If you’re a fan of Hammer Horror, then Gideon Gunn, Pagan Priest, the creation of writer Daniel Whiston and artist Andrew Richmond, should be right up your street.
Largely set in 18th century Bath, the first issue offers a series of fear-soaked tales, all with a nod to the best of Hammer Films, but all-new in their frenetic delivery. Establishing the character at speed, at times laying trails for future developments, the tales centre on Gideon Gunn, a master practitioner of the Dark Arts, a man driven to combat the very worst of evils – be that vampires, monsters, or, worse yet, the corrupt elite of England…
From Holy Scripture to Silver Bullets, Gideon has a simple, two-fisted philosophy – if it works when it comes to beating evil, use it! This Man of God is going to need all the help he can get, because the forces of darkness are circling like vultures around 18th century Bath, drawn by the re-awakening of the Goddess Sulis.
Over three stories, Daniel and Andrew’s storytelling and delivery grow in confidence throughout this first issue, in terms of both script and art, and those of you who grew up enjoying Dez Skinn’s House of Hammer comic will appreciate the echoes.
That the stories are told against the background of historic, Georgian Bath – we even get a bonus “Wyrd Bath” map! – is icing on the cake.
This is an inventive, enjoyable romp of an independent comic, well worth tracking down and staking your copy.
John Freeman
Daniel Whiston is a writer of stuff, including Neroy Sphinx which was published by FutureQuake Press, who still has a shamefully-minimal online presence. In fact, zero. Which is something he really should do something about. But in the meantime, a well-received lecture he gave on The Relationship Between Comics and Digital Content Design at the UCD15 conference can be downloaded here
You can also read a smashing two-part interview he did with Alan Moore here and here on downthetubes.
An an artist based in Bath, Andrew Richmond started doing a sketch a day six years ago and continues to do so. You’re almost certainly familiar with his work in various The77 Publications, including Blazer (Issue Three on sale now) and Pandora.
He also creates mixed-media pieces using pen, ink, watercolour, acrylic and oil paint, his illustrations spanning subjects including buildings, pop culture, portraits and much more.
• Andrew is online at andrewrichmondart.com | Instagram | Twitter
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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: British Comics, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, Features, Reviews
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