Schedule Weekly Writer Gordon Rennie Artist Frazer Irving Format 2000 AD | Number of issues 9 Genre Horror comics Publisher Rebellion Developments | |
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Created by Gordon Rennie
Frazer Irving Title(s) 2000 AD Prog 2001, #1223-1230 Formats Original material for the series has been published as a strip in the comics anthology(s) 2000 AD. Publication date December 13 2000 – February 21 2001 Main characters Charles Fort, Arthur Conan Doyle, H. P. Lovecraft, Harry Houdini Similar 2000 AD, Missionary Man, Fort: Prophet of the Unex, Button Man, Judge Dredd Megazine | ||
Necronauts was a story appearing in the British comics anthology 2000 AD, created by Gordon Rennie and Frazer Irving. It was this series that really brought Irving to public attention as his high contrast black and white artwork complemented Rennie's dark storyline.
Contents
Publication history
The outline for the story and was written in 1991 and was originally intended for Tundra Publishing, where Rennie had published White Trash, however:
it just sat around in a box for years as about a two-page rough story synopsis, gathering dust. I always knew it was a great story premise. I could have Vertigo-ed it up and submitted it there, but I don't think some of the funnier things in it - eg. Charles Fort swatting zombies with a cricket bat - would have survived the transition. I'm glad I wrote it in 1999 rather than 1991; my writing's stronger now that it was then, and I think the story greatly benefited from the long wait. Also, Frazer Irving wasn't around in 1991, and his contributions - not just in the wonderful art he produced, but also as someone to bat ideas off - was invaluable.
The story formed part of a general push by editor Andy Diggle to get more horror into the comic: "I commissioned Necronauts because I thought horror would work well in 2000 AD."
It eventually started in the 2000 AD end of year special in 2000, Prog 2001, and continued in issues #1223-1230.
Characters
Plot
In 1926, while practising a new trick, Houdini has a near-death experience, awakening the mysterious Sleepers. Meanwhile, Lovecraft is visited by a talking raven, and a séance that Sir Arthur is attending is attacked by a strange force that possesses the medium. Sir Arthur travels to New York City to speak to Houdini, where they are attacked by Tcho-Tchos, summoned by The Sleepers' human minions (The Hidden Masters of the World: The Illuminated Ones).
While Houdini and Lovecraft travel back into the spiritual plane, Fort and Sir Arthur must protect their bodies from the assembling dark forces. However, there is also a traitor in their midst, and one of their number will die.
Collected editions
The story has been reprinted as a trade paperback by Rebellion Developments: