It’s the comic book genre that sold millions and then disappeared - the forgotten history of Britain’s romance comics is to be revealed in a stunning new collection.
A Very British Affair will bring together some of the greatest British romance comics ever printed in one spectacular volume - many of them never reprinted before!
Scheduled for publication on 31 January 2023 and curated by Eisner-nominated historian and artist David Roach, this sumptuous 224-page hardcover will be the first book to chart the stratospheric rise of romance comics in postwar Britain.
Featuring an eclectic mix of more than fifty stories, this lavish collection unearths the sensual art and emotional writing which delighted generations of comics readers of titles such as Mirabelle, Valentine, Marilyn, and Serenade.
As well as paying tribute to the often uncredited creators who crafted an industry of love, this fascinating collection will also shine a spotlight on the genre's forgotten female creators, such as Jenny Butterworth, Pat Tourett and Diane Gabbott.
With a cover featuring Ángel Badia Camps’ iconic cover for Serenade, it features art by comics icons like Shirley Bellwood (Misty), Jordi Badía Romero (Creepy) and Enrique Badía Romero (AXA), Mike Hubbard (Jane), Carlos Ezquerra (Judge Dredd), John M. Burns (Modesty Blaise), Purita Campos (Patty’s World), Jesus Blasco (Steel Claw), Pepe Gonzalez (Vampirella) Jesus Redondo (Kitty Pryde) and Ian Gibson (The Ballad of Halo Jones), this is the ultimate celebration of love, loss and lust in postwar Britain.
David Roach said: ‘Despite selling millions of copies over two decades and dominating newsstands, the mid-twentieth century boom in romance comics has been largely forgotten. The first book of its kind to be published, A Very British Affair will shine a light on this sadly neglected genre and its gifted creators.
‘As well as charting the evolution of this fascinating genre through the decades, it will showcase art from a number of great British talents including Shirley Bellwood, Mike Hubbard and Gerry Haylock, as well as work from some of the greatest artists from around the world. It has been a privilege to give these forgotten comics a little much-needed love.’
Editor Olivia Hicks said: ‘It’s been a real privilege to work with someone as knowledgeable and enthusiastic as David on this much needed collection. Despite their incredible popularity, stunning art and the depth of storytelling, British romance comics have become a footnote in comics history.
‘This timely book is going to set the record straight and finally give these amazing comics and their creators their moment in the sun. Brilliant, beautiful, heartfelt and occasionally downright bizarre, this is the essential selection of British romance comics!’
And now, this week's releases...
2000AD Prog 2283
Cover: Tazio Bettin.
Judge Dredd: An Honest Man by Kenneth Niemand (w) Tom Foster (a) Chris Blythe (c) Annie Parkhouse
Brink: Mercury Retrograde by Dan Abnett (w) INJ Culbard (a) Simon Bowland
Hope: In The Shadows by Guy Adams (w) Jimmy Broxton (a) Jim Campbell (l)
Dexter: Bulletopia Chapter Nine - The Thing in the Thing by Dan Abnett (w) Tazio Bettin (a) Matt Soffe (c) Simon Bowland (l)
Fiends of the Eastern Front: 1963 by Ian Edginton (w) Tiernen Trevallion (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)
45 Years of 2000AD
Rebellion ISBN 978-178618571-6, 26 May 2022, 96pp, £29.99 / $39.99. Available via Amazon.
To celebrate forty-five years of bringing Thrill-Power to earthlets, Tharg the Mighty has tasked forty-five of Earth's most popular comic and illustration artists to interpret the characters featured in the pages of the Galaxy's Greatest Comic, 2000 AD. Featuring all new work by Jamie Smart (Bunny vs Monkey), Hannah Templer (GLOW, TMNT), Michael Allred (Madman, Silver Surfer), Kevin O'Neill (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), Sean Phillips (Reckless, The Fade Out), Colleen Doran (Sandman, A Distant Soil).
The full list of creators: Andreas Butzbach, Annie Wu, Bex Glendining, Brett Parson, Chris Weston, Chun Lo, Colleen Doran, D’israeli, Dani, Dave Kendall, Eduardo Ocana, Francesco Francavilla, Hannah Templer, Henry Flint, Ian Mcque, James Harren, Jamie Smart, Jenn St-Onge, John Allison, Josh Hicks, Kelley Jones, Kev Walker, Kevin O’Neill, Kyle Hotz, Lando, Langdon Foss, Mark Eastbrook, Mateus Manhanini, Michael Allred, Mick McMahon, Mike Perkins, Phil Noto, Priscilla Bampoh, Rachael Stott, Raid71, Richard Elson, Sandford Greene, Sean Phillips, Simon Coleby, Stathis Tsemberlidis, Staz Johnson, Steve White, Stewart Moore, The Gurch, V.V. Glass, Vincenzo Riccardi.
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