The new 77 Annual is out for Christmas!

Wise men (and women) who supported the Kickstarter for The77 Annual 2 should be receiving their books from the publisher now, well in time for Christmas. I suspect some of you will do the traditional thing of saving them to read on Christmas Day, so with that in mind I made sure that my contribution was suitably festive!

Christmas With Sgt.Shouty is a brand new full pager set in 2626, a year after the events in the ongoing Sgt.Shouty strip in The77 regular comic. The Christmas episode sees Shouty teamed with a new character, policewoman Copper Scarlet, as they investigate a cruel robot on the dark side of the Moon. 

The annual also features many more contributions from creators of the UK independent comic scene such as Dave Heeley, Ade Hughes, Jo Heeley, Rupert Lewis-Jones, Marc Jackson, Paul Goodenough, Ian Stopforth, Anna Everts, Darren Stephens, Steve MacManus and more! Alongside all that new material, the book also includes the comic strips that were produced for the Lawless Comic Con booklets of 2022 and 2023 including an illustration by Mick McMahon.

If you didn't back the Kickstarter you can buy The77 Annual 2 directly from the publisher (not available in supermarkets or newsagents) at this link...

https://the77comic.bigcartel.com/

A reminder that I also have work in The Dandy Annual 2024 (four pages of Kid Cops) plus the Beano/Dandy giftbook reprints my Keyhole Kate time travel three pager from a few years ago.

https://lewstringercomics.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-2024-annuals-are-out-now.html

 

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Last chance to back The77 Annual for Christmas

The Kickstarter for The77 Annual No.2 ends this Sunday, 3rd December. That means that those who pledge should receive their books in time for Christmas!

Speaking of which, I've written/drawn a special Christmas with Sgt.Shouty page for the annual. Snow on the logo and a festive theme. A complete story separate from the continuity in the regular 77 comic. 

There's also loads of material by other creators of course and you can see samples at the Kickstarter link here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/the77comic/the77-annual-no2

Here's a preview of the choice of two covers by Duane Red and Andrw Sawyers...

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Ae you ready for Christmas with SGT.SHOUTY?

The77 Annual is coming soon, and I've completed a new Sgt.Shouty page for it. I couldn't resist doing a Christmas theme, keeping alive the comics tradition of a snow-topped logo (with holly, Christmas pud, and a party hat thrown in too). 

My story takes place a year after the events currently running in The77 comic, so it's a nice self-contained story for the festive season!

The Kickstarter campaign for The77 Annual has 11 days to go, so to ensure you get a copy of the book, please head over to their page and pledge! Here's the link...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/the77comic/the77-annual-no2

Here's a list of the great contents, and the cover by Duane Red!

Featuring strips from The77, BLAZER!, Pandora and This Comic is HAUNTED including 

• DIVISION'77 by Dave Heeley and Ade Hughes
• RED BY NIGHT, BLACK BY DAY by Jo Heeley and Rupert Lewis-Jones
• EXTINCTION 2040 by Paul Goodenough and Ian Stopforth
• SGT SHOUTY by Lew Stringer
• LAWLESS by a cast of thousands
• TRACKLESS DEPTHS by Dave Bedford and Gary Burley
• PENNY PENTAGRAM by David Thomas and Andrew Richmond
• MARTIAN LAW by Brendon Wright
• SAINTS V. SINNERS by Steve MacManus and Pete Western
• UNDERTOW by Joe and Jeremy Dunn
• PENNY PENTAGRAM by David Thomas and Andrew Richmond
• IMAGES OF A DEAD WOOD by Noel K. Hannan and Kevin A. Cullen
• FATES CHASE by Anna Everts and Darren Stephens
• TON-UP BOY by Ken Janssens and AZZA
• CROMP! by Marc Jackson

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The77 Annual No.2 awaits your support!

Want a brand new annual for Christmas? The77 have announced that they're working on The77 Annual 2 to be published next month! The Kickstarter began last night and has already reached over £4000 in pledges, - but it needs £5,077 to make it happen.

Interested? Head over to this website to pledge your support...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/the77comic/the77-annual-no2?fbclid=IwAR11MyhwHxDUafuRTeQ97ZCwfA0KMg9vG5HjjE-s_sST0R2LIJKv5tJp42Y

What's going to be in it? Here's the contents list...

