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{{Short description|European comics and magazines publisher}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} |
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{{Infobox company |
{{Infobox company |
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| name = Williams Publishing |
| name = Williams Publishing |
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== History == |
== History == |
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Williams evolved from Gilberton World-Wide Publications, the European-language divisions of [[Gilberton (publisher)|Gilberton]], publisher of ''[[Classics Illustrated]]''. In the period 1956–1957, at the height of ''Classics Illustrated''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s popularity, Gilberton established a number of [[Northern European]] branch companies — in Denmark (I.K. <nowiki>[</nowiki>Illustrerede klassikere<nowiki>]</nowiki>), the Netherlands (Classics), Norway (Illustrerte Klassikere), Sweden (Illustrerade Klassiker), and West Germany (Internationale Klassiker) — to translate ''Classics Illustrated'' into their languages. |
Williams evolved from Gilberton World-Wide Publications, the European-language divisions of [[Gilberton (publisher)|Gilberton]], publisher of ''[[Classics Illustrated]]''. In the period 1956–1957, at the height of ''Classics Illustrated''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s popularity, Gilberton established a number of [[Northern European]] branch companies — in Denmark (I.K. <nowiki>[</nowiki>Illustrerede klassikere<nowiki>]</nowiki>), the Netherlands (Classics), Norway (Illustrerte Klassikere), Sweden (Illustrerade Klassiker), and West Germany (Internationale Klassiker) — to translate ''Classics Illustrated'' into their languages. |
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In 1959, Gilberton acquired the British publisher [[Thorpe & Porter]] (T & P), ostensibly for the same purpose.<ref name=Jones2 /> In 1962, the production of new issues of ''Classics Illustrated'' shifted from Gilberton's New York offices to Thorpe & Porter in London, with the founder/publisher's son, [[William Kanter|William E. "Bill" Kanter]], overseeing everything beginning in 1963.<ref name=Jones2 />{{efn|Bill Kanter had become an editor at Gilberton in 1946.<ref name=Jones2>Jones Jr., William B. ''Classics Illustrated: A Cultural History'', 2d ed. (McFarland & Company, 2017).</ref> He was instrumental in getting ''Classics Illustrated'' distributed nationally in the U.S. through [[Curtis Circulation]], alongside magazines like ''[[The Saturday Evening Post]]'', ''[[Ladies' Home Journal]]'', ''[[Holiday (magazine)|Holiday]]'', ''[[The Atlantic]]'', and ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]''.<ref name=Jones2 />}} |
In 1959, Gilberton acquired the British publisher [[Thorpe & Porter]] (T & P), ostensibly for the same purpose.<ref name=Jones2 /> In 1962, the production of new issues of ''Classics Illustrated'' shifted from Gilberton's New York offices to Thorpe & Porter in London, with the founder/publisher's son, [[William Kanter|William E. "Bill" Kanter]], overseeing everything beginning in 1963.<ref name=Jones2 />{{efn|Bill Kanter had become an editor at Gilberton in 1946.<ref name=Jones2>Jones Jr., William B. ''Classics Illustrated: A Cultural History'', 2d ed. (McFarland & Company, 2017).</ref> He was instrumental in getting ''Classics Illustrated'' distributed nationally in the U.S. through [[Curtis Circulation]], alongside magazines like ''[[The Saturday Evening Post]]'', ''[[Ladies' Home Journal]]'', ''[[Holiday (magazine)|Holiday]]'', ''[[The Atlantic]]'', and ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]''.<ref name=Jones2 />}} |
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The first use of the Williams name began in 1965, when Gilberton's Swedish branch, Illustrerade Klassiker, was reorganized into '''Williams Förlags AB'''.<ref name=WilliamsForlagAB /> (Bill Kanter was very involved with Gilberton World-Wide Productions,<ref name=Jones2 /> so one theory is that the name '''Williams Publishing''' was derived from '''William''' Kanter.)<ref name=WilliamsForlagAB>[https://www.comics.org/publisher/379/ Williams Förlags AB], Grand Comics Database. Retrieved Apr. 27, 2021.</ref> |
