The inevitable launch video for MYTEK!

Comic Cuts — 4 July 2025

As someone who dislikes insects (I can't sleep if there's a fly or a moth in the room) I didn't have the best start to the week. We discovered we had been colonised by moths — little flying pieces of dust that we'd spot flitting across the TV screen of an evening in increasing numbers. It meant we had to spend Sunday and Monday moving everything and spraying the carpet with moth killer. We ran out of spray with some areas still to go, so I've just spent another £50 to eradicate the little bastards, so we can go over the whole house a couple of times.

I will say that our first attack on the problem seems to have made a difference. Far fewer visible by midweek, but clearly we need to eradicate them all. Moving boxes, beds and book cases on the hottest day of the year so far wasn't what we had planned.

And on the second, even hotter day I was sat indoors with the windows closed because July 1st was "Flying Ant Day" here in Wivenhoe. We've had ants under the patio for years and it grew to such a problem that we had to have the patio around the back door redone. But they didn't do the whole of the patio, which has had weeds burrowing into every crack and ants tunneling under every slab probably since the day the patio was laid. 

On Tuesday, they came out in force, a writhing sea of insects that will haunt your nightmares if you dare to watch the video below. Meanwhile, I was sat indoors with the windows shut to make sure they didn't fly into the house...

It wasn't all insects. We did some useful things around the house like defrost the fridge and the freezer and mow the lawn. Then we collapsed into a sweaty heap and cooled ourself down with Magnums and ice lollies. I've even taken to eating an apple as a snack rather than a couple of biscuits. 

The lack of snacking (or maybe the increase in sweating) has meant I've achieved a little milestone. My weight has been a problem for years: it soared after I gave up smoking in 2012 and peaked at over 17 stone. It took me two years to lose two stone, before my weight went back into reverse and I put on a stone. Then, in 2019 I started to lose weight again, and again lost two stone before it bounced back a stone. I managed to lose a bit last year, then bounced straight back to where I had been over winter.

Now I've managed to lose half a stone since January. That's not a huge amount, but I'm losing it steadily, as that (I'm told) is the best way to make sure the weight stays off. I'm not setting any targets, and I'm still ten pounds heavier than I was in June 2020, but hopefully I can keep up the exercise and, more importantly, stop eating quite so many snacks.

Progress has been slow but steady on the Air Ace book because I'm still designing some of the biographical pages — I also replaced one that I'd already written as it turned into a bit of an epic about someone who contributed only one issue. Picking out illustrations is a problem with some of the more prolific artists, too... for instance, I'm going through the Air Ace contributions of Solano Lopez, and that means trawling through over 1,500 pages to pick maybe 40 examples, which I'll whittle down to two dozen in the final design. It all takes time.

And today (Thursday) was a bit manic as Bear Alley launched MYTEK THE MIGHTY — finally! It seems to have taken forever, especially as I completed work on all four books back in April. The bulk of the time since then has been spent waiting on printed proofs, corrected proofs and final proofs. The latter arrived last Saturday and I've been trying to think how best to launch the books. I was thinking maybe at the weekend.

However, my hand was forced by Jules Burt, who was doing a video and wanted to post it on Wednesday.. Who am I to argue with one of Booktube's finest (it's like Booktok for Youtube). that meant I spent today (yes, it's still Thursday) dodging about trying to sort out a few images and covers to launch the regular information column that gets posted on the Bear Alley Books site, posting details on Facebook and wondering whether I should do a little launch video as I've done for some books in the past. Maybe I can do that for the weekend. 

The first orders have come in and I'm processing them as they arrive. In between I've been reading my Prog magazine and playing Hall of the Mountain Grill by Hawkwind in memory of Simon House, who died recently. I went there once, the Mountain Grill in Notting Hill, and had a rather greasy cup of tea. 

But that's a story for another day. Now it's back to MYTEK... and hopefully there will be more over the weekend.

• 4 Jul. Comics by Perch interviews Mark Millar about his new project with John Romita Jr., Psychic Sam, which is available on Kickstarter now. (video, 59m)
• 30 Jun. "A Page I Love" with artist Chris Weston... it's a page of Trigan Empire art by Don Lawrence. (video, 8m) 
• 28 Jun. The Joker cover for Detective Comics #880 by Jock was sold by Heritage Auction for $288,000. Jock posted on Threads that it was: "probably the piece I’m most associated with; I sold the original just after it was published, and now the buyer is finally putting it back up for sale. Estimates are pretty high, and although I don’t get a cut, I’m intrigued… how much do you think it will go for?”
• 27 Jun. The Forbidden Planet TV channel has posted a panel from the recent Enniskillen Comic Fest celebrating the 50th anniversary of Battle Picture Weekly. On the panel were the title's co-creator, John Wagner (Darkie's Mob, HMS Nightshade), editors Dave Hunt and Steve MacManus, artist Mike Dorey (Hellman of Hammer Force) and writers Gerry Finley-Day (Rat Pack, D-Day Dawson) and Alan Hebden (Major Eazy, Fighting Mann). (video, 59m)
• 20 Jun. Andrew Sumner interviews Michael Moorcock over at Forbidden Planet TV about the new Titan hardback edition of Elric: The Balance Lost volume one, Mike's just completed new novel, the last of the Whispering Storm trilogy, and many other topics. (video, 1h 1m)
• 16 Jun. The Crime Writers' Association published their  longlists for the upcoming 2025 Dagger Awards back in April. Well, they're down to their shortlists have been announced and D.V. Bishop is still in the running for the Gold Dagger for best crime novel and the Historical Dagger for best historical crime novel with A Divine Fury. DV is, of course, better known as David or Bish-OP to 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine readers.
• 13 Jun. Michael Sheen, interviewed in The Times, says of Good Omens "I really don’t know what’s going to happen with it. We were both relieved we finished the story, but that’s within this really difficult, complicated, disturbing context. I hope people get to see it, but that, to a large extent, is out of our hands.”
• 12 Jun. Sean Phillips is the subject of the latest Wordballoon video. "Sean talks about his long time collaborations with Ed Brubaker, his working relationship with his son Artist Jacob Phillips, updates on the Amazon Prime adaptation of Criminal, future projects and more . Ed and Sean are also releasing a new Criminal Graphic Novel In August." (video, 1h 1m)

