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Art from the new Rogue Trooper story for Prog 2011 by Staz Johnson.
Story by Gerry Finley-Day. © 2010 Rebellion |
Rogue Trooper is one of science fiction comic
2000AD's most iconic characters. A deserter in a future war, he roams the barren surface of Nu Earth, a chemical ruin of a planet, on a sworn mission to avenge his dead comrades from the Quartz Zone Massacre. He's accompanied on this mission by three fallen buddies, in the form of biochips imprinted with their personalities after their deaths.
Now Rogue is returning once more to
2000AD and, for the first time since 1985, original series co-creator
Gerry Finley-Day is writing the strip.
In this round table*, conducted for the
Forbidden Planet International blog and downthetubes by Matt Badham,
Matt Smith (editor of
2000AD),
Gerry Finley-Day,
Staz Johnson (the artist on this new strip) and
Pat Mills (veteran comics writer and friend of Finley-Day) all talk about the genesis of the new story, entitled
Dead Ringer…
 |
Rogue Trooper's first appearance
back in 2000AD Issue 228 |
Matt Badham: Gerry, what have you been up to writing-wise since you stopped working for 2000AD?
Gerry Finley-Day: Once a writer, always a writer… I have written
novels and some screen plays.
Matt Badham: And what brought you back to 2000AD and to Rogue?
Gerry Finley-Day: When my friend Pat Mills returned from a comics convention in the States he told me that many people were asking about me. He seemed to think there was a demand for some fresh material from me and I thought, why not?
Matt Smith: Pat got in touch and said that he'd like to work (in an editorial capacity) with Gerry on a Rogue story. I think he felt that Gerry got unfairly sidelined out of
2000AD, and wanted to help him try to write something for the comic today. The plan was to work on a standalone Rogue tale, something that could slot quite easily into the comic.
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A page from Rogue Trooper's
first appearance back in 2000AD Prog 228.
Art by Dave Gibbons |
Pat Mills: Gerry was the creator of
Tammy, from which
Battle,
Action and
2000AD are descended, so he is the founder of modern British comics. This has been pretty much ignored by comic historians and Gerry also had some insider-encouraged negative press on the web in years gone by, which made me seethe with anger with its inaccuracy and self-serving motivation.
The reality is fans loved his work, but it didn't find favour with
2000AD editorial at one stage. Having been Gerry's editor, I know the relatively small problems they faced (pacing and some story logic issues) but it was my view that it was worth dealing with them 'in house' because his stories were so popular. We all of us have our scripting faults and eccentricities and it's just something I felt we had to accept. Editorial didn't agree and I can completely understand why. But fans didn't agree with them either and kept asking for Gerry back, so I recently seized the chance and facilitated it.
Matt Badham: Matt, where in Rogue continuity is the story set?
Matt Smith: During the original run. It starts with the commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the Quartz Zone Massacre.
Matt Badham: How did you go about finding an appropriate artist for this new episode and why did you choose Staz Johnson?
Matt Smith: It was always the intention to run it in black and white, so I was after a good b/w artist. Staz has experience drawing Rogue and was champing at the bit to do it.
Matt Badham: How excited were you to welcome Rogue and his creator back? Were you a fan of the strip way back in the day...?
Matt Smith: It's good to see the original Rogue back in the prog for a simple, action-packed story. I was a fan of the original run, but he's a character who's been diminished, unfortunately, by too many 're-imaginings' and new directions. Just seeing Rogue back on Nu Earth fighting Norts is quite reassuring.
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Art from the new Rogue Trooper story by Staz Johnson.
Story by Gerry Finley-Day. © 2010 Rebellion |
Matt Badham: Staz, are you also a fan of Rogue from way back?
Staz Johnson: Absolutely I am. I was at the key
2000AD readership age (17) when Rogue debuted in
2000AD and it didn't take long before he had usurped Dredd as my favourite character. Anyone who has followed my blog will have seen
this post where I posted some of my attempts at Rogue from long before I became a professional cartoonist, and just drew him for the sheer love of the character.
Matt Badham: So, how did you actually get involved with the new strip?
