BEM (Bemusing Magazine)

BEM is a long-running UK fanzine that focused on DC Comics, Marvel Comics, and various European comics such as 2000 AD. It was edited and published by Martin Lock from 1979, with New Media Publishing buying the zine in 1981 (after 34 issues) and publishing two further issues, #35 and #36. The initial issues (#1, #2 and #3) were published especially for distribution ahead of and at the British Comic Art Convention, while subsequent issues were timed to coincide with the regular Comic Mart schedule, coming out roughly five times a year.
The zine was a combination of articles about comics and the comics industry, interviews and reviews. As it became one of the most popular comics zines in the UK, the quality increased to near-professional levels, with content provided by comic pros as well as fans. 
This quote from British Comics at Wordpress describes the 'zine's ambit perfectly:
All 36 issues are available as downloadable PDF files on the Fanscene Project website.
== Overall Reactions and Reviews ==
== Issue #1 ==
November 1973. Editor: Martin Lock. 12 pages. Sub-titled: "Comiccon Special"
Contents:
* Front cover - industry preview covers of Thongor #27 (Marvel), The Avengers #113 (Marvel), Adventure Comics: Black Orchid #430 (DC), Marvel Spotlight on Son of Satan #13 (Marvel), Plop! #2 (DC).
* Leading Article: "Burnt Any Good Books Lately?" by Martin Lock - article on recent criticism of comics.
* "News" by Martin Lock - includes transcript of announcement from C.C. Beck to "friends of Captain Marvel everywhere" at Cleveland Comic Art Con and discussion of Beck's status with DC and Marvel; and the bankruptcy of Lancer Publishing, publishers of the Conan the Barbarian novels.
* "Reviews" by Martin Lock:
** Savage Tales of Conan the Barbarian Issue #3 (Marvel)
** Strange Sports Stories #2 (DC)
** Astonishing Tales #21 (Marvel)
**E-Man #1 (Charlton)
** House of Mystery Issue C-23 (DC)
* "Em-Lock Talenders" by Martin Lock - short comic reviews, plus ads for fanzines Comic Media News #10 and Fantasy Unlimited #16 and Fantasy Advertiser #50.
* "Everything You Ever Wanted t o Know About Comic Pricing But Were Afraid to Ask" by Martin Lock - article on comic pricing.
* Advertising - dealer's table with cheap comics for sale.
* Thanks and acknowledgments to Alan Austin, Frank Dobson and R. Burton.
* Download link
== Reactions and Reviews - Issue #1 ==
== Issue #2 ==
May 1974. Editor: Martin Lock. 15 pages. Art by Superswipe. Sub-titled "Comicon Special"
Contents:
* Front cover - Black Knight by Superswipe, plus industry preview covers of Swamp Thing, (DC) Doctor Strange #1, Conan the Barbarian (Marvel) and Kamandi, Last Boy on Earth (DC)
* "Bemusings" by Martin Lock - editorial 
* "News" by Martin Lock - Special for the Comic Mart, including the Spanish International Comics Competition and Convention (re the 2nd Feria de Pulicaciones y Comics); the release of a Golden Age fanzine by Alan Austin; the Wonder Woman TV Film and Coming Comic Conventions in the South (Emsworth and London).
* "Review Section":
** Limited Collector's Edition C-25 - The Batman (DC)
** The Collective Unconscience of Odd Bodkins by Dan O'Neill (Glide Publications)
* "Bigger is Better?" - reviews of five of the latest 100 page DC specials.
* Advertisements - Fantasy Unlimited, Fant-Advertiser
* "Emlock Tale-Enders" by Martin Lock - latest releases: Marvel Comics titles for May and June, 1974; plus A Short Stop at the Transylvanian Brain Surgery Issue #2.
* "Action 1" - first editions
* Cover Gallery: The Amazing Spider-Man #132 (Marvel); Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth #18 (DC); Giant-Size Chillers Featuring Curse of Dracula #1 (Marvel)
* Download link
== Summer Comics Special ==
September 1974. Editor: Martin Lock. 4 pages.
