A1 (comics)
A1 is a graphic novel anthology series published by British company Atomeka Press. It was created in 1989 by Garry Leach and Dave Elliott. In 2004 it was restarted, publishing new and old material.
Publication history
The first series comprised six issues, plus the A1 Bikini Confidential. Page-count varied around the 64-128 range. Most stories were one-off showcases, sometimes featuring characters that had publishing history elsewhere. "Bricktop" was the one ongoing serialized story, though Bojeffries Saga by Alan Moore and Steve Parkhouse appeared as self-contained stories in almost every issue. Issue #6 was numbered "6A" and a proposed "6B" never saw print, although most of the stories did see print in other publications, such as Heavy Metal magazine.In 1992 a second series of A1 appeared under Marvel Comics's Epic Comics imprint, edited by Dave Elliott. These were four 48-page color books featuring work from Dave McKean, Kent Williams, Scott Hampton, George Pratt, P. Craig Russell, Glenn Fabry, Pedro Henry, and many others, including the late Martin Emond.
In 2004 Atomeka started publishing A1 again starting with A1 Big Issue Zero. It featured a Bojeffries Saga story that had originally appeared in two parts in Warrior with an introduction that was produced for the U.S. market to introduce the tone of the material. The new material for that issue was a strip by Steve Pugh called Shark-Man, which eventually had a three issue run in full colour in 2008 published by Image Comics.
Titles
Volume 1
Book 1
The Big Button, Barry Windsor-SmithWarpsmith: "Ghostdance", Alan Moore and Garry LeachDeadface: "The Fall of Angels and Other Misfits", Eddie Campbell and Phil ElliottBad Bread, Graham Marks, and John BoltonThe Ear of Seeing, excerpt from Goethe's Faust, illustrated by John BoltonSurvivor, Dave Gibbons and Ted McKeeverThe Actress and the Bishop go Boating, Brian BollandWayfarer: "A Taste of Gold", Paul Behrer and Una FrickerBojeffries: "Festus: Dawn of the Dead", Alan Moore and Steve ParkhouseMr. X:- * "Mr. X", Bill Sienkiewicz
- * "Heartsprings and Watchstops", Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean
- * "Prologue Epilogue", Dean MotterLibretto, Ted McKeever and Dave GibbonsThe Return of the Purple Claw - Blazin' Glory No. 5, Oct 1942Blazin' Glory: "Ol' Glory, a Tribute", Paris Cullins and Dave ElliottBrick Top, Glenn FabryFlaming Carrot: "The Bandit Moons", Bob BurdenThe Hollow Circus, Peter Milligan, Brendan McCarthy and Tom FrameMorelli-9: "Lobster Rumpus", Dom Regan
Book 2
Side ABig Death, Peter Milligan and David LloydKing Pant, Philip Bond and Jamie HewlettMr. X: "Windows", panels by Nick Abadzis, Mark Badger, Simon Bisley, Brian Bolland, Philip Bond, Bob Burden, Paul Chadwick, Brett Ewins, Mark Farmer, Dave Gibbons, Paul Grist, Jamie Hewlett, John Higgins, Michael Kaluta, David Lloyd, Ted McKeever, Mike Mignola, Kevin O'Neill, Paul Rivoche, William G. Simpson, Bryan Talbot, Charles Vess and Matt WagnerBojeffries: "Sex with Ginda Bojeffries", Alan Moore and Steve ParkhouseThis Really Happened!, BambosA Death on the Beach, Phil ElliottPressbutton: "A Long Time Dead", Steve Moore and Glenn FabryMorelli-9: "Sperm Warfare", Dom ReganElephant's Graveyard, Raymond Ward, Doug Braithwaite, and Rex WardEmpty Chairs, Graham Marks and John BoltonSide BMr. Monster, by Michael T. Gilbert and Dave DormanBricktop: "Firework Night", Glenn FabryJeepster, by Philip BondCowboys and Indians, by Al DavisonMen and Hats, by Barry Windsor-SmithKyrn, by Paul Behrer and Simon BisleyObsessional, by Kevin McManus, Steve Moore and Shawn McManusComics Are Really Grate, by Gary Pleece and Warren PleeceFortean Times, by Steve Moore and Hunt EmersonThe Talk of Creatures, by Ted McKeeverDeadface: "About Hermes, Between You and Me", by Eddie Campbell
Book 3
