#bolt-01

Plans are afoot for the revival of the much-loved 2000AD-inspired comic zine Zarjaz, which ceased publication after the death of the much-missed Dave Evans, aka Bolt-01 in 2021

I've been trying to process the news about the passing of Dave "Bolt-01" Evans, but it's just too unbelievable, too wrong an idea to take in.

Dave was the driving force behind FutureQuake, Zarjaz, Dogbreath, Something Wicked and loads more. He - along with Rich Clements - gave me (and many, many others) my first shot at getting a published comic out into the world, via FutureQuake, which started off a long and fruitful collaboration, and - more importantly - a friendship that's lasted over a decade. We've worked together on countless stories and proposals, in his capacity as both letterer and artist (we even "swapped roles" on Mansion Of Madness, where I became editor and he was a creator under my purview). 

His contributions to the UK comics scene are truly immense, and can't be overstated. Not only was he an accomplished letterer, but he was a great editor and a fine artist, too; I had the pleasure of working with him on several "Daily Zarjaz" stories, where he let his artistic side shine through. His approach to those helped shape my scripting for the later stories, and, in turn, made me a better writer. It's something I can't ever thank him enough for.

I only ever met Dave in the flesh twice, and both times, he made me feel like an old friend he hadn't seen in years, and I really wish I'd managed to spend more time in his company, rather than just emailing back and forth. I'm forever grateful that we built a friendship on that, but I regret that I never got the chance to sit and have a drink and a proper face-to-face natter with him.

Dave really was an integral part of the UK comics scene, and it genuinely won't be the same without him. He was an absolute titan, and the legacy he's leaving behind will stretch on for a long time. Even so, I can't imagined how much greater the loss is to his many close friends and family. My heart goes out to them all.

Rest in piece, Dave.

In Memoriam: Comics Editior, Co-Publisher Artist and Letterer Dave Evans, aka Bolt-01

Dave Evans at Thought Bible in 2015. Photo: Jeremy Briggs We’re very sorry to report the sudden and unexpected passing of Dave Evans, an integral part of FutureQuakePress for over 17 years, alongside Richmond Clements and webmaster Barny Shergold – regularly publishing the brilliant independent British comic zines Futurequake, Dogbreath and Zarjaz, both of the latter highly-regarded homage to…

Remembering Dave Evans: A Personal Tribute by Richmond Clements

Richmond Clements, writer and co-publisher at independent British comic house FutureQuakePress, kindly offers his thoughts on his friend Dave Evans, also known as letterer Bolt-01, whose death last week has shocked and saddened the whole comics community… Dave Evans and Richmond Clements, together at Thought Bubble in 2014. Photo: Antony Esmond. Plenty of others have said some lovely, moving…

In Review: Zarjaz Issue 38

Wrapped in a terrific cover by Kev Crossley, the latest issue of the 2000AD-inspired not-for-profit zine Zarjaz – Issue 38, no less – is available now from Futurequake Press, along with the Strontium Dog-focused Dogbreath #38 and the superb creator-owned anthology, Futurequake 2020.

This all Dreddworld issue features a fine mix of stories featuring Judge Dredd, Judge Anderson, Lenny Zero and…

Latest Strontium Dog-inspired Dogbreath out now!

The latest issue of the longest-running 2000AD fanzine – Dogbreath, from FutureQuake Press, positively demands your attention, not least for its stunning cover by Colin MacNeil – and the more so because it includes a strip written by Marvel and 2000AD artist Kev Hopgood, drawn by Rich Waugh.

“Middenface McNulty – McNulty’s Law”

“Middenface McNulty – McNulty’s Law”is a fun story starring…

Zarjaz Presents... Strontium Dog: Fight Night episode 2

Continues tomorrow!

Catch up on the previous episodes here.