Comic Clippings - 10 August

The BBC's upcoming 3-part Comics Britannia series about comics will be narrated by Armando Iannucci, will feature a number of interviews with comic creators and special graphics will bring some of the two-dimensional characters to life. According to BBC News, comic strip stars Dennis the Menace, Roy of the Rovers, the Bash Street Kids, the Fat Slaggs, Watchmen and V For Vendetta will receive special treatment using technology which "allows the audience literally to step inside the comics."

I believe the three shows are: Beano to Bunty, Commando to Viz and Eagle to 2000AD. Other programmes to be shown as part of the season will include a documentary starring Jonathan Ross as he tracks down the reclusive Steve Ditko and episodes of Batman starring Adam West. The 1966 Modesty Blaise film will also be screened.

(Incidentally, has anyone seen the American TV pilot that was made in 1982? IMDB has a couple of user comments which make it sound pretty awful but I'd still like to see it. The comment, "There is one major overriding problem: This is not really Modesty Blaise at all. The names of the major characters and a few story elements are correct, but it's otherwise totally wrong," could equally apply to the 1966 Joseph Losey movie but it's still fun... just not the comic strip character. The third movie, My Name Is Modesty, is actually not too bad, although I've never been tempted to give the DVD more than one spin.)

* I'm pleased to see that the British Fantasy Society has named a new award after Sydney J. Bounds. The Sydney J. Bounds Best Newcomer Award will be selected by a panel of judges and will be announced at the British Fantasy Convention, Fantasycon 2007, to be held at the Britannia Hotel, Nottingham on 21-23 September.

* Eddie Campbell is interviewed by John Anderson at Comics Alliance. (Link via Journalista)

* Ego-trip time. I get a mention on the Forbidden Planet International blog!

* Chris Weston has been working on designs for a range of 12" Dan Dare action figures. Chris will also be doing box art and... just go take a look, OK?

* Who Stole Marvelman a.k.a. Miracleman? It looks like there's a DVD coming soon.