Durham Red
Encyclopedia
Durham Red was originally created in 1987 as a female sidekick
and lover for Johnny Alpha in the long-running British comicbook series Strontium Dog
. She was a sexy bounty hunter with a mutation
that gave her a vampiric
lust for blood.
Red or Chelsea
Blue as the character's name. The creators settled on Durham Red, and the character immediately proved popular from her first appearance. Following the death of Johnny Alpha, she was given a leading role in the spin-off series Strontium Dogs. Following the departure of writer Peter Hogan, the series was handed to Dan Abnett
. Abnett's first action was to place Red in suspended animation and have her awake a thousand years after Strontium Dog continuity, in a universe where she was worshipped as a mythical saint
of mutants.
Aided by some strong art from Mark Harrison
, the series enjoyed a long run. However, in 2004, the final story of the arc was printed, envisioning Durham Red surviving another thousand years, watching over the end of the human race and the beginning of a mutant
-populated universe.
The Strontium Dog stories that Red originally appeared in have since been deemed non-canonical, as part of Johnny Alpha's revival. This leaves Red in an unusual position in terms of continuity. The original Strontium Dog stories have been reclassified as tellings of the legend of Johnny Alpha, while the current stories are the "truth". As such, it is possible that the whole Durham Red saga spins off from events that never actually happened in the Strontium Dog universe. Some fans call this "Knots Landing
continuity", echoing that television show's crossover into episodes of Dallas
which were later revealed as part of a dream sequence.
ous story:
:
:
, from the videogame series BloodRayne
shows a strong similarity to Durham Red, having the same weapons and distinctive red hair, although that claim has been denied by the TRI representatives. In a posting on the then active BloodRayne.co.uk fan forums Joe Wampole, a developer for BloodRayne had this to say,
Sidekick
A sidekick is a close companion who is generally regarded as subordinate to the one he accompanies. Some well-known fictional sidekicks are Don Quixote's Sancho Panza, Sherlock Holmes' Doctor Watson, The Lone Ranger's Tonto, The Green Hornet's Kato and Batman's Robin.-Origins:The origin of the...
and lover for Johnny Alpha in the long-running British comicbook series Strontium Dog
Strontium Dog
Strontium Dog is a long-running comics series featuring in the British science fiction weekly 2000 AD, starring Johnny Alpha, a mutant bounty hunter with an array of imaginative gadgets and weapons....
. She was a sexy bounty hunter with a mutation
Mutation
In molecular biology and genetics, mutations are changes in a genomic sequence: the DNA sequence of a cell's genome or the DNA or RNA sequence of a virus. They can be defined as sudden and spontaneous changes in the cell. Mutations are caused by radiation, viruses, transposons and mutagenic...
that gave her a vampiric
Vampire
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
lust for blood.
Publication history
When the character was first devised, there was some debate over DurhamDurham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
Red or Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
Blue as the character's name. The creators settled on Durham Red, and the character immediately proved popular from her first appearance. Following the death of Johnny Alpha, she was given a leading role in the spin-off series Strontium Dogs. Following the departure of writer Peter Hogan, the series was handed to Dan Abnett
Dan Abnett
Dan Abnett is a British comic book writer and novelist. He is a frequent collaborator with fellow writer Andy Lanning, and is known for his work on books for both Marvel Comics, and their UK imprint, Marvel UK, since the 1990s, including 2000 AD...
. Abnett's first action was to place Red in suspended animation and have her awake a thousand years after Strontium Dog continuity, in a universe where she was worshipped as a mythical saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
of mutants.
Aided by some strong art from Mark Harrison
Mark Harrison
Mark Harrison is a British comic book artist and occasional writer. The bulk of his work has appeared in the comic 2000 AD.Harrison's fully painted style is notable for its use of strong, dark colours and computer effects, though recent series The Ten-Seconders shows him moving towards lighter...
, the series enjoyed a long run. However, in 2004, the final story of the arc was printed, envisioning Durham Red surviving another thousand years, watching over the end of the human race and the beginning of a mutant
Mutant (fictional)
The concept of a mutant is a common trope in comic books and science fiction. The new phenotypes that appear in fictional mutations generally go far beyond what is typically seen in biological mutants, and often result in the mutated life form exhibiting superhuman abilities or qualities.-Marvel...
