Rennie’s New Prescription

By John Freeman on November 23, 2007

Judge Dredd and console game writer Gordon Rennie divulges trade secrets in his new column about writing computer game scripts.

Rennie, a former music journalist turned comics writer whose credits include strips for 2000AD such as Necronauts, Caballistics, Inc and Judge Dredd, and Warhammer novels, has been working more in the computer games industry of later, with comics writing becoming a sideline.

The BAFTA-nominated games writer has always maintained links with comics fans, and the blog offers some useful insights into the business from an insider’s viewpoint, although it might not encourage some into the business when he reveals that although he writes comics for a living “unless you’re a character in a Kevin Smith movie, it’s definitely not ever going to get you laid.”

One reader has already responded with surprise, apparently under the impression comic creators were part of Britain’s cultural elite these days. Poor, misguided, fool…

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.