The Summer Comics Special was a four-page "supplement" issued for an upcoming Mini-Mart. The cover featured preview covers for Ka-Zar #6 (Marvel); Master of Kung-Fu #22 (Marvel) and The Tomb of Dracula #26 (Marvel, as well as art by regular BEM artist, Superswipe; Captain Marvel (aka Mar-Vell).
The zine itself is very hard to come by, even online, so the full contents are not known. However, the cover announces that the special contains "News, Tale-Enders (Martin Lock's patented short reviews of latest releases) and one or two reviews, all crammed into four pages for the Mini-Mart!"
== Issue #3 ==
October 1974. Editor: Martin Lock. 11 pages. Sub-titled "Bemusing Magazine Comicon Special"
Contents:
* Front cover - Scarlet Witch, Captain America and Iron Man (Marvel) heads by Greg Chown, Manhunter (DC) by Superswipe, plus spoof covers for Tarzan and Rima the Jungle Girl and Marvel Treasury Edition: The Fabulous Fantastic Four by Paul Rose.
* "Bemusings" by Martin Lock - editorial 
* Art Credits: Greg Chown, pages 12, 10 11 & 12. Superswipe, pages 1, 3, 5, 8, 9 & 12. Paul Rose, pages 1 & 4 
* "News" by Martin Lock:
* "Marvel Bullpun Bulletins" by Martin Lock, Jack Straw and art by Paul Rose - spoof "Marvel Bullpen Bulletin"
* "The Manhunter File" by Martin Lock - article on the DC Golden Age character, Manhunter.
* Fanzines Received Department: Batmania #18 (revival by Richard Morrissey.
* Reviews: 
** Reviewed by Martin Lock: GI Combat #174 (DC); Our Fighting Forces #151 (DC); Detective Comics #444 (DC); Weird Mystery #15 (DC); Superman #282 (DC); Action Comics #442 (DC); AARGH! #1 (Marvel); Giant-Size Master of Kung Fu #2 (Marvel)
** Reviewed by Nigel Edwards: The Incredible Hulk #182 (Marvel); Giant-Size Dracula #3 (Marvel); Amazing Spider-Man #139 (Marvel); Planet of the Apes #2 (Marvel).
*Editor's Afterword
*Download link
== Reactions and Reviews - Issue #3 ==
==Issue #4==
February 1975. Editor: Martin Lock, assistant editor Nigel Edwards. 14 pages. Art by Superswipe and Greg Chown. Sub-titled "Bemusing Magazine Comic Mart Special".
Contents:
* Front cover by Superswipe - Adam Warlock (Marvel) plus industry preview covers of Giant-Size Man-Thing #4 and The Amazing Adventures of Killraven #30 (Marvel) and The Joker #1 (DC).
* "Bemusings" by Martin Lock - editorial, including new features and a request for letters of comment.
* "News" by Martin Lock.
* "Spidey-Man and Conman -- Together?" by Dave Weedon (pencils); Superswipe (inks) and Martin Lock (lettering) - comic strip featuring spoofs of Spider-Man, Conan the Barbarian and The Hulk.
* "Review Section": 
** Reviewed by Martin Lock: Origins of Marvel Comics by Stan Lee; plus a plug for Nigel Edwards' fanzine, Nameless Fanzine.
** Reviewed by Ruan Lanihorne: The Haunt of Horror #5 (Marvel)
** Reviewed by Nigel Edwards: Phantom Stranger #35 (DC); The Incredible Hulk #186 (Marvel); Wonder Woman #216 (DC); Iron Jaw #1 (Atlas).
* "The Insider Strikes" by "DMR" - UK comics fandom news and gossip.
* Advertising: The Comic-Book Price Guide for Great Britain; Fantasy Unlimited, The Golden Age Fanzine and The Marvel Super-Hero Index (by Fantasy Unlimited Publications)
* "Fanzines Received Department" by Ed Sallis - Starzine #1.
* "Reaction" - letters of comment from Richard Morrissey, Paul Rose and George Barnett.
