously at the programmes produced to accompany various British comic festivals...

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
UKCAC - part 1 is here

UKCAC - part 2 is here

London Super Comic Con is here

In keeping with that theme I'll today start looking at the (A5 sized programmes) produced to accompany the Birmingham International Comics Show (BICS). I'm unclear as to how many of these programmes were published so if you could help fill in any gaps in my collection I'd love to hear from you...

BICS, 2006 - cover by Alex Toth

BICS, 2007 - cover art by Mike Mignola and Kevin Nowlan 

with thanks to Alan Henderson
Interior art /features on...Doug Braithwaite, Mike Carey, Mick McMahon, Mike Mignola, Kevin Nowlan, Lew Stringer, Bryan Talbot, Phil Winslade and Will Sliney

BICS, 2008 - cover by Martin Golden

BICS, 2009 - cover by Howard Chaykin

note the name change from Birmingham international comic show to British international comic show

BICS, 2010
cover image not to hand - can you help? 

Paul H Birch has, below, filled in some of the history on this show for us...

Postscript Books - bargains ahoy - part 2

More back issues of Illustrators magazine available at knockdown prices

Here's issue 12

was £18; is £4.99

The work of digital artist Android Jones adorns the cover of issue 12, and is examined in the lead article, while controversial comics veteran Howard Chaykin and fantasy artist Sidney Sime (1865-1941) are also under the spotlight.

Here's issue 13

The 'king of kitsch' Mitch O'Connell and the illustrator of children's books Brooke Boynton Hughes are interviewed in issue 13, and painter and illustrator Sep E Scott (1879-1965) is celebrated.

Was £18; is £4.99

 Here's issue 14

Perhaps best known for his comics work, fantasy painter Joe Jusko is profiled in issue 14 together with the idiosyncratic Tara McPherson, while Adam Stower, who writes and illustrates children's books, is interviewed.

Was £18; is £4.99

Here's  issue 15

The extraordinary art of Dave McKean, who often collaborates with Neil Gaiman, is the lead article in issue 15, while painter Andy Thomas is interviewed and Sam Peffer's vintage covers for Pan Books are examined.

Was £18; is £4.99

Here's  issue 16

Neal Adams revolutionized American comics in the 1960s and 1970s, and is still working today. He is profiled in issue 16, along with the illustrator Paul Slater and legendary commercial artist Will Davies.
Was £18; is £4.99

I got copies of all 5 of these magazines - they arrived quickly and postage was £3 for all of them.