TREASURY OF BRITISH COMICS
In 2016, 2000 AD publisher Rebellion acquired the majority of a vast comic book catalogue previously belonging to British publishing giant IPC. Having been re-sold and re-branded several times over the years, the archive – containing British comic-book icons ranging from Roy of the Rovers to Hook-Jaw and Misty – was finally absorbed into Rebellion’s already sizeable horde of IP, forming the single largest archive of British comics in the world.
The acquisition included all titles and characters created after 1 January 1970 (with a couple of exceptions including Whizzer and Chips and Roy of the Rovers). This covers a dizzying range of titles from humour comics (Cor, Buster) and horror (Scream, Misty) to ‘girls’ anthologies (Tammy, Jinty), ‘boy’s own’ adventure (Battle, Action), and dozens more.
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Rebellion soon began producing prestige reprints of vintage material, as well as regular seasonal specials (most of them anthologies) containing new stories based on old properties. Here are several Treasury projects for which I've been commissioned.
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FATE OF THE FAIRY HUNTERFate of the Fairy Hunter was an original one-shot story created – with Black Beth artist DaNi – for the 2017 Scream and Misty Special. Editor Keith Richardson had asked for a story about evil fairies, and here’s what we delivered...
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KID KONGDebuting in the first issue of humour comic Monster Fun in June 1975, Kid Kong was created by artist Robert Nixon and later drawn by Rob Lee. Immensely popular in the ‘70s and ‘80s, the strip starred a monstrously large gorilla who lives with his adoptive grandmother. Kid was essentially a huge banana-obsessed child completely unaware of his own strength and whose short-sighted grandma always seemed oblivious to the havoc unfolding around her.
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Working with artists Tiernen Trevilian and Hilary Barta, I’ve written Kid Kong strips for two of Rebellion’s humour specials aimed at middle-grade readers.
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Fate of the Fairy Hunter
One-shot, with art by Dani and letters by Maz Smith, in Scream & Misty, October 2017.
Approached by a vengeful fairy, 17-year-old Hannah learns the truth about her employer, Patricia Milson, an aging wiccan turned successful novelist. The fairy offers Hannah a fateful deal, but will she accept it? Kid Kong
Kid Kong Untitled one-shot, with art by Tiernen Trevallion and letters by A. Mann, in The Cor!! Buster Humour Special, April 2019
Chaos, crime, and colossal flatulence combine when Kid and Gran visit Banana-con – the greatest convention on earth (so long as you like bananas) Kid Kong Untitled one-shot, with art by Hilary Barta, colours by Wesley Wong and letters by Simia Magma, in The Cor!! Buster Easter Special, April 2020 A boring trip to the Museum of Really Old Stuff is livened up considerably when one of Doctor Feebee Fartzenberg’s dino-experiments runs amuck. Kid Kong Untitled one-shot, with art by Tiernan Trevallion and letters by Simia Magma, in Monster Fun Halloween Spooktacular, October 2021. When Gran reveals that she used to be a Hollywood star, Kid finds himself locked in not-so-mortal combat with Gran's on-screen nemesis, the Robo-Gent from Planet X! Kid Kong Untitled one-shot, with art, colours and letters by Karl Dixon, in Monster Fun #1, Easter Special, April 2022. Gran ropes Kid into working in a cat cafe, unaware that the fiendish felines of F.L.O.O.F. have plans of their own. Kid Kong Untitled one-shot, with art, colours and letters by Karl Dixon, in Monster Fun #2, School's Out Special, June 2022. While Gran competes in this year's 'Iron Nan' extreme sports competition, a banana-hungry Kid isn't prepared to sit on the sidelines. Kid Kong Untitled one-shot, with art, colours and letters by Karl Dixon, in Monster Fun #3: Summer Special, August 2022. Forest school takes a turn for the worst when Kid's super-strict teacher upsets the local wildlife. Cor!! Buster Bumper Fun Book Reprint anthology containing the first two Kid Kong strips, November 2020. 2000 AD RegenedStrontium Dog
Trial Run (one-shot, with art by Ben Willsher and letters by Simon Bowland, in the Free Comic Book Day 2018 edition of 2000 AD, May2018.
A train rockets through the desert radlands of post-apocalyptic London, its passengers terrorised by marauding zombie-master Carrion Jones. Hot on his tail is a young Johnny Alpha, taking his bounty hunter’s entry exam and charged with capturing Jones alive Judge Anderson
Spellcraft One-shot, with art by P.J. Holden, colours by Gary Caldwell and letters by Ellie De Ville, in 2000 AD #2130, May 2019 - all ages special.
A little girl has been psychically absorbed by the black-market video game Spellcrafters. Mega-City One’s top telepath Judge Anderson must enter this digital fantasy world, taking up sword and shield to help the girl fight for her freedom. |
2000 AD REGENED
As part of their efforts to target younger readers, Rebellion also published several editions of 2000 AD Regened. Aimed at an older middle-grade readership, these special editions feature the adventures of regular 2000 AD characters but tailored for a younger audience.
For these I’ve written strips for Strontium Dog and – my favourite – Judge Anderson.
For these I’ve written strips for Strontium Dog and – my favourite – Judge Anderson.
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