Comic creator Alan Davis is donating his time to create artwork for a new science fiction film, Bug-Eyed Monsters Invade the Earth!, which features a cast that includes Doctor Who star Sylvester McCoy.
His original art is also being offered as a perk in the film’s Indiegogo campaign.
Executive Producer Ilke Hincer – whose name you may recognise as the person who has been providing all the news items on Alan Davis’ web site forum, since 2005 – describes the film as “Galaxy Quest for fans of classic Doctor Who”.
The film, now seeking funding on Indiegogo, is a project from Bleak December, a multi-media company founded by Canadian actor and film-maker Anthony D.P. Mann (The Wicker Man, Terror of Dracula, Return to Frightenstein).
“Bug-Eyed Monsters Invade the Earth! is a story of the things that we love, and those parts of our childhood that we can’t let go of,” says Mann. “It’s about love, loss, disappointment, triumph… and it’s got bug-eyed monsters, so what more could you possibly ask for?
“As you can tell from the title, the movie is an homage to classic sci-fi films of the 1950’s and 60’s, as well as a celebration of our fellow fanboys / fangirls and geekdom everywhere,” he continues. “It’s also a love-letter to classic Doctor Who, in the guise of a thinly-veiled TV series called The Adventures of Professor Qurio.
“The plot involves a bus tour taking fans of this obscure show to various locations where the series was shot. When the bus breaks down in the middle of nowhere, this band of misfits finds themselves in the middle of a real alien invasion, and it’s up to the old series star – Professor Qurio himself! – to save the day.”
In a major coup for the production, “Klakk” – the central alien menace of the film – is voiced by legendary actor Sylvester McCoy, best known for his portrayal of the seventh television incarnation of Doctor Who, and as “Radagast the Brown” in Peter Jackson’s Hobbit movies. Sylvester McCoy has already recorded his lines as the nefarious Klakk.
Alan Davis, whose numerous comic credits include Avengers, Excalibur, Miracleman and Detective Comics, is kindly donating his time to draw the cover for a mock Professor Qurio comic that will appear in the film, and one of the crowdfunding perks on offer is a chance to own the legendary Mr. Davis’ original art, which will also feature the backer’s likeness as Qurio’s arch-nemesis.
Needless to say, this is a very special perk open to one backer contributing $1500 (Canadian), that includes a digital copy of the film and a thank you in the closing credits.
• Check out Bug-Eyed Monsters Invade the Earth! on IndieGogo
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: Art and Illustration, Crowd Funding Projects, downthetubes News, Film, Other Worlds
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