John Sanders vs. Scream...?

Byron Virgo · 09 December, 2006, 04:23:37 PM

Okay, this is a bit of a cheeky ask, but does anyone have a copy to hand of the Meg that came out a couple of Christmas' ago which featured an interview with IPC Editorial Director John Sanders, as well as Da Bish's ongoing TPO (Meg 214?) My copy seems to have gone walkabout, and I can't find the dratted thing anywhere!

Reason I ask is because I seem to remember that in it, Sanders says that one of the reasons behind the premature closure of Scream was the NUJ strike which had delayed publication on a number of IPC titles, with management wanting to teach those militant unions a thing or two.

Of course, I could be remembering this entirely wrong, but if anyone could maybe scan or post the particular portion of the interview as plain text, you'd be doing me an absolutely massive favour, for which I would be very, very grateful...

Link: http://www.2000adonline.com/index.php3?zone=prog&page=megprofiles&choice=214" target="_blank">Possibly...maybe not...

paulvonscott · 09 December, 2006, 07:37:22 PM

It's not 214

DavidXBrunt · 09 December, 2006, 08:06:59 PM

201?

W. R. Logan · 09 December, 2006, 08:28:08 PM

If you cant find anyone to find what you are after then I suggest a short friendly e-mail to Da Bish might get you what you want.

Link: http://viciousimagery.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Da Bish - Vicious Imagery

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/913/1709/1600/DBphoto4-73.0.jpg">

paulvonscott · 09 December, 2006, 08:49:50 PM

I've looke din all my megs from 201 upwards and can't see it, it's there somewhere. Grudd that's annoying.

paulvonscott · 09 December, 2006, 08:58:26 PM

The man with the X was right and confirmed by the Watcher.

The titles in the contents don't mention Sanders so is kipped over it.

Looking thru now...

paulvonscott · 09 December, 2006, 09:02:23 PM

In 1980 there was a union strike and Sanders decided a show of force was needed so he considered closing 2000AD for a few days then decided to close down a 'high-profile' girls comic instead. My words, not his. There was a discussion on what comic this was before, possibly not Misty due to the dates.

W. R. Logan · 09 December, 2006, 09:41:51 PM

PVS is right. I've just read through the section in the new TPO and it says Sanders shut a title and its staff lost their jobs but all it ays is that it was a high profile girl comic but doesnt name it. Although he says if he'd had his way it would have been 2000 that got canned but in the whole section there's no mention of Scream.

Although I've now got the urge to climb in the loft and dig out all my old Scream comics.

Link: http://www.backfromthedepths.co.uk/home.htm" target="_blank">Scream

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paulvonscott · 09 December, 2006, 10:05:18 PM

It does mention Scream, but mentions that got the same rough ride that Action got from outside pressures.

There is an old rumour that Scream was destined for the chop anyway, as the higher powers didn't approve and it was dogged by censorship at every turn. When a strike came along for a few weeks, it was the perfect chance to let is slip off the mortal coil into the realms of the dead.

maryanddavid · 09 December, 2006, 11:30:23 PM

I remember reading the same thing Byron, I have a feeling that it was in an interview with John Sanders in Eagle Flies again. If I get a chance ill see if I can dig it out.

David

Byron Virgo · 11 December, 2006, 05:25:39 PM

Cheers chaps, much appreciated - once again the hivemind comes to the rescue! ;-)

There's a good piece on Scream in the last issue of Eagle Flies Again, in which editor Barrie Tomlinson says that the launch issue was watered down at the last minute due to managerial censorship, possibly because they were worried about being prosecuted under the Children and Young Persons Act, instituted in 1952 as a result of the furore surrounding the reprint of b&w American horror comics, which lead to the creation of the original Eagle.

"In 1980 there was a union strike and Sanders decided a show of force was needed so he considered closing 2000AD for a few days then decided to close down a 'high-profile' girls comic instead. My words, not his. There was a discussion on what comic this was before, possibly not Misty due to the dates."

Misty ran from 1978-1980 though, right? So doesn't that place it in the right timeframe for being Sanders' sacrificial lamb?

monty-- · 11 December, 2006, 06:25:41 PM

Someone's got Scream! in the loft?*shock*

Have you any idea how much the series goes for on eBay?! I payed Â£51 quid for my set!

W. R. Logan · 11 December, 2006, 06:31:22 PM

>Someone's got Scream! in the loft?*shock*

Hermetically sealed in a box shielded from the cold by a load of old Bullet & Tornado comics.

http://www.26pigs.com/bullet/bullet-1.JPG">

Lobo Baggins · 11 December, 2006, 06:47:16 PM

There was a discussion on what comic this was before, possibly not Misty due to the dates.

It was Tammy - Misty was long defunct by then anyway.

At least, it was Tammy that ceased publication between prog 376 and prog 377, anyway (they were running a 'free KP Skips' promotion at the time, inlcuding Tammy in the line up in the progs before, but not after).

Lobo Baggins · 11 December, 2006, 06:55:13 PM

Some circumstantial evidence from prog 377...

http://uk.geocities.com/mattd.sharp@btinternet.com/skips.JPG">