“We wanted a mix of old styled strips from the halcyon days of comics, along with some contemporary strips” Ben S Ky talks retro anthology comic The77
While many British anthologies have attempted to follow in the footsteps of 2000 AD, few have attempted it with quite as much ambition as The77. Bursting onto Kickstarter earlier in the year and with the first issue about to be released to the world, we caught up with editor Ben S Ky to find out the story behind this ambitious new retro anthology
Tell us a bit about the origin of The 77 – it emerged out of a 2000 AD Facebook group, is that right? What made you want to create an anthology like this?
Ben S Ky: The origins of The77 go way back. I was involved in zines back the 80’s. I created a character called ‘Skate Worm’, a drunken, anarchic skate boarding Tequila worm. He appeared in the very popular skate boarding/punk zine ‘Skate Muties from the 5th Dimension’. That eventually fed into Deadline in the 90’s. I self published a few other titles through the 90’s when I was working as an animator and then took a different direction and have taught design for the past 25 years, having a complete break from comics and publishing.
In 2007 I created the original 2000AD fan page on Facebook, then called ‘2000AD- 1977 to Present’. So yeah, via the growth of the group and the people who joined, it was indeed during a conversation that started in 1977-2000AD and that has led here. When you host a popular group, that has a lot of of very talented and creative people involved, it was perhaps always possible that I might have gotten back into comics. I’ve gone part-time with my job to really give it my best shot, never imagining how much work was involved but we are a team that take care of our Twitter: @77Comic, Instagram: @the77comic/ website: the77comic.wordpress.com which has led to us really building interest in The77 and having a tremendously successful Kickstarter campaign, with over 400 backers keen to see the fruits of our labours.
It has a very throwback feel, especially with the cover and the opening stories, was that an intentional plan for the style of the book?
Ben S Ky: The77 is, as we say, ‘A new retro anthology’. We wanted a mix of old styled strips from those halcyon days of comics from the 50’s-90’s but also knew that this could be lost on a younger audience, so a blend has been sought where there are more contemporary strips included. The fact that most are between 4-6 pages in length is also telling. It does mean that there is a lot of ‘bang for your buck’ as such but if anything, we want to give the reader value for money. There are too many crowdfunded zines and comics out there wanting a tenner for 20 pages or so. I think at £6.95 for 68 pages we are honouring the old school comics which in our minds anyway always seemed so affordable.Regarding the cover, it was design that took a lot of getting to. We must have created a dozen or so different dummies and when our art editor, Ian Sharman came back with his take, we knew we were very close to what we wanted. I must also say thanks to Steve Green who designed The77 logo. It is very suggestive of those classic British mast heads and I think has a very distinctive yet original feel.
How did you choose which creators you wanted to include and did you have any requirement for them when submitting their work?
Ben S Ky: Well I looked at the 1977-2000AD group and those who’d already prompted the start up. Several were very well known and we were delighted to get their support right back when The77 was at a very embryonic stage, so for example having Steve MacManus, Mal Earl and Phil Elliott involved from the off meant as the commissioning editor I had some kudos and leverage to interest other ‘names’ to get on board. Shortly followed Kek-W, Ian Gibson, Annie Parkhouse, Steve Austin, Lew Stringer and many other well known and breaking creators. Our ethos is as such to have work from the creators we grew up reading, those who we’re reading now and those who’s careers will probably outlive us. It’s very exciting to know that several of the new creators are about to break into the mainstream and indeed I believe that we have some real stars of the future within our first couple of issues.
The requirement for submitting work of course varies. I wouldn’t ask Ian Gibson for his CV or exemplar pages. I grew up loving his stuff and that he wanted to get involved and allow us the privilege of premiering work from Life Boat, his unpublished masterpiece, was just amazing. I feel it’s a huge responsibility to handle it in a respectful manner and am delighted to say that we must have impressed Ian because we’ll be publishing more from the series in the coming issues!

A lesser known artist was given a page from Steve MacManus’ ‘Tinkling Triangles’, to Kiwi, Brendon Wright. He was commissioned due to the excellent work he provided based on that opening page. Others, like Drew Marr from Gold Lion comics, I admit we’re taking a complete punt on. He’s eleven years old but has been in the publishing game for 3-4 years now. We met at a convention. I loved his stuff and when I found out his back catalogue I knew that the kid could tell a decent story and his collage artwork style is very fresh and he’s earned his place in issue 1. And if the editor of the Beano likes him, as does Ian Kennedy, I’m not arguing with them!. For anyone considering a submission email the77submissions@gmail.com and we read every piece and always get back to the person with an honest appraisal of their work.
As well as 2000 AD, which comics and anthologies were inspirational to you and The 77 team?
