Arkensword/Issues 25-34

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

Zine
Title:	Arkensword
Publisher:	Titan Books
Editor(s):	Paul Duncan
Type:	non-fiction
Date(s):	1980-1990
Medium:	print
Size:	varying, usually around 36 pages
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 onwards focussed on comics fandom.

In 1990 the zine was published by professional comics publisher Titan Books and the name changed to Ark. Paul Duncan was still acting as editor.

There were 34 issues; 23 as Arkensword (or Arken-Sword as it was sometimes titled) and 10 as Ark before the zine/magazine folded in 1990.

Issue 25

Issue #25 cover art by Kevin O'Neill

Ark 25. Published August 1st, 1988. Edited by Paul Duncan. Cover art featuring characters from Marshal Law by Kevin O'Neill. 36 pages.

Writers: Paul Duncan, Grant Morrison

From the cover, contents included interviews with:

• Pat Mills about his comic, Marshal Law (Epic Comics);
• Art Spiegelman about his comic/biography MAUS;
• A retrospective of recently-deceased (February 1988) Ron Embelton, including his work on the comic strip Wulf the Briton, first as an artist and then also as writer from 1957-1960;
• Ted McKeever on his comic Eddy Current (Mad Dog Graphics);
• Matt Wagner about his work on his creator-owned comic Mage (Comico).
• Contributions also by Brian Bolland, Eddie Campbell and Phil Elliott.

Issue 26

Issue #26 cover of Gargoyle Face from Someplace Strange by John Bolton

Issue #26, variant cover art by John Bolton.

Ark 26. Published January 2nd, 1989. Edited by Paul Duncan. Cover art featuring Joy from Someplace Strange by John Bolton. 64 pages. Print run: 600.

Writers: Paul Duncan, Grant Morrison, Pat Mills

Artists: Brian Bolland, Bryan Talbot, Kent Williams, Davy Francis, Mark Farmer, Terry Austin, John Bolton, Charles Vess, Peter Kuper, Shane O'Dwyer

Interviewees: Mark Farmer, Terry Austin, John Bolton, Charles Vess, Peter Kuper, Shane O'Dwyer, Grant Morrison, Brendan McCarthy, Chris Reynolds

Full contents:

• Bryan Hitch "Death's Head" (Marvel UK) advert.
• "Talking 'Ed" editorial on Ark Comics.
• "A Midsummer's Day's Conversation with Charles Vess" Charles Vess introduction, interview & extensive art.
• "Titan Distributors wishes to congratulate Bryan Talbot and his comic The Adventures Of Luther Arkwright (Valkyrie) on receiving four 1998 Eagle Awards" advert.
• Pat Mills / Bryan Talbot "G-Man" previously unpublished strip.
• Terry Austin & Mark Farmer joint interview & extensive art inc. "Moon Knight" art.
• Stray Toasters no.1 (Marvel Epic) review with Shane O'Dwyer art.
• Velocity no.1 fanzine review, World War Illustrated no.8 review by Pat Mills, Davy Francis "Concrete" art, Howard Chaykin's Black Kiss review feature by Grant Morrison.
• Davy Francis "Alfred changing the bat-toilet roll" cartoon, AARGH! (Mad Love) review, Lorenzo Mattotti's Fires review by Brendan McCarthy.
• "News" feature on John Higgins, Dave McKean, Brendan McCarthy, Simon Bisley, Pat Mills, Brian Bolland, Grant Morrison, Dave Gibbons, Ian Gibson, Bryan Talbot with John Higgins " rumour" art & Brian Bolland "Beautiful Happiness" album cover art for punk band Sounds and Shigaku.
• "Alan Moore takes you to the Outer Limits of comics" Twisted Times & Shocking Futures (Titan Books) advert.
• Kent Williams "Blood" sketch art.
• Peter Kuper interview & art.
• Chris Reynolds feature (review of Mauretania) by Ed Pinsent.
• Phil Elliott "Post-Apocalypse" strip.
• "Style Wars" John Bolton interview, self-portrait & extensive art.

