Read by millions, British comics are world-famous. And for more than a quarter of a century, Britain’s writers and artists have had a significant influence on the American comic-book scene, revitalizing standards from Batman to X-Men and originating uniquely British characters of their own, such as Modesty Blaise and the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Now, in a feast of cartoon graphics, Great British Comics celebrates the UK’s comic heroes, offering an invaluable resource for enthusiasts and collectors. Divided into themed chapters, and ranging from the 1920s to the 1990s, it charts the careers of all the familiar favorites. Featuring lively, informative text, Great British Comics is copiously illustrated with comic book covers, pages, and annuals, as well as toys, collectibles, and memorabilia. Paul Gravett, who has curated numerous exhibitions of comic art, is also the author of Manga: Sixty Years of Japanese Comics and Graphic Novels: Everything You Need to Know.

A hardback collection of some of the funniest strips in British comics, from legendary humour cartoonist Tom Paterson! Scottish artist Tom Paterson is one of the most inventive and influential cartoonists British comics have produced. Inspired by the work of George Martin, Leo Baxendale and Ken Reid, Tom became a comic artist at a young age, working for Fleetway and DC Thomsons on such classic strips as Sweeny Toddler, Calamity James, Buster, Grimly Feendish, The Numskulls, Bananaman and Dennis the Menace. At the beginning of his career Tom was ghosting artists like Baxendale, but his own style and sense of humour quickly developed and Tom’s work soon became unmistakable. His trademark stinky, striped sock often appeared in the panels of his work – a useful identifier born out of an age where publishers frowned upon artists signing their work. Along with the sock came the additional, visual comedic gags scattered throughout the strips, giving each one that instant re-readability. This collection features some of Tom’s outstanding colour and black & white strip work for IPC/Fleetway from titles like Buster, Whoopee!, Jackpot, Whizzer & Chips and Oink! amongst others. With quotes from the man himself and some extra, added treasures, this is a must have for fans of British humour comics both young and old!

Illustrated throughout, this fact-filled and funny encyclopedia reveals the best of British comics, discussing how these quirky and colourful creations have shaped the lives of British children since the seventies.

Arguing that British comics are distinct from their international counterparts, a unique showcase of the major role they have played in the imaginative lives of British youth—and some adults. In this entertaining cultural history of British comic papers and magazines, James Chapman shows how comics were transformed in the early twentieth century from adult amusement to imaginative reading matter for children. Beginning with the first British comic, Ally Sloper—known as “A Selection, Side-splitting, Sentimental, and Serious, for the Benefit of Old Boys, Young Boys, Odd Boys generally, and even Girls”—British Comics goes on to describe the heyday of comics in the 1950s and ’60s, when titles such as School Friend and Eagle sold a million copies a week. Chapman also analyzes the major genres, including schoolgirl fantasies and sports and war stories for boys; the development of a new breed of violent comics in the 1970s, including the controversial Action and 2000AD; and the attempt by American publisher, Marvel, to launch a new hero for the British market in the form of Captain Britain. Considering the work of important contemporary comic writers such as Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, Ian Edginton, Warren Ellis, and Garth Ennis, Chapman’s history comes right up to the present and takes in adult-oriented comics such as Warrior, Crisis, Deadline,and Revolver, and alternative comics such as Viz. Through a look at the changing structure of the comic publishing industry and how comic publishers, writers, and artists have responded to the tastes of their consumers, Chapman ultimately argues that British comics are distinctive and different from American, French, and Japanese comics. An invaluable reference for all comic collectors and fans in Britain and beyond, British Comics showcases the major role comics have played in the imaginative lives of readers young and old.

In this second book in the series of collections reprinting every story drawn by Hugo Pratt for the British comics industry the Italian art maestro Hugo Pratt draws one of the most popular British comic book characters: Battler Britton Battler Britton is an air ace who is as skilled a fighter on land as in his Spitfire. In 1960 Hugo Pratt drew two of his adventures, Wagons of Gold and Rockets of Revenge, and they are reprinted here in graphic novel format for the first time. Two fast-paced adventure stories featuring the classic British character, Battler Britton as he faces off against the Nazis This is the second book in the Hugo Pratt War Picture Library collection, continuing Rebellion’s mission to bring all of Hugo Pratt’s work back into print.