The first use of the Williams name began in 1965, when Gilberton's Swedish branch, Illustrerade Klassiker, was reorganized into '''Williams Förlags AB'''.<ref name=WilliamsForlagAB /> (Bill Kanter was very involved with Gilberton World-Wide Productions,<ref name=Jones2 /> so one theory is that the name '''Williams Publishing''' was derived from '''William''' Kanter.)<ref name=WilliamsForlagAB>[https://www.comics.org/publisher/379/ Williams Förlags AB], Grand Comics Database. Retrieved Apr. 27, 2021.</ref> |
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In West Germany, Internationale Klassiker became Bildschriftverlag (BSV). BSV was acquired by [[National Comics Publications]] (i.e., [[DC Comics]]) in 1966. That same year, Thorpe & Porter, after going bankrupt, was also bought by National;<ref name=Chibnall>Chibnall, Steve. "The Sign of the Tee Pee: The Story of Thorpe & Porter," ''Paperback, Pulp and Comic Collector'' Vol. 1: "SF Crime Horror Westerns & Comics" (Wilts, UK: Zeon Publishing / Zardoz Books, 1993), pp. 16–29. [https://app.box.com/s/3eandnz45jpohh8gn1xbq8vz3lm1ipxc Archived] at [[Box.com]]. Retrieved Dec. 28, 2020.</ref> this sale included all the Gilberton World-Wide Productions European branches. |
In West Germany, Internationale Klassiker became Bildschriftverlag (BSV). BSV was acquired by [[National Comics Publications]] (i.e., [[DC Comics]]) in 1966. That same year, Thorpe & Porter, after going bankrupt, was also bought by National;<ref name=Chibnall>Chibnall, Steve. "The Sign of the Tee Pee: The Story of Thorpe & Porter," ''Paperback, Pulp and Comic Collector'' Vol. 1: "SF Crime Horror Westerns & Comics" (Wilts, UK: Zeon Publishing / Zardoz Books, 1993), pp. 16–29. [https://app.box.com/s/3eandnz45jpohh8gn1xbq8vz3lm1ipxc Archived] at [[Box.com]]. Retrieved Dec. 28, 2020.</ref> this sale included all the Gilberton World-Wide Productions European branches. |
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In the summer of 1967, [[Kinney National Company]] acquired National Comics Publications and its sister publisher, [[EC Comics|E. C. Publications]] (publisher of ''[[Mad (magazine)|Mad]]''). Kinney acquired [[Warner Bros.-Seven Arts]] in the spring of 1969, rebranding it as [[Warner Bros.]] In 1971, Warner's international distribution operations merged with [[Columbia Pictures]] to form [[Columbia-Warner Distributors]]. At this point, in the summer of 1971, with Thorpe & Porter now part of Warner, the T & P U.K. brand was mostly replaced by '''Williams Publishing and Distributing Co. Ltd.'''. Following suit, the Williams name took over the former Gilberton branches in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway, with new Williams branches being founded in Finland, Italy, and shortly, in France. (On February 10, 1972, Kinney's entertainment assets were reincorporated as [[Warner Communications]]).<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/324610996/?terms=Kinney%2BNational%2BServices%2C%2BInc.%2BWarner%2BCommunications |
In the summer of 1967, [[Kinney National Company]] acquired National Comics Publications and its sister publisher, [[EC Comics|E. C. Publications]] (publisher of ''[[Mad (magazine)|Mad]]''). Kinney acquired [[Warner Bros.-Seven Arts]] in the spring of 1969, rebranding it as [[Warner Bros.]] In 1971, Warner's international distribution operations merged with [[Columbia Pictures]] to form [[Columbia-Warner Distributors]]. At this point, in the summer of 1971, with Thorpe & Porter now part of Warner, the T & P U.K. brand was mostly replaced by '''Williams Publishing and Distributing Co. Ltd.'''. Following suit, the Williams name took over the former Gilberton branches in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway, with new Williams branches being founded in Finland, Italy, and shortly, in France. (On February 10, 1972, Kinney's entertainment assets were reincorporated as [[Warner Communications]]).<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/324610996/?terms=Kinney%2BNational%2BServices%2C%2BInc.%2BWarner%2BCommunications "Kinney Changes Name,"] ''Des Moines Tribune'' (February 11, 1972).</ref> |
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[[Roger Noel Cook]] became UK CEO of Williams Publishing in {{circa}} 1974, with his focus mostly on the [[men's magazine]] division. |
[[Roger Noel Cook]] became UK CEO of Williams Publishing in {{circa}} 1974, with his focus mostly on the [[men's magazine]] division. |
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=== Comics === |