• DIVISION'77 by Dave Heeley and Ade Hughes
• RED BY NIGHT, BLACK BY DAY by Jo Heeley and Rupert Lewis-Jones
• EXTINCTION 2040 by Paul Goodenough and Ian Stopforth
• SGT SHOUTY by Lew Stringer
• LAWLESS by a cast of thousands
• TRACKLESS DEPTHS by Dave Bedford and Gary Burley
• PENNY PENTAGRAM by David Thomas and Andrew Richmond
• MARTIAN LAW by Brendon Wright
• SAINTS V. SINNERS by Steve MacManus and Pete Western
• UNDERTOW by Joe and Jeremy Dunn
• DEADWOOD by Noel K. Hannan and Kevin A. Cullen
• FATES CHASE by Anna Everts and Darren Stephens
• TON-UP BOY by Ken Janssens and AZZA
  

Yes, a new page of Sgt.Shouty by me, which I'm working on this week! (Promo illo above not from the story.) And it'll be a Christmas episode too! More info soon!

 

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Currently in print...!

It's been a while since I listed all the comics, mags, and books that my work currently appears in. These aren't all freshly published... Most of these have been out for quite some time but at the moment they're still currently available so if you wanted to check out my work, here's where to find it...

 

The77 Annual No.1:

Published in 2021, this brand new hardback book includes a variety of stories from creators such as Steve Pugh, Glenn Fabry, Andrew Sawyers and many more, plus The Origin of Doctor Plank, the villain from my Sgt.Shouty strip. You can buy it directly from the publisher at the following link, along with back issues of The77 comic in which Sgt.Shouty also appears...

https://the77comic.bigcartel.com/

 

This Comic Is Haunted No.1:

A new horror comic from The77 Publications which includes my newest strip, Short Sharp Shocks, complete comedy-horror one pagers. This great new comic is also available directly from the publisher at this link:

https://the77comic.bigcartel.com/

Doctor Who Magazine No.584

A great jumping-on point for new or lapsed readers with the start of Alan Barnes' and Lee Sullivan's exclusive 13-part 14th Doctor comic strip, continuing directly from the TV show! Plus my Daft Dimension mini-strip every month with a comedy spin on the Doctor Who universe. Available from Smiths, supermarkets, and comic shops.

https://doctorwhomagazine.com/doctor-who-magazine/doctor-who-magazine-584/

Animal Planet Kids No.23

Every now and then, I'm asked to contribute a Bad Pets mini strip to this magazine with Nigel Auchterlounie on scripts. The strip doesn't appear every issue as it alternates with mini strips by other creators but it's in the one that's currently on sale (until tomorrow) so it made the list. Available from newsagents and supermarkets.

Liverpool Heartbeat comics:

An occassional publication that has a different focus every issue. Fun, educational comic strips for children. So far I've contributed four pages each to Statues of Liverpool, The Queen, and Everest 2022, with scripts by the editor Tim Quinn. Available directly from the publisher at this link:

https://www.liverpoolheartbeat.co.uk/shop/

 

 

 

The Most Important Comic Book on Earth:

That's quite a grand title but it's justified as the whole intention of the book is to raise awareness and provide information about our changing climate. We all contibuted our work for free on this one and my page was a revival of Pedantic Stan the Comics Fan with writer and co-creator John Freeman. This mighty 350 page book is published by DK/Random House and is available from bookshops or from the places at this link...

https://linktr.ee/mostimportantcomic

The Dandy Annual 2023:

It's always a pleasure to contribute to this long-running annual and in this year's edition I've written and drawn several Postman Prat pages and eight Keyhole Kate mini-strips. Available from bookshops everywhere.

 

Beano Annual 2023:

I'm not a frequent contributor to this annual but I am in this current one, with eight Biffo the Bear mini-strips I've scripted and drawn. A privilege to work on such a classic character! Available from bookshops everywhere.

 

Cor!! Buster Bumper Fun Book:

Published by Rebellion in 2020, this 100 page softback book is still available. Collecting stories from the two Cor!! Buster Specials of recent times, I had great fun drawing brand new Buster strips (reviving the character for the first time in decades) and filling the pages with guest appearances by characters from the history of UK comics, - plus I also drew one of the Gums strips. Buster was written by John Freeman, whlst Gums was witten by Lizzie Boyle. Currently available at a discounted price from the publisher at this link:

https://shop.treasuryofbritishcomics.com/catalogue/RCA-H0018

 

Derek the Troll and Combat Colin comics:

My own self-published comics that I did a few years ago. Issues still available are the Derek the Troll special (which also includes the complete Rock Solid saga), and issues 2 and 3 of Combat Colin, reprinting my strips from over 30 years ago. You can buy them as brand new signed editions exclusively from me at my eBay store here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/graphite47/m.html?item=203554298786

 

...and, yes, Combat Colin No.5 will finally be out next year, as will issue 6 hopefully! 

