Crikey! A Celebration of Brum's Achievements!

THE VERY first comic book convention in the United Kingdom was held 40 years ago in the city of Birmingham. As the year draws to an end, the city itself has failed to commemorate this proud achievement but it has been acknowledged within the pages of Crikey!, the Great British comics magazine.

Crikey #8 is an all-colour edition features a trip down memory lane plus some rare, and sometimes embarrassing, photos courtesy of Phil Clarke, who would later to go on to found Nostalgia & Comics, the later Birmingham Comic Art Shows and Blasé Books.

Clarke organised that first convention with comic book writer Steve Moore, who was then an editor on IPC's weekly titles. A convention booklet was produced that featured cover art by cartoonist Mike Higgs (whose Moonbird strip appeared in the Birmingham Evening Mail), those copies still in existence are considered rare and collectable. Other guests at that initial show were artists Jim Baikie and Paul Neary.

Crikey!'s founding editor, Brian M Clarke (no relation to Phil) was involved in editing the current issue together with the magazine's designer, Glenn B Fleming, who has now taken over the editorial role entirely. Other features within include a special four-page strip by Mike Higgs, features on previously unknown D.C. Thomson's artists, The Phantom (with a mention if it appearing in the Birmingham Evening Despatch before it moved over the Evening Mail newspaper) and other curiosities. The next issue promises to feature an exclusive interview with former Modesty Blaise artist Romero.

Crikey! is available in comics speciality shops, book stores and direct via: www.crikeyuk.co.uk