UK Comics and the Classic Marvel Figurines Magazine

[Nimbus]

Regarding the "mini-boom" of comics in the UK, it depends on what you mean.

Indeed, the number of Marvel UK comics is increasing probably due to the success of films like the X-Men, Spiderman and even Fantastic Four. These are all reprints of the US stuff though and the original US Marvel comics can no longer be seen on the newsagents shelves (they can be found in Borders however!). Still, the glossy-looking reprints will hopefully attract the youngsters. :)

The kids comics that you show are mainly cheap cash-ins of TV shows. They're not really comic books but just a collections of puzzles, pictures to colour in, join-the-dots and short text stories with screen-grabs from the TV show. Oh and plenty of ads. Are the 'real' kids comics, like Beano and Dandy still available? It's difficult to find them with all the glossy, plastic-wrapped TV adverts on the shelf. ;)

And as to the 'Classic Marvel Figurines Magazine', this is not the first time that the magazine has been released. It was put out a couple of years ago, IIRC. Not sure how well it did then but I got the impression it only lasted a few issues. At £7.99 a go, it's a bit expensive, IMO. :(

Still, the rise of TPBs and graphic novels - be they superhero, manga or something else - continues in many bookstores. :D

[Cyc]

Well there must be some new figures/minatures, because the site shows more modern X-men representations.

I hope these make their way down to Australia like most of the other UK/European collect one per week things tend to do, but the weight might make that unlikely :(

[Charles RB]

Are the 'real' kids comics, like Beano and Dandy still available?

Well I see them in most newsagents, and quite a few Toxic!'s which has an increasing number of strip pages (Grud bless Lew Stringer).

But then I generally see a 2000AD and occassionally the Megazine in newsagents, so my area seems to be different from where Rich went.

[RichJohnston]

Regarding the "mini-boom" of comics in the UK, it depends on what you mean.

Indeed, the number of Marvel UK comics is increasing probably due to the success of films like the X-Men, Spiderman and even Fantastic Four. These are all reprints of the US stuff though and the original US Marvel comics can no longer be seen on the newsagents shelves (they can be found in Borders however!). Still, the glossy-looking reprints will hopefully attract the youngsters. :)

Marvel UK has generally printed just US stuff with some notable exceptions. Now, explain the success of Deadpool and Avengers on UK stands..

The kids comics that you show are mainly cheap cash-ins of TV shows. They're not really comic books but just a collections of puzzles, pictures to colour in, join-the-dots and short text stories with screen-grabs from the TV show. Oh and plenty of ads. Are the 'real' kids comics, like Beano and Dandy still available? It's difficult to find them with all the glossy, plastic-wrapped TV adverts on the shelf. ;)

The Beano has joined the plastic bag brigade. And have you read Toxic?

And as to the 'Classic Marvel Figurines Magazine', this is not the first time that the magazine has been released. It was put out a couple of years ago, IIRC. Not sure how well it did then but I got the impression it only lasted a few issues. At £7.99 a go, it's a bit expensive, IMO. :(

It's been trial perioded in certain areas of the country. Now it's gone national, at £5.99 an issue.

[Charles RB]

Now, explain the success of Deadpool and Avengers on UK stands..

Deadpool is paired with Wolverine, so he's not entirely independent; and both Wolverine & Deadpool and Avengers United are aimed as much at older Marvel fans with some knowledge of the characters as they are at the sprogs. Avengers always features reprints of older comics as well as recent ones.

[GUYANATHUGG]

I saw the Marvel figurines advertising on the t.v. and decided to go for it. You get 2 figurines per month and there are 60 all together. Seems they sell out quick though.

[Ivan Isaacs]

The magazines/figures are also available in France:

http://www.paninicomics.de/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9918
http://www.paninicomics.de/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9919

[Nimbus]

Marvel UK has generally printed just US stuff with some notable exceptions. Now, explain the success of Deadpool and Avengers on UK stands...

Well, assuming CharlesRB is correct, if Deadpool is paired with Wolverine then the Wolverine factor helps! Anyway, I was really just indicating that the recent appeal of superhero films is probably helping the superhero comic book sales.

Certainly, the increased amount of TPBs appearing in bookshops with links to the latest comic-book related film indicates that the comic book boom is following the film boom. This is a GOOD thing, BTW, not a bad thing. Don't get me wrong - any increased interest in comic books is to be welcomed.

Anyway, has anyone else noticed that when it comes to these Marvel UK comics there only ever seems to be one or two of each title on the shelf? Does that mean they're popular or just that not many are ordered by the shop?

The Beano has joined the plastic bag brigade. And have you read Toxic?

No. Though if Lew Stringer is involved then it's worth a look. ;)

It's been trial perioded in certain areas of the country. Now it's gone national, at £5.99 an issue.

Could've sworn I'd seen it somewhere saying it was normally £7.99. Yet, as you say, the website says it's £5.99. Ah well - saved you all 2 quid there!

To be honest, it's still a little pricey for me. Twelve pounds a months for 30 months (is it?). That's nearly £360 if my maths is right. For that I could probably buy half a dozen or more comic books each month! :)

As to selling out quickly, there were plenty in a nearby WH Smiths last week. I do wonder though whether the popularity will continue for the next 2 and a half years. :confused:

[Ivan Isaacs]

The magazine is also available in Germany:

www.marvel-sammelfiguren.de

Seems that it's a test run of six issues and after that they'll decide if they will continue to publish the series.

[The Sword Is Drawn]

Well, assuming CharlesRB is correct, if Deadpool is paired with Wolverine then the Wolverine factor helps! Anyway, I was really just indicating that the recent appeal of superhero films is probably helping the superhero comic book sales.

This title began back in 1997 as Wolverine Unleashed. A year or so later it was remade as Wolverine and Gambit. As Gambit became less popular, and they ran oout of stuff to reprint they switched him out, for Daredevil.

The title is going strong.

It strikes me as funny that despite the British dominance of the US Comic book industry (Morrison, Ennis, Moore, Lloyd, Davis, Gaiman...) that we effectively don't have our own anymore. Marvel UK boomed and went bust in the mid 90s, only a couple of years before books started making serious sales over here. 2000AD is still going, and the Judge Dredd Megazine too, but the money comes from outside now.

The Dandy and Beano are still around, in almost every newsagent; although thery continueously try to revamp them to get motre readers...

The bottom line is that Panini who bought out the remnants of Marvel UK are making a fortune out of the reprints (They're even reprinting Batman, from DC...)

The Market is calling out for original material over here.

And Marvel US are bringing Death's Head back from obscurity llater in the year. Impressive.