We all know comic creators have many strings to their bows, and 2000AD artists Boo Cook and Simon Davis are no exception. They’ve just released an album via Bandcamp, Forktail, a love letter to all things folk horror/ Wicker Man and ancient ways. And there are live performances in the works, too.
A year and a half in the making, the album also features collaborations with artists Simon Coleby on the album and Frazer Irving in the live band set up. (There’s even a cameo from Alan Moore).
As to what’s on the album… well, the answer is simple. A song about paying nature’s cloven-footed tithe in return for food… the plight of the majestic Red Kite interwoven with the plight of almighty Pan… the first ever human jam session being interrupted by a mammoth hunt… a song about cider and summery fields… terror gripping the night as the mutated wild boar of Baphomet rampages through a misty forest… wolves tearing through a Transylvanian chapel… Austin Osman Spare shuffling home to draw after a night on old London town… the blackest bearded familiar strikes home it’s horns… mantras of peace emanating from ancient Stonehenge… all these things and four score more…
Fabulous, right?
I’ve had a listen and it’s right up my street – those of you who know me will also know I have eclectic taste, but there’s a a wonderful eerie frisson to this whole project that I love. It’s also attracting some great interpretations, by artists such as Bern Campbell, for example.
I’m hoping to catch up with Boo and Simon soon to talk to them about this foray into “spooky folk”, which is deservedly earning them air time on several independent radio stations and praise from fellow comic creators.
“I’d just like to recommend this wonderful new folk-horror album by Boo Cook and Si Davis,” enthuses Porcelain writer Ben Dickson, for example. “It kind of reminds me of Black Sabbath’s first album, albeit in a different genre. Great for writing to.”
The physical album comes in a lovely recycled eco-friendly gatefold digipak, with inner sleeve artwork by Roz Morrison. Purchase includes unlimited streaming of Forktail via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Not for the nervous or those of frail nature when it comes to dark words and mutterings.
• Order the album here on Bandcamp | Find Forktail on Facebook | Find Forktail on Soundcloud
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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.
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