Cutaway Comics is launching a new comic series exploring the worlds and characters of Doctor Who – the first of which, Lytton, is written by 1980s Script Editor, Eric Saward.
The independent comic imprint, based in Manchester, mixes writers new to comics with experienced artists, bringing a new perspective to characters using fresh British creatives.
Gareth Kavanagh is Cutaway’s head honcho and friend of The Doctor Who Companion. You’ll know him as one half of the publishing duo behind Vworp Vworp, the acclaimed fanzine chronicling the history of Doctor Who comics. He says:
“I was always fascinated by strips in the back of Doctor Who Weekly that didn’t feature the Doctor. Instead, the monsters took centre stage – and the stories were terrifying. Those strips launched the careers of Alan (Watchmen) Moore and David (V For Vendetta) Lloyd amongst others, and this is our homage to those unpredictable and wild stories with the next generation of talent.”
Cutaway Comics has been working with writers, artists, and rights holders to deliver an ambitious chapter of storytelling with villains, aliens, and planets from the worlds of Doctor Who and beyond. The first chapter includes a visit to the giant tower block of Paradise Towers, the rogue god Omega attempting to free himself of his black hole prison, and a dimension-hopping trip to 1970s Soho in Lytton.
Lytton features the intergalactic soldier seen in Doctor Who’s Resurrection of the Daleks and Attack of the Cybermen. This is a brand new story written by his creator Eric Saward and featuring art from Barry Renshaw. Here’s the synopsis:
Intergalactic soldier Lytton has swapped the battlefields for a jazz club in 1970s Soho. If only it wasn’t for the strange noises in the sewers, rumours of vicious aliens in the dark alleyways, and a terrible sense of murder in the air, then everything might be perfect.
Saward (Earthshock) says:
“It has been an adventure pushing one of my own characters into this visual medium. I’ve very much enjoyed seeing my characters take on a life of their own after all this time!”
Further series coming from Cutaway Comics include Omega: Vengeance, which sees Omega pulling the strings to escape his black hole prison. Omega also features art by the legendary John Ridgway.
Following Omega: Vengeance will be a return to the world of Paradise Towers, a giant tower block with teenage gangs, murderous old ‘rezzies’, and underground whispers that might topple the tower block once and for all. The story is written by Sean Mason, who has previously adapted Halo Jones and V for Vendetta for the stage.
You can order comics from the Cutaway site, or through the Kickstarter page, which includes further benefits for backers, including digital copies and the chance to appear in a future Lytton comic.
Each issue ordered directly from the Cutaway Comics website will include an exclusive bonus DVD with the following content:
- Video commentaries on the comic featuring artist Barry Renshaw and writer Eric Saward
- An introduction to the series from Eric Saward
- New interviews with Eric Saward and Barry Renshaw
- Newly recorded audio commentaries for Gangsters, the series that shot Lytton actor Maurice Colbourne to fame featuring series creator Philip Martin and BFI Historian Dick Fiddy (watch a preview above)
- A newly recorded audio commentary for The Caves of Androzani featuring Salateen actor Robert Glenister
- Deleted pages, and concept art
You can order Lytton #1 directly from Cutaway Comics.
