The Gronk by Steve Roberts

Back in Dogbreath 16 and looking grand.

Search/Destroy Case File 07

As usual- click on the image for a larger version.

Book Review: Kingdom

Dan Abnett and Richard Elson have created something remarkable in this strip.
I can’t think of another strip and character that has arrived in the prog in the fully formed way Gene the Hackman did and immediately find a place in the hearts of the readership since the debut of Nicolai Dante all those years ago.

In his introduction to this collection, Abnett is rather self-effacing when describing how the strip came about.
“I have no memory of the spark. All I can recall is that one minute I had nothing and the next- pop!- there was Kingdom...”
is how he recounts. Me, I’d like to think a bit more work than that went into it! Because if not, then it’s really not fair that a concept as damned near perfect as this one just popped into his head!
And what of the stories then?

They are, for my money, pretty much the best things Abnett has written for 2000AD so far- and I’m a Sin/Dex fan. There is a lot to love in the writing. The apparent ease with which he drives the narrative forward, the slow unfolding of the secrets in both tales and the gorgeous language of the Pack (“Your mouth is full of wrong”) are all pitch perfect.

All these though, would be nothing if the leading man weren’t up to snuff. But fear not- we’ve got Gene the Hackman. Who’d have thought that a genetically altered giant dog killing machine could be so likeable?
Gene really is one of those characters. Like Dredd, Alpha or Nemesis- he’s one of those guys you could see in no other place than the pages of 2000AD.

So, how have we got this far in the review without mentioning the art?

Richard Elson, eh? He’s a bit good. Now, I may be a little bit biased here, because when I lift my head from this keyboard, the original art for the cover of this book is hanging on the wall in front of me- but it wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t good. Well, actually, it isn’t good- it is great. In this strip, I think, Elson has finally found something that absolutely gels with his art style.
There’s also a lovely bonus section at the back with some of Elson’s character designs and page layouts- more of this sort of thing, please!

The colours too (by an uncredited Steve Roberts in Book 1) are just wonderful.
We here at Zarjaz bloody love Kingdom and cannot recommend this collection enough.

Thanks to 2000adreview and LewStringer for the links to the images.

Don't forget to click for a larger image.

A Girl Called Johnny: 2000adreview

A Girl Called Johnny is a strip by Dan Whiston and James Kircough that originally appeared way back in Dogbreath 14. This new presentation was coloured by Richmond Clements and very nicely hosted by Gavin over at 2000adreview.

3rd Time Lucky.

Originally presented in Dogbreath 16, and accompanied by the wonderful Illustration by simon coleby that we used on the cover.

As usual, click on the images to read a more legible version.

Butch's Special: S/D Files Vol1

One of the new things we've arranged for in Dogbreath is to get Butch reviewing books. Some of you may well be aware of Butch only as the barman of the Kennel, the doghouse bar, but Butch is also a talented writer in his own right, as you will soon see from his reviews.

Thanks to NIGEL DOBBYN for the wonderful pin-up of Johnny & co.

Search/Destroy Case File 5

SOLD OUT! Dogbreath 16

Crikey, nothing for ages then they are all popping off! For any of you who do not have a copy, I'll be putting the text pieces on the blog over the next few weeks.

Friday treat... KID KNEE

Originally presented as a centrespread in Dogbreath 15, this portrait of the Kid is by Boo Cook, currently to be seen drawing Judge Anderson in the Judge Dredd Megazine.

Search & Destroy Case File 4.

As usual click for a larger version.

BICS 2008

Just a reminder that this weekend is the third BICS weekend, and that all of our comics will be available, and if you want a chat about contributing, please drop by.

Dogbreath 19 Teasers: 3.

This issue sees the second episode of Alec Robertson & Bruce McLarens 'Shadow of the Mutant'. Originally this was to feature both the second and third chapters of the tale- which was why I wanted it for the cover, but unfortunately that wasn't to be. However- this episode really opens the tale up and sets the tone for the explosive finale next issue.


You might think we'd have learned from last issue wouldn't you? 'Sun & Moon: Hunters of Bounty' are back, and this time they aren't on their own when they tackle King Everywhere by the Emperor and James Feist.

Zarjaz 06: Teasers 2.

In 'The Chase' Judge Dredd has some stomm to deal with- and he does it well.



In the long prepared 'One-Hit' We get to see a taste of what happens to new recruits to the Star Troopers.

Dogbreath 19 Previews 2

See Wulf lead the charge in 'Another Silly Love Song'


Back on the trail, Johhny is closing in in 'Claws & Effect'

Search Destroy Case File 3.

More In depth reviewing by the wonderful Leigh shepherd

Zarjaz 06 Teasers.01

Judge Dredd- Minor offences by Colin dinnie and Chris Geary, colour on the centrespread by MiniBolt.


'Final Flight' is a Future Shock by Chris Thomas and John Cahill.

Dogbreath 19 teasers-

In the opening strip for this issue, Johnny Alpha is on the trail of a most unusual pair- even for him. With an opening page by PJ Holden, the strip is brought to you by Eric Moore and Lyndon Webb.



In 'Another Silly Love song' by Kevin McHugh and Steven Beckett, we get to hear an unlikely story of when Durham Red first appeared.

Dogbreath 19 and Zarjaz 06 ON SALE!

