Bill Morrison, Disney artist and cofounder of Bongo Comics with Matt Groening, and a headline guest at this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October, has teamed with Dark Horse Comics and artist Keith Champagne for his first creator-owned series, Dead Vengeance, which launches on 7th October – just before his major UK appearance.

In 1940, a fake body at a sideshow carnival suddenly comes to life and, surrounded by a gaggle of horrified onlookers, escapes into the night. There was nothing fake about the body, however, as the body was none other than Detroit radio personality John Doe who had tangled with the infamous Purple Gang and disappeared one night in 1930. But how did John Doe end up pickled in a carnival sideshow, where has he been the last decade, and why can he remember so little of his past?

Dead Vengeance writer and cover artist Bill Morrison will be at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October

John Doe’s quest will uncover the secrets of his “death” and expose the Detroit mob — as long as he doesn’t cross the wrong people.

Inspired by classic pulp fiction of the 1930s and the horror comics of the 1940s and 1950s, Dead Vengeance is a pulp-infused journey through the seedy side of carnivals, the 1930s mob, and two-fisted justice!

DEAD VENGEANCE #1

A DEAD P.I. SOLVES HIS OWN MURDER

It’s 1940, and a phony body on exhibit in a carnival sideshow suddenly springs to life and shambles away. Not so phony after all, he is John Doe, radio commentator and archenemy of Detroit’s notorious Purple Gang! But why did he disappear in 1930, and why did the mayor, the mob, and the cops all want him dead?

Dead Vengeance #1
Writer: Bill Morrison Artist: Keith Champagne Colour: Carlos Badilla Lettering: Nate Piekos Cover Artist: Bill Morrison
On sale 7th October 2015
Diamond Item Code: AUG150023 FOC: 14th September 2015

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.

Categories: downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events

Tags: Bill Morrison, Comic Genres, Crime Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Dead Vengeance, downthetubes News, Horror Comics, Keith Champagne, Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2015