The art of Alan Langford, creator of the graphic novel The Secret of the Aesir, will feature in a new exhibition about Romani Culture, to be held in Boldre in the New Forest in May.
“It will be an opportunity to exhibit some of my larger oils of Romani culture that I have accumulated over the years,” Alan tells us.
Alan Langford, a guest at Gosport Comic Con at Beacon Arts Centre (Bay House School) today, is a freelance artist and illustrator who today specialises in equestrian subject matter; the painting of horses an occupation he finds both enjoyable and rewarding. But he began his career in comics, and has begun drawing them again, self publishing a graphic novel, The Secret of the Aesir, a stunning work combining SF and Viking mythology, in 2020.
Since then, he’s drawn a number of comic strips, including “Doomed Covenant”, which you can read here, published with his full permission, on downthetubes.
He will be a guest at Fighting Fantasy Fest VI: The Convention of Firetop Mountain, whose guests also include Sir Ian Livingstone, on Saturday 5th September 2026, at The University of West London in Ealing.
More details about this event will be published on the Fighting Fantasy web site soon – or follow FF on Instagram
This latest Romany Heritage Exhibition at Boldre War Memorial Hall reflects on 500 years of Romany Gypsy life, including the opening of the Gypsy Compounds one hundred years ago.
The opening of the Compound System in 1926 led to Romany families being forced by the authorities to live in settled communities all across the New Forest. This exhibition, comprising some 800 images, centres around the Compounds themselves.
The exhibition will run from 22nd – 25th May at Boldre War Memorial Hall, with an additional event on from 30th May until 15th June at Thorney Hill Community Centre.
There are two pubs close to the hall if you decide to go for a meal – but you will need to book! There is also a nice Village Store attached to the Hall.
The organisers hope visitors will have a nice productive visit and meet old friends and family you may not have seen for a long time. There are some more details here – which will be updated nearer to the event.
Boldre War Memorial Hall was opened in June 2000, in a quiet location on the edge of the New Forest in Pilley, near Lymington, Hampshire, alongside St Nicholas Chapel. Set in this idyllic little village of Pilley, on the edge of the New Forest National Park, makes it a fantastic setting for a wide range of events and functions.
• Romany Heritage Exhibition 22nd – 25th May 2026 Boldre War Memorial Hall, Pilley Street, Pilley Lymington SO41 5QG | On tour to Thorney Hill Community Centre, Burley Road, Thorney Hill, Bransgore, BH23 8DQ from 30th May to 1st June 2026
• Find Alan Langford online at www.alanlangford.co.uk | thesecretoftheaesir.com
• Read “Doomed Covenant”, published with Alan’s full permission, on downthetubes.
The Secret of the Aesir
Set during the 8th century AD amidst the tundra and glacier scarred valleys of northern Scandinavia, The Secret of the Aesir describes the journey of a contingent of Viking warriors, who guided by their knowledge of the far north, discover a mystery that is older than the Aesir, older than Odin himself.
• The Secret of the Aesir by Alan Langford is available here for £12 from Little Knoll Press – signed copies available | Buy it from AmazonUK (£14.49) – Affiliate Link
• Read John Freeman’s review of The Secret of the Aesir here
- 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: Art and Illustration, British Comics, Comics, downthetubes News, Events, Exhibitions, Other Worlds
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