Zarjaz

Blog redirected

2008-09-23T12:22:00.000-07:00

The new Zarjaz blog can be found at:

http://thequaequamblog.blogspot.com/

Everybody go there right now!

Friend Up with 30 Years of Hurt!

2007-11-28T15:37:00.002-08:00

Now you can make friends with Zarjaz by visiting our MySpace Page specifically devoted to 30 Years of Hurt - the Judge Dredd Special.

Why not drop by and add us, make a comment or leave us some feedback on the issue at:

www.myspace.com/30yearsofhurt

Dredd Special - Out Now!!

2007-10-26T21:30:00.000-07:00

The Zarjaz Judge Dredd 30th Anniversary Special is now available. Featuring stories celebrating the past present and future of Judge Dredd it weighs in at a mighty 48 pages.

First up is a retro tale by Al Ewing and artist Oliver Redding. In the fad crazed Mega City One you can be a victim of fashion as well as a victim of crime – dare you do ‘the Zoove’?

In ‘Untouchable’ an old cube inmate reveals a sinister connection to the lives of young cadets Rico and Joe Dredd. Written by Jay Eales with art by Brett Buckle.

Mark Pexton provides story and art in a tale of life on the dark side of Mega City One in ‘Letters to Eric’ and we see how Dredd can be as fearsome as he is just to the citizens of the Big Meg.

Next we bring you an unseen glimpse into the early life of the Angel Gang in ‘the Hills Have Angel Eyes’. Story and art by Indio with scripting by Al Ewing.

Richmond Clements and Paul Martin show us the thin divide between Judge and Perp in ‘the Line’.

And Dredd comes face to face with, well, Dredd in the temporally twisted ‘Time Trial’ by Colin J Dinnie and David Gray.

All of this wrapped under a sensational cover by fan favourite art droid Boo Cook.

30 Years of Hurt is £3.75 (inc p&p).
Either paypal to zarjazcomic@yahoo.co.uk

Or send a cheque (payable to Underfire Comics) to:
Zarjaz
21 the Lawns
Roselands Avenue
Eastbourne
BN22 8NT

30 Years of Hurt!

2007-08-20T05:29:00.000-07:00

For those who simply can’t wait for the next issue of Zarjaz – announcing an all-new one off Zarjaz special. ‘30 Years of Hurt’ is the Judge Dredd 30th Anniversary Special filled with new action packed strips tying into the good Judge’s past, present and future.

The cover art is by sensational 2000AD artist Boo Cook!

Editor droids had this to say:
“We knew we had to do something for the big anniversary year and we thought we would concentrate on ol’ stony face. After all, despite 2000AD being home to hundreds of characters over three decades there is still only one guy you think of first when you think of the galaxy’s greatest. All our contributors stepped up and turned in some fantastic strips and when Boo said he would do the cover we were sure we had a great package.”

‘30 Years of Hurt’ will be available from mid- September, up till then you can check back here for some more preview images in the coming weeks.

Zarjaz 4 Out Now!

2007-05-14T13:17:00.000-07:00

Zarjaz #4 the latest instalment of the Galaxy’s greatest fanzine, is now available. The super-keen will have picked up their copy at the Bristol Comic Expo but for everyone else now is the time to grab one.

Zarjaz 4 features an all new Strontium Dog strip from Daniel Whiston and Bryan Coyle, Rogue Trooper by Paul Glasswell and Brett Buckle, Meltdown Man returns courtesy of Ed Berridge and Martin Timmins, Bones of Eden continues with the winning team of Al Ewing and Russel Hossain and there is a Block Tale by Colin J Dinnie and new artist Nathan Webb.

Zarjaz #4 is £2.50 + 75p p&p

Either Paypal your order to zarjazcomic@yahoo.co.uk

Or send a cheque payable to Underfire Comics to:
Zarjaz, 21 the Lawns, Roselands Avenue, Eastbourne, BN22 8NT

2007-03-23T13:38:00.000-07:00

Zarjaz #4 - On its way!