Commando 5867-5870

We’re covering land, sea and air in this round of Commando capers! Whether it’s submarines or mosquitoes, fishing boats or castles, yessir we’ve got you covered. Issues 5867-5870 will go on sale from today, Thursday 3rd July 2025!

5867 Battle of Castle Gorbach 

Germany, 1945. As the Second World War draws to a close, US forces advance on the German Alps, convinced of Hitler’s intentions to hold a last stand – his so-called ‘national redoubt’. 
    In that mountainous region, the ancient Castle Gorbach held many prisoners of war from countries conquered by Germany. But their usefulness was running out. Their only chance was to seek help from a passing American squadron – but would their distress signal be answered?
    A Gothic castle in the German mountains, a rebellious US squadron, European dignitaries held captive by malicious Nazis – this one really is a cinematic adventure! With a nail-biting script from Rossa McPhillips, mood-drenched art by Vicente Alcazar, and a truly dramatic cover by Simon Pritchard, you won’t want to put it down!

Story: Rossa McPhillips
Art: Vicente Alcazar
Cover: Simon Pritchard

5868 Black Mossie

For months, Stan Warner and Barney Tyson had flown together in a Boulton Paul Defiant, sharing deadly danger and seeing many of their mates spiralling down in flames. They both knew the Defiant was no match for the enemy fighters, and all their working hours were spent dreaming of when they’d get a better plane. 
    Well, that day finally came, and even Stan and Barney were speechless with wonder. For here was a Mosquito – black, sleek and deadly – which flew faster and hit harder than almost any other aircraft in the world. Now they could really get cracking!
    De Havilland Mosquitoes are definitely one of our top ten favourite British twin-engine multi-role combat aircrafts here at Commando, so it’s always welcome news when we come to reprint an issue all about the wooden wonder!

Story: McOwan
Art: DS Gomez
Cover: Ian Kennedy
First published 1971 as No. 588

5869 Missed the Last Bus Home

Norway, 1936. Four friends, once inseparable, found themselves growing apart. Olav, having attended university in Germany, returned home with some troubling new ideas. As the Nazis increased their stranglehold on Norway, Rolf, his sister Conny, and her husband Fredrik, grew increasingly worried about where Olav’s allegiances lay. 
    With the outbreak of World War Two, Conny and Fredrik were set on resisting the Nazi menace – while Rolf only wanted a quiet life. Before long, the influence of Nazism would tear these friends apart, forcing them to choose: surrender, resist, or die!
    Is there anything worse than missing your bus? Maybe if it’s the Shetland bus! This is an epic tale from Stephen Hume of friends torn apart by war and ideology, with fantastic art and cover by the inimitable Carlos Pino.

Story: Stephen Hume
Art: Carlos Pino
Cover: Carlos Pino

5870 Killer Sub

For one Swordfish pilot, there would be no rest until justice had been done.
    Revenge for a coldblooded slaughter at sea was all that he cared about now.
    His target was fixed in his mind. One day, he’d find and destroy the murdering captain of the…KILLER SUB
    A classic tale of a man blinded by his lust for vengeance – we do so love the drama! McDevitt’s script pairs majestically with Livingstone’s art, making for an unforgettable rollercoaster of an issue – and is that a Jeff Bevan cover we spy?

Story: McDevitt
Art: Gordon C Livingstone
Cover: Jeff Bevan
First published 1984 as No. 1791

Rebellion Releases — 2 July 2025

Our new trilogy of Definitive Editions continues this December, as we celebrate one of 2000 AD’s most enduring and loved characters – Sláine!

Sláine Mac Roth of the Sessair tribe is known as the Warped Warrior – a mighty barbarian who can master the ‘warp-spasm’, harnessing the power of the Earth to transform into a monstrous creature. Accompanied by his dwarf sidekick, Ukko, and wielding his legendary axe Brain-biter, he travels Tir-Nan-Og, a land marred by warring tribes and ruled by merciless gods.

Created by Pat Mills and Angie Kincaid, Sláine: The Definitive Edition collects the complete series in order, and includes original covers from the full run. Volume 2 of the series finds Mills joined by artists Massimo Belardinelli, Glenn Fabry, David Pugh and Bryan Talbot as the woad warrior takes part in the Battle of Clontarf and heads down into the Tomb of Terror!

