Zarjaz
Encyclopedia
Zarjaz is a comics anthology
fanzine
for the long-running British science fiction comic 2000 AD.
by Andrew J Lewis
and ran for four issues. The fanzine contained comic strips based on various 2000 AD characters and also ran an in-depth interview with writer Alan Moore
. There were contributions from established 2000 AD creators like Alan Grant and gave a start to others such as Adrian Bamforth
and Simon Spurrier
. It was originally printed in A4 format and reproduced cheaply giving it something of the feel of the original 2000 AD comic as it appeared in the 70s and early 80s. Issues 3 and 4 were printed in the smaller A5 size in an attempt to keep costs low and were published simultaneously.
Zarjaz was re-launched in 2005
by Colin J. Dinnie under the Underfire Comics banner, with whom he had previously edited the small press anthology Rapid Fire. The new run has so far produced seven issues but because the first was an "Issue 0" it is numerically only up to six. The new series features colour covers as opposed to the black and white of the original run.
Zarjaz is now being produced and published by FutureQuake Publishing, who took over with issue #5 (May 2008), as they had done with the Dogbreath
, the Strontium Dog
fanzine at issue #15 (December 2006).
and include Alan Grant, PJ Holden, Al Ewing
, Arthur Wyatt
and Edward Berridge and has helped showcase for some of the newest generation of 2000 AD writers and artists like Simon Spurrier
, Adrian Bamforth
and Nick Dyer.
It has also featured interviews with major 2000 AD talent (from the past and present) including Alan Moore
, Alan Grant and Frazer Irving
.
There have also been stories which have been picked up and continued in Zarjaz like Al Ewing
's "Bones of Eden," the first issue of which appeared in the 2000 AD Winter Special 2005.
, as well as through the internet and mail order.
Zarjaz won the "Best Self-Published/Independent" National Comics Award
at the annual Bristol Comic Expo
and came second to Jack Staff
in 2003
. It was also nominated for the "Favourite British Comicbook: Black and White" Eagle Award in 2011.
Comics anthology
Comics anthologies collect works in the medium of comics that are too short for standalone publication.- U.S. :- UK :British comics have a long tradition publishing comics anthologies, often weekly...
fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
for the long-running British science fiction comic 2000 AD.
Publication history
Zarjaz was started in 20012001 in comics
-Year overall:* Marvel Comics withdraws from the Comics Code Authority and established its own rating system for its publications.- January :* January 23: Fred Ray, Superman's primary cover artist of the 1940s, passes away at age 80.- September :...
by Andrew J Lewis
Andrew J Lewis
Andrew J Lewis is a writer, musician, artist and co-founder of the Toshist movement.-Biography:In 2001 Lewis created the 'Top Notch Tosh' small press comic. He wrote a range of short, punchy sci-fi/horror strips, illustrating many himself and collaborating with other artists including Justin...
and ran for four issues. The fanzine contained comic strips based on various 2000 AD characters and also ran an in-depth interview with writer Alan Moore
Alan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
. There were contributions from established 2000 AD creators like Alan Grant and gave a start to others such as Adrian Bamforth
Adrian Bamforth
Adrian Bamforth is a British comic book artist who has worked for 2000 AD as well as producing work for British small press comics like FutureQuake.-Bibliography:Comics work includes:*Judge Dredd:...
and Simon Spurrier
Simon Spurrier
Simon Spurrier is a British comics writer, who has previously worked as a cook, a bookseller and an art director for the BBC.Getting his start in comics with the British small press, he went on to write his own series for 2000 AD, like Lobster Random, Bec & Kawl, The Simping Detective and Harry...
. It was originally printed in A4 format and reproduced cheaply giving it something of the feel of the original 2000 AD comic as it appeared in the 70s and early 80s. Issues 3 and 4 were printed in the smaller A5 size in an attempt to keep costs low and were published simultaneously.
Zarjaz was re-launched in 2005
2005 in comics
- January :* January 3: Will Eisner, creator of The Spirit, dies at age 87.-April:*April 13:**DC Comics announces the discontinuation of its Humanoids and 2000 A.D. titles....
by Colin J. Dinnie under the Underfire Comics banner, with whom he had previously edited the small press anthology Rapid Fire. The new run has so far produced seven issues but because the first was an "Issue 0" it is numerically only up to six. The new series features colour covers as opposed to the black and white of the original run.