=== Comics === |
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The various Williams divisions produced very little original comics, mostly focusing on translations of Warner/DC Comics properties like ''[[Mad (magazine)|Mad]]'' magazine, [[Superman]], [[Tarzan in comics|Tarzan]] and [[Korak (character)|Korak]] comics, and [[Western comics|western]] and [[War comics|war]] comics; as well as ''[[Larry Harmon]]'s [[Laurel & Hardy]]'', an original British comic. There was some variation of titles in each country, depending on the tastes of the various European audiences. |
The various Williams divisions produced very little original comics, mostly focusing on translations of Warner/DC Comics properties like ''[[Mad (magazine)|Mad]]'' magazine, [[Superman]], [[Tarzan in comics|Tarzan]] and [[Korak (character)|Korak]] comics, and [[Western comics|western]] and [[War comics|war]] comics; as well as ''[[Larry Harmon]]'s [[Laurel & Hardy]]'', an original British comic. There was some variation of titles in each country, depending on the tastes of the various European audiences.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} |
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The flagship U.K. branch of Williams, however, had some creative energy in the period 1976–1978. Comics editor [[Dez Skinn]], who came to the company from UK publisher [[International Publishing Company|IPC]], took over editing ''[[MAD UK]]'', ''Tarzan'', ''Korak'', and ''Larry Harmon Laurel & Hardy''. He revived ''[[Monster Mag]]'' and launched the horror-themed magazine ''[[House of Hammer]]''.<ref>Dakin, John. "'Marvel Revolution' in England," ''The Comics Journal'' #45 (Mar. 1979), p. 14.</ref> Skinn's comics were mostly published under Williams’ '''Top Sellers''' imprint. |
The flagship U.K. branch of Williams, however, had some creative energy in the period 1976–1978. Comics editor [[Dez Skinn]], who came to the company from UK publisher [[International Publishing Company|IPC]], took over editing ''[[MAD UK]]'', ''Tarzan'', ''Korak'', and ''Larry Harmon Laurel & Hardy''. He revived ''[[Monster Mag]]'' and launched the horror-themed magazine ''[[House of Hammer]]''.<ref>Dakin, John. "'Marvel Revolution' in England," ''The Comics Journal'' #45 (Mar. 1979), p. 14.</ref> Skinn's comics were mostly published under Williams’ '''Top Sellers''' imprint. |
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=== Decline and sell-offs === |
=== Decline and sell-offs === |
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The Williams line of publishers didn't turn a profit for Warner Communications,{{ |
The Williams line of publishers didn't turn a profit for Warner Communications,{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} and before long the company decided to forego the periodical publishing business in Europe. In 1974 it began closing and selling off the various branches, completing the process by 1979. The flagship U.K. branch was acquired by [[W. H. Allen & Co.]] in 1977, going defunct by 1979.<ref>Skinn, Dez. [https://dezskinn.com/warner-williams-4/ "The End of HoH,"] DezSkinn.com.</ref> |
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Although many of the Williams divisions — in France, Italy, and Norway — went defunct, a few continued publishing under new owners. In West Germany, the Williams branch was acquired by editor [[Klaus Recht]] in 1974, with his family keeping the Williams name in various forms until 1991 (with the publisher itself lasting until 1995). In 1975, the Swedish branch was acquired by [[Semic Press]],{{efn|Former Williams employees in Sweden immediately formed [[Atlantic Förlags AB]].<ref>[https://www.comics.org/publisher/1079/ Atlantic Förlags], Grand Comics Database. Retrieved June 22, 2021.</ref>}} which was the dominant comics publisher in Sweden through the mid-1990s. The Danish branch was acquired by [[Interpresse]] in the summer of 1976; Interpresse was the dominant comics publisher in Denmark into the mid-1980s. The Dutch branch of Williams was acquired in 1979 by the publisher [[Kontekst]], which continued a few titles, but which itself only lasted until {{circa}} 1984.<ref>[https://www.comics.org/publisher/6661/ Kontekst], Grand Comics Database. Retrieved June 23, 2021.</ref> |
