Sweeney Todd from the Titan Squad

By John Freeman on August 31, 2007

Titan Books has acquired the worldwide publishing rights for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, the new Tim Burton movie slated for UK release on 25 January 2008.

The film, which stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter is based on the hit Broadway musical which tells the infamous (but fictitious) story of Benjamin Barker, a.k.a Sweeney Todd, who sets up a barber shop down in London which is the basis for a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett.

Titan’s companion hardback, slated for US release in December and UK release in January, will be written by Mark Salisbury, the only journalist on the movie’s set and will include interviews with Burton and the cast and crew, extracts from the shooting script, over 200 photos, plus concept drawing and production designs.

• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street from amazon.co.uk
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street from amazon.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.