* "Em-Lock Tale-Enders" by Martin Lock - latest releases:
** Marvel: Amazing Adventures: War of the Worlds #19 (Killraven) Captain America #183; Iron Man #73; Ka-Zar #8; Tomb of Dracula #30; Thor #233; Man-Thing #15; Giant-Size Dracula #4; Savage Tales #8; Vampirella #40.
** DC: House of Mystery #229; Swamp-Thing #15; The Brave and the Bold #117. 
** Independents: Brothers of the Spear (Gold Key); Magnus, Robot Fighter #38 (Gold Key).
* Fanzine Directory, featuring Fantasy Unlimited; Comic Media News, TBS and Comic Fandom Bulletin.
* "The Atlas Verdict" - short reviews of Atlas Comic titles: Phoenix #1 & #2; Grim Ghost #1 #2; Wulf #1 & #2; and Savage Combat Tales #1. Includes reproductions of covers for Tales of Evil #2 (featuring The Bog Beast); Planet of the Vampires #2 and Morlock 2001. 
* Download link. 
== Reactions and Reviews - Issue #4 ==
==Issue #5==
April 1975. Editor: Martin Lock, assistant editor Nigel Edwards. 16 pages. Art by Superswipe and Greg Chown. Sub-titled "Bemusing Magazine Comic Mart Special". Art by Greg Chown and Superswipe.
Contents:
* Front cover - industry preview covers of Giant-Size Spider-Man and the Man-Thing #5 (Marvel); The Time Machine #2 (Marvel); Claw the Unconquered #2 (DC); Giant-Size X-Men #1 (Marvel) and The Tomb of Dracula #34 (Marvel). Includes the headline: KIRBY TO RETURN TO MARVEL, STAN LEE ANNOUNCES AT THE MARVEL CON -- SEE PAGE THREE.
* "Bemusings" by Martin Lock - editorial
* "News" by Martin Lock.
*"Fatlas Comics" by Superswipe, Pete April and Jack Straw - spoof cartoon of Atlas Comics and their "original" characters.
*Advertisement for Frank Dobson's new bookshop - Weird Fantasy Bookshop.
*"Fan-Things" by Ed Sallis - fan news and fanzine reviews: 
**new fanzines: Spectrum, Utopia.
**books stores: Dark They Were and Golden Eyed (undergoing repairs); Weird Fantasy Bookshop; Martin's Bookshop and Coram Books.
**fanzine updates: Comic Media News #19; Starzine #2 (which includes a bonus Daily Star); Fantasy Unlimited #25; plus a new Zephyr, Eon, The Panelologist and Comic Fandom Bulletin #4
*"Reaction" - letters of comment from Richard Morrissey, Stephen Bailey, Brian D. Berke, Nigel Edwards, Alan R. Cookson, Kevin O'Donnell and various snippets.
*Advertising: Bemusing Magazine. Plus, The BEM Review Contest, winning review(s) to be published in issue #6.
*"Review Section":
**Nigel Edwards: Superboy starring The Legion #207 (DC); Star Spangled War Stories #185 (DC); Action Comics #445 (DC); Targitt #1 (Atlas); Kamandi #28 (DC)
**Martin Lock: Stalker #1 (DC)
**John Hay: The Incredible Hulk #187 (Marvel).
**Ruan Lanihorne: The Spirit #7 (Warren)
*"Emlock Tale-Enders" by Martin Lock - latest releases:
**Marvel: Giant-Sized Man-Thing; Conan #51; Marvel Two-In-One #9 (The Thing and Thor); Amazing Spider-Man #44; Giant-Size Super-Villain Team-Up #2 (Namor the Submariner and Doctor Doom); Tomb of Dracula #32; Giant-Size Conan #4; Kull and the Barbarians #1; Dracula Lives! #12.
**Warren Publishing: Vampirella #41; Creepy #70.
**National/DC: Kong the Untamed #1; Secrets of Haunted House; Tarzan #236; The Shadow #11; Beowulf #2.
** Atlas: Destructor #3; Scorpion #2
*The Bemusing Fanzine Directory II: Fantasy Advertiser; The Panelologist; Fantasy Trader; Eon.