-populated universe.
The Strontium Dog stories that Red originally appeared in have since been deemed non-canonical, as part of Johnny Alpha's revival. This leaves Red in an unusual position in terms of continuity. The original Strontium Dog stories have been reclassified as tellings of the legend of Johnny Alpha, while the current stories are the "truth". As such, it is possible that the whole Durham Red saga spins off from events that never actually happened in the Strontium Dog universe. Some fans call this "Knots Landing
Knots Landing
Knots Landing is an American primetime television soap opera that aired from December 27, 1979 to May 13, 1993 on CBS. Set in a fictitious coastal suburb of Los Angeles in California, the show centered on the lives of four married couples living in a cul-de-sac, Seaview Circle...
continuity", echoing that television show's crossover into episodes of Dallas
Dallas (TV series)
Dallas is an American serial drama/prime time soap opera that revolves around the Ewings, a wealthy Texas family in the oil and cattle-ranching industries. Throughout the series, Larry Hagman stars as greedy, scheming oil baron J. R. Ewing...
which were later revealed as part of a dream sequence.
Appearances
- Strontium DogStrontium DogStrontium Dog is a long-running comics series featuring in the British science fiction weekly 2000 AD, starring Johnny Alpha, a mutant bounty hunter with an array of imaginative gadgets and weapons....
:- "Bitch" (Alan Grant and Carlos EzquerraCarlos EzquerraCarlos Sanchez Ezquerra , who has also worked under the alias L. John Silver, is a Spanish comics artist who works mainly in British comics and currently lives in Andorra...
, in 2000 AD #505-529, 1987) - "The Stone Killers" (Alan Grant and Carlos Ezquerra, in 2000 AD #560-572, 1988)
- "Bitch" (Alan Grant and Carlos Ezquerra
- Strontium Dogs: "High Moon" (Dan AbnettDan AbnettDan Abnett is a British comic book writer and novelist. He is a frequent collaborator with fellow writer Andy Lanning, and is known for his work on books for both Marvel Comics, and their UK imprint, Marvel UK, since the 1990s, including 2000 AD...
and Mark HarrisonMark HarrisonMark Harrison is a British comic book artist and occasional writer. The bulk of his work has appeared in the comic 2000 AD.Harrison's fully painted style is notable for its use of strong, dark colours and computer effects, though recent series The Ten-Seconders shows him moving towards lighter...
, 2000 AD #940-947, 1995)
- The Scarlet Apocrypha: http://www.2000ad.org/?zone=thrill&page=profiles&choice=SCARLET
- "Genegun SD" (Dan Abnett and Mark Harrison, in Judge Dredd MegazineJudge Dredd MegazineJudge Dredd: The Megazine is a monthly British comic magazine, launched in October 1990. It is a sister publication to 2000 AD. Its name is a play on words, formed from "magazine" and Dredd's locale Mega-City One.-Content:...
vol. 4 #16, 2002) - "Red Menace" (Dan Abnett and Carlos Ezquerra, in Judge Dredd Megazine vol. 4 #17, 2002)
- "In the Flesh" (Dan Abnett and Mark Harrison, in Judge Dredd Megazine vol. 4 #18, 2002)
- "Genegun SD" (Dan Abnett and Mark Harrison, in Judge Dredd Megazine
Featured
The character has also had her own eponymEponym
An eponym is the name of a person or thing, whether real or fictitious, after which a particular place, tribe, era, discovery, or other item is named or thought to be named...
ous story:
- Durham Red:
- "Island of the Damned" (by Alan Grant and Carlos EzquerraCarlos EzquerraCarlos Sanchez Ezquerra , who has also worked under the alias L. John Silver, is a Spanish comics artist who works mainly in British comics and currently lives in Andorra...
, in 2000 AD #762-773, 1991) - "The Golden Mile" (by Alan Grant and Carlos Ezquerra, in 2000AD Yearbook 1993)
- "Mirrors" (by Peter Hogan and Mark HarrisonMark HarrisonMark Harrison is a British comic book artist and occasional writer. The bulk of his work has appeared in the comic 2000 AD.Harrison's fully painted style is notable for its use of strong, dark colours and computer effects, though recent series The Ten-Seconders shows him moving towards lighter...
