Davey Candlish is celebrating twenty years of publishing his smashing indie action adventure anthology comic Paragon this year – and there’s still time to back Issue 37 over on Kickstarter.
This Christmas issue sees the very last episode of the Captain Winston Bulldog saga. After over thirty years of adventures, creator Jason Cobley, author of books such as The Rock Bled Black and the forthcoming A Hundred Years to Arras, has decided to write a fitting finale to the anthropomorphic hero, ably illustrated the talented Garry Wharton.
For those unfamiliar, Jason pitches Bulldog thus: “The premise is basically that there’s a version of Earth where talking animals (Mammalians), talking vegetables (Arboreans) live and work alongside Humans. Captain Winston Bulldog is a pilot and adventurer in the Aerial Defence Force of Blighty, defending the country against the evil Vegenation and fascists of all stripes. Pulp adventure mixed with a bit of humour and sci-fi, very much influenced by 1980s British comics and, later, 1990s Japanese Manga in the art styles of Kieran Macdonald and others.”
Although the Bulldog saga is drawing to a close, Paragon still has repeats of classic stories to print and this issue sees Bulldog on Mars, with his old adversary General Oak. To be concluded next issue!
Also on offer and not to be missed is the penultimate part of “Wotan Walks In Weimar”, starring the derring-duo of classical composers, Brahms and Liszt (this issue’s cover stars). With the evil doctor being revealed last episode and having fought off shock-headed Peter, the investigators make a breakthrough in the murder investigation of the archduke. The adventure is written by Greg Meldrum, with art by Davey Candlish. “This was my favourite episode to write of the whole story,” Greg says.
And of course, no Paragon would be complete without a complete tale for the civic centurion, Spencer Nero – the British agent who is obsessed with ancient Rome and in possession of the Janus mask which, when worn, gives him untold powers! Another gem from Greg Meldrum “featuring a man with a big chopper,” Greg teases, “and once he’s finished with Spencer, nothing will ever be the same again!” Art is by Scott Twells, lettered by Filippo Roncone.
Offering 32 pages of the best of British small press comics around, regular readers will know what treats are in store. New readers will love it!
The Paragon team are running a quick Kickstarter in the hope of getting it to you before Christmas – so don’t delay, back it today!
Paragon is edited and published by Davey Candlish, who’s been a comics fan all my life. He was brought up on 1950s’ Eagle (his Dad was wise enough to keep his collection from his youth) and anthology comics of the 1970s and 80s. Paragon is his love letter to those days. “It’s not an homage. It’s not a pastiche,” he says. “It’s a continuation of the style of comic I loved to read as a kid and still want to read now.”
• Check out Paragon 37 right here on Kickstarter
• Missed an issue? Back Issue of Paragon are available on lulu.com while stocks last
A Potted History of Captain Winston Bulldog…
“Both Davey and I would love it if you would back this issue,” says Jason Cobley of this latest edition. “If you’ve ever been interested in Captain Winston Bulldog, you’ll want to read it. I created this character when I was 14.
“He arrived in his proper form in 1990, having first appeared in Rob Kirby’s Amalgam. The version that has lasted all this time first appeared in ‘Blackout!’ with art by James Croasdale; then, in 1993, I launched him in his own comic, joined by so many artists over the years, including Kieran Macdonald, PJ Holden, Neill Cameron and so, so many more. It eventually developed into BAM! and lasted 28 issues. Neill and I did an epic story, “Bulldog Empire” that was also published in the first Mammoth Book of Best New Manga.
“Later, Davey Candlish played host to some new stories, mainly drawn by the late, much-missed Stephen Prestwood, and since then Davey has curated reprints of some of the best stories. More recently, Garry Wharton has given new life to the character.
“Earlier this year, I felt that now was an appropriate time to put a full stop on Bulldog’s adventures. This is the final story. That’s not to say that, if someone wants to, there won’t be ‘missing adventures’ in the future, but this was a story I wanted to tell. It’s probably got something to do with me being 57 now, I suppose. I like endings. Captain Winston Bulldog has had enough of everybody’s shit and he’s having a lie down.
“It would mean a lot for his final hurrah for as many of you as possible to support Paragon, which is a brilliant comic. Winston began in the small press, and the small press is where he will end.”
• Check out Paragon 37 right here on Kickstarter
• Missed an issue? Back Issue of Paragon are available on lulu.com while stocks last
Head downthetubes for…
• The Final Adventure of Captain Winston Bulldog: Part One by Jason Cobley on Substack
• The Final Adventure of Captain Winston Bulldog: Part Two by Jason Cobley on Substack
• Follow Gary Wharton on Facebook | Instagram
• Follow Greg Meldrum on Facebook
• Follow Scott Twells on Facebook
• Follow Filippo Roncone on Instagram
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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.
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