The American, Mark Verheiden, Doug Braithwaite, and Chris WarnerDeadface: "The Bookkeeper From Atlantis", Eddie CampbellThe Actress and the Bishop throw a Party, Brian BollandMy Closest Friend, John Kaiine and Dave McKeanLeone Ryder, Gary Pleece and Warren PleeceBricktop: "Walton Pig Girls", Chris Smith and Glenn FabryEndless Summer, Philip BondThe House of Hearts Desire, Grant Morrison and Dom ReganPoint of View, Graham Marks and John BoltonBojeffries: "A Quiet Christmas With the Family", Alan Moore and Steve ParkhouseMonsieur Mouche: "Lighter than Air", Jean-Luc Coudray and MoebiusBook 4
Grendel: "Devil's Whisper", James Robinson and D'IsraeliHellcity, Alan Martin and Jamie HewlettThe Funeral, Andrew Strickland and Richard BarkerBricktop: "Balls", Chris Smith and Glenn FabryThe Moebius Portfolio- * In The Heart of the Impregnable Meta-bunker, Alejandro Jodorowsky and Moebius
- * Carnet 3: the Moebius Sketchbook
- * Moebius circa '74The Last Party on Earth, Jean-Marc Lofficier and Steve WhitakerThe Day the General Came, James Robinson and Phil ElliottEmily, Almost, Bill SienkiewiczDalgoda: "The Hero of the Tale", Jan Strnad and James NowlanA Lot on his Plate, Graham Marks and John BoltonBojeffries: "Song of the Terraces", Alan Moore and Steve Parkhouse
Book 5
Cover Story, Neil Gaiman and Kelley JonesBricktop: "Sunglasses", Chris Smith and Glenn FabryIn the Penal Colony, Peter Milligan and Brett Ewins The Contact, Brett Ewins and Shaky KaneTor: "Food Chain", Joe KubertJeff Hawke: "The Devil at Rennes-le-Chateau", Sydney Jordan, Trevor Goring and Thayed RichKnuckles the Malevolent Nun, Cornelius Stone and Roger LangridgeBic: "Party Piece", Ed HillyerReasons, Jeff JonesThe Boy Who Defied Gravity, Nick AbadzisTake One Capsule Every Million Years, Bruce Jones, Jim Sullivan, and William StoutElvistein: "Yin and Yankee", Bambos GeorgiuThe Proxy, Ramsey Campbell and David LloydTrypto the Acid-Dog: "Pet Sounds", Miguel Ferrer, Bill Mumy, Steve LeialohaKathleen's House, Steve DillonBook 6
Tank Girl: "She's Fucking Great", Jamie HewlettRescue, Archie Goodwin and D'IsraeliThe Competition, Hilary Barta and Doug RiceThe Happy Angel of Death, Martin HandHarlequin Bones: Dada 331, Warren Ellis and Phil WinsladeParis is a Ball, Serge ClercAlec MacGarry: "Obsession", Eddie CampbellAnd They Never Get Drunk But Stay Sober, Garth Ennis and Steve DillonSpecial
Mr. Monster's Most Wanted!, Michael T. GilbertParcels of Events, Brian BollandZirk: "Siren of the Stars", Steve Moore and Brian BollandHell City II, Alan Martin and Jamie HewlettJaremsheela:- * "Chapter I", Steve Moore and David Jackson
- * "Chapter II", Steve Moore and David Jackson
- * "Chapter III", Steve Moore, Doug Braithwaite and Dave ElliottTales of the Taco Fiend, Bob BurdenClick, Melinda Gebbie and Carol SwainThe Betty Page PortfolioBetter than a Poke in the Eye with a Sharp Stick, Dave Elliott and Will SimpsonThe Temple of Sweat, Peter Milligan and John HigginsBojeffries: "Our Factory Fortnight", Alan Moore and Steve ParkhouseZirk: "The Perils of Polizei", Steve Moore and Garry Leach
Volume 2
Book 1
Along for the Ride, Igor Goldkind and Glenn FabryCyrano de Bergerac's Voyage to the Moon, P. Craig RussellGoofing, Scott HamptonFanciable Headcase, Ed HillyerFrankenstein Meets Shirley Temple , Roger LangridgeWonderful Life, Steve WhiteBook 2
Max Zillion and Alter Ego: "Pawnshop", Hunt EmersonDeadline, George PrattCheeky Wee Budgie Boy: "The Castafiore Affair", Philip Bond and Jon BeestonSaccharine Fools, Nick AbadzisKing Leon , Peter Milligan and Jamie HewlettFrankenstein Meets Shirley Temple , Roger LangridgeWonderful Life, Steve WhiteBook 3
Axel Pressbutton: "The Movie", by Steve Moore and Martin EmondPale Horses, Dan Abnett, Steve White and Gary ErskineStripey: "Social Victim Fashion Frenzy", Roddy MacNeil and Colin MacNeilKing Leon , Peter Milligan and Jamie HewlettFrankenstein Meets Shirley Temple , Roger LangridgeWonderful Life, Una FrickerBook 4
King Leon , Peter Milligan and Jamie HewlettThe Edge, Dave DormanUptown Ruler, Dave McKeanFrankenstein Meets Shirley Temple , Roger LangridgeWonderful Life, Una FrickerAwards
- 1990: Won "Best Anthology" Harvey Award
- 1992: Nominated for "Best Anthology" Eisner Award for A1 #5