Chris Weston.

A Tribute To Steve Moore: Legend Of UK Comics

Last year we lost a hugely influential and talented writer, not just for 2000AD, but British comics & sci-fi/fantasy in general.

Some of you may be unfamiliar with Steve Moore, but he was much more than an excellent SF writer; a noted scholar of Asian literature and culture, devotee of the I Ching, an avid researcher of the unexplained - co-founding Fortean Times, creator of Warrior Comics' Axel Pressbutton, and integral to the early success of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic, particularly in the short story format - of which he was a Master.

He also recently wrote the comic book series, Hercules for Radical Publishing - now a major motion picture, starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson - hopefully it lives up to Steve's superb graphic novels!

As if all these accomplishments were not enough, Steve was also a mentor to many aspiring writers, foremost amongst them, of course, was a certain struggling cartoonist, Curt Vile aka… Alan Moore (no relation!).

In his introduction to the volume we’re previewing here, Alan Moore describes how, as an avid comics fan in the latter part of the 1960s when in the UK there really was no such animal, Steve created the first comic fanzine: Ka-Pow, and was instrumental in setting up the first British comic conventions, leading to a healthy, progressive, homegrown scene which happily continues to this day.

However, Steve really made his mark when he arrived at a fledgling sci-fi comic, 2000AD, to revive then defunct Eagle Comic's headlining hero, Dan Dare, in the classic Hollow World storyline (Progs12-23,14May-30Jul’77), with another late, great pioneer of UK comics, Massimo Belardinelli (1938-2007).

Of course, Moore's influence ran much deeper than reviving a creaky space pilot from the 1950s; it was to be his next work that has arguably had a more far-reaching effect than any other series in the Prog's 38 year history - the creation of Tharg’s Future Shocks: the short story format that gave so many prize-winning writers & artists their big break in the industry, and continues to inspire young creators to this day.

When I learned of Steve Moore's passing in March of last year, I was determined to commemorate the great man's passing with a fitting postal tribute, detailing his myriad short stories, and in particular the work for 2000AD of which he was most proud: Tales Of Telguuth. These terrifying tales, and morbid mysteries were perfect pieces of prose, neatly wrapped-up in a single episode (very occasionally 2-3, at most), were illustrated by some of the finest talents of the time, inc. Greg Staples, Carl Critchlow, Paul Johnson, Dean Ormston, Siku, Dave Kendall & John Haward.

So, it makes me profoundly happy that this collection is to be released virtually one year to the anniversary of his death - 12 Mar’15 - a suitably comprehensive edition;  which partially sets to right my lack of a fitting commemoration to this multi-faceted, fascinating man, whose lifework we’ve barely scratched the surface of…

This magnum opus for our comic with their evocative titles and exotic locales were a breath of fresh air:

• Tales Of Telguuth: graphic novel cover art - Dave Kendall (World Of Warcraft, Games Workshop)
• Intro page splash art - Pye Parr (Pye01, design droid)
• A Little Knowledge (Prog1191,3May’00) - Greg Staples (Judge Dredd: Dark Justice) 
• Talking Heads (Prog1192,10May’00) - Paul Johnson (Books Of Magic)
• The Bride Of Ballakruz-Krim (Prog1196,7Jun’00) - Dean Ormston (Sandman, Lucifer)
• The Hunting Of The Veks (Prog1249,4Jul’01 - Siku (Judge Dredd, Pan-African Judges)
• The Colossal Wealth Of Karn Foul-Eye (Prog1284,27Mar’02) - Stefano Cardoselli (Heavy Metal)
• The Rousing Of Rezik (Progs1287-88,24Apr-1May’02) - Clint Langley (ABC Warriors, American Reaper)
• Tharg’s Future Shocks:The Runts (Prog41,3Dec’77) - Early Future Shock from series creator, Steve Moore, with art by Pat Wright. (Battle, Commando)

Keep your eyes peeled for this fabulous flight of fancy, coming your way in March!

R.I.P. Steve Moore (11Jun’49-16Mar’14). 

2000AD Sketchbook - Fay Dalton 

More superb commission art for Squaxx dek Thargo, Wiggz, from The Reaper Files art droid, fabulous Fay Dalton!

• Chief-Judge Hershey 
• Durham Red

So I found this caterpillar on my way to class

We’re bros