Comics Britannia is a three-part Documentary film series from BBC Four which started on 10 September 2007. It was then repeated on BBC Two starting on 19 July 2008.
The series looks at the history of the British comic and is also the centre of a Comics Britannia season.
Episodes
The three programs look at the main periods of British comics. They are narrated by
Armando Iannucci.
The Fun Factory
First shown on Monday 10 September, this documentary looks at the early years of British comics.
[ Comics Britannia Ep 1: The Fun Factory by Paul Gravett, BBC]
It features the launch of The Dandy and follows the growth of the British comics industry through to the 1960s.
Boys and Girls
First shown on Monday 17 September, the episode looks at the appearance of a large range of comics in the post-war era specifically aimed at boys (
Eagle) and girls (
Bunty,
Girl).
[ Comics Britannia Ep 2: Boys And Girls by Paul Gravett, BBC]
X-Rated: Anarchy in the UK
First aired on Monday 24 September, it looks at the trend towards darker comics in the 1970s and 1980s with the launch of
2000 AD and the rise of
Alan Moore resulting in the "British Invasion" of the American comics industry.
[ Comics Britannia Ep 3: Anarchy in the UK by Paul Gravett, BBC]
Comics Britannia season
The rest of the season includes documentaries (not necessarily about British comics and artists):
-
In Search of Steve Ditko
-
Heath Robinson: Suburban Subversive
-
Happy Birthday Broons!
-
Happy Birthday Wullie
-
In Search of Moebius: Jean Giraud
-
Tintin and I
-
The Comic Strip Hero, Arena documentary about Superman
As well as relevant films and television series:
-
My Name Is Modesty, the 2003 Modesty Blaise film
-
Tron, the 1982 film (Moebius designed the graphical look)
-
Repeats of the 1960s Batman series
See also
-
List of Britannia documentaries
Notes
External links
target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Comics Britannia season details at the BBC
