Arkensword/Issues 06-12

Issues 06-12 · Issues 13-24 · Issues 25-34

Zine
Title:	Arkensword
Publisher:	Paul Duncan
Editor(s):	Paul Duncan
Type:	non-fiction
Date(s):	1980-1990
Medium:	print
Fandom:	multifandom, comics fandom
Language:	English
External Links:	Fanscene Project League of Comic Geeks
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Arkensword is a zine published in the UK. Issue 6 (Vol 2, No. 1) onwards focussed on comics fandom.

Issue 6

Issue 6 cover by unknown (possibly Paul Chokran?)

Arken-Sword Issue 6 (aka Vol 2, No. 1) Published October 1st, 1982. Edited by Paul Duncan. 24 pages.

The cover artist is unknown, but the style is similar to other covers by Paul Chokran and the "PCh" stylised initials in the bottom right corner seem to confirm this. The cover depicts the first incarnation of Marvel's Captain Britain in his original costume.

Issue 7

Issue 7 cover by "MSF"

Cover of Supplement to Issue 7, by "MSF"

Arken-Sword Issue 7 (aka Vol 2, No. 2) Published May 2nd, 1983. Edited by Paul Duncan. 24 pages. Includes a free "Batman Supplement". The cover artist for both issue 7 and the supplement are unknown - the initials "MSF" are the only clue to their identity. Both covers depict DC Comics' Batman, the supplement including the "Boy Wonder" Robin.

Issue 8

Issue 8 cover by Paul Chokran

Arken-Sword Issue 8 Published November 1st, 1983. Edited by Paul Duncan. 24 pages. Cover art by Paul Chokran, depicting Captain Britain in his iconic Union Jack costume.

Contents include:

An early Alan Moore letter on the 1960s Batman TV series, Journey Into Space, a critique of the Von Bliem strip & Vengeance Of The Fargon text story, Marvel UK, Captain Britain ("me and Big Al are doing a moderately spectacular job on Capt. Britain"), Steve Moore & Absolm (sic) Daak etc

Marvel UK feature focusing on Fury, The Complete Fantastic Four & Rampage

Doc Savage

Lew Stringer

— Ewan Brownlow, ebay item description

From Duncan's Twitter account: "UK fanzines: ArkenSword 8 (1983) I had made it into Polytechnic, bought an electric typewriter with a golfball, and splashed out on litho printing. Contents: Von Bliem strip (Paul Chokran), Marvel UK (Rampage), Doc Savage film, Sapphire & Steel, Tomorrow People, plus @lewstringer"

Issue 9

Issue 9 cover by Paul Chokran

Arkensword 9. Published February 1st, 1984. Edited by Paul Duncan. 36 pages. Cover art by Paul Chokran - Batman.

Issue 10

Issue 10 cover by David Lloyd

Arkensword 10. Published April 2nd, 1984. Edited by Paul Duncan. Original cover of V for Vendetta by David Lloyd 36 pages. Print run of around 300.

Writers: Paul Duncan and John Jackson.

Artists: John Stokes, Carl Critchlow, Paul Chokran, Mark Lockett, Sean O'Sullivan; cover artist David Lloyd.

Interviewees: Alan Moore, Terrance Dicks and Deborah Watling.

Full contents:

• "Editorial" by Paul Duncan.
• "Saturday Night Science Fiction" BBC Radio Sci-Fi feature.
• Carl Critchlow - "Thrud The Barbarian" ("Happy Birthday Thrud") comic strip.

• Fusion no.1 review plus "Rampage Monthly" magazine feature.
• Carl Critchlow "Thrud The Barbarian" art and "Terrance Dicks: A Mini Interview" (Doctor Who).
• Paul Duncan - "Profane" comic strip.
• Alan Moore interview "Part One" (Early days, writing aspirations, Seminar fanzine's "The Shadow" article, Roscoe Moscow, favourite music, Doctor Who, Star Wars, V for Vendetta with additional "On Fanzines", "On Skizz" & "On Marvelman" sections, "What I wanted to do was start up a slow and gradual tension-building, right in the background, so that when Kid Miracleman does return it's going to be at least twice as good as the first battle, and it's going to be a very decisive one.")
• John Jackson - "Quiet Burke" comic strip
• "From Invisible Man To Naughty Norma" Deborah Watling interview
• John Jackson - "Deek The Detective" strip
• Interior art by: Mark Lockett ("V for Vendetta & Alan Moore head & logo", "Cyborg", "Doctor Strange"), Paul Chokran ("Thor vs Hercules", "The Flash") John Stokes ("Tilotny Throws A Shape" [Star Wars comic]), Sean O'Sullivan ("Captain Britain" & "Swamp Thing").

