Independent British publisher Cutaway Comics’ biggest crossover event for 2022 and beyond, set in a Doctor Who-inspired “splinter universe, begins with ancient forces stirring, Tharils falling through time, and the return of Omega – all colliding in the launch of a new twelve-part US-style comic mini-series, Gods and Monsters.
Launching in three phrases, a Kickstarter to support this crossover event is now live, with many exclusive perks on offer – and has already smashed its initial target, which should be no surprise given the superb quality of the publisher’s recent releases, the brilliant one-shot Demon of Eden, and mini-series Paradise Towers: Build High for Happiness.
Over a year in the making, Gods and Monsters will see friends and foes from the worlds of Doctor Who brought together across time and space onboard the Eltralla, a phantom colony ship lost in space and time, harbouring a hidden and potentially universe-shattering, secret.
Gods and Monsters is a new twelve-part US-style comic mini-series from Cutaway Comics. written by Stephen Gallagher, Mark Griffiths, Sean Mason, Bob Baker and Ian Winterton, with art by Martin Geraghty, John Ridgway, Silvano Beltramo, Adrian Salmon, Libby Reed, Steve B Scott – and more to be announced.
Faustine Princes of Tharil
Gods and Monsters launches with an extended two part story, Faustine: Princess of Tharil, written by author Stephen Gallagher, with art by Martin Geraghty, whose recent books include Chimera, which was adapted into an ITV series starring John Lynch, Kenneth Cranham, and Christine Kavanagh, and Ferocity, a horror story set on the Northumberland moors.
Stephen was also writer of the Time Lord’s TV stories, Warriors’ Gate and Terminus, and returns to the worlds of Doctor Who with this new story expanding his creation of the Tharils, the time-sensitive race of leoline creatures.
Faustine is a Tharil Princess cut off from her own people and thrown into a crisis situation in modern-day Manchester. Depending on her slave engineer companion for survival, can the pair survive the perils yet to come?
“The Tharils [arguably] have a different relationship with time compared to anyone else in the history of classic Doctor Who,” notes Cutaway Comics Publisher Gareth Kavanagh, “and their creator, Stephen Gallagher, indicated his willingness to create his first ever comic with us and the idea was extremely intriguing..”
Omega: Eltralla
Returning after their blockbuster Cutaway debut are writer Mark Griffiths and artist John Ridgway in a sequel to their smash-hit: Omega: Eltralla.
Trapped in his black-hole prison, Omega is surprised to find an unexpected arrival: the Eltralla, a phantom colony ship. For Omega, this is a way out the black hole and a means to escape. For us, it will be the beginning of the end of the universe…
“Following our Omega series, I wanted to do something heroic with Omega,” says Gareth. “He rarely gets the chance to do more than rant and weep – he’s an engineer, a nobleman and a creator – time to explore some of these facets.”
Sutekh: The Heretic
From the worlds of ancient mythology comes Sutekh: The Heretic, written by Ian Winterton (Demon of Eden) with art by Adrian Salmon.
Rescued from oblivion, fallen God Sutekh the Destroyer leads an unlikely army of liberation to free a far flung galaxy from the clutches of evil demon Azag. But will the found adoration of billions of freed slaves be his undoing?
Publisher Gareth Kavanagh picks up the story: “It was an irresistible chance to introduce Sutekh, the Egyptian god of death into the narrative. The dramatic potential of a one-shot having him wreak havoc was ideal for Ian to get his teeth into.
“And then,” he teases, “there’s the potential of pairing Sutekh and Omega against each other in future volumes… it’s going to be epic!”
Gods and Monsters: Book One is in full-colour featuring colouring from Andrew Orton and John Ridgway with lettering and design by Colin Brockhurst. Faustine Part 1 will be available from Spring 2022 with, Part 2 and Omega and Sutekh following from Summer 2022.
• Cutaway Comics is a new British imprint of comics and graphic novels drawn from the darker recesses of a dangerous, unpredictable cutaway universe. From the creators of the acclaimed Vworp Vworp! Magazine, they star some of the most enigmatic characters to have graced our screens.
The project is inspired by the so-called ‘backup’ strips of Doctor Who Weekly, which delved deeper into the characters and cultures of the Doctor Who universe, away from the Doctor.
John Freeman
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. Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek 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.
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