Review by David Ferguson: James Bacon, who is a well-known Filer, convention and fanzine fan has been researching and writing about comics recently appeared on RTE Radio 1’s The History Show with presenter Myles Dungan. The show aims to discover how our world was shaped by history and, appropriately enough, James was on to show to discuss his book, Irish Conflict in Comics in the 20^th Century, which in part covers how comics shaped Ireland’s history and vice versa.

The book starts with the early days of the American comic book in the 1940s and brings us right up to the 21st Century. It covers everything from local Irish comics to some of the big names like Marvel Comics. James’ detailed research is obvious from the outset. Chapter One sees a description of Marvel Comic’s Namor’s brief excursion to Dublin in Sub-Mariner Comics issue 3 (1941). As James notes “The Irish connection is short – just one angle in Sub-Mariner’s quest” — the book’s philosophy being that if it fits the book’s subject it is included. And this minor incident fits as it shows us outside views on Ireland in areas like Ireland’s controversial neutrality during World War Two, dubbed “The Emergency.” All covered in the first chapter. 

The book, of course, devotes a lot of time to The Troubles, including the chapters “Captain Britain In Trouble” and “Spidey in the Troubles.” Chapters include interviews from creators about working on comics about such a controversial subject. Ever the comic collector, James notes the relevant comic book issues and provides further reading for each chapter. All accompanied with some wonderful art from said issues.

Of interest to fans of the Daredevil: Born Again TV series is a chapter covering a number of Daredevil issues, including Daredevil issues 205, 216 and 21, all written by the legendary Denny O’Neill. These take place after Frank Miller revolutionised the series in the early 1980s and retain the grittiness of Miller’s era. The issues under discussion feature the tough photographer Glorianna O’Brien who is involved with the IRA, the character seeing the IRA as people fighting oppression not as terrorists.

As James is a supporter of local creators, it is no surprise to see the cover of his book was created by local artists John McGuinness and Triona Tree Farrell, and designed by Paul Carroll. Also, the book is published through Irish publisher Limit Break Comics, which I was happy to hear Myles Dungan mention in the radio interview. The book devotes an entire chapter to Irish Comic Voices in the 1990s and there is an attempt include every relevant local book, with the majority of that sitting in area dedicated to the 21st Century.

This is book that can be read in one go but it is probably something that you will revisit for the references again and again. It’s a natural fit for the comic book fan but will equally be of interest to students of history. It is an area of comic book history hitherto unexplored and I hope this book inspires further research. I don’t think James is done with his. You can pick up the book here.

His next book — A Sensual Cesspool of Iniquity, Censorship and Comics in 1950’s Ireland – is planned for release during the summer.