Lawless Bound: Comic Artist Sam Hart

By Richard Sheaf on April 22, 2026 • ( 0 )

Richard Sheaf chats with comic artist and writer Sam Hart about his upcoming debut appearance at Lawless, alongside a host of comic creators that include Doug Braithwaite, Glenn Fabry, Liam Sharp, John Wagner and many others…

With over 30 years experience drawing Judge Dredd, Robin Hood, Joan of Arc and Starship Troopers, Sam Hart has freelanced for TV storyboards, magazine illustration and coauthored the graphic novel The Coldest City, adapted to film as Atomic Blonde. His recent work includes Comic Art Superheroes, a guide to drawing awesome Heroes, Villains and Monsters.

Richard: You’ve not been to Lawless before – what have you heard about it as convention? What are you expecting?

Sam: I went last year, 2025, as a member of the public. Incognito, shall we say. I’ve been a fan of 2000AD since as long as I can remember and had heard good things about the event. So I was very curious and not at all disappointed by the weekend: spoke to plenty of top-notch artists and writers, saw old friends, bought some prints and classic 2000AD issues, got plenty of comics signed.

Richard: How did you go about securing an invitation to Lawless? Did you reach out to organiser Su Hadrell to pitch yourself as an attendee or did she get in touch with you directly?

Sam: I applied for a trader’s table and Su got back to me, on the strength of my published work – Judge Dredd, Robin Hood, King Arthur, Joan of Arc and Atomic Blonde – offering an invitation, which I of course was very happy and honoured to accept. No matter how many comics I publish or events I attend, I still can’t believe my luck of being colleagues with so many of my childhood heroes.

Richard: There’s a strong 2000AD influence at Lawless – were you a 2000AD reader as child? Or did you come to it later in life?

Sam: I started reading around issue 150, I guess, and kept reading until the 300s. Then I went to Brazil and only got the occasional issue when my dad would send them through the post, all rolled up. I read “Zenith” and Glenn Fabry’s “Slaine” issues sporadically that way, then it took me years of hunting back issues to get the whole story. I started visiting the UK again on a regular basis in my late teens, when Bisley was blowing everybody’s mind with his painted artwork.

Richard: If you have one… who’s your favourite 2000AD character (and why)?

Sam: I’m gonna say Zenith, the original series, because it was superheroes, that I always loved, done with a 2000AD vibe and beautifully illustrated too.

Richard: For Rebellion you’ve worked on “Judge Dredd” – are there other strips you’d like to work on?

Sam: For sure: I’d love a go at Slaine, Nikolai Dante or Durham Red. I’ve drawn “VR Troopers” and Starship Troopers, so adding “Rogue Trooper” to my resume would be a cool Trooper triptych.

Richard: Are there other guests who you’re particularly looking forward to seeing at Lawless and, if so, why?

Sam: My old boss John Higgins, Glenn Fabry, Mike Perkins, Doug Braithwaite, Ben Oliver. Love their artwork. I’d say one of things I enjoy at Lawless is that the event is “Goldilocks size”: large enough to have fun, while still small enough to have good conversations with fellow creators at the bar.

"Phobos" by Sam Hart — “Phobos” by Sam Hart

"Faith" by Sam Hart — “Phobos” by Sam Hart

Richard: What can folks expect to find on your Lawless table? Sketches? Prints? Original art? Comics?

Sam: All of the above!

Richard: What projects are you currently working on? Anything that folks might get a sneak peak of at Lawless?

Sam: I’m releasing the second part of my semi-autobiographical series at Lawless, that had a pirate in the first issue and now a vampire in the second. The third issue, to be released in 2027, will feature a certain future cop analogue. This year I’m also going to be drawing ghost-pirates and Welsh mythology. Never a dull moment in comics.

Richard: Where can people find you on the internet?

Sam: My website samhartgraphics.com and Instagram @samrahart

Richard: If there’s anything else you want to mention then please just do so.

Sam: Keep safe and have fun 🙂

• Lawless Comic Convention 9th – 10th May 2026 Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Bristol, BS1 6NJ | Tickets for 2026 are on sale | Web: lawlesscomiccon.co.uk

Comic Art Superheroes: Your Master Guide to Drawing Awesome Heroes, Villains and Monsters By Sam Hart

• Comic Art Superheroes by Sam Hart is available here from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link) | ISBN: 9781800922624

Create your own jaw-dropping comic art characters who burst off the page with personality and power!

This is the essential, practical guide to creating believable, unique characters, authored by influential artist Sam Hart – comic book guru of over 30 years.

Aimed at young teens and upwards, this must-have guide is the perfect introduction to creating dynamic, memorable comic book superheroes, supervillains and monsters. With step-by-step instructions and skill-building exercises integrated throughout for fun, fast results, you will build your characters from the ground up:

• Start with a comprehensive introduction to the human form, looking at muscles, movement and amplifying characteristics for a superhuman finish
• Give your characters charisma and personality through their facial expressions, head movements and masks
• Dress your characters: from spandex to fabric, this section contains everything you need to know to give your superhero their vital, identifying costume
• Translate power onto paper (from flight, strength and speed, to x-ray vision, magic and even weaponry)
• Create believable, dynamic action poses

Once you master the basics, you’ll move on to advanced skills like creating dramatic perspective, adding narrative and inking to create comic-style tone and shading. Sam also shares special secrets on creating drama and dynamics through layout – a key element of comic book art!

Finally you’ll find advice on ensuring artwork is print-ready with resources including blueline pages for showing your professional-quality work.

With a foreword from John Higgins, prominent comic book artist and writer best known for his colouring work on two of the biggest and most groundbreaking graphic novels of all time – Watchmen and The Killing Joke, this is the must-have guide to bringing your own comic art to life.