Comics International
Encyclopedia
Comics International was a British news and reviews magazine
about comic books. Founded in 1990, it was published monthly by Quality Communications
until 2006. At the time of its demise in 2010, it was published by Cosmic Publications Ltd.
of comics, Comics International provided up-to-date news and reviews of comics from around the world. There was a particular focus upon British comics, and British comic creators, with the magazine also featuring details of British retail shops and conventions, or events related to comics. Comics International became quite popular, often outselling the very comics it covered. Being so comprehensive in content, Comics International was carried by many leading UK reference libraries.
Originally printed in black-and-white on newsprint
, the magazine later featured full-colour glossy covers, as well as colour pages internally.
The magazine included up-to-date reviews, as well as having a lively letters page. There was also a question-and-answers section for readers questions to be answered by comics experts.
for its first two hundred issues, from 1990–2006. (Skinn's "Sez Dez" column appeared in each issue during this time.)
Following Skinn stepping down, with the publication of issue #201, the magazine's ex-news editor Mike Conroy became the editor. (Conroy had taken over the main news section of the magazine in 1997 from Phil Hall
.) Conroy announced a new direction for the magazine under his editorship:
After the editorial changeover, however, the magazine's frequency became increasingly sporadic, casting doubt on its long-term future under the new editorial team. In May 2010, Cosmic Publications was dissolved, thus confirming that Comics International had ended, after publishing only eight regular issues (and a few specials) under its new regime.
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.
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
about comic books. Founded in 1990, it was published monthly by Quality Communications
Quality Communications
Quality Communications is a British publishing company founded by Dez Skinn in 1982. Quality was initially formed to publish the award-winning monthly comics anthology Warrior. The company has been involved with comics in both the UK and the U.S., mainly with reprint material from Warrior and...
until 2006. At the time of its demise in 2010, it was published by Cosmic Publications Ltd.
Overview
Described in Time Out as the NMENME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
of comics, Comics International provided up-to-date news and reviews of comics from around the world. There was a particular focus upon British comics, and British comic creators, with the magazine also featuring details of British retail shops and conventions, or events related to comics. Comics International became quite popular, often outselling the very comics it covered. Being so comprehensive in content, Comics International was carried by many leading UK reference libraries.
Originally printed in black-and-white on newsprint
Newsprint
Newsprint is a low-cost, non-archival paper most commonly used to print newspapers, and other publications and advertising material. It usually has an off-white cast and distinctive feel. It is designed for use in printing presses that employ a long web of paper rather than individual sheets of...
, the magazine later featured full-colour glossy covers, as well as colour pages internally.
The magazine included up-to-date reviews, as well as having a lively letters page. There was also a question-and-answers section for readers questions to be answered by comics experts.
History
The magazine was published and edited by Quality Communications owner Dez SkinnDez Skinn
Derek "Dez" Skinn is a British comic and magazine editor, and author of a number of books on comics. As head of Marvel Comics' operations in England in the late 1970s, Skinn reformatted existing titles, launched new ones, and acquired the BBC license for Doctor Who Weekly...
for its first two hundred issues, from 1990–2006. (Skinn's "Sez Dez" column appeared in each issue during this time.)
Following Skinn stepping down, with the publication of issue #201, the magazine's ex-news editor Mike Conroy became the editor. (Conroy had taken over the main news section of the magazine in 1997 from Phil Hall
Phil Hall (UK writer)
Phill Hall is the former copy, news, and features editor for the British comics magazine Comics International, as well as the creator and editor of the comics magazine Borderline, which won the Best Comicbook Magazine award at the 2002 British Comicbook Awards...
.) Conroy announced a new direction for the magazine under his editorship:
After the editorial changeover, however, the magazine's frequency became increasingly sporadic, casting doubt on its long-term future under the new editorial team. In May 2010, Cosmic Publications was dissolved, thus confirming that Comics International had ended, 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:- "Talking Shop", a column about British comics retailing by Stephen Holland, owner of Page 45.
- "Its Only a Comic", a humorous column from the creator's side by Tony LeeTony LeeTony Lee is a British comics writer, screenwriter, audio playwright and novelist.-Early life:Lee was born in Hayes, Middlesex in England...
. - "Novel Graphics", written by Paul GravettPaul GravettPaul Gravett is a London-based journalist, curator, writer and broadcaster who has worked in comics publishing and promotion for over 20 years....
, dealt with graphic novels; this column originally started appearing in the comics magazine BorderlineBorderline Comics MagazineBorderline Comics Magazine was a comics magazine created by former Comics International news and features editor Phil Hall, which was published from 2001–2003...
. - "Networks", compiled by Tim Pilcher, deals with Internet comics gossip. Pilcher went on to become associate editor on the magazine.
- "Illuminations", written by Martin Averre, deals with upcoming news of future comic releases.
- "Movers & Shakers", which was the comics industry's first ever gossip and marketing column and was voted the most popular column in the magazine in a poll conducted in 1997. The column was created by former Comics International news and features editor Phil HallPhil Hall (UK writer)Phill Hall is the former copy, news, and features editor for the British comics magazine Comics International, as well as the creator and editor of the comics magazine Borderline, which won the Best Comicbook Magazine award at the 2002 British Comicbook Awards...
. - "Hotshots" - a top ten picks column, written by Phil Hall originally, and later by Martin Averre.
- "Frame to Frame", a look at the comics industry in film by Mike Conroy
- The World of Jack StaffJack StaffJack Staff is a British superhero created by comic book writer/artist Paul Grist. Billed as "Britain's Greatest Hero", it is known for being in the style of an anthology title and for its multi-linear plotlines....
(a serialised comic stripComic stripA comic strip is a sequence of drawings arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative, often serialized, with text in balloons and captions....
), written and drawn by Paul GristPaul GristPaul Grist is a British comic book creator, noted for his hard-boiled police series Kane and his unorthodox superhero series Jack Staff.-Biography:...
,. - 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.