Recently launched by US publisher Insane Comics is Night of the Fire-Beast, a meta fictional comic book based upon a lost 1958 B-movie, conceived and drawn by Chris Martinez, written by Jonathan Clode (co-editor of the terrific, Eisner Award-nominated World War One anthology To End All Wars), with cover art by James Biggie.

Beguiled by comics in his infancy, young Clode took to writing them once he was sure he’d grown up. He has written the one shot Anabolic Chicken Vs Mutant Bull, contributed stories to the second issue of the Outré Anthology, the Haiyan Benefit Anthology the Beyond Bullying comics collection and also features in the Pearl Jam inspired No (Comics) Code Anthology. To End All Wars was his first editing job, working with John Stuart Clark, but luckily he seemed to rather like being consumed by huge amounts of work and his efforts paid off handsomely.

Chicago-based Chris was one of the artists on To End All Wars, while comic artist James Biggie, whose credits include Transformers covers for IDW, is co-creator of of Robot God Akamatsu and giant monster aficionado.

Set in 1948, the story opens on a cargo ship sailing the Atlantic. Among the crew is Mack, a world weary veteran of the Great War, and Hudson, a young would be adventurer who feels cheated that he was too young to fight in World War Two. The ship encounters an unnatural storm and is lost upon a strange island where ancient beasts are unleashed, ready to battle for dominance in a land that shouldn’t exist!

“This is the first of a series of books based around the titular character – Fire-Beast Dorugan,” Jonathan tells us. “Rather than consider it a comic book adaptation, the book acts as the actual movie, using exposed wires, stock footage and flimsy sets within the artwork, as well as background on the film’s troubled production.

“The first part of a trilogy, each story represents a different era in the history of giant monster – or kaiju – movies. Issue 2, due this summer, represents the Japanese iteration of the character from the 1970’s, and #3 due next year, will be the big budget Hollywood reboot.

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. Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek 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: downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, US Comics

Tags: Adventure Comics, Chris Martinez, downthetubes News, Insane Comics, James Biggie, Jonathan Clode, Night of the Fire-Beast