Tir-Nan-Og (the ‘Land of the Young’) is a violent world, home to warring tribes who worship gods both benign and malevolent. One such tribe is the Sessair, brave warriors of enormous skill and the best of them is a young barbarian named Sláine Mac Roth. Sláine is, among other things, a master of the ‘warp-spasm’ channeling the mystical power of the Earth through his body to become a mighty, monstrous berserker!

The adventures of Sláine Mac Roth continue in the second volume of the Definitive series, collecting the complete story in order. With character-defining arcs such as The Time Killer and The Tomb of Terror, this volume sees the exiled barbarian facing new trials and tribulations – including a trip through time which will have dangerous repurcussions for everyone on Earth!

Showcasing Pat Mills’s epic storytelling alongside the art of Glenn Fabry (Hellblazer, Swamp Thing), Bryan Talbot (The Adventures of Luther Arkwright), and David Pugh (Dan Dare), this is another unmissable entry for fans and new readers alike.

Available in standard paperback or as a limited embossed hardcover edition, volume 2 of the trilogy will be available from the 2000 AD webshop and comic shops through Diamond Distribution.

The Definitive Sláine Volume 2 is available for pre-order (paperback — hardback) now, and will be on shelves December 2025! 

And now, this week's release...

2000AD Prog 2439
Cover: Cliff Robinson / Dylan Teague.

JUDGE DREDD // TUNNELS by Rob Williams (w) RM Guera (a) Giulia Brusco (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
NU EARTH WAR TALES // THE MAJOR by Gordon Rennie (w) Jake Lynch (a) Dylan Teague (c) Jim Campbell (l)
THARG'S 3RILLERS // FAR FROM EDEN by Alan Kerr (w) Ian Richardson (a) Pippa Bowland (c) Simon Bowland (l)
FUTURE SHOCKS // INFILTRATOR by Ed Whiting (w) Adam Stone (a) Simon Bowland (l)
SCARLET TRACES // EMPIRE OF BLOOD by Ian Edginton (w) D'Israeli (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)

Comic Cuts — 27 June 2025

As promised, here's a brief report on my trip to Stoke for the latest Comic Mart — The Commando and British Weekly Comic Mart to give it its full title. This is the 19th organised by the folk who run the similarly named Facebook page. 

Being a fan of few means, I rely greatly on the generosity of others, and in this case I was offered a lift up to Stoke by local collector/dealer Karl Kennedy, and accommodation by collector/dealer Andy Yates, proving that without a doubt, collectors and dealers in comics are the finest of men. Kindly, clean in mind and limb, and good to dogs.

I had four boxes of books to take with me, including a handful of proof copies of the first two volumes of the Mytek books, but not the number of copies I wanted to take thanks to late-running printing. Still, it meant that I could take a few indexes and examples of all the comic reprints I've put out over the years, as my intention was to let people see the range of titles we publish, and not just flog the latest book. So I had about twenty different titles with me (not all visible in the photo above).

We left Wivenhoe around 8.45am and had a problem-free drive up to Stoke, arriving  in Hanley about three and a half hour later. After negotiating the car park — badly laid out, poorly marked, with tight turns into walled ramps only inches wider than a modern car — we headed off to a local museum to see one of their exhibits: a spitfire. As I'm in the middle of designing the Air Ace Companion, I'm chock full of Battle of Britain lore and images from the comics, so to see the real thing was hugely impressive. 

After a tea and cake break, we wandered around Hanley, which was somewhat depressing in the humidity and heat of the early afternoon. Lots of empty shops, a few semi-busy chain shops, people slumped over in shop doorways and on benches, out of their brains on monkey dust (MDPV). We didn't find many charity shops (which was my sole reason to visit the town centre) but did find the local Forbidden Planet and a place called Geek World, which had some old British comics among the shelves of toy figures and boxes of DC/Marvel.

We headed off to Wolstanton where the show was to be held at the Methodist Church Hall, and met up with Stuart Steele and Ed Walker, who had just started to put up the stands on which they would be displaying artwork. The art show has been a highlight of the two Colchester shows that I have attended, with examples of Air Ace covers, and some beautiful modern work by Keith Burns, who, sadly, could not make this particular show. 

We headed off to Andy's where Stephen Hume (collector/dealer—so obviously a nice guy—and Commando author) had already arrived. After a couple of hours chatting, fussing the dog (Bailey), dinner and more chat, we all headed back to the Hall and spent an hour setting up tables, unpacking our boxes, which didn't take me very long, so I tried to make myself useful as a dogsbody, carrying boxes for anyone who needed a hand. 

We headed home at nine for beers and more chatter, interrupted some while later by someone wanting to unload at the church—impossible as none of the organisers were keyholders and the keyholders were probably in bed by then. It seemed like a smart move, so we also went to bed. I got to crash on a rather comfortable sofa, but was still up at 3.30 to visit the plumbing (damn those two pints of lager) and then couldn't get back to sleep. I did eventually, but it also meant I got a chunk of a book read, so the time was put to good use. 

We were away at 8 o'clock the following morning, putting out chairs, helping Stuart and Ed put artwork onto their stands, helping other dealers unpack as they arrived, and saying "Hi" to lots of people I either knew from Colchester Marts or was meeting for the first time or, in one case, someone who I'd met at an ACE Comics party.

