Issue 7 of the digital anthology 100% Biodegradable – edited by Dave Hailwood and John Kirkham – is now available to buy on Comicsy or Drivethru for just 69p/$0.99.
Along with your usual smattering of brain munching goblins, boneheaded barbarians and delusional psychiatric patients, this issue features the launch of the shared Warworldz Universe with a new ongoing series – “Death Duty“, by John Freeman (Doctor Who Magazine, STRIP, Judge Dredd Megazine, Crucible) and Alan Burrows (Commando, Starblazer, 2000AD) with letters by Ken Reynolds.
In a war-torn future, crime and disloyalty to the Terran Empire are punished with conscription into mercenary law enforcement squads: soldiers consigned to do or die in order to prove their commitment to the common good. The average life expectancy for a recruit is four months, hence the street slang for the job: Death Duty.
Dissidents in the Terran Empire are put on the infamous “List” – tracked down by Death Duty squads and terminated for their rebellion with extreme prejudice. For most of the Dutymen, exactly who they kill doesn’t matter – until one of their number, Travis Wilson, begins to question the missions they’re assigned and goes AWOL – a wanted man.
“Death Duty” also features the character ‘Rourke’, created by John Freeman and Liam Sharp , who first appeared in Marvel UK’s Strip comic (Issue 4), more than 20 years ago.
This is the first ever publication “Death Duty”, a spec strip John wrote some time ago now as part of a wider “WarWorldz” concept, (other stories are in the works, including one with art by Dave Thomson). We’re grateful to Alan for permission to run it and to Liam Sharp for permission to use a character I co-created with him, Rourke of the Radlands.
“Death Duty” will continue in future issues of 100% Biodegradable, written by John and Dave Hailwood, and drawn by Brett.
So what are you waiting for? Grab yourself a mighty fine helping of thoroughly unfestive comic pie, also featuring the talented Stewart Moore (Futurequake, Solomon Kane), Tony Suleri (Slumdroid, Bulletproof), JT Pegg (2000AD, Judge Dredd Megazine), Chris Redfern (Futurequake, Zarjaz, Hallowscream) and more (cover by Alan Burrows with colours by Brett Burbridge, Death Duty logo by Ken Reynolds and design by John Fuz Kirkham).
• 100% Biodegradable – 30 pages, colour and B/W – is available from Comicsy and DriveThru. It’s probably worth grabbing a copy before 1st January 2015 if you’re going to do so, in case the VATMESS causes any unforeseen supply problems!
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.
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