Ben S Ky: Personally it was Monster Fun, Action, 2000AD and Deadline from the British publishing houses. I was never a superheroes fan, but enjoyed Swamp Thing, Sandman, Hellblazer and most of Fantagraphics output from our American cousins in the 80’s -90’s and always had my eye turned towards Europe, through Metal Hurlant and the artists such as Bilal, Wilson, Moebius, Druillet and so on. In fact I have promised Jean-Pierre Dionnet, the original publishing editor, that I’d send him a copy or two. that is quite mind-blowing! For others in the team it was Scream, Bunty, Jinty, Misty, Eagle,Transformers and 2000AD etc, (on the whole they’re younger than me.) Obviously having my favourite Tharg involved and being available for advice has been tremendous and I value his experience i’ll probably get into trouble for mentioning it but it’s a dream come true to be honest.
What’s the secret to a good anthology? Themes? Genres? Or just a great mix of great work?
Ben S Ky: The secret to a great anthology? Ask me that again in a couple of years regarding The77! As for those comics that made us? I think great writing, keeping the reader guessing with a well structured narrative, nicely poised when going from one episode to the next and of course artwork that leaps off the page. Whether we’ll have all those ingredients from the off, I don’t know but you can be sure that we’re giving it our best shot!
The real secret though is that we have established a very tight production team. Must of us have worked together for a couple of years putting a lot of editorial, reviews and features together in the 1977-2000AD. We are able to share ideas and will always back each other. These are my friends and without them The77 wouldn’t exist. So a big shout goes out to Dave Heeley, Steve Bull, Dave Bedford, Paul McCollum and Jo Heeley.
What’s the long term plan for The 77 – will we be seeing regular releases?
OK, so I can say that the next edition of The77 ‘THE SUMMER SPECIAL’ will be out in time for August. My intention is to then speed up production and go to a bi-monthly model. We will use Kickstarter again, and have signed up with Getmycomics.com as our distributors. The crowdfunding platform is even more prescient as it builds a digital community and due to most comic stores and regular outlets currently being closed due to COVID-19, we are playing to our strengths via our social media and digital platforms getting our brand across and promoting not just The77 but all of the creators and contributors. We use the ‘French model’, meaning everyone has equity in the title and its success and this means that we support each other and share our resources. This comes back to Metal Hurlant and I’m proud that we are an equitable organisation.
July 27, 2025 @ 7:29 am
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
August 8, 2025 @ 4:46 pm
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
December 19, 2025 @ 11:30 pm
Steht ein Spieler in der OASIS-Sperrdatei, darf er in keinem GGL-lizenzierten Casino in Deutschland mehr spielen. Casinos ohne deutsche GGL Lizenz lassen sich bequem über den Browser spielen. Auch wenn deutsche Spieler in Casinos mit Lizenzen aus
Curaçao oder Anjouan spielen, bedeutet dies dennoch eine gültige
Regulierung. Online Casino ohne deutsche Regeln eröffnet Spielern die Möglichkeit, abseits
der gewohnten Vorschriften und Beschränkungen ein individuelles und spannendes Glücksspielerlebnis zu erleben. Ein Online Casino ohne deutsche Regeln ermöglicht Spielern eine
alternative Glücksspielerfahrung mit abweichenden Regelungen und vielfältigen Spielmöglichkeiten. Ein Casino ohne Konto bietet eine bequeme und anonyme Möglichkeit,
Glücksspiele online zu genießen.
3-in-1 Willkommensbonus bis zu 2888 € + 250 FS Zusätzlich
erhalten Sie einen Geheimbonus. Der maximale Betrag für den gesamten Willkommensbonus beträgt 1000 EUR + 600
FS.
References:
https://online-spielhallen.de/rizk-casino-erfahrungen-ein-detaillierter-blick-auf-meine-spielerlebnisse/
December 21, 2025 @ 5:23 am
Ihren Browser aktuell zu halten und gelegentlich den Cache zu leeren, ist eine gute Gewohnheit für
ein reibungsloses und sicheres Wetterlebnis. Lassen Sie uns die häufigsten Platincasino
Login-Hürden durchgehen und Sie unverzüglich wieder ins Geschehen bringen. Wenn Sie Ihre Daten vergessen haben,
klicken Sie einfach auf den Link „Passwort vergessen? Das häufigste Problem ist ein einfacher Tippfehler in Ihrem Benutzernamen oder Passwort,
also geben Sie diese sorgfältig erneut ein. Um sicherzustellen, dass Sie ohne Probleme starten, haben wir ein paar Profi-Tipps für
Sie.
Dieses Angebot bietet damit sowohl sofortigen Spielspaß als auch tägliche Extras, die den Einstieg besonders attraktiv machen und die Spannung verlängern. Gleich nach der Gutschrift stehen 100 Spins
zur Verfügung, die restlichen 20 Freispiele werden an fünf aufeinanderfolgenden Tagen gutgeschrieben. Nach
einer schnellen Registrierung und der ersten Einzahlung verdoppelt das Casino den Betrag mit einem
100 % Bonus bis zu 400 €. Neue Spieler bei Platincasino profitieren von einem der stärksten Willkommenspakete im deutschen Online-Markt.
