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Vaughn Bode’s Cobalt 60 returns in New Augmented Reality Graphic Novel by his son

By John Freeman on March 2, 2017

Heavy Metal and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles artist Mark Bodé is to launch a new graphic novel, based on one of his father Vaughn Bodé’s earliest works – the ground-breaking Cobalt 60.

In the late 1960s, Vaughn Bodé was one of the most influential and controversial artists in publishing. Creator of such iconic characters as Cheech Wizard, Da Lizard and Cobalt 60, Vaughn’s Eisner and Hugo award-winning artwork caught on with the early street artists of New York, as well as with underground comic and satire publishers. This included National Lampoon, who ran his Cheech Wizard strip for years.

Cobalt 60 was one of the first comics ever to feature ultra-violence, sex, alternative lifestyles, and a bleak look at our future. It was years ahead of the films to come from directors such as George Miller, Roger Corman, or Ralph Bakshi, and its influence can still be seen in modern films, such as Fury Road and Deadpool.

Vaughn’s son, Mark Bodé, also a cartoonist, has always carried on his father’s style. His early work in Epic Illustrated and Heavy Metal led to a long run (1988-1995) on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics, considered some of the best in the TMNT series.

Mark took Cobalt 60, and built on Vaughn’s world to further develop the Hooded One’s gritty adventures. With co-writer and artist Larry Todd, he released a series of five softcover graphic novels.

Originally published by Donning/Starbreeze in the late 1980s, and later re-released by Tundra, Cobalt 60 has always been a fan favourite and now, he’s back. Bolder, darker, sexier… And, as usual, very pissed off!

Pencils from the new Cobalt 60 graphic novel

Launching this summer at the San Diego Comic-Con is the new Cobalt 60 Augmented Reality Comic and App. A flip of Vaughn’s original Cobalt 60 comic, each page of the new comic unlocks an interactive 3D scene when viewed with an iOS or Android device.

Augmented Reality Preview Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdIVHOYqThg

This all looks like great fun and if you want to know to celebrate 50 years of Bodé style and find out more, you’ll be able to get further sneak peeks from Mark Bodé at the Big Apple Comic-Con, downtown Manhattan (11th – 12th March 2017. Mark will be there, offering a hands-on preview of the new AR Comic.

• Big Apple Comic-Con, Penn Plaza 401 7th Ave, New York. Web: www.nycbm.com

• Follow Mark on Instagram

• Follow Cobalt 60 on Facebook

• Follow Cobalt 60 on YouTube

• Follow Cobalt 60 on IndieGoGo

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.