Trident Comics
Encyclopedia
Trident Comics was a comic book
publishing company based in Leicester
, UK
, specializing in black and white comics created by new British talent. It was formed in 1989
as an offshoot of the company Neptune Distribution
, and went out of business in 1992
when Neptune Distribution did.
opportunities for not just established talent such as Neil Gaiman
, Eddie Campbell
and Grant Morrison
, but new talent such as Mark Millar
, Paul Grist
and Dominic Regan. Trident Comics's main editor was Martin Skidmore, a British comic fan who had been previously best known for editing the fan-magazine, Fantasy Advertiser
, a title which Trident Comics published when Skidmore joined the company.
Its first release in early 1989 was the Trident Sampler, a 32 page free sampler issue featuring previews from forthcoming titles. This was followed shortly afterward by Trident #1. Trident
was an anthology
title, and its first issue featured work such as Eddie Campbell
's Bacchus
, Neil Gaiman
and Nigel Kitching
's The Light Brigade
and Grant Morrison
and Paul Grist
's St. Swithin's Day
.
Trident proved successful and was followed shortly afterward by Saviour #1 by Mark Millar
and Daniel Vallely
. This was Millar's first published work and again proved successful for Trident Comics. In 1989, Trident Comics also launched Man-Elf (created by Michael Moorcock
) as well as Fantasy Advertiser
on a bi-monthly basis. However, this success was tempered by criticism of titles shipping late, something which began to affect its titles more and more.
In 1990, Trident Comics released its best known title, the collected and recoloured St. Swithin's Day
by Morrison and Grist. It proved controversial due to its subject matter, it even had questions asked about it in the House of Commons
. It quickly sold out and was one of the few titles Trident sent to a second print.
After this success, 1990 saw more titles such as Paul Grist
's Burglar Bill
, Mark Millar
and Andrew Hope's, The Shadowmen and Eddie Campbell
and Phil Elliott
's Lucifer.
Many of these titles suffered from the late shipping that had been a problem previously with the company. This affected sales greatly as well as the reputation of Trident Comics. Another factor was Neptune also forming Apocalypse Ltd
( their main title was the weekly Toxic!
)
in 1991, this stretched all of Neptune's company's to their limit.
Eventually during 1992 Neptune Distribution
went bankrupt and took Trident Comics and Apocalypse Ltd
with them.
Several Trident Comics titles did find new publishers, including St. Swithin's Day
and Bacchus
, but many did not and remained unpublished.
Trident Comics was a comic book
publishing company based in Leicester
, UK
, specializing in black and white comics created by new British talent. It was formed in 1989
as an offshoot of the company Neptune Distribution
, and went out of business in 1992
when Neptune Distribution did.
opportunities for not just established talent such as Neil Gaiman
, Eddie Campbell
and Grant Morrison
, but new talent such as Mark Millar
, Paul Grist
and Dominic Regan. Trident Comics's main editor was Martin Skidmore, a British comic fan who had been previously best known for editing the fan-magazine, Fantasy Advertiser
, a title which Trident Comics published when Skidmore joined the company.
Its first release in early 1989 was the Trident Sampler, a 32 page free sampler issue featuring previews from forthcoming titles. This was followed shortly afterward by Trident #1. Trident
was an anthology
title, and its first issue featured work such as Eddie Campbell
's Bacchus
, Neil Gaiman
and Nigel Kitching
's The Light Brigade
and Grant Morrison
and Paul Grist
's St. Swithin's Day
.
Trident proved successful and was followed shortly afterward by Saviour #1 by Mark Millar
and Daniel Vallely
. This was Millar's first published work and again proved successful for Trident Comics. In 1989, Trident Comics also launched Man-Elf (created by Michael Moorcock
) as well as Fantasy Advertiser
on a bi-monthly basis. However, this success was tempered by criticism of titles shipping late, something which began to affect its titles more and more.
In 1990, Trident Comics released its best known title, the collected and recoloured St. Swithin's Day
by Morrison and Grist. It proved controversial due to its subject matter, it even had questions asked about it in the House of Commons
. It quickly sold out and was one of the few titles Trident sent to a second print.
After this success, 1990 saw more titles such as Paul Grist
's Burglar Bill
, Mark Millar
and Andrew Hope's, The Shadowmen and Eddie Campbell
and Phil Elliott
's Lucifer.
