Fleetway Super Library: Fantastic Series, Stupendous Series, Secret Agent Series, Front Line Series

Publication Dates: 1967 to 1968

Color:       Colour cover; Black and White interiors 

Binding:  Softcover 

Publishing Format:  Was ongoing 

Pages :   132         Indicia frequency:    ?

Fantastic Series

Publication Dates: January 1967 – January 1967

Number of Issues Published: 2 (#1 – #2)
Pages: 132  Indicia Frequency:  ?

Continued in Fleetway Super Library Stupendous series Fleetway Publications, 1967 series#3

Authors

Script

    Jerry Siegel    Jerry Siegel    Alessandro Biffignandi 

Pencils

Aldo Marculetta,  Alessandro Biffignandi,  Carlo Jacono (signed),  Carlos Cruz

Inks

    Aldo Marculetta, Alessandro Biffignandi, Carlo Jacono (signed), Carlos Cruz

Colors

    Carlo Jacono (signed) 

Stupendous Series

Publication Dates: February 1967 – January 1968

Number of Issues Published: 24 (#3 – #26)
Pages: 132  Indicia Frequency:  ?

Tracking:
numbering continues from Fleetway Super Library Fantastic Series (IPC, 1967 series) #2

Authors

Script

    Donne Avenell,    David MortonScript

    Ken Mennell

 Pencils

    Carlo Jacono (painted), Jesús Blasco, Giorgio Trevisan, Carlos Cruz,

 Francisco Cueto,  Aldo Marcuzzi, 

Inks

    Carlo Jacono (painted), Jesús Blasco, Giorgio Trevisan, Carlos Cruz, 

 Aldo Marcuzzi, Francisco Cueto, 

Colors

    Carlo Jacono (painted)

Secret Agent Series

Publication Dates: January 1967 – January 1968

Number of Issues Published: 26 (#1 – #26)

Script  ?  Pencils ?  Inks ?  Letters ?

Front Line Series

Publication Dates:   January 1967 - January 1968 

Number of Issues Published:    26 (#1 - #26)
Pages: 132  Indicia Frequency:  ?

Script  ?  Pencils ?  Inks ?  Letters ?

Fleetway Super Library was a comic published by Fleetway from 1967 to 1968. 

As its title suggests it followed the picture library format, albeit on a chunkier scale than usual:

 each issue was 

132 pages long, containing a 122-page main story alongside back-up material 

such as a quiz or reprints of humour strips.

The Fleetway Super Library series was itself split into three smaller series, each with two protagonists. Stupendous, which was called Fantastic during the first month 

of its existence, 

followed the exploits of the Steel Claw (from Valiant) and the Spider (from Lion);

 the military-themed Front Line starred Maddock’s Marauders and 

Top-Sergeant Ironside, 

both of whom would migrate to Battle Picture Library following the demise of Super Library; 

and finally Secret Agent told the stories of Johnny Nero and the Lion hero Barracuda.

Super Library was not long-lived: it ended in January 1968 after a total of 78 issues, 

26 for each sub-series. 

Steve Holland has argued that it could 

be regarded as Britain’s first series of graphic novels.

Fleetway Super Library Fantastic Series #1 - #2 Complete Series

Fleetway Super Library Front Line Series #01 - #26   Numbers 1-4, 7 ,9, 11, 13-15 & 17-19 are missing

Fleetway Super Library Secret Agent Series #01 - #26   Numbers  4, 6, 8, 10, 11 &  20 are missing

Fleetway Super Library Stupendous Series #03 - #26  Complete Series

Fleetway Super Library Front Line Series 08. Scan: A. Wallace

Front Line Series

Publication Dates:   January 1967 - January 1968 

Number of Issues Published:    26 (#1 - #26)
Pages: 132  Indicia Frequency:  ?

Script  ?  Pencils ?  Inks ?  Letters ?

Fleetway Super Library was a comic published by Fleetway from 1967 to 1968. 

As its title suggests it followed the picture library format, albeit on a chunkier scale than usual:

 each issue was 

132 pages long, containing a 122-page main story alongside back-up material 

such as a quiz or reprints of humour strips.

The Fleetway Super Library series was itself split into three smaller series, each with two protagonists. Stupendous, which was called Fantastic during the first month 

of its existence, 

Fleetway Super Library was a comic published by Fleetway from 1967 to 1968. 

As its title suggests it followed the picture library format, albeit on a chunkier scale than usual:

 each issue was 

132 pages long, containing a 122-page main story alongside back-up material 

such as a quiz or reprints of humour strips.

The Fleetway Super Library series was itself split into three smaller series, each with two protagonists. Stupendous, which was called Fantastic during the first month 

of its existence,

Read more »

Scan: A. Wallace

Super Detective Library (#01 - #154) 1953 - 1959. Amalgamated Press / Super Detective Picture Library (#155 - #188) 1959 - 1961. IPC [Complete Series]

Super Detective Library

Amalgamated Press, 1953 Series

Published in English (United Kingdom)  United Kingdom

Publication Dates:  March 1953 - 1959 ?