Hey Norms! The new comics are available to buy from the webshop. Follow the links hidden cunningly in the images to puchase yourself some hot rockin' action.



Dogbreath 19 featuring a cover by Dogbreath favourite Bruce McLaren.



Do you really need me to tell you that this cover is by the mighty Richard Elson? You better not...

More previews to follow over the next few days.

Case File 2.

As ever, click on the image to view large size.

Search Destroy Case Files 01

One of the most important features of Dogbreath is the regular CASE FILES by Leigh Shepherd. We are sure you'll enjoy these.

Please click on the pic for a larger version.

Dogbreath 15: SNECK YOU!

Originally presented in the long out-of-print Whistler special that collected my first run of stories about the character, SNECK YOU! was later published in the now sold out DOGBREATH 15. Seeing as it is no longer available in any other format- here it is for free.

Zarjaz 06: Nearly ready!

As of today, the running order for the new issue of Zarjaz is all confirmed. I've got the cover (Oh-boy!) and all I am waiting for is some toning to be completed before I can get this to the printers.

Previews soon.

VERY HAPPY!

SOLD OUT! Dogbreath 15

Just as issue 19 is beginning to take shape, Dogbreath 15 (our first issue) has sold out. After a heated discussion it has been decided that we will not be printng anymore, so if you needed this issue to complete your collection- too late! Thanks too all who contributed, and also to those who bought copies.

PRESS! PRISM: Summer 2008

Many thanks for this to James Bacon.

"Amanda Kear, known as Dr Bob has been producing DogBreath for years. This A4 fanzine about the 2000AD character Johnny Alpha of Strontium Dog notoriety was mostly made up of articles, interviews, reviews, discussions and fan fiction. It was some body of work and each issue was just brimful of reading. Then it changed. Dr. Bob had done a lot and after fourteen issues it was time for a change. The guys at Futurequake, a UK Comic got involved and Dog Breath has had a serious makeover. Now in A5 format with colour covers and a healthy helping of Comic fan Fiction, its developed into a new beast. I picked up the latest few issues, which still have stories, articles and interviews, but the quality of comics is also quite impressive. One would think it's quite a specific market, but DogBreath has quite a following and for fans of 2000 AD, it's well worth a look."

"Zarjaz is a 2000AD comic fanzine. They are quite proud of their pedigree and have permission from Rebellion to produce stories based on 2000AD characters and do so with much skill and style. Issue five is just out and it's got a superb V.C.'s wrap-around cover. Judge Dredd, Rogue Trooper, The V.C.'s and Strontium Dog all get an outing in this action packed 'zine. I especially liked the Rogue Trooper Story, gritty like they should be while the Judge Dredd story was quite fun in a ludicrous way. This is the benefit of the 'zine, they have room to manoeuvre and are not restricted as a professional comic might be."




Nice reviews, and hopefully they will like the next issues as well.

Dogbreath 19 Preview: Shadow of the mutant.

Dogbreath 19 is going to feature the concluding chapters of Shadow of the Mutant by Alec Robertson and Bruce McLaren. Bruce has even agree to paint a cover for the issue.

He's very kindly sent through these images that may well appear at some point in the issue.

Vote for Grey!

motorcycle news

These are the top five entries in MCN's Yamaha Livery Design competition, handpicked from hundreds by our judging panel which included Troy Corser and Noriyuki Haga.

Now it is down to you to choose the overall winner of the competition. The winner will have their design painted on both Corser's and Haga's Yamaha R1 race bikes for the Donington Park WSB round on September 5-9.

One of these five finalists is Jim Grey, a Zarjaz contributor! Good luck James!

Strontium Dog- Nice Little Town

Originally presented back in Dogbreath 12, Gavin Hanly of 2000adreview has kindly hosted this newer version of the tale.

Strontium Dog- Nice Little town.

Enjoy!

2000ad Review

I know there is a link on the right hand side, but for those who haven't visited2000ad Review yet, Gavin (the webmaster there) is now hosting a skyscrper ad for us, and has even given us a page we can link to for new content!

This is in addition to being one of the finest places on the web for all things 2000ad related.

Check it out!

Zarjaz 05: More Previews.

Some more images from the Galaxies greatest Fanzine!



A panel from IN THE ZONE by Sprout and Bolt-01.



A rare venture into ZARJAZ for Johhny Alpha in the second part of WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY by Dan Whiston and Bryan Coyle



And an action panel from THE V.C.'s by Richmond clements and Bolt-01

Dogbreath 18. More previews.

A selection of images from the current Dogbreath.



From Lead strip DESERT TAIL By Eric Moore and Steven Denton.



The unlikely return of Mr Sun & Mr Moon by The Emperor and James Feist.

Don't like buying from Webshops? Worried about credit card fraud? Then Visit Forbidden Planet for your Small Press stars!

Yup, no mess, no fuss- FPI have taken stock of both the new ZARJAZ and the new DOGBREATH. When they will appear in shops in anyones guess- but the stock should arrive at the Maldon warehouse today or tomorrow, depending on Royal Mail.

Can I state for the record that not for one minute did I ever think that a comic I drew for would be available in a 'proper' comic shop. Well done to all involved with the titles, and here's hoping that they come back and ask for more!

2000adOnline Message board Competition entries...

As part of the current message board competition, here are a couple of jokes I've produced...