Happy Birthday, 2000AD! From art droid Arthur Ranson

Mazeworld, written by Alan Grant, drawn by Arthur Ranson

Name: Arthur Ranson

Website, with blogs: www.arthurranson.com/

Present work:

Rather recklessly I have recently commenced producing in Paint software a ‘comic’ - Sirius. An Intergalactic Adventure - appearing on my web-site. Intended for my amusement, it has become a time consuming addiction that is probably ruining my chances of ever running a marathon.. Or running.

First memory of 2000AD?

My first memory of 2000AD was, hoping for work, nervously taking my samples to editor Richard Burton. Even at that time the young 2000AD’s reputation had grown to where many artists considered it was the hip place to be.

Unlike the impression that US comics gave - that they generally demanded a house style - 2000AD gave artists great scope for individualism. To my surprise, I not only got a promise of work but lunch too. A pint of beer, a curly sandwich and a career changing commission.

Judge Anderson pencilled by
Brian Bolland (inked by Gary Martin)

Favourite characters?

Apologies but number one really has to be Psi Judge Cassandra Anderson. Cass was my favourite when Brian Bolland was drawing it so I was well chuffed to be offered it and Alan Grant’s stories were great, giving Cass a greater consistency and humanity than any other comic strip character I can think of.

Johnny Alpha created by T.B. Glover, aka John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra in Strontium Dog. It never kept its appeal but it was one of the strips that on its early appearance, I would have liked to draw. A dramatic story with potential for a wide range of stories and settings plus character design that looked great.

Slaine, if only for the extraordinary art work by two exceptional artists. Glen Fabry and Simon Bisley. Whether in line or painted both men produced pages that were a real pleasure to see.

What do you like most about 2000AD?

The impressive thing about 2000AD is its courage. It has always seemed willing to try something new, use fresh artists, writers and concepts. Several things I was involved in would not have happened in a more hidebound comic and I got to read unexpected stuff and see some very good artwork. A list of people who have drawn or written for them will demonstrate just how good they are at talent spotting.

What would you like to see in 2000AD as it heads into it's Forties?

I have had many amazing ideas about what 2000AD might do over the years. Luckily none of them were ever taken up. My record on unsuccessful commercial ideas makes me ill suited to offering advice and reluctant to offer any concrete suggestions now.

Some platitude about keep up the good work is best I can do. Life begins at forty?

Do you have an anecdote you'd like to share about your experience of Tharg and his minions?

Despite his authoritarian manner not being the managerial style a liberal like myself should approve of, Tharg does seem to produce among his minions a marked sense of commitment.

This is not just a shabby attempt at self promotion but I was really impressed by the dedication and care of those responsible for the production of the Mazeworld graphic novel. So respect to backroom boys Graphic Novel Editor Keith Richardson, Graphic Designers Simon Parr and Luke Preece and judging by the book’s coverage, PR guy Michael Molcher.

• This post is part of a series of birthday tributes from a wide range of comic creators celebrating 2000AD's birthday on 26th February 2012. For more about 2000AD, visit www.2000adonline.com

2000AD © Rebelllion

Mazeworld collection set for 2011 release

Rebellion (the publishers of 2000AD) are to release a collection of Mazeworld, the acclaimed story written by Alan Grant, later this year.

The creator-owned comic series ran in 2000AD between 1996 and 1999. With the tagline "Is Death the Door to Another World?", it's a fantasy story about Cadman - the first person hanged in Britain since 1964 transported to the Mazeworld.

Only ever collected by in the US by Caliber Comics and in three black and white volumes, Mazeworld is well overdue a full-colour collected edition. Fans who started a campaign to get it back into print in 2010 felt that with Ranson's collaboration with John Wagner, Button-Man, having its option renewed by Dreamworks, it might not take much more than some demand from the public to see Mazeworld finally reprinted.

Talking about the collection over on his official web site last October, Arthur Ranson said there was "No way to measure what effect the ‘Let’s get Maze World back in print’ campaign had on Rebellion’s decision but a coincidence seems unlikely."

Fans will have to wait until November 2011 to see the collected edition, which is being edited by Keith Richardson.

• Pre-order Mazeworld from amazon.co.uk

• Info on Mazeworld on amazon.com

Tube Surfing: Mazeworld, Mad Science and Harvey Pekar

Does the sporadically torrential rain of the last few days mean that's all the summer we're going to get? I hope not.

Onto the Tube Surf...

• Arthur Ranson sends word that Daniel Clifford, a fan of the artist's Mazeworld strip (produced in collaboration with writer Alan Grant), has set up a Facebook petition to get the strip re-published.

Arthur has written about Daniel's efforts over at his blog. "I, of course, believe a collection of the entire Mazeworld in one fat edition would be a nice thing to have," he notes, "but the reason this petition thing excites me is the thought of a social network of fans using their connection to create an outcome.

"Coincidentally in Saturday’s Guardian Review section there was a review of Cognitive Surplus: Creativity and Generosity in a Connected Age by Clay Shirkey whose suggestion is that the brainpower wasted with passive entertainment watching might be used via the internet to organise and do something in concert. Shirkey quotes examples of charities that have been set up. A Mazeworld reprint doesn’t have that significance but hey, we can be shallow too."

If you want to check out some pages from Mazeworld, you can do so at Arthur Ranson's website.

• Meanwhile, in Manchester, there are two events with British comic connections happening at the Lass O'Gowrie pub over the weekend as part of their epic Lass fest event.

The first, The Hammer House of Dezza, kicks off on Saturday at 3.00pm. It features veteran British comics editor Dez Skinn, who will be talking about his time at the helm of Hammer House of Horror Magazine, which included in its pages comic strips.

The second is on Sunday. It's Vworp 3, a one-day Doctor Who convention that numbers among its guests the aforementioned Dez Skinn and comic artist Adrian Salmon, alongside the likes of Doctor Who writers Terrance Dicks, Andrew Cartmel, Rob Shearman and actress Sophie Aldred, who played companion Ace alongside Seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy.

• Speaking of events, there's lots forthcoming from the folks at Alternative Press (who describe themselves as "...a group of artists, comix creators, writers and poets dedicated to encouraging creativity through self-publishing").

The group has lots of exciting news, available via the above link, of fairs and exhibitions, including the Alternative Press Fair in November, Tunbridge Wells Zine Fest in August and much, much more.

Hang on, if I'm mentioning events, surely I've got to talk about Caption... I know John's plugged it recently, but it's well worth a reminder. Oxford's annual convention celebrates all things comics, but primarily the small press, with the theme of 'Mad Science' this year.

It looks like it's going to be another cracking event, with guests such as Melinda Gebbie, Jeremy Day, Al Davison and Darryl Cunningham all attending. I'll be along too as a punter and I can't wait!

Caption 2010 is held over two days on the weekend of 31st July.

This Tube Surf has been a bit verbose. Let's go for some quick hits:

• Rob Jackson makes ice cream and comics, and his blog is always worth a look.

• Dan McDaid goes all 'TV Action' for a pal, with a page of art homaging Doctor Who as he appeared in the 1970s comic Countdown. Oh yes!

• Adam Cadwell pays tribute to the recently deceased Harvey Pekar. He's also set up a Flickr group for pictorial tributes to Harvey. R.I.P. Mr Pekar...

And on that sad note, it's goodbye until my next Tube Surf...