Many of these titles suffered from the late shipping that had been a problem previously with the company. This affected sales greatly as well as the reputation of Trident Comics. Another factor was Neptune also forming Apocalypse Ltd
( their main title was the weekly Toxic!
)
in 1991, this stretched all of Neptune's company's to their limit.
Eventually during 1992 Neptune Distribution
went bankrupt and took Trident Comics and Apocalypse Ltd
with them.
Several Trident Comics titles did find new publishers, including St. Swithin's Day
and Bacchus
, but many did not and remained unpublished.
Trident Comics was a comic book
publishing company based in Leicester
, UK
, specializing in black and white comics created by new British talent. It was formed in 1989
as an offshoot of the company Neptune Distribution
, and went out of business in 1992
when Neptune Distribution did.
opportunities for not just established talent such as Neil Gaiman
, Eddie Campbell
and Grant Morrison
, but new talent such as Mark Millar
, Paul Grist
and Dominic Regan. Trident Comics's main editor was Martin Skidmore, a British comic fan who had been previously best known for editing the fan-magazine, Fantasy Advertiser
, a title which Trident Comics published when Skidmore joined the company.
Its first release in early 1989 was the Trident Sampler, a 32 page free sampler issue featuring previews from forthcoming titles. This was followed shortly afterward by Trident #1. Trident
was an anthology
title, and its first issue featured work such as Eddie Campbell
's Bacchus
, Neil Gaiman
and Nigel Kitching
's The Light Brigade
and Grant Morrison
and Paul Grist
's St. Swithin's Day
.
Trident proved successful and was followed shortly afterward by Saviour #1 by Mark Millar
and Daniel Vallely
. This was Millar's first published work and again proved successful for Trident Comics. In 1989, Trident Comics also launched Man-Elf (created by Michael Moorcock
) as well as Fantasy Advertiser
on a bi-monthly basis. However, this success was tempered by criticism of titles shipping late, something which began to affect its titles more and more.
In 1990, Trident Comics released its best known title, the collected and recoloured St. Swithin's Day
by Morrison and Grist. It proved controversial due to its subject matter, it even had questions asked about it in the House of Commons
. It quickly sold out and was one of the few titles Trident sent to a second print.
After this success, 1990 saw more titles such as Paul Grist
's Burglar Bill
, Mark Millar
and Andrew Hope's, The Shadowmen and Eddie Campbell
and Phil Elliott
's Lucifer.
Many of these titles suffered from the late shipping that had been a problem previously with the company. This affected sales greatly as well as the reputation of Trident Comics. Another factor was Neptune also forming Apocalypse Ltd
( their main title was the weekly Toxic!
)
in 1991, this stretched all of Neptune's company's to their limit.
Eventually during 1992 Neptune Distribution
went bankrupt and took Trident Comics and Apocalypse Ltd
with them.
Several Trident Comics titles did find new publishers, including St. Swithin's Day
and Bacchus
, but many did not and remained unpublished.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
publishing company based in Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, specializing in black and white comics created by new British talent. It was formed in 1989
1989 in comics
-Year overall:* "Inferno" company-wide Marvel Comics crossover continues, involving the mutant titles The Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor, The New Mutants, and Excalibur, as well as the X-Terminators limited series and various other Marvel titles...
as an offshoot of the company Neptune Distribution
Neptune Distribution
Neptune Distribution was a comic distribution company established in Leicester in 1986. It was set up to challenge Titan Distribution's monopoly on the UK comic distribution business....
, and went out of business in 1992
1992 in comics
-Year overall:* Image Comics explodes onto the scene, releasing eight ongoing and limited series, starting with Youngblood in April; followed by Spawn in May; Savage Dragon in July; and Brigade, Shadowhawk, and WildC.A.T.S. in August....
when Neptune Distribution did.
History
Trident Comic's aim was to provide creator-ownedCreator ownership
Creator ownership is an arrangement in which the creator or creators of a work of fiction retain full ownership of the material, regardless of whether it is self-published or by a corporate publisher. In some fields of publishing, such as fiction writing, creator ownership is a standard arrangement...
opportunities for not just established talent such as Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
, Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell is a Scottish comics artist and cartoonist who now lives in Australia. Probably best known as the illustrator and publisher of From Hell , Campbell is also the creator of the semi-autobiographical Alec stories collected in Alec: The Years Have Pants, and Bacchus , a wry adventure...
and Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
, but new talent such as Mark Millar
Mark Millar
Mark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films...
