The creative team behind Zip #1: A Grungy Superhuman Comic are celebrating their success after the title’s crowdfunding campaign ended, having raised £3303 and exceeding the £3000 goal.
The comic was written by Mike Scrase, illustrated by San Espina, lettered by Ferran Delgado, with cover art by Vanessa Cardinali. It follows Zip, a superhuman whose flawed superpowers are an analogy for disability, especially neurodivergence.
In a recent Kickstarter update, Scrase announced that a draft of the script for Zip #2 has already been written, and he will be looking to have this comic completed while he fulfils the rewards for Zip’s first Kickstarter campaign.
Once backers have their rewards, digital copies of the comic will be available on Zip’s official website, and Scrase plans to sell print comics at local UK conventions.
As I’ve previously said, Zip is a story that’s grown in confidence in the telling. Mike’s script is well written and thought provoking, complemented by terrific art from San Espina. Zip, a young woman with speed powers, the central character, is very definitely not your perfect superhero, and Mike’s a creator who has managed to make a super powered character work in the environs of a typical town in Britain, rather than, say, the skyscrapers of New York. Combined, the team have delivered a cracking first issue of a new comic.
Writer Mike Scrase was born in Nijmagen, The Netherlands. He lives with his fiancée in Bristol, UK: the city where every day is Talk Like a Pirate Day. In the past he’s mainly written for comic anthologies like The Psychedelic Journal of Time Travel and Cats Committing Crimes.
He is a visually impaired writer with dark sensibilities, but not without a sense of humour. His work often includes themes of disability, mental health, holding authority to account, and challenging societal norms.
San Espina is an Argentinian-born artist whose work is often in black and white: giving it a thrillingly underground edge. He’s been drawing independent comics for 20 years, and has worked on SiscoKid for Moonstone, and Ageless for Celiber, among other titles.
He lists his influences as Argentina artists such as Alberto Breccia and Lucas Nine, as well as Travis Chares, Moebius, and Juan Gimenes. His striking linework and evocative use of open panels give Zip an unforgettable subversive and introspective aesthetic.
• Readers excited for the continuation of the series can keep up to date with Zip by signing up through the website’s mailing list, or through its Facebook page, Twitter, or Instagram
ZIP: The Reviews So Far…
“LOVE the art in this” – Gail Simone
“Mike Scrase, the writer, builds a fascinating world and an even more fascinating main character in Zip” – A Place to Hang Your Cape
“Zip is going to be an enlightening, thrilling ride.” – Comic News UK
“Really enjoying the experience of reading this. Good, dense but with flow, feels like a proper meal.” – Claire Napier
“If you’re a fan of fantastic characterization and narration, this is the comic for you!” – Your Friendly Neighborhood Comic Show
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: British Comics, Comics, Crowd Funding Projects, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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