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[paw broon]

Here's an interesting study on Australian comics.  A lot of the points can be made about the U.K.'s ignorance or view of the history of the British industry

http://blogs.arts.unimelb.edu.au/refractory/2010/07/18/the-invisible-medium-comics-studies-in-australia-kevin-patrick/#_edn11

[deni]

An interesting article.

Besides the main topic of discussion, it gives a history of the comic book industry in Australia which is similar to that in Canada during the 1940's, the U.S.A. in the 1950's and both countries since.  I have not yet read a history of comic books in Britain.

One thing that particularly strikes me is the implication that the current 'non-graphic novel'  comic book industry in Australia seems to be in even worse shape than the diminished industry in North America.   Of course the North American comic book market has been bolstered somewhat by superhero movies, TV cartoons and TV shows like 'The Big Bang".

[paw broon]

Took me a while to see that there was a comment here. Thanks.  This link will let you read a small selection of British comics from all eras.
http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/FullStrip/FullStripMain.asp
  Try Knockout from 1943, I think, for Sexton Blake and Billy Bunter.  There is also a Thriller with an Edgar Wallace story.  Here we had story papers and comics. Most appearing weekly.  Virtually nothing now survives, with the exception of Beano, Dandy, Commando, 2000AD, and some more obscure titles e.g. Spaceship Away.  There is also the awful Clint by Mark Millar but coming soon is Strip Magazine, for which many of us have high hopes.  Other titles exist but I don't want to complicate things.
A family tree is here:- http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/FamilyTree/FamilyTreeMain.asp
And the forum is here:- http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/Forum/index.php
Have a rake about, there is a lot of info. to be gleaned.
There were also pocket libraries (about Archie Digest sized) Incl. Super Detective Library, Thriller Picture Library, many war libraries and lots more - struggling to find a decent link for them.
Here's a nice blog re British comics:- http://petergraycartoonsandcomics.blogspot.com/
Hope you find something of interest.

[narfstar]

Great site thanks Paw