Number of Issues Published:

154 (#01 - #154)

Color:

Colour cover; Black and white interior

Dimensions:  Digest

Paper Stock:  Glossy cover; newsprint interior

Binding:  Squarebound

Publishing Format:  Was ongoing

Publication Type:  magazine

 Pages 68        Indicia Frequency The first Thursday in each month

Tracking:

numbering continues in Super Detective Picture Library (IPC, 1959 series)

Notes:

Exact change remains to be documented.

Investigate where the title and publisher changed from Super Detective Library

 (Amalgamated, 1953 series) to 

Super Detective Picture Library (Fleetway, 1959 series). Check #153-155.

Authors: 

Script:  ?, Victor Canning 

Pencils:  ?,  Reg Bunn, Ron Embleton

Inks:  ?,   Reg Bunn, Ron Embleton

Letters:    ?

Super Detective Picture Library

IPC, 1959 Series

Published in English (United Kingdom)  United Kingdom

Publication Dates:

1959 - [January 2] 1961

Number of Issues Published:

34 (#155 - #188)

Color:

Colour cover; Black and white interior

Dimensions:  Digest

Paper Stock:  Glossy cover; newsprint interior

Binding:  Squarebound

Publishing Format:  Was ongoing

Publication Type:  magazine

 Pages 68      Indicia Frequency ?

Tracking:

numbering continues from Super Detective Library (Amalgamated Press, 1953 series)

Note:

Exact change remains to be documented.

Notes:

Investigate where the title and publisher changed from Super Detective Library (Amalgamated) to Super Detective Picture Library (Fleetway). Check #153-155.

Authors: 

Script:  ?, Victor Canning 

Pencils:  ?, Ron Turner

Inks:  ?,   Ron Turner

Letters:    ?

https://www.comics.org/series

Super Detective Library was a picture library published by Amalgamated Press, 

then Fleetway, from 1953 to 1960.

It originally focused on characters from existing detective stories across literature

 (The Saint, Bulldog Drummond, Fu Manchu), radio (Dick Barton)

 and film (Harry Lime 
of The Third Man fame).

From relatively early on the comic also dabbled in science fiction. Issue 14 introduced a new character, Rod Collins - Special Agent in Space; shortly after this came stories such as Kidnapped by Martians (issue 23) and Revolt on Venus (issue 35).

Issue 37, with its story "Crime Rides the Spaceways", introduced a longer-lasting spacefaring detective named Rick Random. Although the science fiction stories accounted for a surprisingly large chunk of the comic's output during this time, there was still time for more traditional detectives: Sherlock Holmes made his debut in issue 65. Around the same time the comic also introduced Inspector Chafik of the Baghdad Police and the female detective Lesley Shane; these two emerged, alongside Rick Random, as the comic's main characters.

Later, the comic begun to rely heavily on reprints of the American strip Rip Kirby, the original characters - aside from Rick Random - being sidelined in the process.
Reprints of the British newspaper strip Buck Ryan also began appearing towards the end
 of the comic's life, along with John Steel, a character who also appeared in
Thriller Picture Library.

https://ukcomics.fandom.com/wiki/Super_Detective_Library

Super Detective Library was a digest sized, 68 page comic with painted covers and black and white interiors that ran from 1953 to 1960 and appeared twice a month.

It featured a rotating roster of detective and science fiction stories from English, Canadian and American artists and writers, and an artistic and writing style that you don’t see anymore.

Most issues were original stories and art, however they would from time to time fill the S.D.L. with reprints of newspaper strips such as America’s Rip Kirby.

https://ccsbooks.co.uk/series-histories/super-detective-library-history/

https://ukcomics.fandom.com/wiki/Super_Detective_Library

https://thrillingdetective.com/2021/03/01/super-detective-library/

https://www.comics.org/series/34863/

https://www.comics.org/series/34864/

 # 98, 122 & 172  Courtesy of Jens Terje

Thriller Comics.- #001 The Three Musketeers - #002 Dick Turpin - #003 Treasure Island (IPC 1951 Series)

 Thriller Comics

Publisher: IPC
Publication Dates: November 1951 – 1953
Number of Issues Published: 40 (#1 – #40)
Color: Colour cover; black and white interior
Dimensions: Digest
Binding: Squarebound
Publishing Format: was ongoing

Publication Type: magazine 

68 pages   -   Indicia Frequency: The First Thursday in Each Month

Numbering continues with Thriller Comics Library (IPC, 1953 series) #41

Thriller Comics Library

Publisher: IPC
Publication Dates: 1953 – 1957
Number of Issues Published: 122 (#41 – #162)
Color: Colour cover; black and white interior
Dimensions: Digest
Paper Stock: Glossy cover; newsprint interior
Binding: Squarebound
Publishing Format: Was ongoing
Publication Type: magazine

Numbering continues with Thriller Picture Library (IPC, 1957 series) #163

Thriller Picture Library

Publisher: IPC
Publication Dates: 1957 – March 1963
Number of Issues Published: 288 (#163 – #450)
Color: Colour Front Cover; Black & White Interior; Black & White Back Cover
Dimensions: Digest Size
Paper Stock: Glossy cover; newsprint interior
Binding: Squarebound
Publishing Format: Was Ongoing Series
Publication Type: magazine

Information thanks to the Grand Comics Database

Thriller Comics, later titled Thriller Comics Library and even later Thriller Picture Library, was a British comic book magazine, published in series of digest sized issues by the Amalgamated Press, later Fleetway Publications, from November 1951 to May 1963: 450 issues in all, originally two per month, later four.

