Number One of Lambeth Fantastical's Into the Twighlight Zone evening walking tours through time and relative dimsions. Delving into the amazing world of comics and graphic novels. Central to the theme of the walk will be 2000 AD, launched by IPC Media's comic division, based at King's Reach Tower on the Southbank, on 26th February 1977.
I will be exploring Lambeth's connections to Judge Dredd, who was conceived in Waterloo, and not only continues to appear on the pages of 2000 AD, but has his own spinoff magazine, and two Hollywood movies to his credit. Along the way we will meet other iconic characters such as Dan Dare, Halo Jones, and Roy of the Rovers, not forgetting Tharg the Mighty, alien editor of 2000 AD, and hear about the rise and fall of the mighty Trigan Empire.
We'll also find out about writers and artist such as Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Pat Mills and Ian Gibson, and how the 'so-called' British invasion of 1980s revived the fortunes of American comic publishers such as Marvel and DC.
We'll find out about the pioneering IPC girls' comics which bucked the trends of their era to delve into horror and scifi. We'll expose the real life plot by the Chairman of IPC overthrow the premiership of Harold Wilson and install an appointed coalition cabinet led by Lord Mountbatten. There will, of course, be at least one thoroughly evil and devious super villain to contend with.
Whether you love comics and graphic novels, are nostalgic for the comic strips from your childhood, or want to discover more about this modern day cultural phenomenon, there will be something for you on this walk.
The meeting point on this occassion will be the National Windrush Monument on the concourse of Waterloo mainline station.
