Hibernia Comics partnership with DC Thomson to publish new classic comic collections kicks into gear with the imminent launch, or relaunch, of the Scottish publisher’s brilliant Red Dagger series – and the first issue features the iconic King Cobra from Hotspur.
We’ve had a sneak peek at the collection and, as usual, it’s another cracker from the publisher, representing classic British classic comics in a limited edition release – and judging from interest ahead of launch, this one is going to sell out fast.
As we first reported last year, Hibernia have secured a new licence with DC Thomson to reprint King Cobra’s earliest adventures from Hotspur, a character created by artist Ron Smith (1928 – 10th January 2019), who’s best known today for his work for 2000AD, particularly “Judge Dredd”.
50 years ago one of Britain’s most popular superheroes made his first appearance in the pages of Hotspur. King Cobra, the emerald avenger- struck fear in the heart of petty criminals and bizarre super villains alike!
In conjunction with DC Thomson, Hibernia are very excited to represent King Cobra, and his bumbling alter ego, newspaper reporter Bill King. Possibly the greatest superhero launch of 1976, King Cobra’s adventures are drawn by one of the best Judge Dredd artists of all time, Ron Smith.
“Smith’s art is perfectly suited to Cobra’s adventures,” enthuses Hibernia publisher David McDonald. “His dynamic art made him one of Hotspurs main characters, on a run lasting nearly five years.”
Grab a copy of this somewhat bizarre and uniquely British take on superheroes while you can – there are only 200 of these for sale.
Only available to buy here – www.hiberniacomics.com
Don’t forget to check out the special offers in the shop too!
• Red Dagger presents – King Cobra is available here direct from Hibernia
Prices are in Euro – for UK buyers, price including postage to the UK will be approximately £19 | Colour cover B&W internals, 64 pages Perfect bound
This book is sent from Ireland and all postal charges are charged extra and at cost at Checkout. Please allow Three Weeks delivery to the UK and Europe, and Six Weeks for ALL Countries outside of Europe. Delivery is usually much quicker, but delays do happen. Irish orders can be expected within a week
• Read our 2025 news story: King Cobra, DC Thomson superhero, returns
Head downthetubes for…
• downthetubes: Red Dagger: Graphic Novels by Any Other Name by Jeremy Briggs
Jeremy Briggs probes the mystery of DC Thomson’s little known title Red Dagger…
• downthetubes: Red Dagger: Issue By Issue by Jeremy Briggs
• downthetubes: Bunty, Topper, Hotspur revived with “Best of” Annuals
• downthetubes: In Memoriam – Ron Smith
Colin Noble’s three-part feature on Ron’s comics career
• Comic Creator Spotlight: The Art of Ron Smith Part One
• Comic Creator Spotlight: The Art of Ron Smith Part Two
• Comic Creator Spotlight: The Art of Ron Smith Part Three
• Sea Lion Press: Comics Of Infinite Earths: Renga!
By Charles EP Murphy
King Cobra and Red Dagger © DC Thomson
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- 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.
Categories: British Comics, British Comics - Collections, British Comics - Current British Publishers, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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