 

Monster Fun Halloween Spooktacular 2021:

The first special from Rebellion that revived the old Monster Fun Comic. For this I drew a two page strip written by Kek-W that brought back the 1960s Pow! strip, Wiz War for a new one-off story. Enjoyed that. Sadly I'm not involved with the ongoing Monster Fun comic for unknown reasons. You can buy this special from Rebellion's online shop:

https://shop.treasuryofbritishcomics.com/catalogue/RCS2152P

 

The Kirknewton Story:

The history of the Scottish town of Kirknewton, edited by Tony Foster and written by Colin Maxwell with chapters illustrated by various artists. I had the pleasure of drawing the two pager entitled Close Encounters! The comic was distributed free to every home in Kirknewton but you can buy a copy from the Shift Store at this link:

https://theshift.store/products/the-kirknewton-story

 

EXTRA: I should include digital comics too, and you'll find brand new Combat Colin three-pagers in the following issues of the digital anthology Aces Weekly published by David Lloyd. All issues of which are still available to read online...

You'll find the first one in Aces Weekly Volume 1 No.1. Colin and Semi-Automatic Steve encounter a new menace in the form of the Zombie-Yeds!



The second new complete story appeared in Aces Weekly Vol.8 No.7, with a guest appearance by The Giggly Sisters leading to Colin and Steve encountering their old enemy Madprof!



The third new Combat Colin strip appeared in Aces Weekly Vol.16 No.6, with our heroes flying into space to avert the Ass-teroid!



The fourth new strip appeared in Aces Weekly Vol.21 No.7, and saw Colin and Semi-Automatic Steve battle each other!
 

...and the fifth one in Vol.50, No.7.

https://www.acesweekly.co.uk/ 

If you're a professional publisher / editor and you're interested in commissioning me to contribute to your comics, books, or magazines please contact me at lew.stringer@BTinternet.com

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An Annual Treat

This is my last promo for the annuals I'm in this year. I've contributed to two titles. One is a brand new book and one is a title that's been around for over 80 years, and I find that old and new aspect really pleasing. 

The new title is The77 Annual, a 136 page book spinning off from the ongoing independent comic The77. Contents are all new and feature a variety of strips from established creators such as Glenn Fabry, Steve Pugh, John Charles, and myself, and newer creators such as Andrw Sawyers and Ian Stopforth. 

My contribution is The Origin of Doctor Plank, written, drawn, coloured and lettered by me, explanding the storyline of Sgt.Shouty with the backstory of his nemesis. 

There's also a colouring spread using a black and white version of my artwork for the variant cover for issue 4. 

You can find The77 Annual in comic shops (not newsagents) or you can order it from online sellers here:

https://the77comic.bigcartel.com/product/the77-annual-no1 

https://getmycomics.com/The77 

 

 

The long established book is of course The Dandy Annual, still going strong even 9 years after the weekly comic folded. 112 pages of all new material in full colour from creators such as Nigel Parkinson, Laura Howell and Steve Bright. My contributions are four Keyhole Kate pages I've written, drawn, coloured and lettered, plus a puzzle page I drew.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can buy The Dandy Annual from WH Smith, some supermarkets, and bookshops, or you can order it directly from the publisher here:

https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/the-dandy-annual-2022

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Christmas is coming!

I've produced strips for two annuals this year so I thought I'd give them another plug. First up is a brand new one, The77 Annual, based on the popular independent comic and featuring 136 pages of new material. Amongst the contents will be a two pager from me, The Origin of Doctor Plank, expanding on the backstory of Sgt.Shouty, my regular strip for The 77. 

The77 Annual won't be in bookshops but you can order it directly from the publishers. It's just been printed and will be shipping later this month.

https://the77comic.bigcartel.com/ 

The other book is The Dandy Annual 2022, which has been out for a few months now and would of course make an excellent Christmas present. 112 pages of all new material featuring Dandy favourites, including four Keyhole Kate pages from me and a puzzle page. Available from bookshops and some supermarkets and of course directly from the publishers themselves.

https://shop.beano.com/the-dandy-annual-2022 

I must also recommend again The Most Important Comic Book on Earth, the chunky 350 page softback raising awareness of climate change and how it affects animals and the environment. Packed with loads of strips from numerous creators including a new Pedantic Stan strip from writer John Freeman and myself. Available from bookshops everywhere. More info on the Rewriting Extinction Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/RewritingExtinction 

Secrets of the Lewniverse!

From The77 Annual (2021).

Here's an exclusive reveal for you. In the upcoming The77 Annual, I've done a new two page Sgt.Shouty story, The Origin of Dr.Plank, which I hope today's readers will enjoy...

