Spanning just 40 pages, it still managed to encompass mankind’s propensity to commit evil and ravage the planet in the name of capitalism, while amply demonstrating Hook Jaw’s incisor-induced dismembering skills, the body count delivered at an average of one per page. Compare this with Hook Jaw’s greatest adventure, published in the first thirteen issues of Action. Witness Titan Comics’ Hook Jaw revival, which redesigned the eponymous great white shark’s most distinguishing feature, introduced a gender transitioning twist which trampled over the established continuity, and then spent 128 pages tediously overstating the original strip’s ecological credentials without bothering to deliver a great deal of shark-related carnage. Rebellion’s anthology specials have a limited page count for each strip, suiting the 1970s style, but will this suit the modern comic reader, and who exactly are these specials aimed at?Īttempts at modern revivals of decades old comics are always a gamble, with publishers attempting to balance a contemporary approach that will appeal to a modern audience against the nostalgic demands of the original readership. The almost cinematic storytelling removes the need for captions, as scenes blend seamlessly together in the style of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ Watchmen. They are far more languid, with sophisticated yet almost glacial plot development favouring a longform approach, enabling greater character development. The style of modern comics almost diametrically opposes this. The pace of 1970s comics was frenetic, banging out shocks, thrills and plot twists at a fantastic rate. Action in particular reflected the popular culture of the time, with stories either riffing on content its readers were probably too young to see on television and in the cinema, or reflecting the hooliganism of the streets and football terraces.ĭespite IPC’s new outlook, the dialogue of the strips themselves remained as rudimentary as their predecessors, captions packed with exposition linked the episodic scenes, entire stories rendered over just three or four picture-heavy pages each and every week. IPC’s new wave of titles for boys and girls, which also included Jinty, Misty and 2000AD, didn’t talk down to their readers. Comics such as Battle Picture Weeklyand Action, both from London publisher IPC, adopted an oft described gritty realism when compared with their ‘50s and ‘60s counterparts. I should state upfront that my lifelong obsession with Action probably stems from the ‘specialist interest’ traits associated with my recent diagnosis of Asperger’s, but to me it’s always seemed more than just some run-of-the-mill comic, which is why after more than 40 years, my fascination remains undiminished. When Rebellion announced their forthcoming slew of vintage comic specials, including a new take on Action, I’ll admit to taking a dim view almost immediately. Home › Comics › British Comics › In Review: Action 2020 Special Comic Projects: The Really Heavy Greatcoat.Comics Projects: Return to Planet Earth.British Comic Reference | British Comic Characters Profiled | Garth.Marvel UK | “Genesis ’92”: Looking Back and What Might Have Been.British Comic Characters and Strips Profiled.Starblazer Checklist: Starblazer Abroad.Starblazer Recalled: Forgotten Fantasy Fiction – With Pictures.Action – The Sevenpenny Nightmare – Micro Site.
British Classic Comics and Creators on Facebook.British Comics Sales Figures: The Good Old Days.British News Stand Comics and Magazines for Teens, Pre-Teens and Children.Why Your Favourite British Comic Strip of 1974 Hasn’t Been Reprinted – Yet!.Lakes Festival Focus – Comic Creator Interviews.Roy of the Rovers – Rebellion Books Check List.2022 2000AD and Treasury of British Collections and Specials.
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