, Paul Grist
Paul Grist
Paul Grist is a British comic book creator, noted for his hard-boiled police series Kane and his unorthodox superhero series Jack Staff.-Biography:...
and Dominic Regan. Trident Comics's main editor was Martin Skidmore, a British comic fan who had been previously best known for editing the fan-magazine, Fantasy Advertiser
Fantasy Advertiser
Fantasy Advertiser, later abbreviated to FA, was a British fanzine which discussed comic books. It was initially edited by Frank Dobson, essentially as an advertising service for comic collectors, and when Dobson emigrated to Australia in 1970 he handed it on to two contributors, Dez Skinn and Paul...
, a title which Trident Comics published when Skidmore joined the company.
Its first release in early 1989 was the Trident Sampler, a 32 page free sampler issue featuring previews from forthcoming titles. This was followed shortly afterward by Trident #1. Trident
Trident (comic)
Trident is an anthology comic series published by Trident Comics from 1989 to 1990.-Publication history:It was the flagship title of Trident Comics and attempted to publish new talent as well as established talent such as Neil Gaiman and Grant Morrison.Although the title initially proved popular,...
was an anthology
Comics anthology
Comics anthologies collect works in the medium of comics that are too short for standalone publication.- U.S. :- UK :British comics have a long tradition publishing comics anthologies, often weekly...
title, and its first issue featured work such as Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell is a Scottish comics artist and cartoonist who now lives in Australia. Probably best known as the illustrator and publisher of From Hell , Campbell is also the creator of the semi-autobiographical Alec stories collected in Alec: The Years Have Pants, and Bacchus , a wry adventure...
's Bacchus
Bacchus (comics)
Bacchus is a comics character created by Eddie Campbell and based upon the Roman god of wine and revelry, known to the Greeks as Dionysus.-Publication history:...
, Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
and Nigel Kitching
Nigel Kitching
Nigel Kitching is an illustrator and writer in comics and in books.He is best known for his work in British comics, especially Sonic the Comic.-References:*-External links:***-Interviews:*...
's The Light Brigade
The Light Brigade (comics)
The Light Brigade, in comics, may refer to:* The Light Brigade , a series published by Trident Comics, in their Trident anthology, and written by Nigel Kitching and co-created by Neil Gaiman...
and Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
and Paul Grist
Paul Grist
Paul Grist is a British comic book creator, noted for his hard-boiled police series Kane and his unorthodox superhero series Jack Staff.-Biography:...
's St. Swithin's Day
St. Swithin's Day (comics)
St. Swithin's Day is a story written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Paul Grist in 1989 for Trident Comics.The story is said by Morrison to be based upon his diaries and is also said to be partly autobiographical.-Publication history:...
.
Trident proved successful and was followed shortly afterward by Saviour #1 by Mark Millar
Mark Millar
Mark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films...
and Daniel Vallely
Daniel Vallely
Daniel Vallely is a designer, illustrator, comic book writer/artist, photographer, filmmaker, musician, and producer.Vallely's first published work was in Saviour, written by Mark Millar and published by Trident Comics in 1989. Vallely only drew one and a half issues before setting all the pages...
. This was Millar's first published work and again proved successful for Trident Comics. In 1989, Trident Comics also launched Man-Elf (created by Michael Moorcock
Michael Moorcock
Michael John Moorcock is an English writer, primarily of science fiction and fantasy, who has also published a number of literary novels....
) as well as Fantasy Advertiser
Fantasy Advertiser
Fantasy Advertiser, later abbreviated to FA, was a British fanzine which discussed comic books. It was initially edited by Frank Dobson, essentially as an advertising service for comic collectors, and when Dobson emigrated to Australia in 1970 he handed it on to two contributors, Dez Skinn and Paul...
on a bi-monthly basis. However, this success was tempered by criticism of titles shipping late, something which began to affect its titles more and more.
In 1990, Trident Comics released its best known title, the collected and recoloured St. Swithin's Day
St. Swithin's Day (comics)
St. Swithin's Day is a story written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Paul Grist in 1989 for Trident Comics.The story is said by Morrison to be based upon his diaries and is also said to be partly autobiographical.-Publication history:...
by Morrison and Grist. It proved controversial due to its subject matter, it even had questions asked about it in the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
. It quickly sold out and was one of the few titles Trident sent to a second print.