, in 2000 AD #901-903, 1994) - "Ghosts" (by Peter Hogan and Mark Harrison, in 2000 AD Winter Special 1994)
- "Deals" (by Peter Hogan and Mark Harrison, in 2000 AD #960-963, 1995)
- "Diners" (by Peter Hogan and Paul Marshall, in 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special 1995)
- "Night of the Hunters" (by Peter Hogan and Mark Harrison, in 2000 AD #1000-1005, 1996)
- "Epicedium" (by Dan AbnettDan AbnettDan Abnett is a British comic book writer and novelist. He is a frequent collaborator with fellow writer Andy Lanning, and is known for his work on books for both Marvel Comics, and their UK imprint, Marvel UK, since the 1990s, including 2000 AD...
and Mark Harrison, in 2000 AD #1006, 1996) - "The Scarlet Cantos" (by Dan Abnett and Mark Harrison, in 2000 AD #1078-1083 + #1085-1089, 1998)
- "Mask of the Red Death" (by Dan Abnett and Mark Harrison, in 2000 AD #1111, 1998)
- "The Vermin Stars" (by Dan Abnett and Mark Harrison, in 2000 AD #1250-1261, 2001)
- "The Empty Suns Book I" (by Dan Abnett and Mark Harrison, in 2000 AD #1362-1368, 2003)
- "The Empty Suns Book II" (by Dan Abnett and Mark Harrison, in 2000 AD #1382-1386, 2004)
- "Island of the Damned" (by Alan Grant and Carlos Ezquerra
Collected editions
Some of the later stories have been collected into a number of trade paperbacksTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
:
- The Scarlet Cantos (collects "The Scarlet Cantos" and "Mask of the Red Death", April 2006, ISBN 1-904265-86-3)
- Vermin Stars (collects "Vermin Stars", April 2006, ISBN 1-904265-08-1)
- Empty Suns (collects Durham Red: "The Empty Suns Book I" and "The Empty Suns Book II" and The Scarlet Apocrypha, November 2007, ISBN 1-905437-45-5)
Novels
Peter J. Evans has written a number of Durham Red novels that have been published by Black FlameBlack Flame
Black Flame was an imprint of BL Publishing, the publishing arm of Games Workshop and a sister imprint to the Black Library and Solaris Books. Black Flame was devoted to publishing cult fiction in the fields of science fiction, fantasy and horror...
:
- The Unquiet Grave (August 2004 ISBN 1-84416-159-5)
- The Omega Solution (May 2005 ISBN 1-84416-175-7)
- The Encoded Heart (October 2005 ISBN 1-84416-272-9)
- Manticore Reborn (January 2006 ISBN 1-84416-323-7)
- Black Dawn (July 2006 ISBN 1-84416-382-2)
Similarity with BloodRayne
Certain critics have said that RayneRayne (BloodRayne)
Rayne, sometimes called Agent BloodRayne, is a fictional character in the BloodRayne series of video games. Created by Majesco Entertainment, she is the series' titular protagonist, appearing in both games and later extended media, such as comic books and films related to the series...
, from the videogame series BloodRayne
BloodRayne
BloodRayne has received mostly mixed to positive reviews. Aggregating review websites GameRankings and Metacritic gave the Xbox version 73.53% and 76/100, the GameCube version 68.88% and 73/100, the PlayStation 2 version 68.87% and 75/100 and the PC version 65.78% and 65/100.-External links:*...
shows a strong similarity to Durham Red, having the same weapons and distinctive red hair, although that claim has been denied by the TRI representatives. In a posting on the then active BloodRayne.co.uk fan forums Joe Wampole, a developer for BloodRayne had this to say,
"Durham Red looks like a cool character but we've never heard of her. It is coincidence that her and BloodRayne look so similar.
The symbol on the hair is similar but looks more like a target, while Rayne's looks a little like Prince's symbol. Also, it looks like Durham is set in some alternate super sci-fi future.
I think it is just natural to put a vamp chick in black leather and either color her hair black or red."