The Final Whistle for Rok of the Reds

Rok of the Reds has reached the concluding issue in its six issue mini-series and it ends in fine form with an exciting finalé. This wonderful comic by John Wagner, Alan Grant, and Dan Cornwell (with colours by Abby Bulmer) has been a pleasure to read from start to finish. 

I won't show any of the interior pages this time because I don't want to give away any spoilers but the script and art is top class as Rok faces challenges on and off the pitch. As I've said in previous reviews of this series, don't let the football aspect put you off if you don't like football. I'm not a sports fan at all and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The sci-fi and sport elements mix well and it's just a damn good comic worth your support. 

Rok of the Reds is a cracking mix of traditional British adventure style comics with a modern approach. It should appeal to people who were fans of Lion and Valiant as much as it'll appeal to today's 2000AD readers. I really can't praise it highly enough.  

I'll miss Rok of the Reds but I hope it'll return for a second series.

Rok of the Reds No.6 is available from any good comics speciality shop, but if you have trouble finding it 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/

Rok of the Reds reaches its penultimate issue

The fifth issue of Rok of the Reds is out and the story is really building to its climax now. The alien Rok, on Earth and disguised as footballer Kyle Dixon, is being tracked by two Executors from his homeworld. There are revelations and danger as the issue races towards its cliffhanger. 

As I've said before, even if, like me, you don't usually like football comics this will hook you. It has all the hallmarks of a classic British adventure strip but with a modern style. Dan Cornwell's artwork is a joy to behold, and Abby Bulmer's rich colouring complements it perfectly. Of course, with a script by John Wagner and Alan Grant, how could they fail to be inspired? If Valiant or Eagle had been updated and were being published today, Rok of the Reds would fit right in. (I thought the way the strip continued directly from the cover was a nice touch. It reminded me of the old UK comics.)

Don't let that comment mislead you into thinking that this is some retro comic though. Those of us who are old enough will recognise the spirit of traditional British comics in Rok of the Reds but it also stands as an equal alongside any modern comic from the UK or USA. A treat for both new readers and long time collectors.

Rok of the Reds No.5 is available from any good comics speciality shop, but if you have trouble finding it 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/

Don't miss out! Rok of the Reds is a must-buy!

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.2

The second issue of this SF football comic Rok of the Reds moves the story along superbly, thanks to the experienced writing skills of John Wagner and Alan Grant. They really are the two top writers in British comics, delivering a script that is clearly told, absorbing, advances the plot, and has a great cliffhanger.

Dan Cornwell once again proves to be a good choice as artist, with a style that has elements of traditional British comics but also a modern attitude to page composition. As with John and Alan's writing, Dan's visual storytelling abilities carry the adventure along effortlessly. There's no confusion here as to what's going on, as is often the case with some modern comics. 

This episode sees the alien Rok assume the form and memories of arrogant footballer Kyle Dixon, adapting his attitudes to fit in with the humans. Can he maintain his secret? There are echoes of Alan Grant's old Doomlord series here, but Rok goes its own way. 

For anyone bemoaning that "they don't do comics like they used to", this is perfect for you. It's like a contemporary take on the sort of serials that would have appeared in Lion or Scorcher in the 1970s. That said, it should also appeal to today's readers too. And don't be put off if you're not a football fan. I'm not either, but I still found it completely gripping. 

The best news of all is that issue 3 is out already, so I should have that in a few days time. You can buy all three issues from the publisher's website here...
http://bhpcomics.com/

If you're at the London Film and Comic Con this weekend, be sure to visit John Wagner's table in the Comics Zone, where he'll have copies to sell, and I'm sure he'll be happy to sign them for you. 

You can also buy copies from the artist, Dan Cornwell, by contacting him on his website:
https://dancornwell.wordpress.com/

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/

Get ready for ROK OF THE REDS!

Next month there's a brand new football comic hailing from Glasgow publisher BHP Comics when Rok of the Reds No.1 makes its debut. As you may have guessed from the cover, this is a football comic with a difference!

Created by John Wagner and Alan Grant, and scripted by John, Rok of the Reds is a six issue mini-series with fantastic art by Dan Cornwell, coloured by Abigail Bulmer and lettered by Jim Campbell. Interviewed in the latest issue of Comic Heroes, John Wagner said "It's not like anything else that Alan and I have done. There's a strong retro feel to it, a homage to the comics of our youth - but with the added twist of a rampaging alien".

The story is mostly still under wraps to avoid spoilers but what's known is it begins when arrogant footballer Kyle Dixon encounters an alien who has crash-landed on Earth.

It sounds like it's going to be an enjoyable comic, and with the talented creators it has onboard it's going to be well worth checking out. I've already pre-ordered my copy and you can too by following this link:  
http://bhpcomics.tictail.com/product/rokofthereds1