Crikey!

I've been a fan of British comics ever since ever since I was kid and in recent years they have grown in popularity. Low and behold there is now a magazine dedicated to this very topic.

Entitled Crikey the magazine is edited by Brian M Clarke and he has assembled a first issue that bodes well for the future. I've spent the weekend mulling over the magazine and I'm impressed!

Articles range from a vintage interview with the late artist Ken Reid who illustrated such fondly recalled childhood gems as Roger The Dodger from The Beano to an overview of one of the best known girl's comc, the spooky Misty. Also in the mix is an overview of the life and work of another British comic great, artist Frank Bellamy and the terrifying tale of British horror comics and censorship. Add to this a regular feature on some of the more bizarre comci strips in UK history and a case for Wham being the funniest comic ever and we have a potential winner on the cards.

Peppered with memory jogging illustrations the magazine could do with some time polishing the design and layout but this is a minor quibble for a nicely varied read on a sadly under documented area of British popular culture. Issue one is a bargain £3:99 including postage. Visit the magazine's website at http://www.crikeyuk.co.uk/ for details.