Geek Culture Reviews

A classic horror series is rising from beyond the grave in 2024, featuring four brand-new chilling adventures from some of the most terrifyingly talented creators in the comic book industry… “Dare you read it alone?” As revealed earlier today by Rebellion, Misty , the classic horror series for young women, has been resurrected by megastar writer Gail Simone , who is being joined by a murderers’ row of talent for an all-new 48 page anthology special publishing on the 17th July 2024.  First published in 1978, Misty was the brainchild of legendary writer and editor Pat Mills , offering thrills and chills for a generation of young women in the UK and featuring stories from creators including Shirley Bellwood, Jesus Redondo, Jordi Badía Romero , and Mills . Running for over 100 issues in total, each issue was hosted by Misty, who acted as a guiding voice for her young readers - and in this new anthology we’ll be telling stories featuring Misty herself for the first time! This anthology...

Garth Ennis heads back to WW2 with Battle Action Vol. 2… Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys) returns to Battle Action and brings a roster of writers and artists to help him resurrect characters from the classic UK comics Battle and Action. From air ace Johnny Red to the daring Nina Petrova, and from lethal British agent Dredger to the louche Major Eazy. 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. In total this collection includes 12 action-packed stories from some of the most popular writers in modern comics; John Wagner (Judge Dredd), Torunn Grønbekk (Thor, Star Wars), Rob Williams (Suicide Squad) and Dan Abnett (Guardians of the Galaxy), and features ar...

Rebellion are once again diving into the annuals of British comic book history as their crime-caper, Smash! reaches its conclusion… The action-packed finale written by Paul Grist (Jack Staff, Kane) and drawn by V.V. Glass (The Last Witch) sees this six decade-spanning adventure come to an explosive conclusion as Cursitor Doom is outwitted by a former sidekick, and the demon trapped in the stone idol since the time of Janus Stark is unleashed. The time-travelling Adam Eterno enters the fray in an attempt to halt the demon’s reign of terror, but whose side will the King of Crooks choose to align with? Smash! Issue #3 will be available from comic book stores on Wednesday 20th December. 

Rob reviews A Very British Affair: The Best of Classic Romance Comics... When 2000 AD/Treasury of British Comics brand manager Michael Molcher dropped into my inbox with the press release of A Very British Affair: The Best of Classic Romance Comics - I initially scoffed at the idea of reviewing the book. For starters, I'm not one for romance. Reading about people falling in love and having a lovely time does make my stomach churn. Am I just a heartless bastard? Or has the daily grind of dealing with the public made me an emotionless robot? Well, the truth is, I like my comics with a bit of grit. But, there was something about Michael 's press release that resonated with the weird historian who dwells inside me. "This is some of the finest romance comics from a genre that once dominated the industry, selling millions of copies in the 1960s and ‘70s before vanishing almost overnight" From here on I had many questions. "What happened for romance comics t...

Rob reviews Battle Action Special... When it comes to British comic books both Battle and Action cemented their names in the memories of many children throughout the 70s and 80s. While Battle , Action,  and their many incarnations are now but a distant memory, the publication's legacy lives on through its influences within the current 2000 AD weekly Progs. 2000 AD fans will already know this as both Battle and Action were helmed by 2000 AD creators;  Pat Mills and John Wagner . Now, 34 years after its final issue Battle Action is back! Written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by a wealth of artists such as PJ Holden, Kevin O'Neill, John Higgins , and Mike Dorey , this Battle Action Special anthology aims to celebrate the legacy of one of comics' golden oldies.  Featuring seven self-contained stories set around World War 2, Battle Action Special is an action-packed thrill-ride along side some familiar faces. Characters such as Crazy Keller, The Sarge, Johnn...

Previewing The Vigilant Complete collection... Simon Furman & Simon Colby's modernisation of The Vigilant holds a special place within my heart. I had just started reviewing both the 2000 AD Progs as well as the Judge Dredd Megazine when the final part to The   Vigilant appeared. I found it to be a highly entertaining story that really captured the essence of this older generation of super-hero. Anyway to cut a long story short, the 2000 AD Twitter account quoted my review (my first ever quote) and I even brought the complete serialised Vigilant issues from Simon Furman himself - signed of course!  Fast-Forward to now and the folk over at 2000 AD and The Treasury of British Comics  are set to release Furman and Colby's three-parter as a complete story. Three-stories that bring together a vast assortment of British Superhero's and hurtles them into the future... The Vigilant opens to Dr Mesmer and Von Hoffman, doing what every super vill...