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The great artist Ken Barr:

http://downthetubes.net/?p=30181

PENNY DREADFUL: DEVICES AND DAMNATIONS

Victor returned downstairs to the watchmaker's shop. Miss Ives sat at the table with the machine. The look of wonder on her face was quite endearing. The automaton was remarkable; serving tea with it's left hand while writing on a sheaf of paper with the other. It was a creation of genius and of art. The polished brass and copper had been etched with designs of an arcane and mysterious nature. Innards like that of an elaborate clock worked and ticked away within the facsimile body. Miss Ives took the sheet of paper from beneath the poised fountain pen. Victor read it with a growing sense of disbelief.

Thank you for your kindly visit. Circumstance has unfortunately denied me the chance to meet you in the flesh, as it were. Your companion Doctor Frankenstein will not find me on the premises, not in body at least. You are, I am sure, aware of the old Latin phrase Deux Ex Machina?

Miss Ives gestured to a heap of dark ash beneath one of the many display cabinets. The ramifications bewildered Victor. He stared at the cherubic face-plate. The spirit of the creator resided within the shell of his creation. Miss Ives returned the sheaf to the table.

'Are you the Italian?'

My name is Gideon. The machine paused for a moment. And I ask a favour of you Miss Ives.

'How can I be of help Gideon?'

We know that there are trespassers roaming this world, beings that wish to reduce it to ash and ruin. It was one of those infernal entities that robbed me of my mortal form. I constructed this machine to fight against these hell-driven beasts and now it has become my armour in a war against damnation. My research into the forbidden has gained me all of the sigils I need to fight their magic except one. I turn to you Miss Ives, and humbly ask that you make my creation complete.

Miss Ives removed a pin from her hat and pricked the palm of one hand. When a sufficient pool of blood appeared, she daubed a symbol upon the cold metal brow. At once, the painted Scorpiones began to sizzle and smoke. As the conflagration died, the pen moved across the white paper.

Thank you. I bid thee both a good night.

The pen dropped from the copper hand. The musicality of the machine's inner mechanism came to an end. Miss Ives and Victor took their leave. There was much to do and the dark forces set against them were still near. A figure stepped out from a doorway across the street. The face beneath the stove hat was too angular to be of this realm.

Gideon rose, throwing the table asunder. Symbols of protection blazed. Lethal blades snapped out from the tubular forearms. The forthcoming battle would not be one of petty revenge but of total annihilation.

I'm sorry if you saw my last post as hand-wringing G. I don't often read this thread and so I don't follow what has or hasn't been mentioned before. I just wanted to add my two-penneth worth.  Terrorism is a terrible, ugly fucking thing wherever it strikes.

Another atrocity, another senseless taking of human life, another excuse for those more disposed to hate and ignorance than compassion to point the finger. Deepest respect to those departed and their families and to Brussels as a whole.

Congratulations you guys!

(The usual apologies if this has been posted elsewhere)

Just spotted these reports on CBR;

http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/titan-comics-hammer-films-team-up-line-horror-comics

http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/exclusive-new-warhammer-40000-comics-arriving-in-september

Interesting news about Hammer. I have always thought Quatermass was a character/concept worthy of an update or reboot.

Funnily enough, when GW first proposed a Warhammer comic years ago, I submitted a Space Marine script. If my weak and addled brain serves me correctly, I think it was Andy Lanning was the editor at the time. He wrote to me explaining that although he liked the story he had already commissioned a Marine strip from Hilary Robinson the day before! I believe the project fell through soon after and, with changes in editorial and format, they did publish a short-lived comic. (In the early nineties? I am sure you guys can help me on that).

Sad news indeed.

I love this:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjveb1Vjn8s

Welcome Tribs!

Hello from another reader of old!

A FAN'S LOVE

Si swept an arm across the table, knocking action figures and trading cards to the floor. With a gloved hand on Jessie's green shoulder, he hoisted himself up onto the table-top. Ignoring the stallholder's complaints, Si adjusted his helmet and cleared his throat.

'Well, what do we have here suckers?' He gestured to his girlfriend. 'A Judge with She-Hulk?'

All faces - some painted, some bearded all curious - turned in his direction.

'We've got the Pokemon crew and the Power Rangers in the same room, no beef, no trouble. Look, Master Chief standing shoulder to shoulder with a Titan. There's Wonder Woman, Sailor Moon and Jack Sparrow. Nobody is wasting nobody. We got Transformers and Terminators, Space Marines and Warcraft folk, Potterheads and Whovians, Zombies and Vamps. What we got is an army.'

'You tell 'em Si.' Kate shouted, spraying sausage roll crumbs down her Rorschach raincoat.

'Every production house, network and channel is making our films, our stuff.' He spread his arms wide. 'Every multi-plex and screen around the globe is playing our movies and shows. Millions play video games every day. Fan films are showing Hollywood how it should be done. People everywhere are watching and reading fantasy, horror and science fiction. This is our time.'

He had their complete attention. Everyone was silent and listening to his every word. Even Tom Baker got to his feet, large eyes moist with emotion.

'Can you dig it?'

The costumed crowds roared in approval. Fists thrust skyward. They whooped and cheered. He turned to see Jessie applauding, pink tears smearing her green make-up. Si held his hands high to the gathered followers.

The foam dart struck his helmet with a resounding doink!

The cheering died, replaced by a shocking silence. Hands lowered. There was no injury other than his pride.

'Ha ha!' A voice squeaked from the yellow-skinned party in the corner.

The message was clear; they would not follow him. He had failed. The fans returned to the usual business of the convention. Deals were done and artworks signed. Embarrassed, Si let his hands fall to his sides. Jessie helped him down to the floor.

'Don't worry.' She kissed his lips, painting them green. 'I will follow you from Narnia to Mega-City One.'

''Ere.' The stallholder jabbed a finger into his Judge's badge. 'What about all this?'

Si gazed down at the scattered figures and cards. Green Lantern lay in a compromising position with Robin. He crouched down and began to pick up the fallen stock. The stallholder however, seemed not to be satisfied.

'What the hell were you playing at?' The Battle Of The Planets t-shirt expanded as the stallholder stuck out his chest. 'I should put the law onto you.'

Si looked up at the sour face looming over him. He grinned. His lips parted but Jessie beat him to the line;

'Baby, he is The Law.'

There's one with everyone's favourite lawman:
http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2016/01/22/the-line-it-is-drawn-274-bowie-tribute-week/

I think that 500 words is bang on and, although not my cup of tea, limerick type of comps help to break the routine.

At one time there seemed to be loads of new writers on this forum itching to show their stuff and get noticed. Perhaps if the Editorial staff of 2000ad had some kind of input - a vote or honourable mention?

How about a tie-in with the art comps occasionally?

What about a separate thread where writers can expand their stories? I had a rough idea of what would happen to the droids from my last story entry that would've been fun.

2000ad has a vast store of unique characters and settings. Writers should take the opportunity to use them to craft short, punchy tales and have fun with it. Come on, you could have Old Chinny as a transsexual munce - loving cocktail waitress from Clacton if you wanted to!

Thanks for the votes folks!

I was absolutely gutted to hear the news this morning. I could not believe it. Bowie was the most influential musician since the Beatles. You would be hard pressed to name a band or act that has not been influenced by the man, his music or performances. Bowie' s music was like it's creator; protean and forever evolving. He transformed popular music into art. The world of music has been left a poorer, less colourful place with the loss of such a great artist and creator.