Issue 27

Issue #27 cover featuring Wolverine by Jon J Muth

Issue #27 - Table of Contents

Ark 27. Published March 1st, 1989. Edited by Paul Duncan. Cover art featuring Wolverine from Marvel Comics by Jon J Muth. 64 pages.

Writers: Paul Duncan, Grant Morrison, Pat Mills

Artists: Will Eisner, David Lloyd, Kent Williams, Steve Rude

Interviewees: David Lloyd, Steve Rude, Doug Wildey, Kate Worley, Ron Jobson, Jon J. Muth.

Contents:

• "Pro-Files": "Will Eisner gives and exclusive peek at the pencils of his new book. Dave Gibbons shows his alternative version of a strip now drawn by Ted McKeever. With Leo Baxendale, Simon Bisley, Brian Bolland, Bryan Talbot and more".
• "Inter-Views" with:
  • David Lloyd, "artist on the successful V for Vendetta series, talks about his career and his attempts to train new and upcoming artists".
  • Doug Wildey, "is famous for creating the animated TV series Johnny Quest, and the recent western graphic hero Rio(Eclipse Comics) He is still a force to be reckoned with".
  • Ron Jobson, "is the artist who drew the much-remembered Captain "Space" Kingley annuals in the 1950s, and this is his final interview".
  • Jon J. Muth, is viewed as a serious artist because of the Moonshadow (Marvel) and Dracula (Marvel) comics, but his new book Meltdown (Marvel) shows new aspects of his character".
  • Steve Rude "is the superb artist on Nexus (Capital Comics/First Comics) and Space Ghost (Comico), for which he won an Eisner Award".
  • Kate Worley, "writes the controversial comic Omaha The Cat Dancer, which is drawn by Reed Waller".
• "Re-Views": "Leo Baxendale, Peter Dillon-Parker, Fiona Jerome, Nick Miller and Ed Pinsent review many recent releases including Brought To Light (Eclipse), Black Orchid (DC Comics), Bloom County Babylon (Little Brown & Co), Captain Britain (Marvel), Corto Maltese in Siberia (Casterman), Duckdale Express, L'il Abner, Love Shots (Catalan Communications), Meltdown (Marvel), Silent Invasion (Renegade Press), Way Out Strips (Fantagraphic Books), Yummy Fur (Vortex) plus The Son of Torture Garden II: Screams for Help.
• Tribute to British comics writer Frank S. Pepper

Issue 28

Issue #28 cover featuring Havok by Kent Williams

Ark 28. Published April 3rd, 1989. Edited by Paul Duncan. Cover art featuring Havok from Marvel Comics by Jon J Muth. 64 pages.

Writers: Paul Duncan, Grant Morrison

Artists: Jon J Muth, Paul Chadwick, Kent Williams, John M. Burns

Interviewees: Paul Chadwick, Kent Williams, John M. Burns, Michael Cherkas, Larry Hancock.

From the cover, contents include interviews with:

• Kent Williams about his work as co-artist on Meltdown (Marvel) with Jon J. Muth.
• Paul Chadwick about his series Concrete (Dark Horse)
• Michael Cherkas and Larry Hancock about their series, The Silent Invasion (Renegade)
• John M. Burns about "the women in his life", Modesty Blaise, Jane and Zetari.
• Also, "Unpublished Art, reviews and news from across the globe".

Issue 29

Issue #29 cover featuring art by Moebius/Jean Giraud

Ark 28. Published June 1st, 1989. Edited by Paul Duncan. Cover art by Moebius/Jean Girard. 64 pages.

Writers: Paul Duncan, Grant Morrison, Paul Grist, Phil Elliott.

