Comics Super 8
#135 - In which I look back at some influential comics, as well as the usual round-up of words written, spoken, and read.
This week’s topic is a steal. That’s because I stole it from comics writer and historian Chris Ryall’s excellent Tales of Syzpense Substack.
As I was reading Chris’s newsletter and his answers to the following Super 8 questions, I was also figuring out what my own answers would be - so why not share them here too?
1. What’s Your Most Memorable Comic-Reading Experience?
I can honestly say that this comic changed my life. One evening during our first year at college, a group of us were hanging out in our halls of residence kitchen when the conversation turned to childhood heroes - and I may have mentioned a list that included a few superheroes. The following day, while out shopping in town, Gill spotted a Spider-Man comic on the shelf in the local newsagents and muttered the immortal words, “Why don’t you pick it up for a bit of fun?”
Issue 64 of PETER PARKER: THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN re-ignited a passion for comics that has remained undiminished ever since. I would never have imagined that book would lead to almost 40 years in and around comics as a writer, retailer, historian, teacher and so much more. Never mind getting to work with some amazing creatives and build so many lifelong friendships.
2. What is a Comic Book You Loved in High School?
Confession time - I didn’t read comics in high school. I had read them when I was younger, and as recounted above, would rediscover them in college - but as a teenager I was just too cool to be reading comics (at least that’s what I thought at the time).
3. What is a Comic Book You’d Show a Date?
One of the first orders of business shortly after we moved to the US was, of course, to find a local comic book store. It didn’t take long, and on one of our first visits the owner put a comic in my hand and said something along the lines of “Check this out, I think you would both like it.” - It was this issue of Terry Moore’s STRANGERS IN PARADISE.
SiP became our comic, one we shared; then it became Gill’s comic - the one she had to read first.
That book has become a constant of our new life in the US over the last 30 years. We have multiple editions, and have got to meet Terry Moore and his wonderful wife, Robyn, on several occasions.
Gill still has some original Strangers in Paradise art on her office wall.
4. What Comic Book Makes You Cry Without Fail?
I don’t think any comic has made me cry, but there are definitely some that have left me feeling gut-punched. The one I remember most vividly is ALPHA FLIGHT issue 12. I can still remember exactly where I was when I read it. I think it was the first time I’d been presented with the death of a major character I’d become invested in (even if the cover was a bit of a give-away).
5. What Comic Book Makes You Laugh Without Fail?
It’s not one specific comic - but a series. I loved the ASTERIX books as a kid, with their mix of history, wordplay, and just a great sense of fun. The new translations aimed at an American audience published by Papercutz are just as much fun.
6. You’re a Thief. There’s a vast warehouse of every prop from every comic book. What do you steal?
A quick look around my office would answer this question. The BATMOBILE. But which version? While the 1966 TV version and 1989 movie example are my favorites, they didn’t originate on the comics page. So my favorite comics Batmobile?I think it would have to be this one
And I might just happen to have that model in my office too.
7. What Was Your Mother’s Favorite Comic Book?
My mother didn’t read comics, or so she would have had you believe. But I did sometimes find her sneaking a look at the occasional copy of the John Byrne era FANTASTIC FOUR if I’d left a copy lying around. She particularly enjoyed any that featured Sue Storm centric stories.
8. What Was Your Father’s Favorite Comic Book?
While my Dad would read most of the comics I bought home, and always encouraged me to read a wide variety of comics - both British and American - he was always proud of the fact that he had been a subscriber to the EAGLE from its first issue back in 1950.
When we first had our FOREST COMICS retail business, he would always make sure he got to read any Eagle issues we had in stock.
Wow - that was a real walk down memory lane. I hope you enjoyed it. What would your answers be? Let us know in the comments.
Alan
Other Stuff
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Word Slinging
Things are really starting to move on the new edition of Star Trek: a comics history. Since the last newsletter, we’ve completed and submitted the updated sections covering the Gold Key, British, and the early Marvel Star Trek comics. Now it’s on to the DC Comics run, which will probably be the second largest section in the book.
Work is also continuing on the Casino Royale ‘67 book as we make progress on a few edits that the publishers have asked for, as well as start selecting the photographs for inclusion in the book.
Lemon Hog Publishing
As I write this, it’s the evening of National Paperback Book Day. We celebrated by having fun talking about the Lemon Hog Publishing paperbacks at PulpFest this weekend.
For those not at the con, you can always pick up copies via the LemonHog.com website.
Shows Booked in 2026/27
This edition of the newsletter is coming to you from Pulpfest 2026, where we have had an excellent first day. We sold some books, met a bunch of great people, and are generally having a fun time. More on the show in full in the next newsletter.
The list of the remaining events in 2026 where you will be able to find us is now looking something like this:
August 8 - Bookfair - Bel Air, MD
August 16 - Moonraker Screening Event - Newtown PA
September 25-27 - ArmadilloCon - Austin TX
September 25-27 - Baltimore ComicCon - Baltimore MD
And we are already starting to get bookings for 2027.
February 5-7 - Farpoint - Towson, MD.
April - Dates TBC - Live and Let in LA - Casino Royale screening
May 28-30 - Comicpalooza - Houston, TX
Buy Our Books Direct Online
You can now buy any of our books directly from us via our Forest Comics and Books store on eBay where they are all listed with the same BuyNow prices that we charge at conventions and shows.
Thanks to the folks who have already purchased copies from us over the last few weeks.
Podcast Procrastinations
Our latest Chronological Christie podcast episode on Lord Edgware Dies is still available
Plus we’ve recently added a special interview episode featuring Teresa and Bill Peschel of Peschel Press, creators of the excellent Agatha Christie: She Watched series of books and YouTube channel.
And talking of interviews, Alan was recently invited to join the guys at the Spy Movie Navigator podcast to discuss the search for an “American Bond,’ as well as his work with the Ian Fleming Foundation.
Books Read in 2026
“Photographic Memory” by Bill Griffith.
It’s almost impossible to read about late 19th-century- early 20th-century American history and not come across the name of photographer William Henry Jackson. His photographs of the American West were the first images many people saw of the geography and peoples of the western reaches of the expanding United States. His photographs of Yellowstone directly resulted in the creation of the National Parks.
His later travels around the world brought images of faraway places and peoples to the American public through publication in Harper’s Weekly magazine. He even created the color picture postcard.
Yet, as this excellent graphic novel biography by his great-grandson, acclaimed cartoonist Bill Griffith, points out his achievements came at a price of an abandoned family and questions about his apparent unquestioning role in imperial colonial expansion and the treatment of indigenous peoples as props to be exploited.
Using a multiple timeline approach Griffith’s walks a fine line between appreciation of his ancestor’s technical and artistic achievements without shying away from asking the difficult questions about his legacy.
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Over at our online bookstore at Bookshop.org I’ve now added a new section listing books read so far in 2026, as well as previous years, so you can pick up copies of any that interest you, while also helping out local independent bookstores.
You can check it out HERE
Where on the Web is Alan?
You can now find links to all the places you can find me online, websites, newsletters, social media, and more in a single LINKS page on my personal website.
As always, thanks for joining me this week. If you know someone else who might enjoy the contents of this edition of the newsletter, or just my ramblings in general, please feel free to share by clicking the button below.
See you next time
Alan J. Porter
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