Art © PJ Holden

Renegade Entertainment release the first collection of Dept of Monsterology this month, a terrific action adventure comic from writer Gordon Rennie, with art by c-creator PJ Holden, colour by Steven Denton and lettering by Jim Campbell.

Officially, it’s the Department of Cryptozoology, Mythological Studies, Parapsychology and Fortean Phenomena. But to the rest of the students and staff at the Dunsany College, baffled by the cloak of secrecy that surrounds the Department and its affairs, it has another, more dismissive, name: The Department of Monsterology. Funded by the mysterious Hampton Foundation, the Dept. operates several field teams that roam the globe on extended research expeditions.

Their brief: to investigate the dark and unexplored corners of our world – the places we’ve forgotten, lost or believe to be mythical. And to study those things that may still be lurking there.

Available to pre-order in Diamond Previews right now (PREORDER CODE: AUG141645), the collection of Dept Of Monsterology – Monsterology 101 collects the first miniseries, plus a new one-off 22-page story, “The Trouble With Harry” where Gordon and Paul explore some of the origins of Brain in a jar in a giant Diving Suit Robot Harry Wilmington. Here’s the “cover” for the new strip and one of the pages, courtesy of PJ Holden…

“If you’ve already read the series, hopefully the collection adds enough to the pot that it’s worth your while picking it up,” say Paul over on his blog, “and if you haven’t read it, man-oh-man are you missing something…

“Stuff like: Hopping Chinese Vampires, Undersea Monster-men, Giant, ancient technology, Body-Swapping-deadly twins and more. Much more.”

Operating from Canada and the UK, Renegade Entertainment describes its mission as bringing “stories to life that we are passionate about and believe others will be too”. Currently they’re producing comic books, audio books, movies, animation and novels, along with developing merchandise and games.

• Pre-order Dept Of Monsterology – Monsterology 101: PREORDER CODE: AUG141645)

• Renegade Entertainment: www.renegadeartsentertainment.com/dept-of-monsterology

Copies of the original mini series are still available from comic shops such as Forbidden Planet

• Issue One

Investigating the Dark Forgotten Corners of our World, one Monster at a Time. Follow the Department of Cryptozoology, as they find and fight undead armies from the sands of Egypt, Cold Ones from the depths, and the people hell-bent n using them all for evil.

• Issue Two

The department follows up on the Chinese vampire attack, only to find that someone has beaten them to it!

• Issue Three

With Team Carnacki prisoners of an old foe, and Team Challenger under attack from an ancient Cyclopean behemoth, things can’t get worse, or can they?

• Issue Four

The finale to the first arc reaches an explosive finish as Team Carnaski are attacked by possessed Samwi and now face probable oblivion, while back at HQ someone may have uncovered the secret of Team Carter’s disappearance!

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.

Categories: downthetubes Comics News

Tags: Adventure Comics, Dept. of Monsterology, Gordon Rennie, Jim Campbell, PJ Holden, Renegade Entertainment, Steven Denton