In Review: Paragon Issue 6

By John Freeman on 8 September 2010

The latest issue of indie comic zine Paragon is out now, an anthology title featuring the work of creators Mark Howard, Dave Candlish, the Emperor and Stephen Prestwood.

There’s also a fab ‘guest pin up – a gruesome demon by artist Matt Soffe which will feature in the title’s ‘Jikan’ strip in a future issue.

The range of strips has dropped again – just three strips, as opposed to Issue 5 – but once again, ‘Battle Ganesh’ is my favourite art-wise, a fun modern re-telling of Indian mythology.

Script-wise, I’d argue Mark Howard’s ‘Jikan’ is the best of the title, and Dave Candlish’s clean line is rapidly gaining confidence. His storytelling still needs work – key moments could be better served by more energy and action, and but it’s a distinctive strip and shows promise, if he develops his limited backgrounds.

All in all, Paragon continues to display an enthused energy and the creators all show promise. Check out the title’s blog or track it down at the Smallzone stand at the next big comics event.

• Copies will be available from http://paragoncomic.blogspot.com/ to order any day now. You can also check out the ongoing adventures of ‘Jikan’ as a three frame web comic there

• Read our review of Paragon #5

• Read our review of Paragon #4

About the Author
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John Freeman

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.