Before we knew it, it was 10 o'clock and the doors were open. While I can't say we were swept off our feet by crowds, there was a steady enough stream of collectors coming through the door and they were keen to buy. I sold eighteen books in total and, thanks to some deep discounting on my part, took around £280. Not my best, but not my worst show. It meant I went home with three boxes rather than four, so I count that as a win.

I spent much of the show chatting with Mike Chinn, ex-Starblazer scriptwriter (we shared the same editors, tho' Mike was a regular far longer than I was) and now also self-publishing (you can find some of his books on Amazon). Also had a long chat with Justin Marriott about... well, all sorts of things: Jim Moffatt, Peter Haining, New English Library, talking to people who were unforthcoming, trying to get people to submit articles on time, his next, final, mammoth issue of Paperback Fanatic and what he wants to do in the future (which I'll let him tell you about). 

Elsewhere at the show there were a few oddities to be found. The best find — for me, anyway — were some original office copies of Fantastic where the payments were recorded. Most of the material was licensed from Marvel through Transworld Feature Syndicate who were later central to the creation of Marvel UK. There was very little originated material in Fantastic, just a cartoon page and some editorial matter, which was all handled internally by staff, although the colouring of covers and back cover posters was handled by Linden Artists who received less that what it cost to license the characters.

All fascinating (Fantastic, even) stuff. More notes for when I eventually revamp The Power Pack.

Stuart (top) and Ed, who are behind the art show.

All things considered, it was a great day and over too soon. Filling my three boxes and dismantling tables and lugging stuff back to cars for people and still nattering with anyone who wanted to natter... Karl had family visiting from Australia so he wanted to get away promptly. We were back on the road not long after 3 o'clock and I was back in Wivenhoe at 6.45pm in time for our regular Zoom games evening with friends.

I need to thank Jan Yates for keeping me topped up with cold water — I might be away from home but that doesn't mean I'm not taking a bunch of pills that require me to keep well hydrated — and for her fine bacon rolls. And for putting up with the disruption of having comic fans descending on her home (and that goes for the rest of the family, too).

Street Art, Hanley

Catching up on the rest of the week, I've another clutch of pages designed for the Air Ace book and I'm waiting on the arrival of a junction box to fix our hedge trimmer. I went out on Monday to cut back some bushes and the wire fell apart while I was merrily swinging away. A couple of years ago I managed to chop through the wire, which I had taped up with electrical tape. 

However, one of the unintended consequences of moving office means that I don't often open the back door to keep the utility room and my old office  cooler. It gets pretty hot in there, with the fridge and freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer also adding to the heat. A couple of weeks ago, when I cut the front hedge, the join separated — the tape felt tacky and had come loose in the heat. I taped it all up again, but clearly the results weren't as strong as the sun and the two halves of the wire parted again. So now I'm waiting on a little waterproof junction box that will join the two halves together safely.

Cheaper than a new hedge trimmer, but still a pain in the bum.

Hopefully there will be fewer surprises for me over the next week.

Rebellion Releases — 25 June 2025

The eagerly anticipated movie adaptation of classic British comic Rogue Trooper, written and directed by Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code, Warcraft, Mute), has today released four still images offering fans their first look at the upcoming movie.  

The first of the new images shows breakout talent Aneurin Barnard (The Goldfinch, Dunkirk) as the Rogue Trooper. Alongside this, we see Jemaine Clement (Avatar 2: The Way of Water) and Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows) as scheming battleground looters Mr Brass and Mr Bland. We also get a glimpse of a hulking war vehicle roaming the planet Nu Earth, where the brutal war between the Norts and Southers takes place. The third image depicts two Souther soldiers, lost, traversing the toxic wasteland and battlefield.

Duncan Jones will be appearing at San Diego Comic Con on 25 July (2-3pm PDT at the Rebellion stand, booth number 2121) to meet fans and sign a limited run of the Rogue Trooper hero image.

Director Duncan Jones said: “AHHHHHHHHHHHH!  WE’RE ALMOST FINISHED!  SEE YOU AT SDCC!!

Behind the scenes images of actors Jemaine Clement and Matt Berry as Mr Brass and Mr Bland were also released, illustrating the facial capture technology used in the creation of Rogue Trooper.

Producer Stuart Fenegan explained: “We are so excited to share a first look of the film and show the amazing fidelity with which the team have used our actors on set performances to drive the animated characters. That level of detail and nuance was a priority from day one.”

An animated science fiction feature from Rebellion and Liberty Films, Rogue Trooper tells the story of 19, a ‘Genetic Infantryman’, who finds himself the sole-survivor of an invasion force. Desperate to track down the traitor who sold him and his comrades out, the super soldier is accompanied by three killed-in-action squad mates, whose personalities have been stored in his gun, helmet and backpack.

The Rogue Trooper movie features an ensemble cast, that also includes Hayley Atwell (Captain America: The First Avenger, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and Part Two), Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Dunkirk), Daryl McCormack (Bad Sisters; Good Luck To You, Leo Grande), and Reece Shearsmith (Inside No. 9, Saltburn), Diane Morgan (Cunk on Earth), Alice Lowe (Black Mirror), Asa Butterfield (Sex Education, Hugo) and Sean Bean (Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings).