Although many of the Williams divisions — in France, Italy, and Norway — went defunct, a few continued publishing under new owners. In West Germany, the Williams branch was acquired by editor [[Klaus Recht]] in 1974, with his family keeping the Williams name in various forms until 1991 (with the publisher itself lasting until 1995). In 1975, the Swedish branch was acquired by [[Semic Press]],{{efn|Former Williams employees in Sweden immediately formed [[Atlantic Förlags AB]].<ref>[https://www.comics.org/publisher/1079/ Atlantic Förlags], Grand Comics Database. Retrieved June 22, 2021.</ref>}} which was the dominant comics publisher in Sweden through the mid-1990s. The Danish branch was acquired by [[Interpresse]] in the summer of 1976; Interpresse was the dominant comics publisher in Denmark into the mid-1980s. The Dutch branch of Williams was acquired in 1979 by the publisher [[Kontekst]], which continued a few titles, but which itself only lasted until {{circa}} 1984.<ref>[https://www.comics.org/publisher/6661/ Kontekst], Grand Comics Database. Retrieved June 23, 2021.</ref> |
Latest revision as of 04:27, 21 June 2023
Industry | Publishing |
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Genre | Fiction, Humor |
Founded | 1971 |
Fate | Defunct, c. 1979 |
Headquarters | Columbia-Warner House London United Kingdom |
Number of locations | 9 |
Area served | Europe |
Key people | Roger Noel Cook, Dez Skinn |
Products | Comics, magazines |
Parent | Warner Communications |
Divisions |
|
Williams Publishing was the short-lived European comics and magazines publishing division of Warner Communications in the 1970s. Headquartered at the Columbia-Warner House in London,[1] Williams had European-language divisions in Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and West Germany. Comics titles were for the most part translations of American publications — many of them Warner properties — as well as some U.K. and European titles. Initiated in 1971, most of the Williams publishing divisions were closed or sold off in the period 1974–1979.
History
[edit]Williams evolved from Gilberton World-Wide Publications, the European-language divisions of Gilberton, publisher of Classics Illustrated. In the period 1956–1957, at the height of Classics Illustrated's popularity, Gilberton established a number of Northern European branch companies — in Denmark (I.K. [Illustrerede klassikere]), the Netherlands (Classics), Norway (Illustrerte Klassikere), Sweden (Illustrerade Klassiker), and West Germany (Internationale Klassiker) — to translate Classics Illustrated into their languages.
In 1959, Gilberton acquired the British publisher Thorpe & Porter (T & P), ostensibly for the same purpose.[2] In 1962, the production of new issues of Classics Illustrated shifted from Gilberton's New York offices to Thorpe & Porter in London, with the founder/publisher's son, William E. "Bill" Kanter, overseeing everything beginning in 1963.[2][a]
The first use of the Williams name began in 1965, when Gilberton's Swedish branch, Illustrerade Klassiker, was reorganized into Williams Förlags AB.[3] (Bill Kanter was very involved with Gilberton World-Wide Productions,[2] so one theory is that the name Williams Publishing was derived from William Kanter.)[3]
In West Germany, Internationale Klassiker became Bildschriftverlag (BSV). BSV was acquired by National Comics Publications (i.e., DC Comics) in 1966. That same year, Thorpe & Porter, after going bankrupt, was also bought by National;[4] this sale included all the Gilberton World-Wide Productions European branches.
In the summer of 1967, Kinney National Company acquired National Comics Publications and its sister publisher, E. C. Publications (publisher of Mad). Kinney acquired Warner Bros.-Seven Arts in the spring of 1969, rebranding it as Warner Bros. In 1971, Warner's international distribution operations merged with Columbia Pictures to form Columbia-Warner Distributors. At this point, in the summer of 1971, with Thorpe & Porter now part of Warner, the T & P U.K. brand was mostly replaced by Williams Publishing and Distributing Co. Ltd.. Following suit, the Williams name took over the former Gilberton branches in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway, with new Williams branches being founded in Finland, Italy, and shortly, in France. (On February 10, 1972, Kinney's entertainment assets were reincorporated as Warner Communications).[5]
Roger Noel Cook became UK CEO of Williams Publishing in c. 1974, with his focus mostly on the men's magazine division.
