While we try to maintain older articles behind the scenes on downthetubes on a fairly regular basis – removing dead links, for example – it’s rare for updates to throw up a new mystery.
Originally published between 1979 and 1991 by DC Thomson, Starblazer was, just like Commando, a pocket-sized, “picture library”comic, presenting action and adventure stories set throughout space and time, overflowing with alien alliances, wonderful worlds and tantalising technology.
Back in 2006, Jeremy Briggs wrote several articles about the title, starting with “Blazing Through the Secrecy“, pondering DC Thomson’s secretive nature about its creators down the years, and explores the secrets of its science fiction title Starblazer, whose creators included a young Grant Morrison and artist Ian Kennedy. Thanks to him, we also ran features from Starblazer editor Bill McLoughlin on the history of the title, writer Ray Aspden wrote about his experiences working on the title, as did writer Mike Chinn. Alongside that, we also published a checklist of every issue published, many creators identified – but even today, there are still gaps. particularly the identities of some of the the title’s cover artists.
Now, thanks to downthetubes reader Simon Wenham, we can now list Italian Cesare Reggiani as the cover artist for Issues 14 and 24 – and, perhaps, this might lead to further additions.
Intriguingly, the cover art by Reggani for Issue 14 also features in Space Patrol: The Official Guide to the Galactic Security Force and Issue 24 in Dangerous Frontiers: The Fight for Survival on Distant Worlds (AmazonUK Affiliate Links), both written by Steven Cowley (writing as “Steven Caldwell”), books in the cult “Galactic Encounters” series, published in 1980. Reggani is clearly credited for the art in both.
Cesare Reggiani is an artist with an eclectic personality. After a long career in editorial illustration, from the early 1990s, coinciding with the residency for part of the year in Paris, painting became his main artistic expression. Since then he has held solo exhibitions in Italy, France, Holland, Germany, the United States, and the UK.
Writer and artist Stewart Cowley, born in 1947, also known as Steven Caldwell and Hubert Venables, is probably best known for his works in the “Terran Trade Authority” universe, but he also write six “Galactic Encounters” books, published by Intercontinental Book Productions, and republished by Crescent Books in the US).
The Galactic Encounters series was set in roughly the same universe as the official Terran Trade Authority books and was created partly using art rejected for inclusion in the official TTA books.
This information from Simon begs the question – how many of the unidentified Starblazer covers might also feature in other “Galactic Encounters” books? Does anyone have a full set – and can they shed more light?
If so, we look forward to hearing from you!
Check out the Starblazer section on downthetubes
• Click Here for Jeremy Briggs article on Starblazer: Blazing Through the Secrecy
• Click Here for From the Command Deck: Starblazer editor Bill McLoughlin’s history of the title
• Click Here for Starblazer Ray Aspden’s feature on writing for the title
• Click Here for Starblazer Recalled: Forgotten Fantasy Fiction – With Pictures by series writer Mike Chinn
Starblazer Checklist
Issues 1 – 75 | Issues 76 – 150 | Issues 151 – 200 | Issues 201 – 250 | Issues 251 – 281 | Starblazer Abroad
• Click Here for a complete Starblazer Cover Gallery (off site)
Starblazer Collections
• Starblazer: Space Fiction Adventures in Pictures: 1 (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
Out of this world space fiction adventure in pictures. An interstellar title not seen in almost three decades Starblazer returns in DC Thomson’s latest graphic novel. Collating two classic issues from the archives and blowing them up to full graphic novel size with a brand new wraparound cover. Featuring “Operation Overkill” and “Jaws of Death”.
• Starblazer: Space Fiction Adventures in Pictures: 2 (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
Collects two classic Starblazer issues from DC Thomson’s extra-terrestrial archives: “The Web of Arcon” by Mike Knowles, illustrated by Carlos Pino and John Martin, and “The Death Reaper” by Grant Morrison, illustrated by Enrique Alcatena and Keith Robson. Both vintage issues from 1979 and 1984 have been blown up to full-graphic novel. Also included in this volume are an exclusive interview with legendary artist Carlos Pino (Commando, 2000AD’s Judge Dredd), a cover gallery, and a foreword by Doctor Who screenwriter and comic author Paul Cornell. Cover by Neil Roberts (2000AD, Warhammer, Commando).
Head downthetubes for…
• Wikipedia: Stewart Cowley Profile
• Terran Trade Authority Facebook Group
• Ross Forster-Fraser takes you on a walkthrough of Dangerous Frontiers in this video…
The Starblazer articles listed are © 2006 Jeremy Briggs and must not be reprinted without his express permission | Starblazer is © DC Thomson
With thanks to Simon Wenham
- About the Author
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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.
Categories: British Comics, British Comics - Current British Publishers, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Features
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