The terran based geographic relocation of editorial droids (known on earth as 'moving house') has delayed the printing of Zarjaz #4. However the scrotnig new issue is soon to be available to all. Watch this space, earthlets!

MAXIMUM MEGAGE

2006-12-20T11:33:00.000-08:00

Peeps the Butler Droid here - All hail Tharg’s secondary organ as its festive issue turns the small press spotlight on non other than Zarjaz. I do appreciate a mighty plug and am very pleased with the added exposure. Special kudos to art droids Nick Dyer and Indio who each get a special mention, although strangely no reference to the shiny droid who pulls it all together! Perhaps Tharg is onto my plan to usurp him!

THE ‘JAZ HITS BRUM

2006-12-15T15:46:00.000-08:00

Zarjaz was in Birmingham last weekend for the first International Comics Show at the Custard Factory. The space was pretty well laid out for a comic convention, allowing plenty of circulation between the talks, the bar and the two dealer rooms. It was certainly a packed weekend and the organisers are to be congratulated for putting on a show with a lot of variety and a strong indy comics focus.

Hopefully this show will continue next year and be able to build its audience as we could certainly use a second ongoing annual convention.

Behind the Page 1

2006-12-01T12:48:00.000-08:00

We asked writer Nathan Adler to talk about some of the creative decisions behind his strip Judge Dredd: Floor War from Zarjaz #3.

The idea for this strip was really simple, instead of a Block War you just have two different floors of one block fighting each other and Dredd walks in and sorts it out. I think in the end the strip came off fantastically but a lot of that is to do with Nick Dyer being such a damn fine artist.

On the original version of this page that Nick drew Dredd had three other judges in tow behind him. Looking at the pencilled page I asked him why this was, since they weren't in the script.

Nick said they had to be there since Dredd was conversing with someone in the captions over the first three panels. In my stupidity I hadn't mentioned in the script that Dredd was on his bike comm talking to the control centre.

Nick re-drew and was able to do this much stronger central image of Dredd.

On the second page the very first panel was added in by Nick, he felt that there was too much dead space in stretching the second panel over the whole page. I wasn't sure about adding the extra 'beat' to the start of the page but it gives an interesting pause as Dredd waits for the lift.

I think its cool that if the lift was out Dredd would just climb the shaft. Why didn't he just use the stairs? I don't know. Maybe just because hes a hard ass.

This is the first of two occasions where people just give up to Dredd without a fight. He is such a powerful presence in Mega City 1 that everyday perps like these just arn't going to argue with him.

Issue 3 - in the clear

2006-12-01T12:40:00.000-08:00

Fantastic news for Squaxx everywhere - our printing problems are over and Zarjaz 3 is now on its way to stores across the UK.

Of course many still choose to get their thrills direct by mail order from as far away as the US, Finland and most recently Greece!

Now if only NASA would agree to help deliver our intergalactic orders!

Nightmare at the Printers!

2006-11-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

We have discovered that a printing error has blighted the Zarjaz 3 print run. On a large number of copies the toner can be removed from the contents page simply by rubbing your fleshy digits over it. Our terran based printer has promised to make good on the whole print run and we have a number of unaffected copies to fill current internet and mail orders.

If you have one of these rogue copies and would like to exchange it for a pristine new one please return it to:
Zarjaz
57a Langney Road
Eastbourne
BN21 3QD

It is only the contents page that is affected.

This problem has delayed shipping of Zarjaz #3 to Forbidden Planet International outlets and our London stockists Gosh, Orbital and Mega City Comics. We should have new stock as soon as possible and hope to be in stores before December.

ZARJAZ 3 OUT NOW!

2006-10-03T23:56:00.000-07:00

ZARJAZ #3 HITS THE POST-APOCALYPTIC STREETS!

The latest issue is now available featuring the new ongoing strip BONES OF EDEN, first seen in the 2005 Winter Special .

Bones of Eden shows us a world where an experimental virus has turned back the cultural clock to Year Zero - leaving Washington DC crawling with hyperviolent 'cave people'. Writen by new 2000AD talent Al Ewing and drawn by original artist Russell Hossain. A special feature interviews Al and looks back on the Winter Special.

