Brit indie announces Thief-Taker General

By John Freeman on January 21, 2009

British independent comics line Storm Comics (www.stormcomics.com), the brainchild of writer and artist Michael Crouch, was launched last May with a one-off sci-fi comic, Afterlife. Although interest has been good, judging by feedback from readers, sales have been slow.

Not one to be discouraged, Michael has now followed that first title with the first issue of second, two-issue comic: Thief-Taker General. “The mission is to produce good stories, well told,” says Michael.

Thief-Taker General is based on true characters and events in early 18th century London, centering on self-proclaimed Thief-Taker General, Jonathan Wild. But the thief-taker was also a thief-maker and had himself quite a little empire running on both sides of what passed for law. Pitted against the greatest escapologist of his age, or possibly of any age, who will prevail?

Jonathan Wild and his double-standards of law-and-order were first introduced to indie press fans in a four-page tie-in strip, Stolen Goods, published in the pages of Temple APA #1, still available via the Temple’s web forum (templeapa.ning.com)

Both Afterlife and Thief-Taker General #1 are written and drawn by Michael Crouch. Comprising 32 B&W pages comics with colour covers they retail at £2.25 each.

The second issue of Thief-Taker General is already underway and due for release in the first half of 2009.

• For more information and how to buy the comics visit www.stormcomics.com

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.