‘Tis “But A Dream”… of the 1990s, in comics!

By John Freeman on May 8, 2019

Ready to take a trip back to the 1990s, a decade when The Detectives was riding high in the TV ratings, Tony Blair was the new Prime Minister, Virgin Megastores were on every high street, and Bruce Willis was shaking up his image with Twelve Monkeys… and the Power Rangers were exploding onto out screens?

Well, But A Dream! should be right up your street, then, a new one man anthology – and collection of comics from that decade by David Robertson, whose work we’ve featured here on downthetubes many times.

“December 31st, 1994” features a visit from a physical manifestation of the year that is coming to a close. “Neck Hurts” shows a fleeting dozing thought on a train. “Life is But a Dream” is a flight of fancy featuring a talking gorilla and a rocket ship. “P in the Park” concerns two old pals meeting up for a drink in the afternoon.

TV canned laughter intrudes on Benny’s real life in “Bad Show Then”. Bureaucracy in outer space causes frustration in “Cosmic Checkpoint”. The grand science fiction adventure of Star Trek: The Motion Picture is boiled down to one page in “ST: TMP mini”.

“Dave’s Dre AM Diary” is a series of comics based on dreams. Tony has a successful interview at “Okay Radio”. “Outside” is a science fiction adventure.

Known for creating a unique take on the world, most recently with Break the Cake, which reminded Alister Black of Daredevils and Warriors of Harvey Pekar and his groundbreaking work with American Splendor, David offers another splendidly sideways look at the world, available from him now direct.

• But a Dream! by David Robertson, published by Fred Egg Comics, in Dundee, Scotland | Format-book size: 44 pages, 5.83” x 8.27”, Black and White / colour. Available now price £4 here

• Web: www.fredeggcomics.com | Blog: fredeggcomics.blogspot.co.uk | Facebook | Twitter: @fredeggcomics

About the Author
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John Freeman

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.