Crowdfunding Spotlight: Paragon 27

By John Freeman on February 27, 2021

The latest Kickstarter for British independent action adventure anthology comic anthology Paragon – Issue 27 – is now live, with the incredibly modest target of just £100. Its line-up includes a story by the late Si Spencer, in tribute after his shock passing earlier this month.

I say incredibly modest because Paragon, edited and published by Dave Candlish, is another long-running bBritish comic zine with impressive staying power and a fine roster of creators, including, for this issue, Dave himself, Jason Cobley, Dirk van Dom, Greg Meldrum, Keiran Richardson and Scott Twells. Plus, there’s a reprint of a little seen short tale by the late Si Spencer, too.

If you’re a fan of murder mystery, sumo wrestling anthropomorphic animals and celestial enforcement agents, sent to Earth to arrest an escaped demon, then Paragon is definitely for you

Cover story “Brahms & Liszt” by Greg Medrum, with art by Dave Candlish, is a comedic buddy-buddy murder mystery set in Germany featuring two classical composers teaming up to fight… Hans Christian Anderson!

“icarus Dangerous – A Mynx Tale” written by Dirk Van Dom and illustrated Scott Twells (Zarjaz), lettered by Jim Campbell (2000AD), reveals how Icarus flew too close to the sun with his wax-bonded wings, then fell to his doom, but was rescued by aliens. You remember that story, right?

“Nipon”, by Jason Cobley (Brawler, Commando) and illustrated by Keiran Richardson, sees the return of Bulldog, anthropomorphic defender of the skies. This time out, our hero tries his hand at diplomatic relations, to broker a peace deal between the Nazis, the Vegenation and Blighty. Wait, Bear, Sumo and a randy Russian? What can possibly go wrong?

“Bludd & Xandi”, part four, by Mark Howard (Zarjaz) and Tom Newell (2000AD) has the Celestial Enforcement agents return from Hell to find the Demon they risked their lives to capture has been returned. They are not happy.

Finally, there’s the little seen mad doctor story, “A Symphony in Murder”, written by the late Si Spencer (DC’s Bodies, Hellblazer, 2000AD) and illustrated by Tom Newell. This story is reprinted in tribute, with love and respect, after the sad and sudden death of Si, which shocked all in the comic world

Paragon Issue 27 comprises 32 pages, an A4 magazine sized is on Kickstarter now, with lots of reward options including back issues, graphic novels, t-shirts and original art.

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.