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)