Zarjaz is now being produced and published by FutureQuake Publishing, who took over with issue #5 (May 2008), as they had done with the Dogbreath
Dogbreath
Dogbreath is a fanzine dedicated to the 2000 AD series Strontium Dog.-Publication history:Dogbreath was started by Dr Bob , who had been writing Strontium Dog fan fiction since 1981...
, the 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....
fanzine at issue #15 (December 2006).
Contributors
Contributors have come both from mainstream comics and the small pressBritish small press comics
British small press comics, once known as stripzines, are comic books self-published by amateur cartoonists and comic book creators, usually in short print runs, in the UK. A "small press comic" is essentially a zine composed predominantly of comic strips. The term emerged in the early 1980s to...
and include Alan Grant, PJ Holden, Al Ewing
Al Ewing
Al Ewing is a British comics writer who has mainly worked in the small press and for 2000 AD.-Biography:Al Ewing began his career writing stories in the five-page Future Shocks format for 2000AD...
, Arthur Wyatt
Arthur Wyatt (comics)
Arthur Wyatt is a writer for British comic 2000 AD, creating stories mostly in the Future Shock format. Wyatt was also selected as one of 2005's five best new comic book writers, contributing to the 2000AD Winter Special....
and Edward Berridge and has helped showcase for some of the newest generation of 2000 AD writers and artists like Simon Spurrier
Simon Spurrier
Simon Spurrier is a British comics writer, who has previously worked as a cook, a bookseller and an art director for the BBC.Getting his start in comics with the British small press, he went on to write his own series for 2000 AD, like Lobster Random, Bec & Kawl, The Simping Detective and Harry...
, Adrian Bamforth
Adrian Bamforth
Adrian Bamforth is a British comic book artist who has worked for 2000 AD as well as producing work for British small press comics like FutureQuake.-Bibliography:Comics work includes:*Judge Dredd:...
and Nick Dyer.
It has also featured interviews with major 2000 AD talent (from the past and present) including Alan Moore
Alan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
, Alan Grant and Frazer Irving
Frazer Irving
Frazer Irving is a British comic book artist known for the 2000 AD series Necronauts. Irving studied art at the University of Portsmouth, England, after which he took various temporary jobs in London...
.
There have also been stories which have been picked up and continued in Zarjaz like Al Ewing
Al Ewing
Al Ewing is a British comics writer who has mainly worked in the small press and for 2000 AD.-Biography:Al Ewing began his career writing stories in the five-page Future Shocks format for 2000AD...
's "Bones of Eden," the first issue of which appeared in the 2000 AD Winter Special 2005.
Availability
Zarjaz is published twice yearly and sold in comic shops around the UK, including Forbidden PlanetForbidden Planet (bookstore)
Forbidden Planet is the trading name of two separate science fiction, fantasy and horror bookshop chains across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States of America, after the feature film of the same name....
, as well as through the internet and mail order.
Awards
In 20022002 in comics
-March:* Adventures of Superman #600: super-sized anniversary issue by Joe Casey, Mike Wieringo, and Jose Marzan, Jr. -April:* Batman #600: "Bruce Wayne: Fugitive," part one, 64-page giant, written by Ed Brubaker.-January:...
Zarjaz won the "Best Self-Published/Independent" National Comics Award
National Comics Awards
National Comics Awards are given out on an annual basis for comic book and related material published in the United Kingdom the previous year.-History:...
at the annual Bristol Comic Expo
Comic Expo
Comic Expo is the name given to the UK's largest comic book event. It is held twice a year: in Bristol in the spring and in Brighton in the autumn...
and came second to Jack Staff
Jack Staff
Jack Staff is a British superhero created by comic book writer/artist Paul Grist. Billed as "Britain's Greatest Hero", it is known for being in the style of an anthology title and for its multi-linear plotlines....
in 2003
2003 in comics
-January:* January 2: Kid Colt artist Jack Keller dies at age 80.- April :* Action Comics #800: Double-sized anniversary issue, "A Hero's Journey," by Joe Kelly, Pascual Ferry, and Duncan Rouleau...
. It was also nominated for the "Favourite British Comicbook: Black and White" Eagle Award in 2011.
External links
- New blog for Zarjaz and DogbreathDogbreathDogbreath is a fanzine dedicated to the 2000 AD series Strontium Dog.-Publication history:Dogbreath was started by Dr Bob , who had been writing Strontium Dog fan fiction since 1981...
- Old blog
Interviews
- New Squaxx On The Block, interview between outgoing editor Colin J Dinnie and incoming editor Dave Evans, February, 2008