by Nigel Brown
Comics Unlimited No.54 will be the final issue of that fanzine, which will include a celebration of Alan’s immense contribution to UK fandom in the 1970s and early 1980s.
It will give an opportunity for any previous contributors to Fantasy Unlimited and/or Comics Unlimited to be back in the fanzine one last time, with personal memories and anecdotes about Alan, and letters to ‘Mail Unlimited’.
For contributor guidelines, please send an inquiry to Nigel Brown at:
nigelbrown47@aol.com
Any contributions need to be received by 31st January 2024
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Alan Austin's memoir of life as a Comic Collector and Dealer is still available on Amazon, now with an index. Clicking the book cover link will take you to the book at the UK Amazon site, although it can be easily found on other country Amazon sites.
Alan's book of short stories about bookseller Bernie Burrows is a very entertaining read, and is inspired by his years as a bookseller of crime fiction. Again, clicking the cover icon will take you to the UK Amazon site, although it can be found on any country Amazon site.
I'll keep a lookout for that, B, with a view to buying it when it's published. Ta for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteHopefully it will be out sometime in first quarter, Kid. A lot depends on input from past contributors. My role in the exercise is to track down as many as I can so that Nigel can focus on curating the content. We'll publish status updates here from time to time.
DeleteActually, to set expectations, it could be much later in the year - so best to assume sometime in 2024.....first quarter is much too optimistic based on past experience.
DeleteThat sounds really interesting and I will certainly look for this if/when its published - Fantasy Unlimited / Comics Unlimited was the first fanzine I read and purchased regularly. It's hard to believe it was so long ago, and that Alan is no longer with us.
ReplyDeleteYes, at its height Comics Unlimited had a regular print run of 2,000 copies. I don't know where Alan got the time to produce FU/CU plus run a comics business. I've been trying to track down past readers/contributors (could be letter writers, spot illo artists, article writers) who are willing to provide memories, anecdotes for possible inclusion. My pal (and fellow SuperStuff blogger) Nigel Brown is doing all the heavy lifting on compiling the issue.
DeleteFU/CU sounds a bit rude when said as a word, B. I nearly thought you were swearing at McS for a moment.
DeleteI'd have added "Jimmy" after the FU/CU in that case, Kid :-)
DeleteHey, you speak Glaswegian.
DeleteMet Alan Austin numerous times early/mid 70’s when buying comics at his basement shop Clapton Pond E5 and later at his upstairs shop Mare St. Lovely guy and very knowledgeable. His passing was a great lost to comicdom.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting to hear, Anonymous. If you have any photos of the shops from that time, please let me know.
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