Celebrating 40 years since IPC launched its iconic, “horror” anthology, Rebellion will release 40 Years of Scream! in April. This new collection will feature all of the strips included in the 15-issue run of the short-lived weekly comic, and much more besides – and downthetubes has the first of two sneak peeks, right here!
Produced “from the depths” of King’s Reach Tower by the mysterious “undead” editor Ghastly McNasty, the first issue of Scream! was unleashed in March 1984, the first issue cover dated 24th March.
Hit by censorship from management by the get go, the title was derided by some contemporary comic fans at the time, as it often proved more tongue-in-cheek than horrific. But despite some barbs, down the years the short-lived comic has taken on near mythic status, offering strips from such talents as writers Gerry Finley-Day, Simon Furman, Alan Grant, Alan Moore (very briefly), Tom Tully and John Wagner, with art from the likes of Eric Bradbury, Cam Kennedy and Jose Ortiz.
40 Years of Scream!, available through Rebellion’s Treasury of British Comics imprint in slipcase and standard formats, delivers a celebratory collection of the entirety of Scream!, includes every single strip published in 1984 from issues 1-15 of the original run.
Due for release on Thursday 25th April 2024, this huge archival collection includes unpublished artwork from a “The Dracula File” story drawn by Eric Bradbury, an unpublished cover by Robin Smith, a collection of original newspaper adverts for Scream – and two board games, “The Hunt for Dracula” and “Ghastly’s Holiday Ghost Hunt”.
Rebellion are holding back some surprises for readers of the book, but some uniquely interesting stuff has been included – and we hope this taster wets your appetites!
The webshop-exclusive slipcase edition is designed by David Roach, making it an even more ghoulishly exciting for true horror afficionados.
• 40 Years of Scream! The Archival Collection goes on sale on Thursday 25th April 2024 | Hardcover, 464 Pages | ISBN: 978-1837861071
• Order 40 Years of Scream! Standard Edition from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
The Stories set to chill you…
The stories included in this collection are (sample art from some of the stories in the first issue):
• The Dracula File
Writers: Gerry Finley-Day, Simon Furman
Artist: Eric Bradbury
Previously collected in the The Dracula File in 2017
KGB officer Colonel Stakis desperately hunts for Count Dracula, who is spreading terror in 1980’s Britain after escaping from behind the Iron Curtain. Blending Cold War paranoia with horror staples, this strip overcame sustained attempts at censorship to become one of the most popular strips in the 1980s best horror comics.
• Fiends and Neighbours
Writer: Unknown
Artist: Graham Allen
A reprint strip from Shiver and Shake, forced on the publication by IPC management, to the dismay of Group Editor Barrie Tomlinson and editor Ian Rimmer
• Tales From the Grave
Writers: Tom Tully, Ian Rimmer, Scott Goodall
Artist: Jim Watson
There is one strip from Scream! that was never concluded, “Tales from the Grave”
missing its last episode. This particular story arc had started in Scream! issue
14 , titled “The Man they called Doctor Death”, drawn by Jim Watson, written by Rick Hunter, a pseudonym for editor Ian Rimmer, that and was due to be concluded in Scream! issue 16 – one of many stories for the title written inhouse.
• Library of Death
Writers: Barrie Tomlinson, James Nicholas, Angus Allan
Artists: Cam Kennedy, Ron Smith, John Cooper, Brendan McCarthy, Mike Dorey, Steve Dillon
Short tales of terror with titles such as “Out of the Fog!”, “Ghost Dance”, “Sea Beast”, “Terror of the Tomb” and “Spiders can’t Scream!”.
• Monster
Writers: Alan Moore, John Wagner
Artists: Henzil, Jesus Redondo
Previously collected as Monster in 2016 and reviewed here by Ian Wheeler
For all of his young life, Kenneth had been plagued by a feeling that there was something horrific dwelling in his house of secrets. But he had to know what was up there. He had to know what had killed his dad. And now he would face the horrors behind the attic door…
Alongside “The Thirteenth Floor”, “Monster” continued after Scream‘s demise in the pages of Eagle
• The Nightcomers
Writer: Tom Tully
Artist: John Richardson
• Terror of the Cats
Writer: Chris Lowder (Simon Furman wrote did the last episode very quickly when Barrie Tomlinson was ordered by management to wrap up the story instantly)
Artists: Gonzalez, John Richardson
• The Thirteenth Floor
Writers: John Wagner, Alan Grant
Artist: José Ortiz
The story told of Max the Computer, the superintendent of Maxwell Tower, an experimental council block 18 stories high. Max looked after his tenants – and if anyone gave them any trouble, he would take them straight up to Floor 13. Filled with unspeakable horrors, it could ‘persuade’ even the stubbornest of characters to see Max’s point of view.
Alongside “Monster”, “The Thirteenth Floor” continued after Scream‘s demise in the pages of Eagle, and revived the strip in several specials, and collected the strip in several collections.
A Ghastly Tale
Writers: Unknown
Artists: Mike Western, Mike Dorey, Jose Casanovas Sr
• 40 Years of Scream! The Archival Collection goes on sale on Thursday 25th April 2024 | Hardcover, 464 Pages | ISBN: 978-1837861071
Further Reading…
• Read Ian Wheeler’s review of Monster, collected in 2016 – copies now offered on Amazon at eye-watering prices
Back from the Depths was originally founded as a tribute site dedicated to Scream! Browsing this site you will find character, bios, story lines, cover art and more. The site runners’ aim is to make sure Scream! is never forgotten.
• ComicScene: 40 Years of Scream by the title’s editor, Barrie Tomlinson
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.
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