After this success, 1990 saw more titles such as Paul Grist
Paul Grist
Paul Grist is a British comic book creator, noted for his hard-boiled police series Kane and his unorthodox superhero series Jack Staff.-Biography:...
's Burglar Bill
Burglar Bill
Burglar Bill was written in 1888 by Thomas Anstey Guthrie using the pseudonym F. Anstey, as a recitation. "Burglar Bill of Pentonville, etc."-Children's story:...
, Mark Millar
Mark Millar
Mark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films...
and Andrew Hope's, The Shadowmen and Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell is a Scottish comics artist and cartoonist who now lives in Australia. Probably best known as the illustrator and publisher of From Hell , Campbell is also the creator of the semi-autobiographical Alec stories collected in Alec: The Years Have Pants, and Bacchus , a wry adventure...
and Phil Elliott
Phil Elliott
Phil Elliott is a British comic book creator who was published in Escape Magazine. He was part of the British small press comics scene in the 1980s.-Career:...
's Lucifer.
Many of these titles suffered from the late shipping that had been a problem previously with the company. This affected sales greatly as well as the reputation of Trident Comics. Another factor was Neptune also forming Apocalypse Ltd
Apocalypse Ltd
Apocalypse Ltd was a publishing company formed out of an alliance of Pat Mills, John Wagner, Alan Grant and Kevin O'Neill along with Neptune Distribution, who were also involved with Trident Comics....
( their main title was the weekly Toxic!
Toxic!
Toxic! was a British weekly comic book published by Apocalypse Ltd. A total of 31 issues were published from March 28-October 24, 1991.-History:...
)
in 1991, this stretched all of Neptune's company's to their limit.
Eventually during 1992 Neptune Distribution
Neptune Distribution
Neptune Distribution was a comic distribution company established in Leicester in 1986. It was set up to challenge Titan Distribution's monopoly on the UK comic distribution business....
went bankrupt and took Trident Comics and Apocalypse Ltd
Apocalypse Ltd
Apocalypse Ltd was a publishing company formed out of an alliance of Pat Mills, John Wagner, Alan Grant and Kevin O'Neill along with Neptune Distribution, who were also involved with Trident Comics....
with them.
Several Trident Comics titles did find new publishers, including St. Swithin's Day
St. Swithin's Day (comics)
St. Swithin's Day is a story written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Paul Grist in 1989 for Trident Comics.The story is said by Morrison to be based upon his diaries and is also said to be partly autobiographical.-Publication history:...
and Bacchus
Bacchus (comics)
Bacchus is a comics character created by Eddie Campbell and based upon the Roman god of wine and revelry, known to the Greeks as Dionysus.-Publication history:...
, but many did not and remained unpublished.
Titles
Titles published include:- Bug Hunters, One-shot
- Burglar Bill #1
- Fantasy AdvertiserFantasy AdvertiserFantasy Advertiser, later abbreviated to FA, was a British fanzine which discussed comic books. It was initially edited by Frank Dobson, essentially as an advertising service for comic collectors, and when Dobson emigrated to Australia in 1970 he handed it on to two contributors, Dez Skinn and Paul...
- The Light Brigade
- Lucifer #1-2
- Man Elf #1-5
- Norman Spittall, one-shot
- Saviour, #1-6, a trade paperback collecting issues 1-5 was also released.
- Strand #1
- The Shadowmen #1-2
- Trident #1-8, a comics anthology
Trident Comics was a comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
publishing company based in Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, specializing in black and white comics created by new British talent. It was formed in 1989
1989 in comics
-Year overall:* "Inferno" company-wide Marvel Comics crossover continues, involving the mutant titles The Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor, The New Mutants, and Excalibur, as well as the X-Terminators limited series and various other Marvel titles...
as an offshoot of the company Neptune Distribution
Neptune Distribution
Neptune Distribution was a comic distribution company established in Leicester in 1986. It was set up to challenge Titan Distribution's monopoly on the UK comic distribution business....
, and went out of business in 1992
1992 in comics
-Year overall:* Image Comics explodes onto the scene, releasing eight ongoing and limited series, starting with Youngblood in April; followed by Spawn in May; Savage Dragon in July; and Brigade, Shadowhawk, and WildC.A.T.S. in August....
when Neptune Distribution did.
