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2000AD artist Ian Gibson’s Lifeboat graphic novel project smashes target over Coronation weekend

By John Freeman on May 7, 2023

Ian Gibson – perhaps best known for his art on 2000AD strips such as “Sam Slade, Robohunter” and “The Ballad of Halo Jones” – is hopefully celebrating, after a newly-launched crowdfunder to publish his SF graphic novel, Lifeboat, smashed its target, reaching £10,000 in just over 24 hours.

The book will be published this summer thanks to generous support from over 200 fans so far, many snapping up the opportunity to buy original art pages from the story.

As we previously reported, the story revolves around the idea, “What if Romeo and Juliet had had a child?” with a ‘space’ version of the American War of Independence, where asteroid mining colonies are trying to break free from the Empire.

The long awaited book, which Ian has been working on for over a decade, will be published this summer by The77 Publications.

The planned 48-page book will include the full colour high resolution Book 1 of Lifeboat; never seen before preparatory sketches and character designs; in-depth interviews with Ian, Annie Parkhouse and Steve Bull on the production of Lifeboat; and a foreword by John Wagner and analysis by David Roach and colleagues, writer and artist Steve Parkhouse, and former 2000AD editor and writer, Steve MacManus. Plus, Book Two preliminary pages and commentary by Ian Gibson.

The samples from Lifeboat Ian has shared with fans speak for themselves, and a variety of levels of support, from digital edition to hardback book, are on offer now on Kickstarter.

Many fans have voiced their support for Ian, who is currently unwell, and anxious to see the book completed and published.

For me, of all Ian’s work, while I’m obviously a fan of his many contributions to 2000AD, it’s strips such as “The Chronicles of Genghis Grimtoad”, written by John Wagner and the late Alan Grant, which he drew, that remain a favourite of mine. As does his “Annie Droid” strip, which Ian was kind enough to let me play with to bring to mobile phones, in the days when paid for ringtones were still a “thing”.

Thank you for everything. May Lifeboat sail, toute suite!

• Back Ian Gibson’s Lifeboat here on Kickstarter

WEB LINKS

• The Imagination of Ian Gibson Facebook Group

• Ian Gibson Art for sale on ArtDroids

• Graphic novels by Ian Gibson on AmazonUK

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.