Staz Johnson: There was no alchemy to it, as it was simply the case that I had spoken to Tharg saying I was available. (I assume) when the script came in a few days later, he in his mighty wisdom figured I'd be a good fit, so he called me up.
Matt Badham: Pat, what was the exact nature of your 'editorial' involvement with the new strip?
Pat Mills: I made a few minor changes to Gerry's new Rogue story strip, but frankly it was just like I remembered his scripts. Not a big deal to make a few alterations. He has a feeling for some stories - notably war - which the readers intuitively respond to because of his own military background in the Territorial Army.
Matt Badham: Matt, are we going to see more Rogue from Gerry?
Matt Smith: I think Gerry would be keen to write more, providing it goes down well. It would have to be an occasional thing, a retro blast now and then, as I feel, as a series, the story's been played out.
Matt Badham: Gerry, do you think you'll return to Rogue again after this outing or maybe even pen further instalments of some of your other strips, such as The V.C.s or Fiends on the Eastern Front?
Gerry Finley-Day: I hope so, [but] that will be up to Matt [Smith].
Matt Badham: How easy was it to slip back into writing for the character and his world?
Gerry Finley-Day: As I said, I haven't stopped writing and Rogue is a good character.
Matt Badham: Did you enjoy the experience?
Gerry Finley-Day: Yes, very much so.
Matt Badham: Why do you think that Rogue has remained a fan favourite among 2000AD readers? What is the character's core appeal?
Gerry Finley-Day: I suppose because war - like it or not - is the ultimate adventure and Rogue is still the recognisable soldier no matter how far into the future.
Matt Badham: Pat, you facilitated Gerry's return so presumably you want to see him write more for 2000AD?
Pat Mills: Reader reaction to Gerry's impending return has been extremely enthusiastic and I'm hoping I can persuade him to write more. We really don't want anyone else writing
Fiends,
V.C.s or
Rogue, any more than fans would appreciate anyone other than Alan Moore writing
D.R. and Quinch or
Halo Jones. Gerry is entitled to the same respect.
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Art from the new Rogue Trooper story by Staz Johnson.
Story by Gerry Finley-Day. © 2010 Rebellion |
Matt Badham: Staz, Would you like to do more Rogue?
Staz Johnson: I'd love to. I'd certainly hope that should Tharg choose to run more Nu Earth stories, I'd then be given the opportunity to draw at least some of them.
I suppose the question is whether there is a thirst among the current
2000AD readership for a strip that is essentially 'retro'. There's no point making strips just because the creators think it's fun to work on them. I think there's still a way to make war stories relevant to a modern, more sophisticated audience, without having to resort to gimmicks or by making a war story that isn't really about war. Take a look at
Saving Private Ryan and
Band of Brothers. A Rogue with that level of visceral realism, gravity and pathos would be fantastic I think.
Matt Badham: What was it like working on a 'classic' strip with a 'classic' creator?
Staz Johnson: Well, that was the thing. As a fan of those original Nu Earth stories, it was a real thrill. Clearly, as the original writer, you can take as gospel that this IS Rogue… not just another writer's 'version' of the character.
Matt Badham: What approach have you taken to the visuals for this new episode of Rogue?
Staz Johnson: Well, one of the things that pulled me into
Rogue way back in 1981 was Dave Gibbons' artwork. I had my old Titan Books reprint of the Gibbons strips on my desk the whole time I was working on the pages, so I took a lot of my design cues from him: things like the Southerner military police and the genetic camels, stammels. However, in addition to that, I looked at a lot of other old school
2000AD artwork because I definitely wanted it to have that 'feel'. In the end I think it wound up being close to someone like
[Mean Arena artist] Mike White's work, with bits of Jesus Redondo thrown in. Hopefully with a healthy dose of Staz Johnson too, obviously.
Matt Badham: Who is your favourite Rogue Trooper artist?
Staz Johnson: Dave Gibbons, all the way. That's not to denigrate those who followed him, especially Cam Kennedy, but for me Dave is #1.
Matt Badham: Matt, Gerry isn't the only creator to have made his way back to 2000AD. You've also had Brendan McCarthy back in the mix. Why do you think these 'classic' creators are being tempted back to 2000AD?