Comics
[edit]The various Williams divisions produced very little original comics, mostly focusing on translations of Warner/DC Comics properties like Mad magazine, Superman, Tarzan and Korak comics, and western and war comics; as well as Larry Harmon's Laurel & Hardy, an original British comic. There was some variation of titles in each country, depending on the tastes of the various European audiences.[citation needed]
The flagship U.K. branch of Williams, however, had some creative energy in the period 1976–1978. Comics editor Dez Skinn, who came to the company from UK publisher IPC, took over editing MAD UK, Tarzan, Korak, and Larry Harmon Laurel & Hardy. He revived Monster Mag and launched the horror-themed magazine House of Hammer.[6] Skinn's comics were mostly published under Williams’ Top Sellers imprint.
Magazines
[edit]The U.K. Williams also produced "saucy" books and posters, as well as a line of softcore pornography magazines with titles like Sex International News, True Love Stories,[4] Cinema X, Cinema Blue, Parade, Game, Blade, Voi, and Sensuous.[1] Many copies of those magazines were seized and forfeited in a series of British police raids in 1972 and again in 1975.[4] In response, in 1976 Williams created the General Books Distribution (G.B.D. Ltd.) imprint for its "mature" comics and adults-only magazines.[1]
Decline and sell-offs
[edit]The Williams line of publishers didn't turn a profit for Warner Communications,[citation needed] and before long the company decided to forego the periodical publishing business in Europe. In 1974 it began closing and selling off the various branches, completing the process by 1979. The flagship U.K. branch was acquired by W. H. Allen & Co. in 1977, going defunct by 1979.[7]
Although many of the Williams divisions — in France, Italy, and Norway — went defunct, a few continued publishing under new owners. In West Germany, the Williams branch was acquired by editor Klaus Recht in 1974, with his family keeping the Williams name in various forms until 1991 (with the publisher itself lasting until 1995). In 1975, the Swedish branch was acquired by Semic Press,[b] which was the dominant comics publisher in Sweden through the mid-1990s. The Danish branch was acquired by Interpresse in the summer of 1976; Interpresse was the dominant comics publisher in Denmark into the mid-1980s. The Dutch branch of Williams was acquired in 1979 by the publisher Kontekst, which continued a few titles, but which itself only lasted until c. 1984.[9]
Williams' European branches
[edit]Country | Williams name | Years of operation (as Williams) | Original name (year founded) | Popular comics | Fate |
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Denmark | Williams | 1971–1976 | I.K. (Illustrerede klassikere)[10] (1956) | Classics Illustrated, Laurel & Hardy, Mad, romance, Starlet (Swedish girls' comic), Superman, Tarzan/Korak, Western | Acquired by Interpresse in the summer of 1976 |
Finland | Kustannus Oy Williams | 1971–1976 | — | Rin Tin Tin | Acquired by the Swedish Semic Group; became Kustannus Oy Semic |
France | Williams France | 1973–1974 | — | Autocat and Motormouse, Benjie (European children's comic), Calimero, Classics Illustrated, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines, Laurel & Hardy, Pellefant | Went defunct |
Italy | Edizioni Williams Inteuropa | 1971–1974 | — | Superman | Went defunct |
Netherlands | Williams | c. 1971–c. 1979 | Classics[11] (1956) | Adventure comics, Batman, Classics Illustrated, fairy tales, HIP Comics (Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four), Laurel & Hardy, Mad, Superman, Tarzan/Korak, Tex Willer, war, Western | Acquired by Kontekst; lasted until c. 1984 |
Norway | Williams Forlag | c. 1971–1977 | Illustrerte Klassikere[12] (1957) | Classics Illustrated, Junior Adventures, Laurel & Hardy, Superman, Tarzan/Korak, war, Western | Went defunct |
