Preview: 2000AD Sci-Fi Special 2018 - out this week!

The much anticipated 2000AD Sci-Fi Special by an all-women set of creators hits the shops this coming Wednesday. Here's a preview of some of the pages...

• UK and DIGITAL: 20th June 2018 £4.99
• NORTH AMERICA: 11th July 2018 $9.99
• DIAMOND: APR181716
• COVER: TULA LOTAY (A) EMILY ZEINNER (B)


In this issue:
JUDGE DREDD: THE FEELS by Emma Beeby (w) Babs Tarr (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)


TYRANNY REX: “DON’T FORGET TO BLAST MY CACHE” by Katy Rex (w) Liana Kangas 9a) Liana Kangas & Gab Contreras (c) Ellie De Ville (l)


ROGUE TROOPER: THE THOUSAND DAYS by Alex De Campi (w) Sam Beck (a) Eva De La Cruz (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)


FUTURE SHOCKS: DELIVERY by Tillie Walden (w+a+l)


JUDGE DEATH: DARKNESS DESCENDS by Leah Moore (w) Xulia Vicentes (a) Pippa Mather (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)


DEMARCO, P.I.: LOVE REMAINS by Laura Bailey (w) Dani (a) Ellie De Ville (l)


TERROR TALE: THE HOCKEY STICKS OF HELL by Olivia Hicks (w) Abigail Bulmer (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)


ANDERSON, PSI-DIVISION: SPA DAY by Maura McHugh (w) Emma Vieceli (a) Barbara Nosenzo (c) Ellie De Ville (l)


Judge Anderson poster by Marguerite Sauvage


Available in print from: newsagents, comic book stores via Diamond

Available in digital from: 2000 AD webshop, 2000 AD iPad app, 2000 AD Android app, 2000 AD Windows 10 app

Rok scores another winner!

There's a new issue of Rok of the Reds out and once again it hits all the targets. With a script by John Wagner and Alan Grant, art by Dan Cornwell, and colours by Abby Bulmer, this issue develops the intriguing story further. Alien fugitive Rok is now firmly established in his guise of footballer Kyle Dixon but there is danger approaching from elsewhere. 

Once again the superbly polished script carries the reader effortlessly through the issue and is a joy to read. The artwork by Dan Cornwell (and Abby Bulmer's colouring) is a treat for the eyes and ideally suited to this sci-fi/football story. Anyone who still believes "They don't do comics like they used to" needs to follow this series because it manages to be both a homage to British comics of the past as well as a great modern comic. 

There's only two issues to go of this mini-series and I can't wait to see the developments. Rok of the Reds really is one of the best new comics available.

Rok of the Reds No.4 is available from any good comics speciality shop, but if you have trouble finding it ('cos we know how shops tend to favour American comics) you can order a copy from the publisher BHP Comics...
http://bhpcomics.com

...or contact the artist himself at his website...
https://dancornwell.wordpress.com/

John Wagner, Dan Cornwell, and Abby Bulmer also have copies you can buy at any comic convention they attend. Don't miss out of this great comic!

Review: ROK OF THE REDS No.1

Launched at the London Film and Comic Con last weekend, Rok of the Reds No.1 is a new colour comic from Glasgow publisher BHP Comics. Written by John Wagner and Alan Grant, and illustrated by newcomer Dan Cornwell, it's a very entertaining first issue.

John Wagner is of course best known as the co-creator and scriptwriter of Judge Dredd. Before that, he was the editor of a superb revamp of the weekly adventure comic Valiant. I mention that because Rok of the Reds feels to me like it would have been a perfect fit in a modern-day version of that comic. Not that it's dated. Far from it. What I mean is the strip combines two traditional British comics themes; football and sci-fi in the sort of quirky way that British comics used to do, but the execution is fresh and contemporary. With his years of experience Wagner really knows how to move a story along. There's no padding here and the dialogue is sharp and a joy to read. 

The story begins in the depths of space with the destruction of a distant world, introduces us to the alien named Rok, and then the scene shifts to a football match on Earth. Here we meet Kyle Dixon, an arrogant and mean-spirited player whose fate is destined to be linked to the alien. 

Artist Dan Cornwell turns in great work on this. There's some really nice linework here with good character studies. The style echoes a traditional look but with a modern edge; just the right style for this story. The icing on the cake is Abby Bulmer's superb colouring. Mention should also go to the letterer of course, and Jim Campbell does a very nice job. 

The issue sets everything up nicely and I'm really looking forward to the developments in issue 2. 

Rok of the Reds No.1, on sale now. Order your copy by post here:
http://bhpcomics.tictail.com/product/rokofthereds1


Hopefully your nearest comic speciality shop will have copies but if you're attending the Cardiff Film and Comic Con this weekend John Wagner will be amongst the guests and you can buy a copy from the great man himself. 
http://www.filmandcomicconcardiff.com/