Also in Issue 3 - Judge Dredd by Nathan Adler & Nick Dyer, Sinister Dexter by Mark Leney & Mark Pexton, Judge Tex by Nick Xylas & Brett Buckle and more. Enough thrills for you and your alien spawn!

Zarjaz 3 is £2.50 + 75p p&p
pay by paypal to zarjazcomic@yahoo.co.uk

or send a cheque payable to Underfire Comics to:
57a Langney Road
Eastbourne
BN21 3QD!

2006-10-03T12:57:00.000-07:00

Cover for Issue 3 by Russell Hossain

2006-10-03T11:55:00.001-07:00

Bones of Eden by Russell Hossain

2006-10-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

Judge Dredd by Nick Dyer

New Postage Rates!

2006-10-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

New Postage Rates from 1st Oct.

Unfortunately due to non-scrot forces at the Royal Mail we have had to raise the postage rate for a single issue from 50p to 75p. The cost for additional issues will remain at 25p per issue.

We hope the increase will not spoil your future Thrills!

Zarjaz 2 - Go Rogue!

2006-06-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

ZARJAZ
Issue 2
£2.50
40 pages
A5 / colour cover / b&w interior

The second issue of ZARJAZ - the 2000AD Fanzine is bursting with Thrillpower! All new stories featuring the cast of the Galaxy's Greatest Comic by talented new creators, including Nick Dyer, David Gray and John Aggs.

Fight on the battleground of Nu-Earth with Rogue Trooper, survive the jungle planet with Durham Red and witness an alternative take on Robo Hunter. Also featuring an article on the recent Zarjaz exhibition in London.

2006-04-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

Cover for Issue 2 by Simon Ham

2006-04-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

From Durham Red: Hunted. Art by David Gray

2006-04-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

From Judge Dredd: The Line. Art by Paul Martin

A Zarjaz 9 out of 10!

2006-01-13T12:03:00.000-08:00

If you carefully scan the reviews section of Comics International #192 right to the end you will find Zarjaz 1 has been awarded a prestigious 9 out of 10. Although the review is very brief I think it reflects the high quality of all the strips and the hard work of all the writers and artists that we got such a great mark.

Longtime readers of the review section will know we are now 2 for 2 because Issue 0 also got a 9!

So stay tuned for issue 2 - because we've got a lot to live up to!

Tharg Pluggage!

2006-01-13T11:52:00.000-08:00

Peeps the Butler Droid here!

After I administered one of his favourite Beetleguesian sponge baths Tharg very kindly agreed to plug Zarjaz in his mighty organ. But what do I get? One measly mention on the letters page! Is that the price of my personal shame? It seems that it is.

I can only hope it has brought new Squaxx to my humble page and that you will be of the noble disposition to purchase my papery offering. BUY IT YOU FLESHY FOOLS, BUY IT!!!

... I'm sorry. Minor circuit overload. I think I'll lie down now.

2005-11-25T05:15:00.000-08:00

Your erstwhile Editor - Peeps, the Butler Droid

2005-11-24T15:05:00.000-08:00

Cover for Zarjaz issue 1 by Cosmo White

ZARJAZ 1 - OUT NOW!

2005-11-24T14:12:00.000-08:00

ZARJAZ ISSUE 1 is now available!

Featuring all new strips from Al Ewing and Arthur Wyatt who both wrote for the recent 2000AD Winter Special. Also interviews with Ian Gibson and Boo Cook, plus for the first time in print - Doppleganger - the Dredd strip that got Boo Cook his job!

If this weren't enough Zarjaz excitement there is also sctrotnig artwork from David Gray on Dredd, Paul Martin on Bad Company and Barry Renshaw on Rogue Trooper.

Previews of all the strips to follow.

To order either send a cheque (payable to Underfire Comics) to:
Zarjaz
57a Langney Road
Eastbourne
BN21 3QD

Or pay by PayPal to:
zarjazcomic@yahoo.co.uk

The price is £2.50 + 50p P&P
so Three pounds of your earth money!