Sweden | Williams Förlags AB | 1965–1975 | Illustrerade Klassiker (1956)[13] | Classics Illustrated, Starlet, Laurel & Hardy, Mad, My Horse, Pellefant, Superman, Tarzan/Korak, war | Acquired by Semic Press |
United Kingdom | Williams Publishing and Distributing Co. Ltd. | 1971–c. 1978 | Thorpe & Porter (1946) | Benjy and His Friends, Fox and Crow, Golden Hours, Fun-In (featuring Motormouse and Autocat), House of Hammer, horror, romance, Tarzan/Korak, Toytown, war, Western, Yogi and His Toy / Hanna-Barbera's Fun Time | Acquired by W. H. Allen & Co. in 1977 and went defunct shortly thereafter |
West Germany | Williams | 1971–1974 | Internationale Klassiker[14] (1956) | The Avengers, Classics Illustrated, fairy tales, Fantastic Four, Hit Comics (Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four), horror, Laurel & Hardy, Mad, Spider-Man, Tarzan/Korak, Western | Acquired by Klaus Recht;[c] publisher lasted until 1995 |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Bill Kanter had become an editor at Gilberton in 1946.[2] He was instrumental in getting Classics Illustrated distributed nationally in the U.S. through Curtis Circulation, alongside magazines like The Saturday Evening Post, Ladies' Home Journal, Holiday, The Atlantic, and Esquire.[2]
- ^ Former Williams employees in Sweden immediately formed Atlantic Förlags AB.[8]
- ^ Publisher names under Klaus Recht:
- Bildschriftenverlag / Williams Department (until Sept. 1973)
- Williams Verlag (Oct. 1973–Sept. 1974)
- Klaus Recht Verlag (Oct. 1974-June 1975)
- Williams Verlag (July 1975–June 1989)
- Delta Williams Recht Verlag (July 1989–Nov. 1991)[14]
References
[edit]Citations
[edit]- ^ a b c Skinn, Dez. "Warner Bros. (Williams)," DezSkinn.com. Retrieved Dec. 19, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Jones Jr., William B. Classics Illustrated: A Cultural History, 2d ed. (McFarland & Company, 2017).
- ^ a b Williams Förlags AB, Grand Comics Database. Retrieved Apr. 27, 2021.
- ^ a b c Chibnall, Steve. "The Sign of the Tee Pee: The Story of Thorpe & Porter," Paperback, Pulp and Comic Collector Vol. 1: "SF Crime Horror Westerns & Comics" (Wilts, UK: Zeon Publishing / Zardoz Books, 1993), pp. 16–29. Archived at Box.com. Retrieved Dec. 28, 2020.
- ^ "Kinney Changes Name," Des Moines Tribune (February 11, 1972).
- ^ Dakin, John. "'Marvel Revolution' in England," The Comics Journal #45 (Mar. 1979), p. 14.
- ^ Skinn, Dez. "The End of HoH," DezSkinn.com.
- ^ Atlantic Förlags, Grand Comics Database. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ^ Kontekst, Grand Comics Database. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
- ^ I.K. [Illustrerede klassikere], Grand Comics Database. Retrieved Apr. 27, 2021.
- ^ Classics/Williams (Netherlands) at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^ Illustrerte Klassikere, Grand Comics Database. Retrieved Apr. 27, 2021.
- ^ Illustrerade klassiker, Grand Comics Database. Retrieved Apr. 30, 2021.
- ^ a b BSV - Williams, Grand Comics Database. Retrieved Apr. 30, 2021.
Sources
[edit]- Williams Publishing (U.K.) at the Grand Comics Database
- BSV - Williams (West Germany) at the Grand Comics Database
- Classics/Williams (Netherlands) at the Grand Comics Database
- Edizioni Williams Inteuropa (Italy) at the Grand Comics Database
- Kustannus Oy Williams (Finland) at the Grand Comics Database
- Williams (Denmark) at the Grand Comics Database
- Williams France at the Grand Comics Database
- Williams Forlag (Norway) at the Grand Comics Database
- Williams Förlags AB (Sweden) at the Grand Comics Database
- 1971 establishments in the United Kingdom
- British companies established in 1971
- British companies disestablished in 1979
- Comic book publishing companies of the United Kingdom
- Comics industry
- Companies based in London
- Defunct comics and manga publishing companies
- European comics
- Publishing companies established in 1971
- Publishing companies disestablished in 1979
- Warner Bros.