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Next weekend’s Cosmic Rebels Con offers 2000AD creators among guest line up

By John Freeman on April 6, 2019

Cosmic Rebels Con returns to Enniscorthy, Ireland, next weekend (Sunday 14th April), and there are a number of comic creators from 2000AD on the guest list, including writer Michael Carroll and artists Steven Austin, Eoin Coveney and Tom Foster.

Originally from London, Steven Austin now lives in Cambridge and is a regular contributor to the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic. He’s worked on “3rillers”, “Future Shocks” and a “Black Museum” story for Judge Dredd Megazine. His work also featured in the soon to be released Rejected from Eighth Continent Publishing and he’s recently drawn covers for Rogue Comics Red Sands #2 and 2000AD prog 2121.

Judge Dredd by Steven Austin

Michael Carroll has been involved with this annual con from the very start, either as a guest or just helping out. He’s the author of thirty-something books, including the acclaimed New Heroes series of Young Adult superhero novels and the Number One Amazon best-selling cult graphic novel Judge Dredd: Every Empire Falls. He currently writes “Judge Dredd” for 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine.

Other works include Jennifer Blood for Dynamite Entertainment, Razorjack for Titan Comics (co-written with artist John Higgins) and several e-novellas for Abaddon Books, including Judges: The Avalanche – the first in a series that explores the genesis of the world of Judge Dredd – and the Rico Dredd trilogy.

Artist Eoin Coveney will be attending the Cosmic Rebels Con for the first time. He’s been illustrating professionally for 25 years, with a diverse client base that includes FHM, Attitude magazine, Ray- Ban, Collins Books, DK Books, Oxford University Press, Forrest -Pruzan Games and more. His aesthetic has been shaped by European comics, horror films and early 20th century illustration.

In the 1990’s, he worked with Will Eisner and pencilled a graphic novel under his direction. From this experience, he gained valuable insight into the process of telling stories through pictures.

Since then, he has contributed to many creative industries including: mainstream comics, board game art, international newspapers, educational comics, UK magazines, web comics, character and branding design and many others.

From 2013, he has been a regular contributor to 2000AD, drawing “Judge Dredd” and “Future Shocks”, and also has contributed to Judge Dredd Megazine. He is co- creator of the series: “The Alienist”, written by Gordon Rennie and Emma Beeby for 2000AD, which recently finished its second series.

Art by Eoin Coveney

Tom Foster is comic book artist, best known for his work for 2000AD. He has worked on a number of their most iconic characters, including Judge Dredd, Sinister Dexter and Bill Savage, as well as co-creating the series “Storm Warning” for Judge Dredd Megazine. He’s also a regular contributor to Imagine FX, having produced a number of tutorial articles, videos and an extensive workshop on his process.

Judge Dredd by Tom Foster

Colm Griffin joins fellow Rogue Comics artist Kevin Keane at the Con, an artist who’s been working in the film industry since 2010 as a Character Designer, VFX supervisor and animator. He has worked on many feature films and TV series around the world and is now enjoying the release of his first comic book series Ocean City, which he wrote, drew and coloured.

Hailing from Carlow, Colm is hoping his book makes a splash in the comics industry which will lead to other opportunities to work with writers and comic artists from all over.

Guest Kevin Keane has being very busy of late with his graphic novel Neon Skies – out now – plus other projects. A comic book artist and illustrator from East Cork, he’s a co creator of Dublin-based publisher Rogue Comics, releasing books through them last year, The Guards II and the Kickstarter funded Neon Skies.

Kevin has provided artwork and design for gaming, film and television. He has delivered artwork for Universal Studios (Split) Ubisoft (Farcry 5) and Square Enix. Kevin has also worked as a story board artist for BBC/RTE on Irish TV Series, The Young Offenders.

Nottinghamshire-based artist Lyndon Webb is constantly in demand with his work has appearing in End is Nigh magazine, Comic Scene, and the 2000AD-inspired Zarjaz and Dogbreath comics. He recently won the “Tharg’s Choice Award” in the 2000AD All Stars Art competition, based on a Rogue Trooper piece that he did. His work can be seen on the many 2000AD/Judge Dredd Facebook pages out there.

Art by Lyndon Webb

Among the independent comic projects on offer at this free event, Andrew Goti will be providing caricatures on the day, and artist Gary Etchingham will be launching his brand new and very ambitious 68-page comic Crimble Bimble.

Jessica Griffin is a very talented young artist who has appeared at the con a few times. She will be attending again, showcasing her work. Drop by her table, have a chat and purchase a piece.

Art by Jessica Griffin

The event also offers the chance to get a shot of Federico Mazzei‘s Ash Airways Chronicles, a unique strip set in a call centre, described by the creator as a sharp tragic-comic – self contained –real(?)life-episodes, ‘cause, doesn’t matter at wich side of the wire we are, right now, we’re all involved…

For those who are into supernatural stories and stories of friendly drones out to help others, check out Ron St. George-Smith‘s table at the con. He’ll have copies of his books Fairy Child (a supernatural tale set in Enniscorthy) and the children’s book Buddy the Drone (a friendly, helpful Drone featuring full colour illustrations by yours truly) for sale.

Other independent creators, including the Timespear Chronicles team, will be rubbing shoulders with writers, artists, at an event offering comics, cosplay, crafts and more – including a tattooist!

Plus, The Retro Gaming Store will be hosting a street fighter tournament during the event, a 16 player tournament of four rounds – but there can only be one winner!

The Retro Gaming Store will have your classic consoles hooked up to TVs for you to have a go and That’s Retro will have their Arcade Machines ready for those who want to play them.

It all sounds like great fun, so if you’re in the area next weekend, why not check this event out. Did I mention it was free admission? I certainly did, but no point not highlighting that- but the event will be supporting the creation of an Autistic Spectrum Unit for St. Senan’s National School in Enniscorthy. A worthy cause indeed.

• Cosmic Rebels Con, 10.00am – 7.00pm, Sunday 14th April 2019, Enniscorthy, Ireland. Free admission | For more information head over to the Facebook event page

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.