Lakes Festival Focus: Desert Island Comics with Greg Rucka

By John Freeman on October 15, 2021

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival opens today in Kendal, a three-day physical gathering of comic creators, publishers and fans, and as part of its programme the organisation has released a new “Desert Island Comics” interview with comics writer Greg Rucka who, sadly, is unable to visit Kendal this year, but is taking part in the event virtually, and hopes to attend in 2022.

Needless to say, despite his unfortunate absence (curse you, COVID!), there are a huge number of comic creators who will be at the event in person, and you don’t want to miss The Etherington Brothers, writer and publisher Ian Sharman, the team from the Doctor Who-inspired publisher Cutaway Comics and many more in the free to enter Comics Clock Tower in Kendal Town Hall…

Talking to Alex Fitch, Greg reveals his introduction to comics, and many of his all-time favourite comics, which include The Question by Denny O’Neil and Denys Cowan and Camelot 3000, written by Mike W. Barr with art by Brian Bolland, and Matt Wagner‘s Mage.

Greg Rucka is the bestselling and multi-award-winning author of dozens of novels, thousands of comics, and at least one motion picture.

His career has allowed him to put words in the mouths of almost every major pop-culture character, from Han Solo to Wonder Woman, and his creator-owned books have earned critical and commercial acclaim.

He is the co-creator of Lazarus and Lazarus: Risen with Michael Lark; Black Magick with Nicola Scott; and The Old Guard with Leandro Fernandez, all published by Image Comics; and Batwoman: Elegy, drawn by J.H. Williams III and Gotham Central, with Michael Lark, from DC.

His series, Stumptown, with Justin Greenwood was turned into an (unfortunately) short-lived television show starring Cobie Smulders, and The Old Guard was released on Netflix in 2020, starring Charlize Theron as Andromache “Andy” the Scythian.

He lives, writes, and sleeps in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, writer Jennifer Van Meter.

Tickets are on sale now for this physical event from the Festival web site: www.comicartfestival.com

• The Lakes International Comic Art Festival runs from 15th – 17th October 2021 in Kendal, Cumbria, get your tickets here: www.comicartfestival.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

• Check out their LITTLE LICAF Facebook Page here and the dedicated LITTLE LICAF Instagram here

• Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast: www.comicartpodcast.uk | Twitter: @comicartfestpod | Facebook: @ComicArtPodcast | Instagram: @ComicArtPodcast

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GREG RUCKA ONLINE

• Web: www.gregrucka.com
• Instagram: @ruckawriter

John Freeman

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.