Daniel Best & "Newton Comics" Need Your Support. ('Nuff Said!)

Many Australian comic-book fans and collectors of a certain vintage (ahem!) still have fond memories of Newton Comics, the Melbourne publishing company owned by the charismatic (and controversial) journalist and entrepreneur, Maxwell Newton. The company which bore Newton's name unleased a torrent of "Aussie edition" reprints of Marvel Comics titles throughout 1975-76, and for many kids growing up in the 1970s, these comics were their first exposure to the "Marvel Universe" of superheroes, and to comic books generally (That was certainly the case for me, as you'll discover here.)

Adelaide-based comics historian, author and collector, Daniel Best, has spent many years documenting the history of Newton Comics, and you can find much of his research here. But there was always more to Newton Comics - and Maxwell Newton - than the comic magazines themselves could ever tell, which is why Daniel Best has now embarked on his latest book project, Newton Comics: The Amazing Rise & Spectacular Fall. Actually, according to Danny, the book is already written - and he's told me that what he's discovered about the late Mr. Newton will force everyone to reconsider what they think they know about the history of comic-book publishing in Australia (Gulp!) What Danny wants, and needs more than anything else, is your help.

In short, Danny is trying to raise AUD$5,000 to publish this book himself, and to employ a professional designer to come up with a suitably eye-catching cover (The image accompanying this post is an interim cover design). So far, Danny has raised AUD$1,850 in pedges via this book project's Pozible fund-raising page. While that's an encouraging start, we're still a little way off from reaching the target, people. So, if, like me, you still cherish reading those old Newton Comics editions of The Amazing Spider-Man, Planet of the Apes, Dracula or The Fantastic Four - and curse you a thousand times if they still have their Newton Swap Card and colour poster intact! - then make a pledge today (These start from the $25 Reward package, and some of the higher pledge amounts have great comic-book freebies thrown in as well!) Further details can be found on the Newton Comics: Rise & Fall Facebook page, too. So, make your pledge - and face front, True Believer! (Again: 'Nuff said!)