Comics International


Comics International was a British news and reviews magazine about comic books. Founded in 1990, it was published monthly by Quality Communications until 2006, and then by Cosmic Publications Ltd. until 2010.
Over time, 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. The magazine was given the National Comics Award for "Best Specialist Comics Publication" four times in six years.

Overview

Described in Time Out as the NME of comics, Comics International provided up-to-date news and reviews of comics from around the world. There was a particular focus upon the British comics scene, including British comics creators, conventions and comics-related events, and information on British comics retailers. Comics International featured a question-and-answer section with responses by comics experts, as well as a lively letters page.
Originally printed in black-and-white on newsprint, the magazine later featured full-colour glossy covers with interior colour pages.

History

The magazine was published and edited by Quality Communications owner Dez Skinn for its first two hundred issues, from 1990 to 2006.
With the magazine's sale to Cosmic Publications in 2006, news editor Mike Conroy was promoted to editor with issue #201. Conroy had taken over the main news section of the magazine in 1997 from Phill 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 under its new regime.

Regular features

In addition to Dez Skinn's own editorial column, Comics International's main features included:Frame to Frame, a long-running column by Mike Conroy on the interaction between movies and comicsTalking Shop, a column about British comics retailing by Stephen L. Holland, owner of the Nottingham-based shop Page 45It's Only a Comic, a humorous column from the creator's side by Tony LeeNovel Graphics, a column about graphic novels by Paul Gravett; this column originated in Borderline magazineNetworks, Internet comics gossip by Tim Pilcher; Pilcher went on to become associate editor of CIIlluminations, upcoming news of future comic releases by Martin AverreMovers & Shakers, the comics industry's first gossip and marketing column; voted the magazine's most popular column in a poll conducted in 1997. Created by former Comics International news and features editor Phill HallHotshots, a top ten picks column originally by Phil Hall and later by Martin AverreThe World of Jack Staff, a serialised comic strip by Paul GristComic Cuts, by Mike Kazybrid, a three-panel gag stripOutside 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.

Awards