Artists: Phil Elliott, Dave Gibbons, Brian Bolland, Bryan Talbot, Steve Yeowell, Garry Leach, Gilbert Hernandez, Will Eisner, Moebius/Jean Girard, Jaime Hernandez

Interviewees: Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez, Will Eisner, Moebius/Jean Giraud

Full contents:

• Will Eisner "A Contract With God & The Spirit" advert (Titan) 1pg,
• "Pro-Files" news of: Simon Bisley, Brian Bolland [with "The Actress & The Bishop" sketch art & Brian Bolland "Superman" art (an unpublished page from a proposed Superman's 50th birthday Museum comic)], John Bolton, Glenn Fabry, Neil Gaiman ("Neil Gaiman & Mark Buckingham are the new creative team on Miracleman... they plan to stay on the book for eighteen issues"), Dave Gibbons, Garry Leach (with "Jorey" & "Nightmaster" sketch art & "Spellbinders no.4" unused cover art), Brendan McCarthy, Art Spiegelman, Bryan Talbot, Matt Wagner and Steve Yeowell.
• Tony Weare with "Matt Marriott" strip
• Gilbert & Jamie Hernandez joint interview, photo & extensive "Love & Rockets" art.
• Will Eisner interview & extensive art.
• Jean Giraud/Moebius interview by Paul Duncan (from UKCAC 1988) & extensive art including "1973 self portrait", "Lieutenant Blueberry", "Westerns", rare sketches, paintings pencil roughs and thumbnails from "The Gardens Of Aedena".
• A Contract With God by Will Eisner review feature.
• Seven Deadly Sins review feature (Knockabout).
• The Prisoner A-D review feature (DC Comics version).
• Doom Patrol no.19 to no.22 by Grant Morrison review, The Adventures Of Luther Arkwright review feature with Bryan Talbot art (Valkyrie series).
• Real Love (Eclipse Comics) by Jack Kirby & Joe Simon review with Jack Kirby "Young Love" cover art,
• Strange Days review feature by Grant Morrison with Brendan McCarthy art "Strange Days stands alone as a mighty achievement of talent allied to a pure and powerful imagination".
• Paul Grist "A Button Short" 3 strips,
• Phil Elliott "The Suttons" 3 strips & "Post-Apocalypse" strip.

Issue 30

Issue #30 cover featuring Plastic Forks by Ted McKeever

Ark 30. Published November 1st, 1989. Edited by Paul Duncan. Cover featuring Plastic Forks art by Ted McKeever. 64 pages.

Writers: Paul Duncan, Phil Elliott.

Artists: Phil Elliott, Dave McKean, Ted McKeever, Enki Bilal.

Interviewees: Phil Elliott, Ted McKeever, Enki Bilal.

From the cover, contents include interviews with:

• Ted McKeever, about his new series, Plastic Forks (Epic Comics)
• Enki Bilal, about The Woman Trap (Dargaud)
• Phil Elliott, talking about the Tales from Gimbley series and The Real Ghostbusters (Marvel UK)
• Also, "Unpublished Art, reviews and news from across the globe".

Issue 31

Issue #31 cover featuring art by Matt Wagner

Ark 31. Published November 1st, 1989. Edited by Paul Duncan. Cover art by Matt Wagner. 64 pages.

Writers: Paul Duncan.

Artists: Dave Stevens, Matt Wagner, Kyle Baker.

Comic Strips: Phil Elliott, Chris Reynolds, Darryl Cunningham.

Interviewees: Dave Stevens, Matt Wagner, Kyle Baker, Tony Weare, François Schuiten, Neil Hansen / Spyder.

Contents include:

• Interviews:
  • Matt Wagner: "The Mage Behind Grendel"
  • Dave Stevens: "Going Full Steam on Rocketeer"
  • Kyle Baker: "In the Shadow of Justice Inc."
  • François Schuiten: "The architect of Eurocomics".
  • Tony Weare (his only interview): "Memories of Matt Marriott and the USA".
  • Neil Hansen / Spyder

• Comics Strips by Phil Elliott, Chris Reynolds, Darryl Cunningham
• Plus Pro-Files on 27 creators
• Re-Views

Issue 32

Issue #32 cover featuring the Joker by Shane O'Dwyer

Issue #32 Back cover, "The Fighter" by Brendan McCarthy

Ark 32. Published May 1st, 1990. Edited by Paul Duncan. Front cover featuring the Joker and full colour back cover: "The Fight" by Shane O'Dwyer. 64 pages.