2005-11-24T14:09:00.000-08:00

Rogue Trooper from issue 1. Art by Bajore (Barry Renshaw)

2005-11-24T14:08:00.000-08:00

Bad Company from issue 1. Art by Paul Martin

2005-11-24T14:07:00.000-08:00

Judge Dredd - About Face from issue 1. Art by David Gray

2005-10-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

Zenith Promo drawn by Cosmo White

Zarjaz #0

2005-09-12T00:33:00.000-07:00

Zarjaz #0 is here!

Stories are;
Judge Anderson written by Colin J Dinnie with art by David Gray
Kreelman written by Andrew Lewis with art by Nick Dyer
Uranuim City Judge written by James MacKay with art by Geoffrey Shane
Judge Hershey written by Nathan Adler with art by Ed Traquino

To get your copy for £1.50 + 50p postage e mail me now.

The Story of Issue 0

2005-05-22T23:29:00.000-07:00

I first got the go ahead on Zarjaz in November 2004, Andrew Lewis was happy for me to go on using the name so I ran it by 2000AD and it was fine with them too.
I’ve edited anthology comics before so when I put the call out for submissions in early 2005 I had my eyes on the long game. Rather than aim for the early summer Bristol convention and risk some seriously tight deadlines, I made life easier on myself and scheduled issue 1 for the end of the year, around the time of Dreddcon. The submissions started to come in thick and fast and to my relief there was some really high quality work being sent in. The end of the year seemed like a long wait but at least everything was going according to plan. I then got the rarest of editorial treats, some good luck. My old friend Nick Dyer reminded me that he had a six page strip that Andrew Lewis had written for the last Zarjaz but never saw print. Around the same time David Gray, who was already signed on for a Dredd strip being written by Al Ewing, was bugging me to do a Judge Anderson strip. He sent me a pin-up image he had done, which became the cover for the issue, and it propelled me into writing a four page strip that not only sated David’s need for some Anderson action, but also acted as a great introduction to Zarjaz. I knew a short strip like that would take David no time at all so all of a sudden I had 10 pages well before the deadline was due.

It was about this time I started thinking about doing a comic for Bristol, people who had heard I was re-launching had already sent e-mails assuming the first issue would be out in may – who was I to let them down? I figured if I had 16 pages plus a cover that would be a handsome preview issue, but of course I only had 10. I threw the gauntlet down to Zarjaz creators; anyone who could guarantee me the pages by the beginning of May could have the slot. Geoffrey Shane over in the States couldn’t resist the challenge. He was drawing James McKay’s Uranium City Judge strip and reckoned he could hit the deadline. That was 15 pages filled, all I needed was some pin-ups to fill the gaps so I asked a couple of favours. Si Penter has a great Rogue Trooper pin- up on the 2000AD website so I asked if I could use that. Si went one better and drew a brand new Rogue pin-up just for us! Then I asked Ed Traquino, a very busy guy, to knock up a pin-up. Ed went two better and said he’d do a two page strip if he could have the script by next week! And he wanted to do Anderson.
“Anderson’s been done” I said “You can have Hershey”
“Even better” said Ed and disappeared back into his harem.

Now I had no time at all to produce a two page Judge Hershey strip. Which meant it was time to trawl the pubs of Brighton, find Nathan Adler, slap him sober and put a pen in his hand. Say what you like about the old soak - give him a character, a page count and a deadline and he always delivers the goods. With everything in place it just took some long hours on Photoshop to put the book together and then off to the printers. All that was left was for my lovely fiancé and I to fold and staple and lo, a comic was born!

2005-05-22T15:39:00.000-07:00

Promo image for Zarjaz - this artwork by David Gray was also used on the cover of Issue 0.

Zarjaz Returns

2005-05-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

Zarjaz - the 2000AD fanzine is back!
There'll be thrills a plenty with all your favourite 2000AD characters including Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, Rogue Trooper, Judge Anderson, Bad Company and many many more.
A special issue 0 with exclusive strips will be on sale at Bristol's Comic Expo May 14th & 15th. This issue will act as a preview of the new Zarjaz which starts in earnest in the winter.
Stay tuned Earthletts!