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Crowdfunding Spotlight: “Death Be Praised” by Paul Neal and Rob Moran

By John Freeman on 17 October 2026 • ( 0 )

Tripwire Comics are currently running a Kickstarter for a standalone science fiction graphic novel, Death Be Praised by Paul Neal and Rob Moran, and it looks fantastic.

Death Be Praised by Paul N Neal and Rob Moran - Standard Cover by Rob Moran - Final

I’m not alone in that assessment, either. 2000AD creator Pat Mills describes Death Be Praised as offering a “great classic, bittersweet SF story with classic SF art that really complements the script. I’ve never come across this plot before. Like a ‘Future Shock’, but the longer length really does the story justice. Very original.”

Death Be Praised – all aspects, including art and lettering, complete – tells the story of astronaut James Tasker, and what happens when he encounters the incredibly strange and mysterious world of Kourell. To say more would involve spoilers.

Death Be Praised by Paul N Neal and Rob Moran - Standard Cover by Rob Moran - Art Sample

Told in the tradition of classic black and white television series such as The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits, Death Be Praised is a unique opportunity to think, be scared and consider what the words “hope” and “mercy” mean.

Over a decade in the making, the project is Tripwire’s very first standalone graphic novel, the project just hitting its initial target this week, which will include bonus art, extras, exclusive interviews, a cover gallery and more.

This complete story is written by Tripwire‘s frequently busy journalist and Stripwire‘s comic strip contributing writer, Paul Neal, who’s many credits span SHIFT, Comics Journal, Judge Dredd: The Megazine and 2000AD – but he is dying (excuse the pun) for people to read his passion project.

On art duties, award-winning artist Rob Moran, creator of the recently-published horror anthology Brainworms and the artist on Beyond Lovecraft by Jasper Bark, both books published by Markosia, has created some standout black and white artwork his unique work inspired by many a legendary SF comic artist.

To give you some idea of the long development of this adventure, Rob began working on the art for this project back in 2011 – but the resulting art is astonishing.

“Between them, Paul and Rob have created a powerful science fiction story that evokes a classic era of SF tales,” 2000AD and Marvel scribe Dan Abnett enthuses of Death be Praised. “The great art and strong storyline combine to great effect, that manages to be both wonderfully classic and grimly modern at the same time.”

Death Be Praised by Paul N Neal and Rob Moran - Standard Cover by Rob Moran - Pencils — *Rob Moran’s Death be Praised cover, from pencils to final look*

Death Be Praised by Paul N Neal and Rob Moran - Standard Cover by Rob Moran - Art — *Rob Moran’s Death be Praised cover, from pencils to final look*

Death Be Praised by Paul N Neal and Rob Moran - Variant Cover by Andrew Sawyers - Art — *Andrew Sawyers’ knockout variant cover for Death be Praised – original art, and “dressed”*

Death Be Praised by Paul N Neal and Rob Moran - Variant Cover by Andrew Sawyers - Final — *Andrew Sawyers’ knockout variant cover for Death be Praised – original art, and “dressed”*

Death Be Praised by Paul N Neal and Rob Moran - Variant Cover by Lyndon Webb - Pencils — *Lyndon Webb’s variant Death be Praised cover, from pencils to final look, discussed here on Tripwire (warning: infuriating popup ads)*

Death Be Praised by Paul N Neal and Rob Moran - Variant Cover by Lyndon Webb - Art — *Lyndon Webb’s variant Death be Praised cover, from pencils to final look, discussed here on Tripwire (warning: infuriating popup ads)*

Tripwire is also offering a choice of four eye-catching covers from a group of accomplished, experienced and respected professional British comic artists: a “standard” cover by Rob Moran, a variant portrait style cover courtesy of SHIFT artist Lyndon Webb, a striking rock and roll variant from rising superstar Andrew Sawyers, star of The77, and a beautiful cover from 2000AD veteran and Marvel and DC comics artist Frazer Irving.

Perks include the original cover art from artist Rob Moran, variant covers, A4 prints and more.

“I am proud of the writing and the story, and the interior art from Rob Moran is remarkable,” says Paul, “as are all of the artists that have contributed their talents to the various covers.”

Death Be Praised by Paul N Neal and Rob Moran

• Death Be Praised is live on Kickstarter now

• Follow Paul Neal on Facebook

• The Noir Art of Rob Moran on Facebook

• Tripwire is online at tripwiremagazine.co.uk

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.