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Attention, Newcastle! “Turbo Jones” signing by Ian Kennedy and Barrie Tomlinson announced

By Richard Sheaf on November 27, 2018

Forbidden Planet Newcastle has announced that Barrie Tomlinson, the editor of the short-lived comic Wildcat and writer of “Death Wish“, and British comics legend Ian Kennedy will be making a joint appearance to help launch Rebellion’s Turbo Jones collection in January.

“Turbo Jones” first appeared in Wildcat comic, published by Fleetway between October 1988 and March 1989 (with a free Wildcat mini-comic given away with 2000AD, Eagle and Whizzer and Chips the week before the launch). The short-lived comic, which ran for just twelve issues before merging with Eagle, was developed by its editor Barrie Tomlinson and Fleetway’s John Sanders, with designs by Ian Kennedy, who also worked on the title.

In 2488 Earth history professor Turbo Jones predicted that the planet would be destroyed in 2500 by a vast meteoroid storm. Ridiculed by the world’s leaders, Turbo spent the next twelve years constructing a huge spaceship and employing a group of volunteers to help him leave the Earth and find a new home in the stars…

After months in space, Turbo and his senior staff including former mercenary Loner, the mysterious Kitten Magee and the last survivor of Xgangbe-4, Joe Alien, have found a potential new home. Now they need to get down onto the planet and make sure that it is safe for the five hundred colonists and livestock aboard the Wildcat…

The spaceship Wildcat introduced in the Wildcat Preview Comic. Art by Ian Kennedy

Ian Kennedy with the Dan Dare art he coloured on stage

Ian Kennedy – best known these days for his stunning covers for DC Thomson’s Commando comic – has illustrated a host of favourite titles, including “M.A.C.H 1” and “Judge Dredd” for 2000AD, “Timequake” for Starlord, “Dan Dare” for the revived Eagle (which was edited by Barrie), “Turbo Jones” for Wildcat, Marvel UK’s Blake’s 7 and covers for Starblazer.

He’s also painted covers for the annual RAF Leuchars Air Show programmes.

Barrie Tomlinson today

Barrie Tomlinson’s writing credits include “Death Wish”, “Survival”, “Dan Dare”, “Ghost Squad” and “S.O.S” for Eagle, and “Scorer” for the Daily Mirror.

He was the second editor of the long-running sports-themed comic Tiger, the first and longest serving editor of Roy of the Rovers, guiding Roy’s career for several decades, and responsible for the creation of the short-lived but fondly remembered Scream!

• The Ian Kennedy and Barrie Tomlinson signing is being held at Forbidden Planet megastore in Newcastle on Saturday 5th January 2019 between 1.00 and 2.00pm – if you can’t make it then not to worry – you can pre-order a signed copy here for £14.99 plus £3 postage