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Klep! “Cosmic Comics” is a Kevin O’Neill comics miscellany that may burn your eyeballs!

By John Freeman on May 1, 2019 • ( 1 )

Independent publisher Hibernia has teamed up with the Treasury of British Comics to publish Cosmic Comics, a terrific, eye-searing collection of legendary comic creator Kevin O’Neill’s formative work on such titles as 2000AD, Lion, Tornado and Starlord.

This brilliant, brain-bursting 60-page plus collection brings together strips as diverse as his humour strips like “Captain Klep” and “Dash Decent”, and his work on the long-running “Future Shocks” for 2000AD, along with his amazing painted covers from the 2000AD Sci Fi Specials, Starlord – and much more.

Aan excellent assemblage of undiluted Kevin O’Neill-fuelled genius, Cosmic Comics showcases the development of his artwork from art editor of 2000AD to being the co-creator of “Nemesis the Warlock“, Metalzoic and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

A fan of lesser comics than 2000AD gets everything he deserves in “Tharg and The Intruder”

Richard Pearce, Hibernia’s designer, has really hit this one out of the park, bringing poorly printed newsprint to life under a superbly designed, limited edition package.

The selected strips are the kind of gems from British comics often overlooked in major collections, simply because they are hard to “fit” or categorise, so it’s great to see such a marvellous miscellany.

Both po-faced superheroes and square-jawed SF warriors are taken down a peg or two in “Captain Klep” and “Dash Decent” in style, but with every strip displaying a clear love for the source material for the jokes and overall ribaldry.

Captain Klep reconstructed for Cosmic Capers thanks to Richard Pearce

“This is our fourteenth publication, and after years of telling everyone how great British comic are, the Fleetway archive has found a great home at The Treasury of British Comics,” notes Hibernia publisher David McDonald. “They are doing incredible work at bringing back classic characters, not only in reprint but with new material too.

“We are delighted and very excited to have the chance to bring some of that archive to publication in conjunction with the Treasury brand.

“We have brought what Hibernia is known for, quality reproduction, excellent restoration, and great comics!”

Hibernia’s limited edition titles sell out fast, so, I’d urge you to get this while you can!

• Cosmic Comics, a 66-page perfect bound collection is only available online here

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.