Writers: Paul Duncan.

Artists: Dave McKean, Paul Johnson, Steve Bissette, Geof Darrow

Interviewees: Grant Morrison, Steve Bissette & Steve Niles, Geof Darrow, James D. Hudnall, Jerry Robinson, Chris Warner

Contents include:

• Interviews:
  • Grant Morrison: re his work on Arkham Asylum (DC Comics)
  • Steve Bissette & Steve Niles: re horror anthologies Taboo (Spiderbaby Grafix & Publications) and Fly In My Eye (Arcane Comix)
  • Geof Darrow: about his work on Hard Boiled (Dark Horse)
  • James D. Hudnall: about his work on Interface (Marvel Comics)
  • Jerry Robinson: about his work with the Joker (DC Comics)
  • Chris Warner: about his art with the first Predator comic series (Dark Horse).

• Comics Strips by Phil Elliott, Chris Reynolds, and a complete 11-pg Keibol Black strip by Miguel Angel Martin.

• Plus Pro-Files on 21 creators.
• Re-Views.
• Rare and exclusive art.

External Links

• Flip Through Ark #32 - Paul Duncan - YouTube, May 9/23.

Issue 33/34

Issue #33/34, full wraparound cover by Brendan McCarthy

Issue 33/34 cover featuring Batman and the Joker by Brendan McCarthy

Ark 32. Published August 1st, 1990. Edited by Paul Duncan. Original wraparound cover by Brendan McCarthy - Batman, Judge Dredd, Paradax, Superman, Doctor Ark. 172 pages!

Writers: Paul Duncan. Phil Elliott, Ed Pinsent, Peter Dillon-Parker.

Artists: Phil Elliott, Brian Bolland, Brendan McCarthy, Hunt Emerson, Scott Hampton, Jack Kirby, Gil Kane, Gene Colan, Will Eisner, Dan Spiegle, Alex Toth, Dave Sim, Warren Pleece, Gerhard, François Boucq, Carol Swain, Jose Munoz, Leo Baxendale, Gary Pleece, Peter Dillon-Parker.

Interviewees: Scott Hampton, Jack Kirby, Gil Kane, Gene Colan, Will Eisner, Dan Spiegle, Alex Toth, Dave Sim, Warren Pleece, Gerhard, François Boucq, Carol Swain, Jose Munoz, Leo Baxendale, Gary Pleece, Jon J Muth, Ed Pinsent, Shane O'Dwyer.

Full contents:

• "Will Eisner - Getting The Last Laugh: My Life In Comics" feature by Will Eisner.
• Jack Kirby interview & photo.
• Dan Spiegle interview.
• Gil Kane interview.
• Gene Colan interview.
• Alex Toth interview & photo.
• Leo Baxendale interview & photo.
• Jose Munoz interview.
• Brian Bolland "profolio" feature (Betty Page, Animal Man & Judge Dredd cover roughs).
• Hunt Emerson "To Ark... At Home with Calculus Cat" art.
• Francois Boucq interview.
• Dave Sim & Gerhard joint interview & photo (Cerebus).
• Scott Hampton interview.
• Brendan McCarthy "profolio" feature (Paradax, Rogan Gosh, TMNT, SKIN)
• "The Shock of the New" feature with Jon J Muth, Kent Williams, George Pratt, Scott Hampton and Bill Sienkiewicz commentary.
• Jon J Muth interview & photo.
• Ed Pinsent interview & photo.
• George Pratt interview & photo.
• Shane O'Dwyer interview.
• Gary & Warren Pleece joint interview & photo.
• Carol Swain interview & photo.
• Krazy Kat review feature by Ed Pinsent.
• Phil Elliott "A Tale From Gimbley" grey-wash strip.
• "My Life In Comics" feature by Peter Dillon-Parker.

External Links

• Ark #33 Flip Through - Paul Duncan - YouTube, March 21/23.