Its stories were mainly historical adventure, featuring classic characters such as Robin Hood, Dick Turpin and the Three Musketeers, western characters such as Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill Hickok, adaptations of classic adventure novels and films, and original characters such as Captain Flame, Max Bravo and Battler Britton, either originated for the title or reprinted from other AP titles including Knockout, Sun and Comet. Artists featured included D. C. Eyles, Mike Hubbard, Eric Parker and Septimus E. Scott. Its original editor was Edward Holmes, succeeded in 1952 by Leonard Matthews.

https://britishcomics.wordpress.com

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THRILLER PICTURE LIBRARY

Thriller Picture Library – swashes buckled, pistols brandished and villains slain – the background to this splendid comic book series.

Thriller Picture Library first appeared in the Knockout comic in the 1940s as a series of episodic strips based on classic adventure tales. This was the result of the imagination and enterprise of Edward Holmes and Leonard Matthews, editors of Amalgamated Press. Holmes and, later, Matthews were both editors of the Knockout comic and the interest in the strips therein formed the basis on which this small comic book series evolved (also known as Told in Pictures).

Matthews became editor of the series and it was his ideas and leadership which developed the stories and story adaptations that made them so popular with young (and nowadays, not so young) people. He engaged the scriptwriters and artists and fashioned the tales into a readable format and could be likened to Albert E. Kanter, the father of Classics Illustrated, as the energy and drive behind a series that ran to 450 different issues.

From the beginning, the stories concentrated on classic adventures and historical figures such as the Three Musketeers (an adaptation of The Man in the Iron Mask), Robin Hood and Dick Turpin and new stories were written for them throughout the series. Classic novels were adapted, with Treasure Island the second up after The Three Musketeers – a reprint of the 1945 Knockout serial drawn by Michael Hubbard and based on the 1934 film.

Whilst a number of Detective stories appeared in the series – The Secret of Monte Cristo and The Green Archer, for example, these were discontinued early on as the Super Detective Library series came into being.

The pocket book format had come into being with Cowboy Comics in April 1950, and although the Cowboy Comics series specialised on western stories, the Thriller series included many westerns and, later, a large number of war stories.

The series first appeared in 1951 when there were two issues published each month, rising to four in November 1955 and it continued until March 1963 with issue number 450. From issue number 1 through to issue 17 the series was just known as Thriller Comics Library and then a strap heading of Told in Thrilling Pictures occurred on issue 18 which was then shortened to Told in Pictures with issue 19. This was then retained through to issue 190 when it was dropped (the series was known as Thriller Comics Library through to issue 162 and then changed simply to Thriller Picture Library from issue 163 onwards). So it can be referred to by three different names and is – you may well have your own favourite.

As time passed, the series introduced several war heroes including Dogfight Dixon from the Great War and Battler Britton from the Second World War as well as spy heroes including John Steel and Spy 13. Children, particularly boys, were fascinated by stories of the Second World War in the 1960s and the Thriller series devoted more and more issues to these characters. As their other war series became more popular (Battle Picture Library, Air Ace Picture Library and War Picture Library, for instance) the Thriller Picture Library series lost ground and ended with Flight from the Sun, a Jet-Ace Logan story (Logan was a science fiction character first introduced in issue 383).

https://ccsbooks.co.uk/series-histories/thriller-picture-library-history/

#001 The Three Musketeers (The Man in the Iron Mask)

IPC, Nov 8, 1951  

Cover/  Pencils & Colors : ??

Script: Alexandre Dumas (original story); Edward Holmes (adaptation)

Pencils & Colors:  William Bryce Hamilton

#002  Dick Turpin 

IPC, Nov 8, 1951  

Cover/  Pencils & Colors : Geoff Campion (painting)

Dick Turpin's Ride to York

Script: Leonard Matthews  -    Pencils & Inks:  D. C. Eyles

Dick Turpin and the Goldsmith's Daughter

 Pencils & Inks:   Stephen Chapman

Dick Turpin to the Rescue

Pencils & Inks:  Colin Merritt

 #003 Treasure Island 

IPC, Dec 6, 1951

Cover/  Pencils & Inks:  Philip Mendoza

Story:

Script:  Robert Louis Stevenson (credited) (original story); Percy Clarke (adaptation)

Pencils & Inks:  Mike Hubbard