It’s a busy time for independent comic creator David Broughton. Not only has he just released the latest issue of his long-running, hugely-entertaining Shaman Kane book, he’s also reformatting early adventures for serialisation Stateside in Planet Comics, from Antarctic Press. Plus, self promoting his work at events like Lawless at the weekend, where Shaman Kane #9 got its much anticipated launch.
His hard work and dedication to his craft is remarkable, and the evidence of that determination to deliver enjoyable new stories is present throughout this new adventure.
If you’re not already buying this, but enjoy rollicking, quirky space opera, Shaman Kane should be right up your space lane!
In David’s latest adventure, banished from the Shaman order, Kane decides to start a new life at the frontier worlds of the Galactic rim. On planet Sigma 958, he’s assigned a mission to rescue a victim kidnapped by a powerful entity. Can Kane prevail against this ancient arcane evil?
The latest story is not only the kind of fast-paced SF adventure we’ve come to know and love from David, we’re also treated to several wider developments for the character that I don’t wish to spoil for longtime readers here.
Suffice to say, if you enjoy characters and stories that offer multiple layers of intriguing back story, and the kind of clean line all out action David delivers with each issue of Shaman Kane, you shouldn’t be disappointed. The “world building” behind this series is an enjoyable element of this series, and there’s more of that this time around.
I would say that, perhaps, on occasion, the very fact that David does work in more than one layer to a tale, sometimes the impact of a major plot point is a little dampened by the choice of visual. There’s a particularly dramatic revelation in this issue, for example, that could have done with a bit more of a visual and script beat; it cried out, I felt, for more of a “reaction shot”, that we didn’t really get, the story moving on a little too quickly.
But this is a minor niggle. I always enjoy the intrinsically British, 2000AD-influenced quirkiness of Shaman Kane, which come with more than a dash of Jack Kirby-inspired universe-spanning craziness, to boot. If you like your space opera frisky and feisty, this series is most definitely for you.
• Shaman Kane book #9 out now! Send £8 to David’s PayPal email address which is dbroughton@hotmail.co.uk This price includes the 36-page full colour US size Shaman Kane book #9. Royal Mail UK second class postage and packaging. Please note: Overseas customers please contact David for a quote.
• Want to catch up on recent issues? Check out the bundle offer – £16 for three issues (#7, #8 and 9) – while stocks last, UK only – do check this is still an option before you buy!
• Back issues of Shaman Kane #1 – #7 are available from GetMyComics, and #1 – 6 are also on sale. Search for “Shaman Kane” in the indie section of their catalogue
• Shaman Kane is coming soon to Planet Comics #21 this July! Published by Antarctic Press, purchase the latest issues from the Antarctic Press website: antarctic-press.myshopify.com/
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, Features, Reviews