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SMASH! mini series announced by Rebellion, reviving more British comic heroes, authored by Paul Grist

By John Freeman on July 21, 2023

Paul Grist, the writer of Jack Staff, Kane, and many more acclaimed comics, and artists Tom Foster and Anna Morozova are the latest creators to tackle reimagining some of Britain’s greatest comic heroes, in a three-issue run of SMASH!, due for release later this year from Rebellion.

SMASH! Issue 1 (October 2023) - Cover by Andy Clarke

Originally published from 1966 through to 1971, SMASH! was a weekly comic anthology initially published by Odhams, running all-new strips alongside some the first regular reprints of Marvel Comics in the UK.

Popverse reports this new incarnation of SMASH!, which follows on from the release of a one shot Special, sees writer Paul Grist create a storyline that draws together some classic British adventure comics characters — including Louis Crandall, aka The Steel Claw, Victorian escapologist Janus Stark, and Mike Hubbard’s super spy, Jane Bond, to deal with the threat of the Syndicate of Crime, and its leader the King of Crooks, as he’s known in the US for copyright reasons – here, we know him as The Spider, the creation of Jerry Siegel, the co-creator of Superman.

Joining Grist for the new series will be artists Tom Foster and Anna Morozova, with covers from Andy Clarke, lettered by Simon Bowland.

The new mini-series utilises the same logo featured on the previously released SMASH! Special, based on the one used only on the 1976 SMASH! Annual, not the regular weekly comic, but it captures the mood of the title perfectly.

• SMASH! launches in comic shops on Wednesday 25th October 2023, with Rebellion promising more information about the title in the coming weeks. Keep your eye on 2000ADonline for news!

With thanks to Lew Stringer

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.