Comics International
Phill Hall (c. 1990–1997) Mike Conroy (1997–2006) | |
| Categories | Comic books news/criticism |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Publisher | Quality Communications (1990–2006) Cosmic Publications Ltd. (2006–2010) |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Final issue | 2010 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Comics International was a British news and reviews
Over time, Comics International became quite popular, often outselling the very comics it covered.
Overview
Described in
Originally printed in black-and-white on newsprint, the magazine later featured full-colour glossy covers with interior colour pages.
History
The magazine was published and edited by Quality Communications owner Dez Skinn for its first two hundred issues, from 1990 to 2006 (Skinn's Dez Sez column appeared in each issue during this time).
With the magazine's sale to Cosmic Publications in 2006 (and Skinn's departure as editor),
My vision can be distilled down to a news-driven blend of Amazing Heroes and Starlog's Comics Scene presented with CI’s traditional level playing field approach and straightforward reportage. I’d like to think that we can capture the middle ground between Wizard’s irreverent hyperbole, The Comics Journal’s serious, intellectual approach and whatever it is Comics Buyer's Guide has to offer.[3]
After the editorial changeover, however, the magazine's frequency became increasingly sporadic, casting doubt on its long-term future under the new editorial team.[1] In May 2010, Cosmic Publications was dissolved, thus confirming that Comics International had ended,[4] after publishing only eight regular issues (and a few specials) under its new regime.
Regular features
In addition to Dez Skinn's own editorial column, Comics International's main features included:
- Frame to Frame, a long-running column by Mike Conroy on the interaction between movies and comics
- Talking Shop, a column about British comics retailing by Stephen Holland, owner of Page 45
- It's Only a Comic, a humorous column from the creator's side by Tony Lee
- Novel Graphics, a column about graphic novels by Paul Gravett; this column originated in Borderlinemagazine
- Networks, Internet comics gossip by Tim Pilcher; Pilcher went on to become associate editor of CI
- Illuminations, upcoming news of future comic releases by Martin Averre
- Movers & Shakers, the comics industry's first gossip and marketing column;[Phill Hall
- Hotshots, a top ten picks column originally by Phil Hall and later by Martin Averre
- The World of Jack Staff, a serialised comic strip by Paul Grist
- Comic Cuts, by Mike Kazybrid, a three-panel gag strip
- Outside the Frame, by John Freeman/Nick Miller, a three-panel gag strip
In addition, there was a lengthy review section by a regular team of over twenty reviewers, a festivals calendar, and listings of U.K. comics specialty stores, mail-order companies, and the following month's U.K. & U.S. releases.
Awards
- 1997 National Comics Awardfor Best Specialist Comics Publication
- 1999 National Comics Award for Best Specialist Comics Publication
- 2001 National Comics Award for Best Specialist Magazine or Website
- 2003 National Comics Award for Best Specialist Magazine or Website
See also
Notes
- ^ a b c Johnston, Rich. "Comics International Closes Shop," Archived 2010-10-28 at the Wayback Machine Bleeding Cool (May 27, 2010).
- ^ Voulieris, John. "All the Rage: A Little Rage Under The Tree," Archived 2007-01-02 at the Wayback Machine Silver Bullet Comics (Dec. 17, 2006).
- ^ "‘Under new management’ – FPI speaks to Mike Conroy, new editor of Comics International," Forbidden Planet International (Feb. 27, 2007).
- ^ Freeman, John. "Comics International publisher company dissolved," DownTheTubes (May 21, 2010).