History
Trident Comic's aim was to provide creator-ownedCreator ownership
Creator ownership is an arrangement in which the creator or creators of a work of fiction retain full ownership of the material, regardless of whether it is self-published or by a corporate publisher. In some fields of publishing, such as fiction writing, creator ownership is a standard arrangement...
opportunities for not just established talent such as Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
, Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell is a Scottish comics artist and cartoonist who now lives in Australia. Probably best known as the illustrator and publisher of From Hell , Campbell is also the creator of the semi-autobiographical Alec stories collected in Alec: The Years Have Pants, and Bacchus , a wry adventure...
and Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
, but new talent such as Mark Millar
Mark Millar
Mark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films...
, Paul Grist
Paul Grist
Paul Grist is a British comic book creator, noted for his hard-boiled police series Kane and his unorthodox superhero series Jack Staff.-Biography:...
and Dominic Regan. Trident Comics's main editor was Martin Skidmore, a British comic fan who had been previously best known for editing the fan-magazine, Fantasy Advertiser
Fantasy Advertiser
Fantasy Advertiser, later abbreviated to FA, was a British fanzine which discussed comic books. It was initially edited by Frank Dobson, essentially as an advertising service for comic collectors, and when Dobson emigrated to Australia in 1970 he handed it on to two contributors, Dez Skinn and Paul...
, a title which Trident Comics published when Skidmore joined the company.
Its first release in early 1989 was the Trident Sampler, a 32 page free sampler issue featuring previews from forthcoming titles. This was followed shortly afterward by Trident #1. Trident
Trident (comic)
Trident is an anthology comic series published by Trident Comics from 1989 to 1990.-Publication history:It was the flagship title of Trident Comics and attempted to publish new talent as well as established talent such as Neil Gaiman and Grant Morrison.Although the title initially proved popular,...
was an anthology
Comics anthology
Comics anthologies collect works in the medium of comics that are too short for standalone publication.- U.S. :- UK :British comics have a long tradition publishing comics anthologies, often weekly...
title, and its first issue featured work such as Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell is a Scottish comics artist and cartoonist who now lives in Australia. Probably best known as the illustrator and publisher of From Hell , Campbell is also the creator of the semi-autobiographical Alec stories collected in Alec: The Years Have Pants, and Bacchus , a wry adventure...
's Bacchus
Bacchus (comics)
Bacchus is a comics character created by Eddie Campbell and based upon the Roman god of wine and revelry, known to the Greeks as Dionysus.-Publication history:...
, Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
and Nigel Kitching
Nigel Kitching
Nigel Kitching is an illustrator and writer in comics and in books.He is best known for his work in British comics, especially Sonic the Comic.-References:*-External links:***-Interviews:*...
's The Light Brigade
The Light Brigade (comics)
The Light Brigade, in comics, may refer to:* The Light Brigade , a series published by Trident Comics, in their Trident anthology, and written by Nigel Kitching and co-created by Neil Gaiman...
and Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
and Paul Grist
Paul Grist
Paul Grist is a British comic book creator, noted for his hard-boiled police series Kane and his unorthodox superhero series Jack Staff.-Biography:...
's St. Swithin's Day
St. Swithin's Day (comics)
St. Swithin's Day is a story written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Paul Grist in 1989 for Trident Comics.The story is said by Morrison to be based upon his diaries and is also said to be partly autobiographical.-Publication history:...
.
Trident proved successful and was followed shortly afterward by Saviour #1 by Mark Millar
Mark Millar
Mark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films...
and Daniel Vallely
Daniel Vallely
Daniel Vallely is a designer, illustrator, comic book writer/artist, photographer, filmmaker, musician, and producer.Vallely's first published work was in Saviour, written by Mark Millar and published by Trident Comics in 1989. Vallely only drew one and a half issues before setting all the pages...
. This was Millar's first published work and again proved successful for Trident Comics. In 1989, Trident Comics also launched Man-Elf (created by Michael Moorcock
Michael Moorcock
Michael John Moorcock is an English writer, primarily of science fiction and fantasy, who has also published a number of literary novels....
) as well as Fantasy Advertiser
Fantasy Advertiser
Fantasy Advertiser, later abbreviated to FA, was a British fanzine which discussed comic books. It was initially edited by Frank Dobson, essentially as an advertising service for comic collectors, and when Dobson emigrated to Australia in 1970 he handed it on to two contributors, Dez Skinn and Paul...
on a bi-monthly basis. However, this success was tempered by criticism of titles shipping late, something which began to affect its titles more and more.
