Comics from Dundee have always been home to a menace or two, but the latest comic creation to emanate from the city is menacing on a completely different level. The second issue of Terrier Studios’ Tales of Mystery and Imagination introduces readers to the Tattybogle Man, a comic book character who has more in common with ‘Elm Street’ than ‘Bash Street’.
“Based on classic horror films of the 1970s and 80s, the Tattybogle Man is certainly more like Freddy Krueger than Dennis the Menace,” says his creator William Hazle, adding that “he was created as the Host for our first issue but it was always planned that he would be spun off into his own disturbing and gory stories, that are more than a little tongue-in-cheek.”
“I’ve taken a few ideas from Scottish myth and legend, such as bogles and the Brollachan, and re-imagined them to create the Tattybogle Man’s backstory as a supernatural entity whose sole reason for existing is to cause chaos.”
Terrier Studios is a small independent publisher and developer based in Dundee, Scotland, with strong links to the community through their eight-year partnership with Dundee & Angus College. Tales of Mystery and Imagination is their first commercial release, available both in print and digitally, but they are also currently developing three casual games in collaboration with students from D&A College, the first of which will be released soon.
“From Below” by Lewis Cooper
Following on from the success of the first issue, Terrier have committed to publishing further volumes on a quarterly basis and each issue will introduce new characters that will be distinctly Scottish in nature. Work is already underway on a Scottish werewolf story for issue three and issue four sees the Tattybogle Man getting to grips with internet trolling.
Adding to the overall Scottish flavour, artist Lewis Cooper sets his story From Below in the Glasgow Underground and introduces a creepy threat known only as The Green. Lewis explains that “From Below is basically a homage to 30s Pulp stories, but placed in a contemporary and familiar setting.”
“KRIKKIT!” by Ewan Smith
“Honey I’m Home” by Kieran O’Connor
Where the first issue adapted classic horror stories from Edgar Allan Poe and H P Lovecraft, this second issue has completely original stories. This mix of adaptations and original tales is something that will be a continuing trend in future issues. Assistant editor Arati Ahmed notes “We’ve already got talented new artists working on adapting Poe’s The Raven for the next issue and some more Lovecraft for Issue Five.”
After completing a work experience placement, organised as part of the company’s eight-year partnership deal with Dundee & Angus College, artist Kieran O’Connor has secured a place as a regular contributor. “I try to make each story as creepy and fun as possible” says Kieran. “The stories definitely have a dark sense of humour to them and horror fans should find lots to chuckle at.”
William concurs, “We’ve ramped up the horror and humour in this issue. There’s a clever and witty story, written and drawn by Ewan Smith, that sets the tone from page one and Kieran’s regular Frightful Funnies strip closes the book with his skewed take on the horror genre.”
The future is looking bright for the Tattybogle Man and Tales of Mystery and Imagination. Both issues are available digitally and fans can get hold of physical copies at various Comic Cons throughout the year.
• Check out Terrier Studios online and find out how to buy digital editions of Tales of Mystery and Imagination #1 and #2: www.terrierstudios.com | Find Terrier Studios on Facebook | Follow Terrier Studios on Twitter @TerrierStudios | YouTube | Pinterest | LinkedIn
• STV Dundee has run a number of stories on Terrier Studios, including this piece on how digital gaming students have bagged dream jobs while still at college and this item on the opening of their office at Dundee & Angus College; and this item on the first Issue of Tales of Mystery and Imagination
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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.
Categories: Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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