Hot on the heels of the the success of the ZARJAZ Sci-Fi Special 2024, the reading galaxy is now primed for the circuit-shattering wave of Thrill Power that is about to be unleashed with the release of ZARJAZ Volume 3 – Prog 1. downthetubes caught up with publisher Andrew Lewis to find out more…
The 2000AD-themed independent comic relaunches next month (May 2025) and the first issue is available to order now.
Published with the continued blessing of 2000AD‘s owners, Rebellion, ZARJAZ has been a mainstay of the UK independent comic scene for nearly 25 years. Several of its contributors have gone on to appear in the pages of 2000AD itself – and who know which of the current crop of writers and artists might be following in their footsteps soon?
ZARJAZ Volume 3 – Prog 1, the first in a six-issue run of issues, set to be published at regular monthly intervals, will include ten thrill-packed stories, featuring a wealth of characters from the early years of Tharg’s mighty organ.
“I’m delighted to be continuing ZARJAZ,” editor and publisher Andrew Lewis tells downthetubes. “It’s a real privilege to be working with such a talented, enthusiastic group of creative talents. I assembled a cracking team for the SCI-FI SPECIAL last year, most of whom have been hard at work on new stories.
“I’ve also taken on board several new people and some of the original creators from the earliest days of ZARJAZ Vol 1 have also become involved again,” he reveals. “ZARJAZ is a real collaborative endeavour, between the writers, artists and myself –we communicate regularly throughout the process to create something we’re all really proud of.”
Among the challenges to this project has been its sheer scale, Andrew acknowledges.
“The forthcoming run of issues will each contain ten stories, so the biggest challenge for me has been keeping on top of all the different plots and characters!” he explains. “Fortunately, the writers are very forgiving when I occasionally lose track of what I’ve said to who!
“The other big challenge is establishing a schedule when there are so many people involved and when you bear in mind these guys are doing this for love, not money. But I’ve been able to juggle things around to accommodate real-world factors as much as possible and I’m confident now having seen so much completed material that we’re safely on course to release a run of 6 issues on a regular monthly basis.”
The bonus to the whole project has been 2000AD publisher Rebellion’s support for this non-profit fan project.
“Definitely! “Without Rebellion’s continued support there wouldn’t be a ZARJAZ,” Andrew acknowledges. “From the very first issue nearly 25 years ago, the understanding has always been that we would produce it with their blessing and that’s never changed. There are elements withing fandom that enjoy griping and courting controversy, but ZARJAZ has always had a positive outlook.
“Part of the deal is that we produce stories of a high standard and I think anyone reading ZARJAZ can see that some of our creators are easily on the verge of breaking in professionally. Hopefully this is a chance for them to showcase their talents, and that was always the primary aim of ZARJAZ from day one.”
Highlights of ZARJAZ Volume 3 – Prog 1 include:
Judge Dredd by Pete Howard & Brett Burbridge: The 22nd century lawman takes a group of cadets into the Cursed Earth, but how many of them will return?
Strontium Dog by Dr Bob & Alba Ceide: Can mutant revolutionary Johnny Alpha lead the fight against the oppressive regime when it’s headed by his own father?
Legends of Rogue Trooper by Dan Pollard & Wayne Hughes: his adventures are legendary, but is the genetic infantryman himself merely a myth?
Bill Savage: Armageddon 1980 by Daniel Whiston & Bobby Brice: In 1980, Britain faces a new threat but will the teenage Bill be able to avert Armageddon itself?
M.A.C.H. 1 by Pete Hobson, Jonno & Tim Burnell: how does a former hero survive without his powers in a world he no longer understands?
Plus: Judge Anderson by Troy Martin & Ed Traquino, Invasion! by Craig Dawson & Tom Bonin, “The Cosmic Claw Presents” by David Court & Brett Burbridge, “Volgan Fiends” by Tom Davies & Paul Malone, “Slaine“, “Torquemada“, “ABC Warriors“, “Harlem Heroes“, “Ace Trucking Co“, “Luke Kirby“, “The VCs” and many more!
ZARJAZ Volume 3 Prog 1 will be available mid-May, but by pre-ordering now here frm the ZARJAZ web site, your copy will delivered to you as soon as it’s ready. As previously, the number of pre-order determines the number of copies printed.
Buyers who are attending the Lawless convention in May 2025 can also save some groats by selecting to pay now and collect your copy from the ZARJAZ table there.
If you’ve already ordered ZARJAZ Vol 1 #2 FACSIMILE EDITION (or are about to order it) there’s the option of buying Prog 1 as an add-on. Both issues will be sent out together saving you postage costs
Buyers outside of Europe now have two choices of shipping services, International Standard and International Economy.
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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.
Categories: 2000AD, British Comics, British Comics - Current British Publishers, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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