...and as a special in-joke for those of you who have followed my work for years, it ties into one of my old strips from the 1980s! 

Without giving away any spoliers as to how or why it happens, the destruction of Earth took place in my Rock Solid, Space Hero series in Swiftsure comic back in 1985, - and now we'll see it from another perspective in Sgt.Shouty for The77 Annual here in 2021.

From SWIFTSURE No.4 (1985)

I've always liked to connect my strips into one universe, or Lewniverse, whenever I can. Not in a major way that requires people to buy every comic, but just in subtle ways such as the fictional town of Skegpool cropping up in various strips, or when Combat Colin appeared in my Brickman series in Image Comics' Elephantmen. Obviously I can't do it with strips I don't own so you'll never see any Beano characters I've worked on turn up in Derek the Troll! 

This Rock Solid / Sgt.Shouty connection is only a minor crossover, and Rock Solid himself won't appear in Sgt.Shouty because of what happened to him back in his own series, but as I was doing another series set in the far future it occurred to me to keep in in the same universe. 

(and if you DID want to read those old Rock Solid stories they're all reprinted in the Derek the Troll comic I've published. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/graphite47/m.html?item=203554298786 ) 

As for The77 Annual, the Kickstarter campaign ends tomorrow (Sunday 17th October) so get in quick if you want to order the exclusive hardback version of the book. Details at this link...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/the77comic/the77-comic-annual-number-1 

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A Bit of a Plank

A sneak preview clipping from the two page story.

One of the things I enjoy most about my job is when I get the opportunity to create new characters, especially barmy villains or monsters. The dafter the better! A recent one is DOCTOR PLANK, the bad guy from my Sgt. Shouty strips in The77 comic. 

I've just completed The Origin of Doctor Plank, a two page story which will appear in The77 Annual this November! Yes! A brand new annual for Christmas with 144 pages of new material from established creators as well as relative newcomers! Steve Pugh! Glenn Fabry! and more!

Who is Doctor Plank? How did he get a plank of wood for a head? Find out exclusively in The77 Annual which you can back on Kickstarter now! The hardback edition is only available to people who pledge for it on Kickstarter and will not be available in comic shops. The softback version will be on general release.

The Kickstarter campaign ends soon on October 17th so here's the link...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/the77comic/the77-comic-annual-number-1

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The77 ANNUAL needs your support!

Dr.Plank from The77 issue 3.

Last week the Kickstarter for The77 Annual was fully funded only a short time after it went live... but then a backer pulled out, taking away a significant amount he'd pledged. Apparently the same person did it to two other projects too, also leaving them underfunded. 

Whether due to a sudden change in personal circumstances or malicious sabotage it brought The77 Annual back to 80% funding, so it needs more pledges to make it a reality. Kickstarter campaigns only see the comics published if the project reaches its goal, so let's hope it can make it. So far it's looking good but it's not there yet so if you want to see a brand new 136 page annual featuring new and established comics talent here's the link to visit...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/the77comic/the77-comic-annual-number-1

I'll have two pages in the book; The Origin of Doctor Plank, telling the backstory to Sgt.Shouty's nemesis (and, yes, Shouty himself will be in the story too of course). 

The annual will be available in two formats; hardback only exclusive to Kickstarter backers (with a cover by Mark Montague), and softback (with a cover by Ade Hughes) will will be on general release after the campaign. You can choose either, or both, when you pledge to the Kickstarter. 

The77 has been the breakout hit of the indie scene so I hope you'll consider backing the 136 page annual! More news as it develops! 

If there are any back issues of The77 you've missed, you can buy them directly from the publisher at this link:

https://the77comic.bigcartel.com/

 

   

Kickstarter for THE77 ANNUAL is live!

The Kickstarter for The77 Annual went live today, and it's already reached nearly half of its target at the time of writing this (4.15pm). Yes, there's going to be an brand new annual to choose for your Christmas pressies this year!

The book will contain 136 pages of all new material including a two page Sgt.Shouty strip by me titled The Origin of Dr.Plank! Yes, the secrets of Shouty's nemesis will be revealed exclusively in the annual!

The77 Annual comes in a choice of two formats; hardback or softback. The hardback features a cover by Mark Montague (including his brilliant version of Sgt.Shouty) and the softback's cover is by Ade Hughes. You can also buy it in digital format.

If fully funded the book will be out in time for Christmas. We're working on the contents now so if you want to pledge to make it happen here's the link with more info...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/the77comic/the77-comic-annual-number-1

Contributors are paid via a profit share, so thanks in advance for your support! 

Mark Montague's cover art for the hardback.