Award-winning writer John A. Short’s latest crowdfunded project, Britannia Macabre, ends later today, Sunday 12th July 2026 at 9pm (BST).
This new self-contained Victorian horror comic from the writer of Shokwave has totally smashed a modest target, but if the pitch of a “horrific, tasteless, sensationalist horror comic” appeals, created in the style the Victorian Illustrated Police News and the Penny Dreadfuls, you should definitely it out!
Illustrated in gory black and white by Andrew Richmond (The 77, Blazer, Penny Pentagram), written by John (Shokwave, This Comic Is Haunted, Shrieeek!) the campaign perks include lots of original art rewards.
The story – complete in one 24-page issue – sees the characters of Victorian fiction mixing with real-life nineteenth century personalities, as a killer stalks the gas-lit, cobbled streets…
“It’s not for the faint-hearted!”, John cautions. “This tale features blood and violence and the seamier side of Victorian life. When your mother warned you about ‘horror comics’ this was the type of thing she was imagining!
“It’s enough to give Queen Victoria the vapers!”
• Check out Britannia Macabre, ending later today, Sunday 12th July 2026 at 9pm (BST) on Kickstarter
- 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: British Comics, Comics, Creating Comics, Crowd Funding Projects, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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