Meet The77 Creators: Writer Alan Holloway

By downthetubes Guests on March 4, 2020

Here’s another in a series of “Meet the Creator” interviews conducted by Morgan Spiceman with the writers and artists involved in The77 comics anthology.

This time out, it’s a chat with writer Alan Holloway, writer on “Temporal Anarchy” with art by Neil Blackbird Sims, which will debut in Issue 1 of The77.

What is The77?

Alan Holloway: The77 is a loveletter to the good old days, when men were men, comics were comics, and the internet was still a future shock

How did you get involved?

Alan: I saw it was going to be an actual thing and pitched a couple of story ideas.

What is your story about?

Alan: “Temporal Anarchy” is introduced by the magazine’s editor, Philthy Luka, an old punk who still longs for the good old days of 1977.

It concerns a no good punk rocker who finds a magic safety pin, that gives him proper punk musical talent. But nothing comes for free and there’s a sting in the tail of the tale.

A teaser for “Temporal Anarchy” for The77, written by Alan Holloway, art by Neil Blackbird Sims

Where did you get the idea for the story?

Alan: The story just came from thinking about punk rock and things associated. Things just tend to fall in my head even as I’m writing.

What are your hopes for The77?

Alan: My initial hopes are for one issue of The77, and any more will be a bonus. I’m happy to keep doing the strip and have more ideas, and I hope it goes on a while yet as there’s a lot of talent involved.

The two covers for Sentinel a comic created by Alan Holloway and Ed Doyle. Read Peter Duncan’s review here

How long have you been writing?

Alan: I started writing seriously a couple of years ago, for the 2000AD fanzines Zarjaz, Dogbreath and Sector 13. This year, with artist Ed Doyle, I published my first original work, the 64 page Sentinel comic, which has gone down well.

I’m currently writing issues three and four of that, with a complete story in each one.

The team behind The77 – Dave Heeley, Ben K Sy and Alan Holloway – art by Neil Blackbird Sims

The77’s editor, Philthy Luka, by Neil Blackbird Sims

Who are your favourite writers?

Alan: Comics wise, I like fun stuff and cool dialogue, so Mark Millar, Brian Bendis, Tom King, Sean Murphy, Scott Snyder, Daniel Way, Joe Straczynski and Garth Ennis. Number one will always be John Wagner.

What are your favourite comics?

Alan: My favourite comics are Spider-Man, Punisher, Alias, Batman and, depending on the writer, the same for Deadpool. Naturally, 2000AD is always a constant.

What are your influences?

Alan: Millar and Bendis have infuenced my dialogue, I think, but I like to feel I draw from all over the place, as I write in different styles depending on what the story needs.

What characters would you love to write?

Alan: Having done some fanzine Judge Dredd’s that I’ve been extremely pleased with and proud of, I’d love to do it in 2000AD.

Alan Holloway

Who would you like to work with?

Alan: Artist wise, there’s no one, really, as there’s so many I like. Having no artistic talent myself, I am constantly surprised and happy with what they come up with off my scripts. My favourite comic artist ever was Steve Dillon.

At the moment I’m working with Ed Doyle, Paul Spence and Ian Beadle on Sentinel, and they all have totally different but equally cool skills.

Oh, all right then… Dave Gibbons!

What advice would you have for upcoming writers?

Alan: Advice for the competition? Just read comics and then go for it. You have to read them, though, and love them. Start small and work your way up – save the 1000-page epic until you’ve got a foothold.

The77 – Provisional Cover

The77 gained full funding and more through Kickstarter and the first issue will be launched at the Lawless convention in May and will be available worldwide in June

• Join The77 on Facebook and Twitter @77Comic and Instagram @The77 comic

• Read Peter Duncan’s review of Sentinel by Alan Holloway and Ed Doyle

Interview cross posted with thanks to Morgan Spiceman