Principal Photography was completed in 2024 utilising the cutting-edge Head Mounted Camera (HMC) technology and expertise of Motion Grinder (Indiana Jones and The Great Circle). Imagery and animation partner Treehouse Digital (The Well) processed and applied the data to the characters within Unreal Engine 5, handing over to Liberty Films’ own VFX and animation teams to light and finalise, bringing the incredible world of Rogue Trooper to life.

The film is produced by Stuart Fenegan (Moon, Source Code, Warcraft, Mute) alongside Jason Kingsley (Dredd, School’s Out Forever), Chris Kingsley (Dredd, School’s Out Forever) and Duncan Jones.

Rogue Trooper was created by legendary artist Dave Gibbons (Watchmen, Kingsman) and writer Gerry Finley-Day (Dan Dare).

For the latest news and updates, please visit roguetrooper.com.

And now, this week's release...

2000AD Prog 2438
Cover: Lee Carter.

JUDGE DREDD // CONFESSIONS OF A WINDOW CLEANER DROID by Ken Niemand (w) Nicolo Assirelli (a) Quinton Winter (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
NU EARTH WAR TALES // THE MAJOR by Gordon Rennie (w) Jake Lynch (a) Dylan Teague (c) Jim Campbell (l)
GHOSTED // BOOK ONE by Guy Adams (w) Megan Huang (a) Simon Bowland (l)
THARG'S 3RILLERS // FAR FROM EDEN by Alan Kerr (w) Ian Richardson (a) Pippa Bowland (c) Simon Bowland (l)
SCARLET TRACES // EMPIRE OF BLOOD by Ian Edginton (w) D'Israeli (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)

Comic Cuts — 20 June 2025

When you read this I might be on the road or already arrived in Stoke-on-Trent—or, as organiser Andy Yates calls it, Stoke-ish—for the Commando and British Weekly Comic Swapmeet at Wolstanton Methodist Church Hall, ST5 0HS. Doors open at 10am until 3pm, but we're heading up today (Friday) to get set up. I'll report back next week... hopefully with photos and happy memories of a good day out.

There isn't much news otherwise. My printer is still causing me grief and my books, which I'd hoped to be able to sell on Saturday, still have not arrived. This is "due to increased printer workload, which has unfortunately impacted production timelines."

"Thank you for your patience and understanding." I don't think they'd be writing that if they could hear the names I have been calling them. It has been an increasing problem over the past few months. The most frustrating thing is that I'm happy with the consistency and quality of the books, but their delivery times suck and their postage costs suck.

One reason for the lack of news is that I'm writing this earlier than usual, so there's less to chat about. I've spent the week working on the Air Ace Companion and I have to admit that I'm really pleased with the way it is going. I started with what I thought was a fairly easy one, about the Spanish artist Juan Abellan. The next pages were to feature Graham Coton and then Marcello Ralli and Alan Willow, all of which use original cover art for the most part.

But those pages are later in the book. I thought I'd get the foreword out of the way, so I did those pages on Sunday and Tuesday (I was busy double-checking some of the other essays on Monday and dealing with e-mails and whatnot); Wednesday I put together a piece on Juan Zanotto and on Thursday I started another colour essay on Pino Dell'Orco. 

There are still some fun essays to do, as some of the others include F. Solano Lopez, cover artist Nino Caroselli, and the mighty Ian Kennedy. Plus the introduction, which should be fun. Then the indexes. So still lots to do.

Right, I'm off to pack some books into boxes. Hopefully I won't be bringing them back home on Saturday evening. If you live in the Midlands, come on up/down/along and I'll do you a show deal price on any of the books I can fit onto the table.

Commando 5863-5866

We’re taking a break from the sun this round to treat you to a couple of darker new stories – after all, you always appreciate the sunshine a bit more after some time in the shade. Issues 5863-5866 will go on sale from today, Thursday 19th June 2025!

5863 The Mud 

France, 1916. Private Andrew MacIntosh had been proud to join the Royal Scots Fusiliers, like his grandfather before him. But as he quickly learned, there was no glory to be had on the Western Front. He found solace as he always had – in his books. With the arrival of reinforcements, however, came a stark reminder that the past has a way of catching up with us. A past that would drive MacIntosh to do something terrible. Something that would haunt him.
    A creepy trip into the dark trenches of the First World War from newcomer Nathan Breakenridge, leant a chilling atmosphere by the shadowy art of Marc Viure. Of course, you might be too scared to get past the cover, courtesy of Marco Bianchini!

Story: Nathan Breakenridge
Art: Marc Viure
Cover: Marco Bianchini

5864 Bill the Bowman

The German sentry peered out from the top of the battlements. Had something moved out there in the darkness? 
    Cautiously, he leaned out farther. 
    It was the last move he ever made, as the first of the silent steel shafts struck home. That night was to be a busy one for the special bow and its special arrows...
    An absolute bullseye of an issue, this one! We’re straight shooters here at Commando, so you can believe us when we say we’re not stringing you along, this one will nock you flat, it’s a real action-packed bow-nanza!

Story: Allan
Art: Galindo
Cover: Ian Kennedy
First published 1972 as No. 660

5865 Wolfsangel

Germany, 1945. The end of the war is near and the Americans have taken over the small town of Hof. But that’s when the murders, bombings and ambushes began. At the scene of the crimes, there is a mysterious symbol left by the perpetrators – the Wolfsangel, marking the work of the Werwolf terrorist cell. 
It now falls to US intelligence officer, Lieutenant Chuck Powell, to stop them – before it’s too late!
    Yet another rip-roaringly good script from Rossa McPhillips to sink your teeth into, with awesome interior art from Alberto Saichann and a stellar cover by Simon Pritchard! 

