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It's Official, Sector 13 is the top Irish Comics Anthology

Started by Splank!, 01 March, 2020, 10:03:45 AM

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Splank!

In their annual awards, announced yesterday, the Irish Comic News web-site (the Irish equivalent of DowntheTubes), named Sector 13 as best Anthology comic of 2019.  This is pretty special for a 2000 AD fanzine as zines like ours don't often get a look in.  Comics featuring fan-tributes to their favourite comic creations are not normally fare for awards.



I like to think that our decision at the start of last year not to use Dredd, or Johnny Alpha or other top-line characters (except in very exceptional circumstances) had something to do with this.   Sector 13 uses the worlds of 2000AD but with our own characters.  We have the Judges of Sector 13, based arround our cosplayer.   We have specialist Judges, Whatley and West who deal with very particular threats to mega-city one and we have introduced SD Agents, Billy Camo and Hurt Box, written by W D McQuaid and drawn by Paddy Brown.



Add to that stories inspired by Misty and a fantasy story by Will Simpson and you can see that we are trying something different.  The nomination was an honor but to win is a real thrill.  You can see details of all the winners, including Michael Carroll and the 2000 AD dominated, Enniskillen Comicsfest.  great company to be in.



https://irishcomicnews.dreamhosters.com/2020/02/29/irish-comic-news-awards-winners-2019/ 

We have taken a wee rest in the early months of 2020, but we're just getting back to things now.   I'm reading scripts and ZenArcade is champing at the bit to get back to the Sector 13 photostories.   

If you've never read an issue of Sector 13, take a look at our web-page and see what you think or our "Award Winning Comic" - love saying that.

And if you've ever thought of an idea for a future shock or a story set in one of the worlds of 2000AD, or fancy drawing a comic story, then do, please contact us on Sector13@Boxofrainmag.co.uk.

Web-page here.  https://www.boxofrainmag.co.uk/sector-13/

All issues are still available  (Issues 1 & 2 are compiled into a single comic and stocks of issue 3 are very low).  £7 for single issue in the UK, paypal to the editorial address and a wee gift (while stocks last) if you use the Family and Friends option to save us a bit on charges.  Details of overseas prices and multiple issue orders on the web-page. 


 

TordelBack


WhizzBang

Congratulations on your award. I am always very impresssed by the quality of these things when they show up on here and it is great to see there is still so much passion and talent out there to make things possible.

One thing I have wanted to ask for a while now is why these things are hardly ever available digitally? I would have intuitively expected that digital distribution would be an easier thing to get up and running than a genuine physical magazine print run but this doesn't seem to be the case.

Professor Bear

A certain number of physical copies of fanzines are allowed to go on sale to recoup costs of production, but that's more a nod-and-a-wink arrangement with indulgent publishers who very kindly allow the use of their property in a limited way.  Digital distribution would negate the terms of that deliberately-tenuous agreement, and arguably put the fanzines in direct competition with the real thing.

Well done to the lads at S13!  That's a feather in the oul cap.

Splank!

Took the words out of my mouth Professor Bear.  We have been thinking about a digital comic, but it would not and could not include any of the IP owned by Rebellion. 

We get a lot of submissions (but still not enough) and we have to say no to writers and artists all the time who are very keen to appear.   That is the hardest part of the job, but a digital comic might allow these peopole to see their work appear and get some practice working as part of a writer/artist team and with an editor.  But we'd be limiting that to stand alone stories set outside any of the worlds of 2000 AD.

For these zines we are very strict that nobody (bar the printer) is paid for their work and that no profits are made.  We use the highest quality paper and reproduction we can and only aim to cover our costs, eventually. 

The writers and artists who produce Sector 13 becasue they have a real affection for 2000 AD.     

IAMTHESYSTEM

Hell, yes this is fantastic news: bloody good Sector 13 contributors, writers and artists.
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maryanddavid

Great stuff, I've really enjoyed the issues I have, that Will Simpson cover is amazing!

Bolt-01

Ah! That's great news gents! massive congrats.

I've really enjoyed every issue of the fanzine and now it is finding it's identity and setting itself apart from the other fanzines the only way is up.

Are you coming over for Lawless this year?

ZenArcade

Bolt01, I should be (bar Corona Virus restrictions) We have a table booked.  Z
Ed is dead, baby Ed is...Ed is dead

Bolt-01

Awesome - it was great to spend time chatting last year.

Looking forward to it already.

ZenArcade

Ditto,, we'll have a good chat. Even though I had food poissoning all weekend, I really enjoyed the time there last year.  I intend this year to get a few beers and meet as many people as I can. Z
Ed is dead, baby Ed is...Ed is dead