In 1990, Trident Comics released its best known title, the collected and recoloured St. Swithin's Day
St. Swithin's Day (comics)
St. Swithin's Day is a story written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Paul Grist in 1989 for Trident Comics.The story is said by Morrison to be based upon his diaries and is also said to be partly autobiographical.-Publication history:...
by Morrison and Grist. It proved controversial due to its subject matter, it even had questions asked about it in the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
. It quickly sold out and was one of the few titles Trident sent to a second print.
After this success, 1990 saw more titles such as Paul Grist
Paul Grist
Paul Grist is a British comic book creator, noted for his hard-boiled police series Kane and his unorthodox superhero series Jack Staff.-Biography:...
's Burglar Bill
Burglar Bill
Burglar Bill was written in 1888 by Thomas Anstey Guthrie using the pseudonym F. Anstey, as a recitation. "Burglar Bill of Pentonville, etc."-Children's story:...
, Mark Millar
Mark Millar
Mark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films...
and Andrew Hope's, The Shadowmen and Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell is a Scottish comics artist and cartoonist who now lives in Australia. Probably best known as the illustrator and publisher of From Hell , Campbell is also the creator of the semi-autobiographical Alec stories collected in Alec: The Years Have Pants, and Bacchus , a wry adventure...
and Phil Elliott
Phil Elliott
Phil Elliott is a British comic book creator who was published in Escape Magazine. He was part of the British small press comics scene in the 1980s.-Career:...
's Lucifer.
Many of these titles suffered from the late shipping that had been a problem previously with the company. This affected sales greatly as well as the reputation of Trident Comics. Another factor was Neptune also forming Apocalypse Ltd
Apocalypse Ltd
Apocalypse Ltd was a publishing company formed out of an alliance of Pat Mills, John Wagner, Alan Grant and Kevin O'Neill along with Neptune Distribution, who were also involved with Trident Comics....
( their main title was the weekly Toxic!
Toxic!
Toxic! was a British weekly comic book published by Apocalypse Ltd. A total of 31 issues were published from March 28-October 24, 1991.-History:...
)
in 1991, this stretched all of Neptune's company's to their limit.
Eventually during 1992 Neptune Distribution
Neptune Distribution
Neptune Distribution was a comic distribution company established in Leicester in 1986. It was set up to challenge Titan Distribution's monopoly on the UK comic distribution business....
went bankrupt and took Trident Comics and Apocalypse Ltd
Apocalypse Ltd
Apocalypse Ltd was a publishing company formed out of an alliance of Pat Mills, John Wagner, Alan Grant and Kevin O'Neill along with Neptune Distribution, who were also involved with Trident Comics....
with them.
Several Trident Comics titles did find new publishers, including St. Swithin's Day
St. Swithin's Day (comics)
St. Swithin's Day is a story written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Paul Grist in 1989 for Trident Comics.The story is said by Morrison to be based upon his diaries and is also said to be partly autobiographical.-Publication history:...
and Bacchus
Bacchus (comics)
Bacchus is a comics character created by Eddie Campbell and based upon the Roman god of wine and revelry, known to the Greeks as Dionysus.-Publication history:...
, but many did not and remained unpublished.
Titles
Titles published include:- Bug Hunters, One-shot
- Burglar Bill #1
- Fantasy AdvertiserFantasy AdvertiserFantasy Advertiser, later abbreviated to FA, was a British fanzine which discussed comic books. It was initially edited by Frank Dobson, essentially as an advertising service for comic collectors, and when Dobson emigrated to Australia in 1970 he handed it on to two contributors, Dez Skinn and Paul...
- The Light Brigade
- Lucifer #1-2
- Man Elf #1-5
- Norman Spittall, one-shot
- Saviour, #1-6, a trade paperback collecting issues 1-5 was also released.
- Strand #1
- The Shadowmen #1-2
- Trident #1-8, a comics anthology
Trident Comics was a comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
publishing company based in Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, specializing in black and white comics created by new British talent. It was formed in 1989
1989 in comics
-Year overall:* "Inferno" company-wide Marvel Comics crossover continues, involving the mutant titles The Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor, The New Mutants, and Excalibur, as well as the X-Terminators limited series and various other Marvel titles...
as an offshoot of the company Neptune Distribution
Neptune Distribution
Neptune Distribution was a comic distribution company established in Leicester in 1986. It was set up to challenge Titan Distribution's monopoly on the UK comic distribution business....