Story: Rossa McPhillips
Art: Alberto Saichann
Cover: Simon Pritchard

5866 All Guns Firing

Lieutenants Jack Randal and Tony Johnston were both superb Motor Gun Boat skippers. But a rivalry existed between these two men, a rivalry so fierce they spent almost as much time fighting each other as they did fighting the Germans!
    We’re finishing off this lot with another classic nautical Commando adventure – and buoy oh buoy, it’s a good one! Knot that you’d expect anything less, we’re not ones to rock the boat – and with a ship shape Jeff Bevan cover, yacht more could you want? 

Story: McDevitt
Art: Jose Maria Jorge
Cover: Jeff Bevan
First published 1984 as No. 1776

Rebellion Releases — 18 June 2025

‘If there was a ever a crown for the finest character created for British Comics in the shadowy black and white newsprint world of the 1960s, it would be proudly worn by the Spider.’ – Paul Grist

ALONG CAME A SPIDER-BOY!

The Spider is a sensational adventurer who operates on both sides of the law, using a whole host of hi-tech equipment to stay one step ahead of his enemies.

When gangleader, ‘Turk’ Dobbs crossed Criminal scientist, Sylvester Jenkins, the evil genius had Dobbs killed – and framed the Spider for the murder. Not long after, a new enemy – ‘Spider-boy’, emerged from the shadows, seemingly intent on causing trouble for the ‘King of Crooks’. With access to his own super equipment and an unparalleled hatred for the web-master, the Spider has never encountered a foe like this before!

Framed for a murder that he didn’t commit, the Spider has to prove his innocence while evading the law and fending off a new enemy with similar weapons. Move over Spider… there’s a new Spider-Boy in town!

This new collection is available for pre-order in two editions: our standard paperback alongside a webshop-exclusive hardcover!

And now, this week's releases...

2000AD Prog 2437 – BUMPER-SIZED ISSUE
Cover: John McCrea, with Mike Spicer.

JUDGE DREDD // CONFESSIONS OF A WINDOW CLEANER DROID by Ken Niemand (w) Nicolo Assirelli (a) Quinton Winter (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
SCARLET TRACES // EMPIRE OF BLOOD by Ian Edginton (w) D'Israeli (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)
FUTURE SHOCKS // THE PROPHECY OF LEKBITH THE GREAT & TERRIBLE by Rob Williams (w) Simon Coleby (a) Jack Davies (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
NU EARTH WAR TALES // THE MAJOR by Gordon Rennie (w) Jake Lynch (a) Dylan Teague (c) Jim Campbell (l)
GHOSTED // BOOK ONE by Guy Adams (w) Megan Huang (a) Simon Bowland (l)
FIENDS OF THE WESTERN FRONT // RED TIDE by Ian Edginton (w) Nick Percival (a) Jim Campbell (l)
JUDGE DREDD VS STRONTIUM DOG by Garth Ennis (w) Henry Flint (a) Rob Steen (l)

Judge Dredd Megazine 481
Cover: Nick Brokenshire.

JUDGE DREDD // MEET THE GREYS by Ian Edginton (w) Cam Smith (a) Jim Boswell (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
DEPARTMENT K // UNRAVELLED by Ned Hartley (w) Mike Walters (c) Simon Bowland (l)
CADET DREDD // THE HAUNTING OF ISO-BLOCK 8 by Paul Starkey (w) Nick Brokenshire (a) Jim Campbell (l)
ATOMFALL by Jonathan Howard (w) Anthony Williams (a) Steve Canon (c) Rob Steen (l)
TALES FROM THE BLACK MUSEUM by James Peaty (w) Sedat Oezgen (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)
ROK OF THE REDS by John Wagner & Alan Grant (w) Dan Cornwell (a) Abby Bulmer (c) Jim Campbell (l)
BARREL & HAMMER // CASTAWAY by David Barnett (w) Luke Horsman (a) Simon Bowland (l)

Essential Judge Death: My Name Is Death by John Wagner (w) Peter Doherty, Frazer Irving, Dean Ormston (a)
Rebellion ISBN 978-183786527-7, 18 June 2025, 192pp, £22.99. Available via Amazon.

The essential graphic novel series - the ultimate introduction to the world of 2000 AD!
    From the pen of acclaimed Judge Dredd creator John Wagner (A History of Violence) comes the origin story of 2000 AD's most enduring villain. Includes Young Death, with art by Peter Doherty (Shaolin Cowboy), Tea With Mrs. Gunderson by artist Dean Ormston (Black Hammer) and the classic My Name Is Death and The Wilderness Days with art by Frazer Irving (Batman & Robin).

Comic Cuts — 13 June 2025

I'm back on track with the Air Ace Companion. I mentioned a fortnight ago that I might have something to show you within the fortnight and I have actually started doing layouts. Admittedly, as of writing I haven't got very far but I have got through the sitting in front of a blank page, trying to think of an easy-on-the-eye style that I can lay the pages out in. 

I've adapted slightly the way I've designed my recent books on Badger and Utopian Publications and, like them, the book will be printed in colour. It'll cost a bit more, but I want to make best use of the Air Ace cover artwork that I have photographs of—while they would reproduce OK in black & white, you wouldn't get the full, glorious impact that you get in colour.

