Preview: ‘The 2000 AD Art Of Sean Phillips’

The latest in 2000 AD‘s artist collections features the early art of Sean Phillips, as you can probably tell from the title…

Over the 48 years of 2000 AD, it’s discovered so many artists who would go on to become the biggest stars in comics. From Brian Bolland to Steve Dillon, Dave Gibbons to Kevin O’Neill, Bryan Talbot to Simon Bisley, and so many more have made their names at 2000 AD and then broken out across the world. And this autumn, time to showcase yet another of these superstar artists with The 2000 AD Art of Sean Phillips.

Phillips went on to become one of the most acclaimed artists in comics now, this earlier work bringing him to the attention of US publishers and more and more work, work that led to him becoming a huge name in comics across in the USA and globally. He’s found particular success and critical acclaim with the series of books co-created with writer Ed Brubaker. Their Criminal series comes to Amazon Prime as a new series starring Charlie Hunnam and Emilia Clarke – so, perfect timing for this book really. Why, it’s almost like these marketing folks know what they’re doing.

The book is a complete early career retrospective covering his work on the likes of Judge Dredd, Danzig’s Inferno, Vector 13, and Sinister Dexter, as well as the two characters he co-created, the fabulously flamboyant vampiric Judge exorcist Devlin Waugh, and grumpy no-nonsense Brit-Cit Detective Armitage. Plus behind the scenes material showing his process and design work.

Sean Phillips has this to say:

‘With 2000 AD being a science-fiction comic, it’s apt that this gorgeous collection of my old work is working like a time machine for me! I drew these stories over thirty years ago – but looking at them again instantly transports me back when I was thinner with more hair. Hopefully for you reading them now time-travel is as possible as any of the other sci-fi concepts contained within…’

The 2000 AD Art of Sean Phillips will be published in three versions. The first is the retail hardcover version for comic shops and bookstores, with a 2000 AD webshop exclusive hardcover edition coming with what’s only being called a ‘special cover’ at this stage. And then there’s a very limited hardcover ‘sketch’ edition, with each one coming with a Sean Phillips original sketch, exclusively available for 2000 AD subscribers to pre-order through the webshop.

The 2000 AD Art of Sean Phillips will be published by Rebellion this October.