Back in March 1991, Fleetway released a one-off title which I think probably stands unique in comics history. The title was, in full, "The Totally Stonking, Surprisingly Educational and Utterly Mindboggling Comic Relief Comic". What made it unique was the sheer number of artists, writers, publishers, comic and TV characters that featured within.
A fundraiser for the famous charity, the CRC was a 60 page, full-colour comic strips featuring such luminaries as Batman, Superman, Judge Dreed, Dan Dare, Doctor Who, Dennis the Menace, Roger Mellie and many more. The story (if you can call it such) is linked by cartoon version of Lenny Henry, Jonathan Ross and Griff Rhys Jones and centres on a modern version of Blackadder as he is taken on a journey to open his eyes to the needs and neglect of our world. The various comics segue in and out like a sketch show and showcase a range of talent in a wide variety of styles. We have everyone from Hunt Emerson, Alan Davis, Phillip Bond, Arthur Ranson, Dave Gibbons, John Ridgeway, Rian Hughes and many more.
It is astonishing that so many publishers and creators were willing to forego both payment and copyright in order to pastiche and often lampoon their properties in the name of charity. Where else would you find a big chin competition between Judge Dredd, Dan Dare, Captain Britain and Desperate Dan? Or a red nose confrontation between seven Doctors, Dan Dare, Digby, the Mekon, Treens, Ice Warriors, Cybermen and more besides? Or Wonder Woman hitching a ride on the back of Judge Dredd's Lawmaster?
The CFC is bonkers, largely nonsensical with a small dose of worthiness, a complete mish-mash but it is a fun read and bounding with enthusiasm and energy. OK, it is not high art and it had a few detractors but it held its own and if you haven't seen it before then I think its worth seeking out if you can find one (I gather they are pretty rare). There has been nothing like it before or since and somehow I doubt there ever will be again.
A fundraiser for the famous charity, the CRC was a 60 page, full-colour comic strips featuring such luminaries as Batman, Superman, Judge Dreed, Dan Dare, Doctor Who, Dennis the Menace, Roger Mellie and many more. The story (if you can call it such) is linked by cartoon version of Lenny Henry, Jonathan Ross and Griff Rhys Jones and centres on a modern version of Blackadder as he is taken on a journey to open his eyes to the needs and neglect of our world. The various comics segue in and out like a sketch show and showcase a range of talent in a wide variety of styles. We have everyone from Hunt Emerson, Alan Davis, Phillip Bond, Arthur Ranson, Dave Gibbons, John Ridgeway, Rian Hughes and many more.
It is astonishing that so many publishers and creators were willing to forego both payment and copyright in order to pastiche and often lampoon their properties in the name of charity. Where else would you find a big chin competition between Judge Dredd, Dan Dare, Captain Britain and Desperate Dan? Or a red nose confrontation between seven Doctors, Dan Dare, Digby, the Mekon, Treens, Ice Warriors, Cybermen and more besides? Or Wonder Woman hitching a ride on the back of Judge Dredd's Lawmaster?
The CFC is bonkers, largely nonsensical with a small dose of worthiness, a complete mish-mash but it is a fun read and bounding with enthusiasm and energy. OK, it is not high art and it had a few detractors but it held its own and if you haven't seen it before then I think its worth seeking out if you can find one (I gather they are pretty rare). There has been nothing like it before or since and somehow I doubt there ever will be again.
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