, and went out of business in 1992
1992 in comics
-Year overall:* Image Comics explodes onto the scene, releasing eight ongoing and limited series, starting with Youngblood in April; followed by Spawn in May; Savage Dragon in July; and Brigade, Shadowhawk, and WildC.A.T.S. in August....
when Neptune Distribution did.
History
Trident Comic's aim was to provide creator-ownedCreator ownership
Creator ownership is an arrangement in which the creator or creators of a work of fiction retain full ownership of the material, regardless of whether it is self-published or by a corporate publisher. In some fields of publishing, such as fiction writing, creator ownership is a standard arrangement...
opportunities for not just established talent such as Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
, Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell is a Scottish comics artist and cartoonist who now lives in Australia. Probably best known as the illustrator and publisher of From Hell , Campbell is also the creator of the semi-autobiographical Alec stories collected in Alec: The Years Have Pants, and Bacchus , a wry adventure...
and Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
, but new talent such as Mark Millar
Mark Millar
Mark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films...
, Paul Grist
Paul Grist
Paul Grist is a British comic book creator, noted for his hard-boiled police series Kane and his unorthodox superhero series Jack Staff.-Biography:...
and Dominic Regan. Trident Comics's main editor was Martin Skidmore, a British comic fan who had been previously best known for editing the fan-magazine, Fantasy Advertiser
Fantasy Advertiser
Fantasy Advertiser, later abbreviated to FA, was a British fanzine which discussed comic books. It was initially edited by Frank Dobson, essentially as an advertising service for comic collectors, and when Dobson emigrated to Australia in 1970 he handed it on to two contributors, Dez Skinn and Paul...
, a title which Trident Comics published when Skidmore joined the company.
Its first release in early 1989 was the Trident Sampler, a 32 page free sampler issue featuring previews from forthcoming titles. This was followed shortly afterward by Trident #1. Trident
Trident (comic)
Trident is an anthology comic series published by Trident Comics from 1989 to 1990.-Publication history:It was the flagship title of Trident Comics and attempted to publish new talent as well as established talent such as Neil Gaiman and Grant Morrison.Although the title initially proved popular,...
was an anthology
Comics anthology
Comics anthologies collect works in the medium of comics that are too short for standalone publication.- U.S. :- UK :British comics have a long tradition publishing comics anthologies, often weekly...
title, and its first issue featured work such as Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell is a Scottish comics artist and cartoonist who now lives in Australia. Probably best known as the illustrator and publisher of From Hell , Campbell is also the creator of the semi-autobiographical Alec stories collected in Alec: The Years Have Pants, and Bacchus , a wry adventure...
's Bacchus
Bacchus (comics)
Bacchus is a comics character created by Eddie Campbell and based upon the Roman god of wine and revelry, known to the Greeks as Dionysus.-Publication history:...
, Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
and Nigel Kitching
Nigel Kitching
Nigel Kitching is an illustrator and writer in comics and in books.He is best known for his work in British comics, especially Sonic the Comic.-References:*-External links:***-Interviews:*...
's The Light Brigade
The Light Brigade (comics)
The Light Brigade, in comics, may refer to:* The Light Brigade , a series published by Trident Comics, in their Trident anthology, and written by Nigel Kitching and co-created by Neil Gaiman...
and Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
and Paul Grist
Paul Grist
Paul Grist is a British comic book creator, noted for his hard-boiled police series Kane and his unorthodox superhero series Jack Staff.-Biography:...
's St. Swithin's Day
St. Swithin's Day (comics)
St. Swithin's Day is a story written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Paul Grist in 1989 for Trident Comics.The story is said by Morrison to be based upon his diaries and is also said to be partly autobiographical.-Publication history:...
.
Trident proved successful and was followed shortly afterward by Saviour #1 by Mark Millar
Mark Millar
Mark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films...
and Daniel Vallely
Daniel Vallely
Daniel Vallely is a designer, illustrator, comic book writer/artist, photographer, filmmaker, musician, and producer.Vallely's first published work was in Saviour, written by Mark Millar and published by Trident Comics in 1989. Vallely only drew one and a half issues before setting all the pages...
. This was Millar's first published work and again proved successful for Trident Comics. In 1989, Trident Comics also launched Man-Elf (created by Michael Moorcock
Michael Moorcock
Michael John Moorcock is an English writer, primarily of science fiction and fantasy, who has also published a number of literary novels....
