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Comic content part of “Clash of Empires” exhibition in London

By John Freeman on July 13, 2023

Clash of Empires is a Zulu themed exhibition currently at the Spear Museum of Philatelic History at the Royal Philatelic Society London. It includes “comic content” – the work of independent comic creator Colin Mathieson, whose Zulu: Water Cart Rescue story has been recently been newly re-mastered and released.

When British and Colonial forces invaded the Zulu Kingdom on 11th January 1879, they ignited one of the most famous conflicts of the Victorian era. The public exhibition features more than 500 postal, historical, and cultural objects exploring the context, history, and ongoing legacy of this Clash of Empires.

The exhibition’s narrative begins in the early years of the 19th century, with the emergence of King Shaka kaSenzangakhona, and the rise of the Zulu Kingdom and goes all the way through to 2019, 140-years after the start of the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War.

The organisers of the exhibition say the depth and scope of this context philately exhibition is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to see the intertwined stories of this important history told through hundreds of artefacts.

Eight years in planning and preparation, we the Royal Philatelic Society London’s Museum are excited to finally bring the largest artefact-driven museum exhibition focused on this important history to the public. It opened on 1st July 2023 and will remain open, Monday-Saturday, until 31 July 2023.

The exhibition, complemented by a dedicated website is free.

Colin Mathieson’s new story, Zulu: Water Cart Rescue, created with Matt Soffe, is set around a minor incident during the Battle of Rorke’s Drift – but it is an intense one of desperate bravery. The water-cart rescue, mentioned in the book, Washing of the Spears, by Donald R. Morris, inspired to make an entire graphic novel.

The graphic novel is currently only available from Colin at comic events, details on his blog.

• Colin Mathieson’s website is momentofadventure.blogspot.com

In this podcast interview/film, Colin explains how he became interested in the incident and the research he did for his book

• Click here to pre-book your free general admission tickets to visit the Clash of Empires: the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War exhibition at the Royal Philatelic Society London’s Museum, 15 Abchurch Lane EC4N 7BW (Just a few minutes walk from the Cannon Street, Bank and Monument Tube stations)

Open Days/Hours: 9.30am – 4.30pm everyday except closed on Sundays until 31st July 2023

• Clash of Empires YouTube Channel

About the Author
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John Freeman

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.