David Attenborough inspires new horror web comic

By John Freeman on 9 May 2011

London journalist Paul Slade has just posted an unusual and exclusive six-page comics story drawn by Hans Rickheit – inspired by a story recounted by world-renowned naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough.

Paul, whose credits include The Daily Telegraph, Mojo, Fortean Times, Time Out and a host of other publications and who makes occasional documentaries for BBC Radio 4, commissioned Hans Rickheit to draw the story for him earlier this year.

After listening to Attenborough talk about the strange breeding strategy of Britain’s Large Blue butterfly and its dependence on ants to complete it – a tale that “utterly captivated” the journalist – Paul came up with an idea for a script.

“This particular project began in June 2010, when I heard Attenborough describe how the UK’s Large Blue butterfly, the Sabuleti ant and the Ichneumon wasp engage in a constant dance of violence and deception to ensure their respective children survive.

“The story began with fratricide, cannibalism and addiction, then moved on to include a spot of mind-control, forced pregnancy and hundreds of dead babies. Naturally, I was hooked.

“… I could see every stage of it playing out as a series of comics panels in my head,” he continues. “…Comics, I thought again, would be perfect. I knew I couldn’t hope to draw the strip I envisaged myself, so that meant I’d have to find a more accomplished artist to draw it for me.”

Coming across Hans Rickheit’s “magnificently creepy” webcomic Ectopiary on the Fantagraphics website by chance, Paul then commissioned him to draw the creepy tale, turning the butterfly’s bizarre life story to the comics page.

“When I discovered Hans’ magnificently creepy art, I managed to persuade him to take the strip on, and he did a great job,” says Paul.

We agree – and you can check the complete story via the links below.

• To read the full six pages of Paul Slade and Hans Rickheit’s Mother’s Day in comics form, click here.

• To read Hans Rickheit’s on-going webcomic Ectopiary, or to buy his books and original art, visit www.ectopiary.com

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.