Matt Smith: Partly because it's always there. If you've got a gap in your schedule, it's worth tapping up
2000AD for a short Dredd story or whatever. Also, because it's fun - no hoops to jump through, no marketing men to approve every process, just get back to having fun with comics. And
2000AD characters hold a special place in a lot of creators' hearts - they've been with them for the past three decades.
Matt Badham: Are there any other ex-2000AD creators you're particularly keen to welcome back into the fold?
Matt Smith: Plenty. Steve Dillon, Kevin O'Neill, Garth Ennis, Pete Milligan, Trevor Hairsine, Duncan Fegredo...
Matt Badham: What else is in Prog 2011 and why is it a good jumping on point for new readers?
Matt Smith: We've got a 12-page complete Dredd story by
Al Ewing and Paul Marshall, called 'The Chief Judge's Speech'; the ten-page opening episodes of the post-apocalyptic Kingdom: 'His Master's Voice' by
Dan Abnett and
Richard Elson, pan-galactic weirdfest Shakara: 'Avenger' by
Robbie Morrison and Henry Flint, supernatural thriller Ampney Crucis Investigates: 'The List of Ten' by Ian Edginton and
Simon Davis, and Hell-set Necrophim: 'Civil Warlord' by
Tony Lee and
Lee Carter; 12 pages of Celtic barbarity in Slaine by
Pat Mills and
Clint Langley; and a one-off Psi-Judge Anderson story showing her as a cadet, by Alan Grant and Patrick Goddard.
If a new reader picks that little lot up, you'll get a good idea of what
2000AD is about - action, SF, horror, oddball characters and wild ideas, brilliantly written and wonderfully drawn. If you want a comic like nothing else out there, get into
2000AD!
• Thanks to Matt Badham for organising this round table. And thanks to Matt Smith, Gerry, Pat and Staz for participating.
• Prog 2011 of 2000AD will be available to buy from 15th December. More info at www.2000adonline.com
* Matt Badham originally conducted these interviews by email. They were then edited together to make a 'round table discussion'
Here are the latest issues of DC Thomson's Commando to fight their way through the snowdrifts to the newsagents’ shelves. Just in time for Christmas, too.
Commando 4352: Hunger for Glory
Commando 4353: Ham-Fisted Hero
Commando 4354: Company of Pals
• Official Commando web site: www.commandocomics.com
Eagle Times, Britain's longest running comics fanzine, is making sample issues available to purchase without the need to join the Eagle Society.
Multiple bidding in the room from their live internet feed and three transatlantic telephones led to some impressive results from the Dominic Winter/ Comic Book Auctions on Thursday night, including the headline sale of a copy of Detective Comics #27 for £28,200 - the comic in which 'Bat Man' (sic) debuted.
A quick Friday plug for Numbercruncher which starts in the New Year in the Judge Dredd Megazine.
The first issue of the academic SANE journal: (which stands for Sequential Art narrative in Education) is out now, with its first issue focusing on "comics in the contact zone." 
One of the upcoming titles from Markosia thrust into my eager paws over the past couple of months was The Indifference Engine, written by Cy Dethan (writer of Cancertown) with pencils by Robert Carey.
Mirabilis: Year of Wonders, a graphic novel by Dave Morris and Leo Hartas first seen in The DFC comic launched in the App Store for iPad this week. 
Despite their obvious (and deserved) enthusiasm for the iPad, Dave and Leo aren't leaving print behind. Hardcover volumes of the Winter story will be published by Print Media Productions next year, and serialized print editions are in negotiation for India and the United States.
Here's the first official artwork from the Etherington Brothers brand new series, YORE!, which will be making its early 2011 debut very, very soon in The Dandy.
I first worked with Andrew Skilleter when I was editing Doctor Who Magazine in the late 1980s and I admire his work tremendously. He's a dab hand at both original and licensed art commissions, particularly Doctor Who (for which he's best known) - and some of his Dan Dare pieces, inspired by the Eagle comic character, are tremendous fun.
