Veteran comic artists Ian Richardson and Mark Farmer, the latter long “retired” from regular comics work, have signed aboard Scratch Comics successfully crowdfunded dark fantasy thriller, Spearpoint, to create a special set of covers – if it hits a further fundraising target.
We previously reported on Spearpoint, an adventure revolving around the fabled cone of power used to prevent the Nazis’ Operation Sea Lion, created by 2000AD contributor Matt Soffe, illustrated by Tarzan artist Benito Gallego. The project has already hit its initial crowdfunding target, with a variant cover by Staz Johnson previously announced, but now Scratch Comics has revealed Ian Richardson and Mark Farmer have been commissioned to produce four potent front covers, exclusive to the Kickstarter.
When put alongside each other they form a greater picture, just like the Spearpoint series itself.
Ian has already pencilled the first cover, to the delight of publisher Shane Chebsey.
The art itself has yet to be revealed, a cryptic tease added to the crowdfunding campaign page, which has just over a week to run.
“Trust me, Shane enthuses. “This is a corker!”
The new cover for Issue One is a special “stretch goal”, unlocked if the campaign hits £4500. Scratch Comics will then unlock Ian and Mark’s brand new third variant cover. This cover will only be available to backers, and exclusively only available on the Kickstarter campaign.
Ian and Mark will create a Kickstarter exclusive cover for all four issues of the series, that form a polyptych, joining together to make one giant image that Scratch Comics will offer as an exclusive print with Issue #4.
Ian Richardson’s involvement will be of particular interest to those in-the-know. Earlier this year, he announced his early retirement from the field of comics. Initially, the 2000AD, Noble Causes and Halo artist was lined up as interior artist for Spearpoint, but had to withdraw due to personal commitments.
However, Spearpoint’s editor Paul H. Birch hatched a cunning plan, and arranged a not-quite clandestine meeting where he presented Richardson with his ideas and goals: Retire with honour, in glory; go out with a bang. A short-term commitment, honing his admirable skills to create a polyptych encompassing both epic and more emotional scenes from the series; the results intended as profound, admirable, and “pretty damn cool to boot!”
Richardson was suitably intrigued, prior to the editor tossing him a live grenade primed to make him explode with excitement… He would ask the legendary award-winning inking artist Mark Farmer, perhaps best known for his work with Alan Davis and Mike Collins, to embellish Richardson’s pencilled art. Richardson was in, but it required Farmer’s agreement. The editor leaned over, and asked the question; the deal was done!
Longtime Marvel UK, Marvel Comics and DC Comics artist Mark Farmer himself chose to retire a few years back, but publishers keep reeling him back into the fray. He and Ian are friends, admired each other’s work, but creating these special covers will be the first, and probably last, they will collaborate professionally.
“The art [for these cover] will look to incorporate geomantic leylines, zodiacal information, seasonal and elemental aspects,” Paul reveals, hinting how these covers will be different, aside from involving top tier talent, working together for the first time. “All of which might be viewed as a map,mor perhaps rather a hidden code, when pieced together jigsaw like, regarding themes and actions to the main body of work within.
“And perhaps, as with the best of conspiracy stories,” he teases, “possibly something more that transmogrifies into something beyond the ravages of the natural world back then.”
“That implied, it would be remise to forgo the natural skills of the pairing,” he continues. “With the work of Ian Richardson, we can expect charismatic power with added grace, while with Mark Farmer there is always clarity that offers both subtlety and the keenest sense of dynamics.
“All those attributes, when coloured by series creator Matt Soffe should be something rather special simply as individual covers.
“The fact that each of the four covers being produced will also form a greater whole in the polyptych manner that began as sacred art, and to some degree akin to the medieval comic strip that was the Bayeux Tapestry, while still intended as being a tour de force breakout visual experience that cries out for the work, as a whole to be presented as a larger-than-life poster.”
“Just as with this unique pairing of Richardson and Farmer, all good things may come to those who wait,” Paul adds, “But don’t wait too long and miss out on those covers adorning the Spearpoint series, because it’s first come, first served when you order your copies!”
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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.
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