*Cover Gallery: The Scorpion #3 (Atlas); The Sandman #3 (DC); Police Action #3 (Atlas); Justice League of America #120 (DC); Detective Comics #449 (DC); Conan the Barbarian #52 (Marvel); Batman #265 (DC); The Brave and the Bold #150 (DC)
*Download link
==Reactions and Reviews - Issue #5==
==Issue #6==
June 1975. Editor: Martin Lock, assistant editor Nigel Edwards. 20 pages. Art by Superswipe and Greg Chown. Sub-titled "Bemusing Magazine Comic Mart Special".
Contents:
*Front cover by Superswipe - Doctor Strange (Marvel) plus industry preview covers for: The Amazing Spider-Man #148 (Marvel); Conan the Barbarian #54 (Marvel); Captain Marvel #40 (Marvel); Batman Family #1 (DC); The Destructor #4 (Atlas) and Plop! #16 (DC) Plus headlines: ALL STAR COMICS RETURNS - OMAC CANCELLED - PLASTIC MAN, DR FATE RETURN - '2001' BY KIRBY - MONSTER BOOKS AXED - MARVEL SUPER-ACTION ANNOUNCED.
*"Reaction" - letters of comment from Nigel Edwards, Gary Bentley, Howard Stangroom, Marc Evans, Chris R. Wiggin, Kevin O'Donnell, Maurice Cousins, Kevan Clarke, Richard Morrissey, Jean-Pierre Moumon.
*"One Comic Mart Day at the Emlock Table" by Jack Straw and Greg Choun/Supes - cartoon
*"News" by Martin Lock.
*Advertisement: The Comic Book Price-Guide for Great Britain, Fantasy Unlimited and The Golden Age Fanzine by Fantasy Unlimited Publications. Art by Bonk.
*"The Bemusing Magazine Fanzine Directory, Part III" - Alpha; Starzine; Warrior; Nameless Zine.
*Advertisement: Weird Fantasy Bookshop
*"Fan-Things" by Ed Sallis - fan news and fanzine reviews, featuring Comic Fandom Bulletin #3; Oblivion #1; Alpha #7; Fantasy Unlimited #27; The Creeping Fanzine Disease #1; Fantasy Advertiser #56; Starfall #1; TBS #4; Ugg-Rotten Comix and Comic Media News #20. 
*"Reg Uspatoff's America" by Reg Uspatoff - comics industry and multi-media news from "across the pond". Includes the snippet that a new British comic will feature art by fanartist Phil Ruffell.
*"Em-Lock Tale-Enders" by Martin Lock - latest releases
*"The All-Winners Squad" - the most interesting entries in the BEM review contest: E-Man #7 by Paul Gravett; Man-Thing #16 by Richard Ashford; Wulf #2 by Laurence Milstead; Master of Kung-Fu #30 - by Chris As; DefendersI #22 by Martin Cohen; Man-Thing #16 by Kevin O'Donnell; Planet of the Vampires #1 by Paul Hudson; Savage Sword of Conan #5 by Hunter Tremayne and Morlock 2001 #1 by Paul Hudson.
*"Captain Nuts" by Schwipe - a Peanuts fan comic strip.
*Reviews: by Rich Morrissey, Martin Lock; Nigel Edwards; Ruan Lanihorne; John Hay and Gary Fox (3 pages!)
*Advertisement: Dogman! and other stories. - "a new direction in British underground comix and knitting!" 
*"Famous Last Words" by Martin Lock - editorial, including announcing the dates for Comic Mart Liverpool and the British Comic Art Convention (aka London Con) and a note about underground comics being produced in England by Hunt Emerson and "Cozmic".
*Download link.
== Reactions and Reviews - Issue #6 ==
==References==
Category:Comics Zines
Category:Non-fiction Zines
Category:1973 Zines
Category:1974 Zines
Category:1975 Zines