I finished what should be the last of the biographical essays on Monday—I say should be because it isn't unknown for me to change things or add things at the last minute: for Forgotten Authors vol. 5 I wrote a last-minute essay because one of the intended essays was written in too much the same style as another; there was nothing wrong with the piece that was dropped and it will turn up in a later volume.

Where was I? Oh, yes, the last essay... I think there's one piece that needs some rewriting and some have yet to be checked through, but the book will run to roughly 40,000 words. 

Air Ace aside, it has been a deadly quiet week. Yes, I spent a little time in the garden, but not much—enough to fill the bin that we have to use nowadays and which we pay extra for... so I make sure I don't waste any of the collections. I wanted to clear one area in particular which is a popular pathway for cats. Since our neighbours moved away, taking their two cats with them, we've seen an increase in the number of other cats wandering through now they've realised our garden is unclaimed territory. There's a big, fluffy grey cat that looks a bit of a bruiser that we've seen on a couple of mornings, although there is also a second cat, a tortoiseshell, that we've seen in the evening. Maybe they're both claiming territory and their schedules are not overlapping.

One interesting find: a little while back, I mentioned a trip to IPC's artwork storage warehouse in Camden Town. That's where all the artwork for the war libraries was discovered. Well, I've found a short video that I filmed at the time. I'm not quite sure what to do with it but I'll figure out some way of letting everyone see it. In the meantime, I grabbed a couple of screenshots of War Picture Library artwork. If you saw how it was stored you'd probably cry!

Time to get back to laying out a few more pages... the next essay is about Graham Coton, so you can guarantee that there will be at least one full page pic. I really like Graham Coton's work.

Codename Warlord Volume 2

Britain’s best spy and most well-known coward, Lord Peter Flint is back in Codename: Warlord Volume 2 – out 16th July!

Storming onto the comic book market in 1974, Warlord soon became a fast and firm favourite of young readers in Britain and further afield. 

Well remembered for its eponymous strip, Codename: Warlord featured the secret agent Lord Peter Flint – Britain’s best spy and most well-known coward! Flint’s tales of derring-do along with his identity card and codebook thrilled readers of Warlord for over 600 issues before it ceased publication in 1984.

In 2019, Flint graced the comic world once again with his reboot in Britain’s longest running war comic, Commando , proving that you just can’t keep a man like Flint down! Codename: Warlord returned to Commando in 2024 and again in 2025. Both rip roaring issues have been collected alongside continuing adventures from the original 1974 comic run as DC Thomson’s Heritage Comics and Commando present… Codename: Warlord Volume 2!
 
200 pages of red hot comic artwork and behind-the-scenes looks at the iconic covers and strips as featured in the legendary Warlord !

Preorder now for delivery in late July from Amazon, www.Magsdirect.co.uk or DC Thomson Shop here: www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/warlord2 

Rebellion Releases — 11 June 2025

BATTLE ACTION RETURNS WITH A COLLECTION OF NINE NEW STORIES, NOW WITH MORE ACTION!

This compendium features the return of Action favourites Hook Jaw and the controversial Death Game, one of the stories responsible for the suspension of Action in 1976, alongside new adventures for Angel of Death Nina Petrova, and El Mestizo- the Civil War-era bounty hunter on the trail of a double agent whose loyalty cannot be assumed to belong to either army. Hellman takes A Walk in the Woods – and discovers the terrible truth of the cause he’s been fighting for. Major Eazy assists American commandos with the invasion of Sicily, and with protecting Malati Bridge. And find out how Dredger became the stone-cold agent that everyone fears and only a mother could love.

Writer Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys) is joined by an incredible roster of top-tier talent, with stories by original Battle Action writer John Wagner (Judge Dredd, Robo-Hunter), Brian K. Vaughan (Saga, Y: The Last Man), Torunn Gronbekk (Thor, Red Sonja), Rob Williams (Suicide Squad, Petrol Head) and Dan Abnett (Guardians of the Galaxy, Lawless), and featuring art by industry greats including Chris Burnham (Batman, Doom Patrol), Henry Flint (Hawk The Slayer) and John Higgins (Watchmen, Dreadnoughts).

For this third collection of stories, readers can pick up either the standard edition hardback which features characters including Hookjaw, El Mestizo, Major Easy and Nina Petrova – or a special webshop-exclusive edition with all-new cover artwork from Nina Petrova artist Patrick Goddard! There’s blazing Battle Action on every page!

Battle Picture Weekly was where the revolution in British comics began. Created in 1975 by writers and editors Pat Mills and John Wagner, it introduced new grittiness into comics with its cast of anti-heroes and misfits. Its bombast and energy sparked a sea-change in what comics could do, leading to Mills’ creation of the controversial Action and the globally influential 2000 AD.

The new Battle Action mini-series celebrates the merging of this landmark title with its controversial stablemate, Action, a combination that took the two comics to even greater heights. Now, more than forty years after the original, some of the cream of British comics talent are bringing these classic characters back to life.

