Crowdfunding Spotlight: Thunder Child #2

By John Freeman on September 6, 2023

Mad Robot Comics and Madius Comics look on course to secure their ambitious funding goal for the second issue of their smash-hit science fiction, steampunk action-drama comic Thunder Child, now running on Kickstarter, but there’s still some way to go.

Thunderchild #2 wraparound main cover by Kevin Castaniero and Simon Gough (Mad Robot Comics, 2023) — *Thunderchild #2 wraparound main cover by Kevin Castaniero and Simon Gough*

A three-part reimagining of H. G. Wells‘ classic novel The War of the Worlds, the first issue, The Spectre of a Dying Planet, had a fantastic run on Kickstarter last year and gained a deserved praise from readers and critics alike. Now, the story continues with the second issue, The Impossible Invasion.

In Issue One, beautifully told by the team – writers Rob Jones and Matthew Hardy, accomplished artist Kevin Castaniero, colourist Simon Gough, letterer Rob Jones and editor Fred McNamara – invading Martians delivered their first, devastating blow on an unprepared Earth.

Now the crew of the HMS Thunder Child must decide whether to save the crumbling ruins of a global empire or the rapidly dwindling human survivors of an Impossible Invasion…

Thunderchild #2 - Sample Page (Mad Robot Comics, 2023)

Thunderchild #2 - Variant Cover by Gustaffo Vargas (Mad Robot Comics, 2023) — Variant Cover by Gustaffo Vargas

Thunderchild #2 - Variant Cover by Lyndon White (Mad Robot Comics, 2023) — Variant Cover by Gustaffo Vargas

This is an absolutely stunning looking project, delivered by a terrific team of top draw UK-based talent. Along with a great range of rewards that includes a standout print by Warwick Fraser-Coombe, the independent British comic publishers have also lined up eye watering alternate covers by Lyndon White (Candles, Antarctica) and Gustaffo Vargas (Marvel’s Voices: X-Men #1, Altiplano).

I hope it makes target, because I really want to see how this amazing looking project develops! Good luck to the team…

• Check out Thunder Child #2 on Kickstarter here

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. 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.