) as well as Fantasy Advertiser
Fantasy Advertiser
Fantasy Advertiser, later abbreviated to FA, was a British fanzine which discussed comic books. It was initially edited by Frank Dobson, essentially as an advertising service for comic collectors, and when Dobson emigrated to Australia in 1970 he handed it on to two contributors, Dez Skinn and Paul...
on a bi-monthly basis. However, this success was tempered by criticism of titles shipping late, something which began to affect its titles more and more.
In 1990, Trident Comics released its best known title, the collected and recoloured St. Swithin's Day
St. Swithin's Day (comics)
St. Swithin's Day is a story written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Paul Grist in 1989 for Trident Comics.The story is said by Morrison to be based upon his diaries and is also said to be partly autobiographical.-Publication history:...
by Morrison and Grist. It proved controversial due to its subject matter, it even had questions asked about it in the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
. It quickly sold out and was one of the few titles Trident sent to a second print.
After this success, 1990 saw more titles such as Paul Grist
Paul Grist
Paul Grist is a British comic book creator, noted for his hard-boiled police series Kane and his unorthodox superhero series Jack Staff.-Biography:...
's Burglar Bill
Burglar Bill
Burglar Bill was written in 1888 by Thomas Anstey Guthrie using the pseudonym F. Anstey, as a recitation. "Burglar Bill of Pentonville, etc."-Children's story:...
, Mark Millar
Mark Millar
Mark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films...
and Andrew Hope's, The Shadowmen and Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell is a Scottish comics artist and cartoonist who now lives in Australia. Probably best known as the illustrator and publisher of From Hell , Campbell is also the creator of the semi-autobiographical Alec stories collected in Alec: The Years Have Pants, and Bacchus , a wry adventure...
and Phil Elliott
Phil Elliott
Phil Elliott is a British comic book creator who was published in Escape Magazine. He was part of the British small press comics scene in the 1980s.-Career:...
's Lucifer.
Many of these titles suffered from the late shipping that had been a problem previously with the company. This affected sales greatly as well as the reputation of Trident Comics. Another factor was Neptune also forming Apocalypse Ltd
Apocalypse Ltd
Apocalypse Ltd was a publishing company formed out of an alliance of Pat Mills, John Wagner, Alan Grant and Kevin O'Neill along with Neptune Distribution, who were also involved with Trident Comics....
( their main title was the weekly Toxic!
Toxic!
Toxic! was a British weekly comic book published by Apocalypse Ltd. A total of 31 issues were published from March 28-October 24, 1991.-History:...
)
in 1991, this stretched all of Neptune's company's to their limit.
Eventually during 1992 Neptune Distribution
Neptune Distribution
Neptune Distribution was a comic distribution company established in Leicester in 1986. It was set up to challenge Titan Distribution's monopoly on the UK comic distribution business....
went bankrupt and took Trident Comics and Apocalypse Ltd
Apocalypse Ltd
Apocalypse Ltd was a publishing company formed out of an alliance of Pat Mills, John Wagner, Alan Grant and Kevin O'Neill along with Neptune Distribution, who were also involved with Trident Comics....
with them.
Several Trident Comics titles did find new publishers, including St. Swithin's Day
St. Swithin's Day (comics)
St. Swithin's Day is a story written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Paul Grist in 1989 for Trident Comics.The story is said by Morrison to be based upon his diaries and is also said to be partly autobiographical.-Publication history:...
and Bacchus
Bacchus (comics)
Bacchus is a comics character created by Eddie Campbell and based upon the Roman god of wine and revelry, known to the Greeks as Dionysus.-Publication history:...
, but many did not and remained unpublished.
Titles
Titles published include:- Bug Hunters, One-shot
- Burglar Bill #1
- Fantasy AdvertiserFantasy AdvertiserFantasy Advertiser, later abbreviated to FA, was a British fanzine which discussed comic books. It was initially edited by Frank Dobson, essentially as an advertising service for comic collectors, and when Dobson emigrated to Australia in 1970 he handed it on to two contributors, Dez Skinn and Paul...
- The Light Brigade
- Lucifer #1-2
- Man Elf #1-5
- Norman Spittall, one-shot
- Saviour, #1-6, a trade paperback collecting issues 1-5 was also released.
- Strand #1
- The Shadowmen #1-2
- Trident #1-8, a comics anthology