Stephen L. Holland Explained

Stephen L. Holland is a figure in British comic books. A writer about comics, he is also the co-owner and curator^[1] of Page 45, a comic book shop in Nottingham. He is to be distinguished from Steve Holland, also a British historian, bibliographer and writer about comics, associated with the Bear Alley website.^[2]

Stephen L. Holland and Mark Simpson opened Page 45 in Nottingham in 1994, soon joined by Dominique Kidd.^[3]

Holland wrote the column Talking Shop, about comics retailing, which was published in Comics International. In 2003, he coined the term "new mainstream" to denote comics that eschewed superheroes in favor of subject matter more in line with the popular genres of other media, such as thrillers, romances, and realistic drama.^[4] In the 2010s, Holland reviewed comics for Comics Bulletin.^[5]

Holland has at various times supported British comic conventions, festivals, and related events. For instance, Page 45 sponsored the British Comic Awards in 2015, with Holland also serving as a judge.^[6] He also serves on the board of The Lakes International Comic Art Festival.^[7]

In 2020, Holland was named the UK Comics Laureate by The Lakes International Comic Art Festival,^{[8] [9]} a position he held until October 2023.^{[10] [11]}

Bibliography

• Book: Vultures of the Void: A History of British Science Fiction Publishing, 1946–1956 . Philip . Harbottle . Stephen . Holland . 1. Daryl F. . Mallett . San Bernardino, CA . Borgo Press . December 1992.
• Book: British Science Fiction Paperbacks & Magazines, 1949–1956: An Annotated Bibliography & Guide . Philip . Harbottle . Stephen . Holland . 1. Daryl F. . Mallett . Michael. Burgess. San Bernardino, CA . Borgo Press . 1994.

External links

• Page 45 website

Notes and References

1. News: Meet Stephen L. Holland, Owner of Nottingham's Page 45 Comic Book Shop . Jamie Morris. 16 April 2023 . LeftLion.
2. Web site: Bear Alley. Blogspot.
3. Web site: All About Page 45: Who We Are & Why We Opened. Page 45. 25 September 2009 .
4. Web site: Guest Editorial: The Real Mainstream . Holland . Stephen . June 6, 2003 . Ninth Art . https://web.archive.org/web/20080113050018/http://www.ninthart.com/display.php?article=571 . January 13, 2008 . dead . February 14, 2007 .
5. Web site: Hellblazer: All His Engines hardcover review. https://web.archive.org/web/20180613183832/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/110975146551547.htm . 2018-06-13. Comics Bulletin. Stephen. Holland. Nov 8, 2006.
6. News: Freeman . John . John Freeman (editor). British Comic Awards Call for Entries opens, partnership with Page 45 announced . DownTheTubes.net. July 14, 2015.
7. News: Who Wants To Be A UK Comics Laureate, Anyway? . 6 Jun 2023 . Rich . Johnston . Bleeding Cool.
8. News: Johnston . Rich . Retailer Stephen L Holland Announced As New UK Comics Laureate . Bleeding Cool News (11 October 2020).
9. Web site: STEPHEN L. HOLLAND OUTLINES HIS PLANS FOR HIS TIME AS COMICS LAUREATE. The Lakes International Comic Art Festival. Oct 2020.
10. News: Stephen L. Holland's UK Comics Laureate Term Extended Another Year . 13 Dec 2022 . Rich . Johnston. Bleeding Cool.
11. News: Stephen L. Holland Continues as Comics Laureate until October 2023. JOHN . FREEMAN . John Freeman (editor). Dec 13, 2022. DownTheTubes.net.