The second issue of Titan Comic's new Johnny Red monthly was published this week. It's available with a choice of two covers; one by series artist Keith Burns, and the other by veteran UK comics artist Ian Kennedy (shown above). Despite his advancing years, Kennedy is still an incredible artist and one of the best in the business.
After last issue's set up, this time we see Johnny and his squadron in action. Garth Ennis deilvers another tight, no-nonsense script and the artwork by Keith Burns really shines in the battle sequences.
This is the ideal comic for readers who grew up on Battle weekly. It takes a harder, more mature approach to the story than the classic weekly tales did, but compliments those old adventures.
There's also a four page back up feature with Garth Ennis interviewing David Hunt (who was the editor of Battle back in the day).
One of the best British comics around at the moment, Johnny Red is available from comics speciality shops and online sellers.
Titan Comics website:
http://titan-comics.com/
This week London based Titan Comics published Johnny Red No.1, an all-new 8 issue monthly comic mini-series reviving the WW2 fighter ace from long-defunct Battle comic weekly, thanks to an agreement with copyright holders Egmont UK.
Of all the Egmont properties that Titan could have revived, it seems a brave move to bring back a war comics character. Johnny Red is only available in comics speciality shops, usually visited by customers mainly interested in SF, fantasy and superheroes. One would think that Adam Eterno, Doomlord, or even The Leopard of Lime Street would have been a better option for that demographic, but time will tell. What Johhny Red has on his side is fan favourite writer Garth Ennis, whose work is always worth a look, and artist Keith Burns, who is new to me but handles the artwork admirably.
The comic itself, although British, is in the American format, and has 32 full colour pages. The Johhny Red story is 20 pages in length and unexpectedly the first half is set in the present, concerning the salvaging and imminent repair of a familiar old Hawker Hurricane airframe. This is an aircraft that has seen some action in the past and the story eventually leads to a flashback to World War 2 when the plane was in its element. No prizes for guessing who the pilot is.
As is often the case these days, this first issue is quite slow moving initially and full of exposition. Garth is clearly writing with the collected trade paperback in mind. Don't let that put you off though. The first issue sets up the story and it'll be interesting to see where it goes from here. Keith Burns' artwork is very interesting. In some ways reminiscent of traditional British adventure comics, but also looking modern. His depictions of aircraft are wonderful and he's obviously the right man for the job.
There are also two back up features, with one giving the background of Johnny Red in Battle comic. Although it correctly credits Tom Tully and Joe Colquhoun as the creators of the character, it makes no mention of artist John Cooper who illustrated most of the series. Quite disappointing, especially as they use some of John's art to illustrate the piece. Perhaps this will be rectified in a future issue. The second feature is a historical item on the Hawker Hurricane aircraft.
Johnny Red is a good, solid comic that I hope will appeal to old fans of the character as well as a new audience. It's great to see the character back and I for one will be following the rest of this series.
Johnny Red No.1 (of 8), published by Titan Comics. $3.99
Classic 1980s British comics character Johnny Red returns this November courtesy of London based publisher Titan Comics, by arrangement with Egmont UK.
The monthly eight-issue mini-series Johnny Red is written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Keith Burns. With a 'mature readers' advisory it promises to be a grittier take on the character than that of his days in the boys weekly Battle-Action. Ideal then for those who grew up with the character and who are now adults. (Although I suspect some will still want him exactly as he was in 1980.)
Johnny Red No.1 goes on sale in November and will be available from comic book speciality shops (not newsagents). However, from personal experience some shops order low on non-superhero comics so I'd advise placing an advance order right away to ensure your copy.
For more details of Johnny Red and the other Titan Comics being published in November, see the Bleeding Cool website here:
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/08/19/titan-comics-solicits-for-november-2015-doctor-who-johnny-red-and-the-sdcc-specials/
For an interview with artist Keith Burns, see the excellent The Beat website here:
http://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-introducing-keith-burns-artist-extraordinaire/
Shame on me for not checking out Paul Gravett's excellent Comica website more often, as I should have reported on this earlier.
Today and tomorrow (August 19th and 20th) sees the Comics and Conflicts event at the Imperial War Museum, London. Guests include Pat Mills, Garth Ennis, David Collier and Francesca Cassavetti discussing the way that comics around the world have reflected warfare.
For full details visit the Comica website here:
http://www.comicafestival.com/index.php/site/news/comics_conflicts/
