One of my all time favourite comics was the long defunct Smash! weekly published firstly as part of "Power Comics" line and subsequently the sole survivor of Odhams line that was taken over and revamped by IPC as a more traditional "Boys Paper".
Rebellion the publishers of the long running 2000AD having purchased the rights to to the bulk of British Comics output have now published a special edition which not revives the title itself but brings back a number of beloved other British heroes, villains and fantasy characters.
First up is The Spider an egotistical villain turned hero first appearing in The Lion comic in 1965. In the first story by Rob Williams & John McCrea the reader finds out what happened to him all those years ago when he and the other villains disappeared.
This is quickly followed by an updated version of Thunderbolt The Avenger that I vaguely recalled from Buster. This time "It's a lady" as one British comedian might put it. Here we see the tragic origin of the new Thunderbolt. It ain't your dad's comic anymore.
Recently Rebellion published a hardback collection of the complete Johnny Future (which I have but not yet read) and now he returns as he's needed to defeat an alien invasion. There is a twist..... Johnny Future originally appeared in Fantastic a short lived Power Comics title that mainly featured reprint of early Marvel heroes back in the sixties and did merge with the original Smash!
Recently Rebellion published a hardback collection of the complete Johnny Future (which I have but not yet read) and now he returns as he's needed to defeat an alien invasion. There is a twist..... Johnny Future originally appeared in Fantastic a short lived Power Comics title that mainly featured reprint of early Marvel heroes back in the sixties and did merge with the original Smash!
No revival of British comics would be complete without the return of The Steel Claw from Valiant and one of my favourite strips from back then. A collection of Louis Crandell's adventures is due out next year and will be on my must have list next year.
Another feature from Valiant is up next Mytek The Mighty which is updated with modern political problems but is spoiled by the fuzzy artwork which really was not to my taste though the story itself shows promise.
Cursitor Doom the only character from the original Smash! comic teams up with Jason Hyde which I recall was a text feature in Valiant that I ignored as a kid. This also promises to be fun. I look forward to more.
Another feature from Valiant is up next Mytek The Mighty which is updated with modern political problems but is spoiled by the fuzzy artwork which really was not to my taste though the story itself shows promise.
Cursitor Doom the only character from the original Smash! comic teams up with Jason Hyde which I recall was a text feature in Valiant that I ignored as a kid. This also promises to be fun. I look forward to more.
Last but by no means least is a terrific reworking of The House of Dolmann another Valiant feature. Written by Simon Furman with art by the great Chris Weston I was left wanting more.
In fact everything about this comic left me wanting to see the continuation of all these stories in a regular publication. British comics at their best in a US sized publication worth every penny of the price of entry.
Rating: Five Stars Plus!! Highly Recommended. Buy!
In fact everything about this comic left me wanting to see the continuation of all these stories in a regular publication. British comics at their best in a US sized publication worth every penny of the price of entry.
Rating: Five Stars Plus!! Highly Recommended. Buy!
Available from: 2000ad.com
Great revival of British classic characters. Enjoyed this far more than I thought I would, great stories, cool art - more please!
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