Not content with making some episodes of Coronation Street more interesting than the soap itself, and appearances in a Batman Versus Superman-inspired ad campaign here in the UK, the CompareTheMarket Meerkats now have their own superhero (or should that be supermeerkat?) comic – written and illustrated by DC legends Tony Bedard and Neal Adams.
A page from Meerkat Movies Comic – A Heroic Journey #1
The first part of Meerkat Movies: A Heroic Journey, a 16-page comic book is available now to read online or download and sees meerkats Aleksandr and Sergei causing havoc on the streets of Los Angeles, dressed up as their favourite superhero counterparts, Batman and Superman.
Homaging Only Fools and Horses along the way, the duo find themselves in hot water as they make their way to see the blockbuster film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Their journey is far from smooth as they get caught between rival street gangs and snarling dogs as they try to make it to the cinema on time.
Part Two of the comic – which has attracted plenty of press attention on both sides of the Atlantic, including the Mirror newspaper – will launch on 27th May, and CompareTheMarket will also be running an onsite competition which will give fans the opportunity to win one of 200 limited edition, hardbound copies of the comic.
The project’s writer, Antony “Tony” J. L. Bedard is a writer and editor who has worked in the comic book industry from the early 1990s through the present. He is best known for his work at CrossGen Comics, and for his run writing Marvel Comics X-Men spin-off Exiles. He’s described working with the Meerkats as “One of the strangest, funnest things I’ve ever worked on.”
Neal Adams at work on the Meerkats comic
Neal Adams, the artist on this fun project, should need no introduction to downthetubes readers. He is well known for helping to create some of the definitive modern imagery of the DC Comics characters Superman, Batman, and Green Arrow; and as the co-founder of the graphic design studio Continuity Associates; and as a creators-rights advocate who helped secure a pension and recognition for Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
comparethemarket.com launched in 2006 as a car and van insurance comparison site, offering customers the chance to compare quotes from a range of providers. Over the years they have grown and developed, introducing new products including home insurance, bike insurance, and money products such as credit cards, mortgages and loans. In January 2009, the company launched a new marketing campaign that changed the face of the company. Aleksandr Orlov, with his meerkat comparison site, has been a phenomenal success and has helped build comparethemarket.com into a household name.
Following the success of the much-loved meerkat and his friends, 2011 saw the launch of a rewards campaign. Now customers who purchase car, home, van, pet, life and bike insurance, switch energy supplier or get a credit card or loan through comparethemarket.com can collect one of eight exclusive meerkat toys. After just one year the company had delivered over one million toys to customers and demand is still growing! Now, you can even choose which meerkat you want next if you have already received one when you bought insurance with us before.
• Read Meerkat Movies: A Heroic Journey online here: www.comparethemarket.com/meerkat/movies/just-for-fun/meerkat-comic/
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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.
Categories: downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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