Issue 11

Issue 11 cover by Alan Davis

Arkensword 11. Published October 1st, 1984. Edited by Paul Duncan. Miracleman & Captain Britain cover by Alan Davis. 24 pages.

Writers: Paul Duncan, John Jackson, Bambos Georgiou and Kev F Sutherland

Artists: Mark McKenzie, John Jackson, Bambos Georgiou, Carl Critchlow, Paul Chokran, Mark Lockett, Sean O'Sullivan, Dave Harwood; cover artist Alan Davis.

Interviewees: Alan Moore, Steve Dillon and Colin Baker

Photo of Colin Baker being interviewed by Paul Duncan, 1984

Full contents

• "Editorial" on Dilemma being "no more" & Short Fuse no.1.
• "Spin-offs" film related comics feature article.
• Carl Critchlow's "Thrud The Barbarian" ("The Crowning Ceremony of the Evil Wizard-Priest To-Me Ku-Pa!") strip.
• Steve Dillon interview by Kev F Sutherland (from 1982, "Steve Dillon is one heck of a talent").
• John Jackson "Meanwhile With Willoughby" strip.
• "Alan Moore Part Two" Alan Moore interview by Paul Duncan conducted by post (Marvel Superheroes, Night-Raven, emotions when writing, Captain Britain & the Special Executive, Alan Davis, Marvelman, purple prose & realistic language, Knockabout Comics, Warrior "I would prefer... to extricate myself from the entire Warrior situation")
• Bambos Georgiou "Ratman" comic strip.
• Doctor Who Colin Baker interview & 5 photos (from 25/08/84).
• Interior art by: Mark McKenzie ("Dilemma no.3" cover art), Paul Chokran ("Indian" art), Mark Lockett ("Axel Pressbutton", "Judge Dredd", "Zirk" and "Captain Britain"), Dave Harwood ("Captain Britain & the Special Executive"), Paul Chokran ("Miracleman flying over London") & Sean O'Sullivan ("Alan Moore & The Bojeffries").

Issue 12

Issue 12 cover by Paul Chokran

Arkensword 12. Published December 3rd, 1984. Edited by Paul Duncan. Hela subduing Thor cover by Paul Chokran. 28 pages.

Writers: Paul Duncan, John Jackson, David Roach.

Artists: Mark McKenzie, John Jackson, Bambos Georgiou, Martin Chaplin, Paul Chokran, Mark Lockett, Sean O'Sullivan, Pete Martin; cover artist Paul Chokran.

Interviewees: Louise Simonson, Walt Simonson and William Gaunt

Full contents:

• "Editorial" by Paul Duncan
• Louise Simonson interview & photos from Birmingham Comicon 27th May 1984.
• John Jackson "Meanwhile With Willoughby" strip.
• Paul Duncan / Pete Martin "Suffer Fools Gladly" strip.
• Walt Simonson interview & photos from Birmingham Comicon 28th May 1984.
• Hellfire no.1 fanzine review by David Roach.
• Super Adventure Stories no.7 fanzine review.
• Weird Scenes no.3 fanzine review.
• Doctor Death / Sand Tramp no.1 fanzine review (comic by Warren Ellis "The script is good, interesting and far too wordy").
• Dixie "it's Raining Again" strip.
• "William Gaunt ...That Champion Season" interview & photos (Z-Cars & The Champions).
• John Jackson "Meanwhile With Willoughby" strip.
• "Of Myths and Supermen" heroic legends feature article.
• Rear Cover - John Jackson - "Albert the Mouse interviews The Mighty Thor" strip.
• Interior art: Mark McKenzie ("Graveyard"); Paul Chokran ("New Mutants"); Bambos Georgiou ("Power Pack" and "Thor"), Martin Chaplin ("Manhunter"), Mark Lockett ("American Flagg").