After being marooned at its Scottish printer for well over a fortnight – just one more victim of the worst snow the country has seen in 40 years – Multiverse #1, the first issue of Britian's new British comic magazine, is finally on its way to the shops.
The latest issue of Eagle Times for Winter 2010 is on available now and has the usual intriguing mix of Eagle comic-related goodies to offer, including a profile of the artist Brian Lewis, whose work included strips for Eagle, 2000AD, Countdown and House of Hammer.
UK publisher Ilex’s bestselling The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga has been announced as the winner of the 2010 Harvey Award for ‘Best American Edition of Foreign Material’, and was also recently shortlisted for the prestigious Eisner Award. 
As we previously reported, The Comic Book Alliance - “The Voice of the British Comics Industry” - are offering comic fans some very special Christmas treats this week with their very first fundraising auction — including the chance to star alongside Batman in his new comic, Batman Inc; along with other experiences that money can’t buy!
David Lloyd is offering V for Vendetta fans a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a one off, never published page featurng the character originally created for Warrior by him and Alan Moore.
Panel Borders radio show's series of shows about anthropomorphic or ‘funny animal’ comics continues tonight, Alex Fitch talks to a pair of writer/artists whose latest projects deal with animal human hybrids in adult situations.
Bad Press Limited, publishers of the adult comic Wasted, have announced their festive competition, running from 10th December 2010 to 10th January 2011.
Carnoustie Library will be hosting a war comics exhibit during the month of December.
"We are also quite near to D.C. Thomson’s in Dundee and I thought they might supply some material, which they did. Bill McLoughlin was very helpful and supplied some excellent prints of Ian Kennedy and Olivera’s artwork (left) from Commando. Ian is a nice guy too, and he signed one of his covers for display.
Carnoustie Library is located in the High Street of Carnoustie near Dundee and as well as being a public lending library it holds a collection of books and ephemera highlighting all aspects of the town’s history including information on microfilm and microfiche.
Brighton-based teacher and creator of 'indie' comics short stories Paul Davies has just self-published a collection of the same called Because I Am, via lulu.com.
• British TV presenter, comic book writer and lifelong comic fan Jonathan Ross has confirmed he will be a guest at Kapow! Comic Con and host the Comic Pros vs. Fans Game Show live on stage. The event takes place 9th & 10th April 2011. More info: www.kapowcomiccon.com
Cinebook , the Canterbury-based publisher of European bandes dessinee albums translated into English, have released a PDF copy of their first 2011 catalogue onto their website.
The headline piece from the catalogue is that Cinebook will be publishing one Jean Van Hamme book each month. Van Hamme's titles range from the modern Blake and Mortimer stories, via Lady S and Thorgal to the aforementioned Largo Winch and XIII. June will see a one off special by Van Hamme along with his Thorgal artist Grzegorz Rosinski entitled Western and set in Wyoming in 1868.
With the Christmas buying season being somewhat curtailed by the current snow perhaps it is worth letting the postman do all the hard work and order up a title or two that you have not yet tried. If you like Tintin and Rainbow Orchid then try Blake and Mortimer or if you like Modesty Blaise try Lady S. If Nemi in the Metro newspaper is more to your taste then it would be The Bellybuttons, if it is James Bond you prefer then try Largo Winch, while if the kids like Harry Potter then try Scared To Death.
The cover image for the third volume of Garen Ewing's The Rainbow Orchid has just been released showing Evelyn and Julius fighting above lava.
In the meantime Garen has donated signed and sketched versions of the first two Rainbow Orchid books plus their cover posters to the Comic Book Alliance eBay auction which is going on at the moment. In addition to these he has also donated some of his original black and white line art that was used to create the Tayout Soviet flying circus poster in the first book.
It is no secret that the team here on downthetubes are all fans of Eagle comic with John Freeman editing Titan's Dan Dare and Bible Stories reprint books, Jeremy Briggs and Richard Sheaf writing for Eagle Times while Ian Wheeler was the editor of the still missed Eagle Flies Again zine.
British illustrator Fay Dalton has won the Pickled Ink agency's Pickled Award, launched earlier this year in a bid to find an artist to draw a new graphic novel by Super Gran creator and writer Jenny McDade.