This volume contains:

    KIDS RULE OK by Brian K. Vaughan and Chris Burnham
    HMS NIGHTSHADE by John Wagner and Dan Cornwell
    HOOKJAW by Steve White, PJ Holden and John McCrea
    EL MESTIZO by Rob Williams and Henry Flint
    DEATH GAME by Dan Abnett and Tom Foster
    HELLMAN by Garth Ennis and Mike Dorey
    MAJOR EAZY by Rob Williams and Henry Flint
    DREDGER by Garth Ennis and John Higgins
    NINA PETROVA AND THE ANGELS OF DEATH by Torunn Grønbekk and Patrick Goddard

Available from 24 September in standard hardback edition and web exclusive hardcover both of which can be pre-ordered now.

And now, this week's releases...

2000AD Prog 2436
Cover: Joe Currie.

JUDGE DREDD // THE FIRST 100 by Dan Abnett (w) Colin MacNeil (a) Chris Blythe (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
ROGUE TROOPER // TIDES OF WAR by Andi Ewington (w) Paul Marshall (a) Pippa Bowland (c) Jim Campbell (l)
GHOSTED // BOOK ONE by Guy Adams (w) Megan Huang (a) Simon Bowland (l)
SILVER // PERFIDIOUS by Mike Carroll (w) Joe Currie (a) Simon Bowland (l)
SCARLET TRACES // EMPIRE OF BLOOD by Ian Edginton (w) D'Israeli (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)

Battle Action #10
Cover: Keith Burns

JOHNNY RED // A COUPLE OF HEROES by Garth Ennis (w) Keith Burns (a) Jason Wordie (c) Rob Steen (l)

Johnny Red’s final adventure comes to an end in “A Couple Of Heroes”. With the odds stacked against him, and the fate of the war in the balance, will he make it out alive?

Comic Cuts — 6 June 2025

I'll not lie: June has not started well. A cock-up at the printers meant that I didn't receive my final proof copies of the Mytek books as expected. Instead, I received the copies of Phantom Patrol I ordered and, eventually, a refund... but that was not what I wanted.

So the order for the proofs is in again, which puts me at the back of the queue once more. Hopefully I'll have them in enough time to take some copies to Stoke, as I'm due to appear at the next Comic Mart run by the Commando and British Weeklies comics group.

In the meantime I've been busy on the Air Ace companion doing a lot of the dull stuff, like looking through the old lists looking for typos and spelling mistakes, double-checking (where I can) the information David Roach and I compiled over the years to make sure any mistakes are corrected.  (I should add that there haven't been many given the huge scope of the book we did, but I've found a handful.)

I also scanned a handful of copies of Air Ace that I had sitting in the living room, which adds to the pile of images I will have to draw from when I start laying out the book. I'm writing up another little essay that I thought would be a useful one to have in the book — and which I need to get back to because I've about two dozen tabs open on the laptop at the moment with a dozen pages in Spanish and a dozen Google translates on the go!

Since the Paperback & Pulp Book Fair (now a fortnight ago... how time flies!), it has been a case of inching slowly forward with the Air Ace Companion, sometimes inching backwards when I discover something is wrong or some new information, and then inching forwards again. Unfortunately, that makes rather dull reading in these columns, for which I apologise. 

The warm weather has allowed me to continue my war with the alkanet, the pervasive wildflower/weed that has plagued our garden for years. There was an area at the bottom of the back garden where I allowed it to grow, as it is a bee friendly plant. What I didn't know was that if you let it get a toe hold, it will try to take over the garden, as you can see from this picture taken in May 2023.

Back in April 2023, I decided I would try to get rid of it and extend the grass down to the bottom fence. After clearing the whole area, I put down a load of grass seed and hoped for the best. A year later, we had a reasonable lawn, but it was dotted with alkanet, which was still well established along the line of the fence (its shaded, damp, stony ground, which the alkanet loves), so I spent hours again digging out the roots as best I could and putting down more grass seed.

This year there it was less of a problem, but there was still quite a lot around the pond, along the fence and in patches throughout the lawn, not helped by the fact that it can grow out of every crack in the patio or pathway. However, two years on and you can see the difference... although this photo was taken after I'd cleared some of the area at the front of the pond...

The whole area has again been cleared and more grass seed has gone down. The threat of rain gave me a useful deadline to get the work done.

I also want to do a similar job on the front lawn, which I attacked a year ago in May 2024. I cleared quite an area along the treeline — something like 100 square feet — and put down grass seed. Although it has established itself in some areas, there are still large bald patches that I need to re-seed.

Incidentally, I'm not a keen gardener. I'd rather not have to do all this digging and sowing, but it can't be left to its own devices or the weeds take over. It gets me outside and forces me to exercise a little, neither of which fills me with joy. But there is one good thing about it. Books can take months to complete and the work can seem neverending, but I can get out in the garden for forty minutes and I can see the difference I've made. Over a period of four or five days, that whole area in the back garden has been cleared and the results of the work are there for all to see.

I'm treating the Air Ace Companion in somewhat the same way. I approached it as a collection of shorter essays rather than thinking of the book as a whole. OK, so I had to start with some 18 blank pages that I had to fill, but it's easier to write a 1,000-2,000 word essay than be faced with writing 25,000 words, which can be quite daunting, especially when you're double-checking every word and the sources are often Spanish, Italian or Argentinian. Thankfully, I've made some very useful contacts who have helped where my knowledge was lacking.

Time to get back to it. I need to know the name of Leopoldo Sanchez's mum, but I have a feeling I might be on a fruitless search.