Ian Gibson Column: Mobile Phones and Dan Dare

By John Freeman on November 1, 2007

Renowned ‘Judge Dredd’ and ‘Halo Jones’ comic-book artist Ian Gibson looks at one possible future for comics – as downloads on mobile phones, revealing his Saturday Times strip “Annie Droid” is now available via ROK Comics. He also talks about Virgin’s new Dan Dare…

2025 UPDATE: Ian’ Gibson’s debut column on Den of Geek first appeared on 28th October 2007, the original post archived on Wayback Machine, titled “Mobile phones and Dan Dare”.

I was responsible for cutting a deal with Ian to deliver “Annie Droid” to mobile phones at ROK Mobile, and worked up a version of early episodes of the first story, “Millennium Bug”, for presentation on mobile phones that were, back then, quite limited. Versions in English and Chinese were created.

The Ian Gibson Column: Mobile Phones and Dan Dare

“Comics may not be as dead as I was beginning to think,” Ian wrote on Den of Geek.

“I know Rebellion, bless ’em, have been trying to kill off the titles they have in their own obscure manner. The sad part about it is that I don’t think they realise they’re doing it?

“But beyond that there is still some light shining. I think it’s a faint glow from that thing in your pocket. You know. The one that used to play the William Tell overture very tinnily to the annoyance of all in earshot.

“But things have come a long way since then.

“Believe it or not, the humble mobile phone may be coming to the rescue for my old medium. Comics are now being made available to view as downloads to your multifunction pocket wonder. So it’s no longer just for texting and taking weird pics of your buddy in compromising situations or your pet being ultra cute. Now you can catch up with vintage comics strips and some new freebies done by aspiring ams.

“On top of that, our beloved balloonist Sir Richard Branson has a new imprint called – who would have guessed? – Virgin Comics. And they’re revamping Britain’s finest in the shape of Dan Dare, penned by the acclaimed Gath Ennis. So there’s something to look out for. If not just for the nostalgia accorded to anything from our finest hour: The Eagle.

“You could accuse me of some bias in these matters, as I’ve been asked to do a cover for the Dan Dare series. And Rok Comics, run by John Freeman, are scheduling a run of my ‘Annie Droid’ strip from The Times for your mobile phone. Especially for anyone who slept through the Millennium and the hiatus created by the Macroshaft Bug!

“No! I will refrain from any adverse comments about Windoze. I have tried Vista and lived to tell the tale. But I am looking lustfully at the Linux penguin, I must admit! But enough of my computer adventures. I was being lyrically waxy about comics.

“Thus, if your pocket starts to throb, glow, play a cutesy jingle or even the soundtrack from Psycho… I may be there – in the shape of some of my creations. So, maybe I’ll do some drawing today. Tomorrow it may be on your mobile phone. There is no escape…”

• The original column features here on Den of Geek (2025 Update – Wayback Link)

This item was updated on Wednesday 2nd April 2025

Annie Droid by Ian Gibson, which ran in Saturday editions of The Times newspaper in 1998. Ian wrote, drew and lettered the stories each week, without having had time to develop a plot. "I had to wing it each week, making it up as I went along," he recalled for his own, now defunct, web site. — Annie Droid by Ian Gibson, which ran in Saturday editions of The Times newspaper in 1998. Ian wrote, drew and lettered the stories each week, without having had time to develop a plot. “I had to wing it each week, making it up as I went along,” he recalled for his own, now defunct, web site.

The opening episode of "Annie Droid - Millennium Bug" by Peter Richardson and Ian Gibson, as originally published in the Times children's section of their Saturday edition in 1998 — *The opening episode of “Annie Droid – Millennium Bug” by Peter Richardson and Ian Gibson, as originally published in the Times children’s section of their Saturday edition in 1998*

The opening episode of "Annie Droid - Millennium Bug" by Peter Richardson and Ian Gibson (2007 ROK Mobile) — *The opening screens for “Annie Droid – Millennium Bug” by Peter Richardson and Ian Gibson, in English and Chinese, created in 2007 for ROK Mobile*

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.