Comic creator John Charles is perhaps best known for his work drawing and colouring Spider-Man for Marvel/Panini UK, 2000AD, and, of course, co-writing and colouring the independently-published comic series, TechnoFreak. Now, he’s about to launch TechnoFreak Apocrypha #1 on Kickstarter – an 80-page perfect bound comic anthology, which includes strips from several 2000AD artists, including Clint Langley, Frazer Irving, Steve Yeowell, Tom Newell, Adrian Bamforth and Mike Walters.
There are plenty of other new talents represented too, including the amazing Colombian artist, David Escobar, and Staffordshire University graduates Emily Edwards and Clara de Rambures.
For those who came in later, Technofreak is set in London 3026, the grimmest of futures. Cybernetic implants have altered Jon Sherlok’s consciousness and gifted him with the ability to hack into any electronic systems, but at a cost; he can feel the edges of his humanity collapsing. In essence, TechnoFreak is a combination of the best sci-fi and film noir.
The TechnoFreak Apocrypha project has been a true labour of love since its inception, two years ago, when John asked Mark Spencer to write a new Technofreak story at the Lawless comic convention, which has been illustrated by Clint Langley and coloured by John.
John has also written some of the stories in the anthology himself, and has let new writers loose on the Technofreak characters, including Mark Spencer, Alan Holloway, Kevin Gunstone, Christoff Rodriguez and Clara de Rambures.
Now, John is seeking funding to help pay for printing, but also to pay the team of professional creators and exciting new talent.
“They have all done astonishing work, and deserve to be rewarded,” John tells downthetubes.
The Kickstarter will be launched at 9.00am on Friday 19th July, and will feature your choice of some cool rewards, including alternative covers, T-shirts, A4 art prints, original comic art by Andy Lambert, and more.
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, Comic Previews, Comics, Creating Comics, Crowd Funding Projects, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
