Independent comics publisher Sector 13 is set to launch three new comic titles at Enniskillen Comics Fest 2026, taking place on 6th – 7th June, including Faces of War, featuring a cover and story by Will Simpson.
Faces of War
Heading the line-up is Faces of War, a 96-page anthology exploring conflict, courage, and humanity across different eras of warfare. The collection brings together established creators and emerging talent from across the comics scene.
A standout feature of the anthology is an exclusive 27-page World War Two story illustrated by acclaimed artist Will Simpson, internationally recognised for his design and storyboard work on Game of Thrones and for his distinguished comics career with 2000AD, Marvel, and DC Comics.
The anthology also features a powerful comics adaptation of poetry by World War One chaplain and poet Woodbine Willy, illustrated by Mal Earl. Readers can also look forward to the return of a once-iconic cartoon figure from the Great War era, adding a note of historical nostalgia to the volume.
Sector 13 also highlights the emergence of new talent within Faces of War, particularly comics newcomer Danny Burgess, whose two strips have already attracted strong interest ahead of publication.
Penny Blood and Other Stories
Also launching at the festival is Penny Blood and Other Stories, a solo collection from writer and artist Paddy Brown that brings together a year’s worth of creative work, including an expanded version of a strip first introduced in Sector 13’s previous anthology, Anno Domini 1900.
The collection continues Brown’s acclaimed steampunk series, “Penny Blood”, and introduces the new fantasy drama, “John Landlorn: Beyond the Sundering Strait”. It also revisits a story first written by Brown in the 1990s, offering a fresh and thought-provoking take on virtual reality. Together, the stories showcase the breadth and versatility of Brown’s work.
The Gift
The third new release, The Gift, is a distinctive and heartfelt work from Belfast comics legend Davy Francis, widely known for his work for Oink!, Brain Damage, and Electric Soup, as well as for his long-standing contribution to Sector 13 and the wider Belfast comics scene over more than three decades.
Originally presented to the Sector 13 team as a rough set of drawings — many sketched on scraps of paper and other unexpected surfaces — the project immediately stood out for its warmth, humour, and emotional honesty. Encouragement from editor Peter Duncan led to further development, additional artwork, and ultimately a remarkable 52-page wordless comic.
Sector 13 is keeping details of The Gift under wraps for now, but promises readers a comic full of charm, surprise, and heart.
As publisher Peter Duncan. puts it: “We’re giving nothing away about this one — but you’re going to love it.”
“One of the nicest guys you could ever meet, Mr Davy Francis has been involved with almost every Belfast-based comic for the past thirty, maybe forty years, and worked for Oink!, DC, and various other publishers. His strips are always funny, often wicked, in a very polite way, and have real heart to them. Parodies may make fun of people who need making fun of, but there is a gentleness to each and every strip he produces“With The Gift, he has outdone himself. Presented to us as a set of individual drawings on a variety of paper types, I’m not sure Davy ever considered publishing the story; it was an idea he had that he wanted to draw and wanted to show us.
“It is funny, touching, and might be the best thing he’s ever done.”
Visitors to Enniskillen Comics Fest will be able to meet the creators of these new Sector 13 titles, preview artwork, and purchase all three new releases across the two-day event.
Sector 13 are also now taking pre-orders for the books which will be fulfilled, “starting just as soon as we can recover after the weekend away at our favourite comics convention,” says Peter.
The price of Faces of War will be £15, including UK and IRP postage and packing. Payment by Credit/Debit card or via PayPal to admin@sector13comics.co.uk. Payment link will be on www.boxofrainmag.co.uk. Sector 13 ask you to use the ‘families and friends’ option for Paypal to save them a few quid. But please be sure to include your name and address in the comments section.
• Sector 13 Comics is online at: boxofrainmag.co.uk/store | Follow Sector 13 Comics on Facebook
• Enniskillen Comic Fest 2026 Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th June 2026
Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland | Follow the Facebook Group for updates
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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.
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