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The77 retro anthology smashes crowdfunding target, expands publication plans

By John Freeman on February 3, 2020

There’s great news for fans of anthology comics this morning, after retro anthology project The77 smashed its relatively modest Kickstarter target within days of launch. With support now standing at over £5000, this means the team can now consider broader plans for distribution and promotion and truly make 2020 “The Year of The77“.

The new quarterly anthology includes strips by British industry veterans such as former Tharg Steve MacManus and a back cover poster by “The Ballad of Halo Jones” co-creator Ian Gibson’s promoting his “Lifeboat” story, alongside established independent talents such as Mal Earl and Phil Elliott, and a host of terrific rising comic stars. (Check out our feature here for a full run down).

Another teaser image by Neil Blackbird Sims for “Temporal Anarchy”, a strip for The77 written by Alan Holloway

“The response from the public has been amazing,” The77‘s Ben K Sky tells downthetubes. “Because of the amount pledged, we’re going to be able print more copies and promote The77 at more events in 2020, including Lawless, Enniskillen and Thought Bubble.”

• You can support The77 Kickstarter here

• Join The77 on Facebook and Twitter @77Comic and Instagram @The77 comic | Email the77comic@gmail.com

• Read the downthetubes interview with The77 core team – Steve Bull, Dave Heeley and BenKsy – plus, we bring you a guide to what to expect in the first issue…

This item was updated 8th February 2020 to clarify that The77 Issue One features only a back cover featuring Ian Gibson’s SF strip “Lifeboat”, after comment by Ian on Facebook

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.