Weird War – and look Who’s involved in the latest Paragon anthology!

By John Freeman on 27 September 2018

Sweet Nellie Bligh! The latest issue of indie comics anthology Paragon, edited by Davey Candlish, looks brilliant!

What other comic has Doctor Who and Ian Fleming fighting Saddam Hussein? Because that’s what you get in “Shadow Rats: WMD“, written by Dirk van Dom with art by David Metcalfe-Carr, from a story by Davey?

Not to mention long time hero of the small press, the anthropomorphic aviator Bulldog – created by Commando writer Jason Cobley – and a time travelling, demon hunting samurai and Spencer Nero, the civil centurion?!

Honestly, you are missing out if you don’t already follow this title. Go to paragoncomic.blogspot.com and buy one!

But don’t just take our word for it – contributor Greg Meldrum nails it with his assessment of the latest edition of this long-running indie adventure title.

(No, we don’t care that he might be just the tiny bit biased…)

“I think this is a particularly good issue. Small-press idiosyncrasy runs proudly through it like the writing in a stick of rock – and I mean that as a compliment,” he enthuses.

“It really showcases what makes small-press comics so much fun.

“What’s more, it says something that the sanest tale in it is one about a time-travelling samurai!”

In this issue…

Jikan – the time travelling demon hunting samurai – in “Broken Window” by Mark Howard and David Metcalfe-Carr

Jikan finds himself in an alternative 1980s and he’s not the only time traveller there – the war/hungry viking Thorvald is causing mayhem amongst the fascist police!

A classic Bulldog tale! Greed, written by Jason Cobley and drawn by Phil Elliott

Spencer Nero in “The Trouble with Girls”

Scott Twells brings his wonderful cartoonish style to another rip-snorter of a script from Greg Meldrum

Plus, of course, the bonkers “Shadow Rats: WMD”, detailed above! It’s mental!

• Paragon Issue 22 – Go to paragoncomic.blogspot.com and buy one!

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.