After launching last April, Rebellion Publishing’s Monster Fun comic is heading into its second year on shelves, and kicks off 2023 with new themes for each issue throughout the year, and, more importantly, new characters and comic strips for readers to enjoy!
Combining screen-free fun with children’s love of video games, the Monster Fun Ghoulish Gaming Special, on sale next week, features three brand new comic strips. This includes the exciting “Witch vs Warlock” from up-and-coming Marvel Comics talent Ramsey Hassan (A.K.A Ramzee), alongside art from renowned artist, Rebecca Morse, where two rivals battle it out for supernatural supremacy at Wychwood Academy for Magic!
Ramzee has been making comics since 2015 and was nominated for a British Comics Award in 2016. He’s run comics workshops in the UK and Norway, and has spoken about his work on BBC Radio.
“It’s so cool to be making my Monster Fun comic strip debut in the Ghoulish Gaming Special!” says Ramzee, “I love how I’ve been able to take something otherworldly like spells and magic and combine it with a modern-day setting in a really fun way.
“There will hopefully be lots more from me in Monster Fun in the future, and I can ’t wait to see what kids think of my latest comic caper!”
Alongside “Witch vs Warlock”, this new issue also sees the launch of “Space Invaded!“, a fun tale of an young intergalactic ship captain ready to explore the mysteries of the universe – if her parents, an alien outbreak, or her robot companion don’t stop her!
Plus, get ready for the return of the classic comic strip, “Gums“, star of the original Monster Fun and, later, Buster, reimagined and ready to find new fans amongst readers of today. (A collection of the original strip will be published later this year, as we reported here).
Monster Fun assembles some of the best talent from the comic book industry across the world, including Simon Furman (Transformers) and Ned Hartley (Bananaman, Spider-Man), to incredible talent and rising stars such as John-Paul Bove (Doctor Who, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Chris Garbutt (Netflix’s Pinky Malinky). With new strips in every anthology issue, and contributions from other incredible artists and writers, Monster Fun aims to be a showcase of fantastic talent, with stories and content loved by children and their parents.
“Listening to what children and their parents have had to say about Monster Fun throughout 2022 has helped us to shape the comic and content, whilst growing our family of readers,” says Monster Fun Head Editor, Keith Richardson of the comic, which is aimed at 8 – 12-year-olds.
“We’re always listening, and our first issue for 2023 shows no signs of being an exception! From what families have told us they want to read we’ve introduced these new comic strips and characters to kick-start the year, alongside the characters they’ve told us they absolutely love! ”
This includes returning fan-favourite characters Kid Kong, Draculass, and Hell’s Angel, with new adventures from each in every issue to keep readers entertained.
Monster Fun’s ongoing adventure strips “The Leopard From Lime Street” and “Steel Commando” will also continue in 2023, wrapping up later in the year.
The Ghoulish Gaming Special, on sale from Wednesday 1st February, is a great jumping on point for new readers, and a fun way to encourage independent reading at home or beyond the classroom.
• The Monster Fun Ghoulish Gaming Special will be available from selected WHSmith, Martin McColls, One Stop, Waitrose stores, and local newsagents. It can also be bought via the Monster Fun website – monsterfun.co.uk – where back issues and subscriptions to the comic can also be purchased
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, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
Meet Dinah Mo, the Dandy’s eco-warrior! 
Falcon comic team tease second issue, due for release in October 
Sizzling Summer Days ahead with a “Sideways Universe” 2000AD Sci-Fi Special on the way! 
A haunted tank and a jinxed pilot offer a supernatural twist in new Commando comics