Art and Story: David Broughton
Out: Now
The Comic: Tasked with investigating a series of supernatural murders on his home planet, Gefion, Shaman Kane returns to find that the ghosts of his past have returned to haunt him. Can Kane overcome what awaits him – or will history repeat itself?
The Review: Problems with those pesky Poltergeists, or maybe it’s a Vampire infestation or a Zombie plague outbreak to deal with? Then look no further – contact licenced occult operative and supernatural entity termination specialist Shaman Kane… Making the galaxy a safer place for living beings everywhere, and back for another adventure.
This time out, David not only brings us another cracking adventure as Kane faces off with a returning and quite devious enemy, but we also get a a fair bit of back story about a character you could quite easily drop into classic 2000AD without blinking an eye, in my view.
Often combining cinematic-style storytelling with more direct comic visual storytelling, David delivers this Shaman Kane story with his usual quirky but distinctive, unique and memorable style, and regular fans will be delighted to see the character’s origins expanded, along with some intriguing teasers for Things to Come.
While, on occasion, the dialogue is a little clunky in places, the story still zings along at pace, no panel wasted, and there are some fun moments along the way. (I don’t want to say too much about the overall plot as it would spoil some surprises).
In his review of the story, Awesome Comics Podcast Tony Esmond rightly describes David as “hardest working man in the UK small press scene,” and that “he consistently puts out books that rattle along at a great pace and are full of twists and turns,” sentiments I’d certainly echo, Shaman Kane Book Four again published to a high standard, worthy, I’d argue, of professional publisher consideration.
Given David’s track record, it’s a sad indictment on the paucity of opportunities in the British comic market place that his work still has yet to grace the pages of a mainstream publisher. Its long overdue, in my opinion.
Do give this series – and David’s other books – a try.
• Shaman Kane is available from David’s online Comicsy shop; Orbital Comics London; The Comic Shop, Crawley; and Gobsmack Comics, Horsham
• Read Tony Esmond’s Never Iron Anything Blog spot review for Shaman Kane Book Four
• David Broughton’s Official Blog | Facebook | Twitter
- About the Author
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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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