Alternativ steht der Kundensupport rund um die Uhr bereit und gibt schnelle
sowie verlässliche Hilfe.
References:
https://online-spielhallen.de/iwild-casino-bewertung-ein-tiefer-einblick-fur-spieler/
December 26, 2025 @ 12:33 pm
If not, check the promo page or ask support before playing — bonuses often can’t be activated retroactively.
The mobile version of sky crown online casino runs
smoothly on both Android and iOS — no app download required, just log in through your browser and you’re good to go.
Skycrown Casino Australia real money players get access to one
of the most stacked game libraries around. There’s also a
unique crypto bonus for players using Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other coins — which makes the casino stand out if you like playing with crypto.
The platform accepts AUD directly, so you deposit
and withdraw without currency conversion fees eating into your balance.
You tap the icon on your home screen and the casino opens in full-screen mode, looks
and feels like a standard app, yet updates automatically
without requiring manual downloads. There’s
no separate Skycrown app for Android, but the mobile site works perfectly on any
modern Android phone or tablet — no download needed.
On the downside, it’s licensed offshore
— not a dealbreaker, but worth noting for cautious players.
Players can enjoy secure transactions, thousands of games, and exclusive mobile bonuses—all from their smartphone or tablet.
Even without an app, SkyCrown Casino delivers a high-quality mobile gaming experience.
Whether you’re asking about payments, games, or your skycrown no deposit bonus code, the team is responsive and polite.
Once you’re in with a quick skycrown casino login Australia,
you’ll find over 6,000 games — and it’s not just about quantity, the quality’s legit too.
References:
https://blackcoin.co/the-ville-resort-casino-complete-guide/
December 26, 2025 @ 1:23 pm
As you can see, the features in online casino games
are appealing and prevent boredom, unlike classic slots. Of course,
there are those players who like classic slots best, where there are no bonus rounds or special
symbol options. A pretty important factor in determining the best bitcoin online casino slots is the presence of inherent features.
Just go to any free bitcoin slots and run the games you like.
7Bit bitcoin casino bonuses are safe and pleasant to use.
Gamblers with their own strategies maximize their victorious chances to win a Bitcoin casino jackpot.
A diverse range of themes will mesmerize even the pickiest gamers.
Our Bitcoin limits are a minimum of 1Mbtc bet estimate and a maximum of 400Mbtc bet estimate.
All you need is good internet and accessibility online. Also,
a live croupier is controlling the wheel, cards, and table without any automation or robotic system.
We operate under the laws of Curacao.
References:
https://blackcoin.co/online-video-poker-with-modern-slot-machines-how-to-play-it/
December 26, 2025 @ 6:00 pm
It’s a good idea to consider the overall usability of
the top online casinos. Reviewing online casinos involves a thorough evaluation of various features to provide you with comprehensive insights.
When it comes to having a good time with Australian online casinos, you want the best
of the best, right?
That means there is legal oversight, verified payouts,
and responsible gambling protections. Every casino site that made our list is fully licensed
in at least one U.S. state. Each one serves a different kind of player, but only
one earned the top rating in our books! If a
casino doesn’t hold a U.S. state license, none of those protections apply.
References:
https://blackcoin.co/kingpin-crown-melbourne-casino-guide/
December 26, 2025 @ 11:03 pm
Each title is selected for its engagement value and potential to deliver real outcomes,
with over 150+ pokies and card-based experiences available on desktop and mobile.
Everything on this site reflects real, live, and accessible
gameplay for users seeking stable outcomes and
safe access. New users can claim the $50 no-deposit bonus instantly after signing up, with no need for promo referrals or external approvals.
Whether you’re here for your first spin or returning for more,
this site is built to move you forward — quickly, securely,
and with bonuses that hit where it counts. No redirects, no broken codes — just a clean path to
licensed games, secure financial handling, and results-driven features that reward real-time action.
Click the verification link provided in the email to activate your new account.Once your email is verified,
your Ozwin Casino account is ready to use. They boast around 3,000 slot games,
including classic and modern video slots with
engaging features. We understand that luck can sometimes be elusive,
which is why we offer a 25% – 50% Cashback bonus to soften the blow of any
losses.
References:
https://blackcoin.co/mr-green-erfahrungen/
December 28, 2025 @ 10:52 pm
online casino with paypal
References:
https://www.lms.pidernegi.org/
December 28, 2025 @ 11:28 pm
paypal casino online
References:
optimaplacement.com
December 29, 2025 @ 6:08 am
casino with paypal
References:
https://centerdb.makorang.com/
December 29, 2025 @ 6:32 am
paypal casinos online that accept
References:
https://www.jobv3.com/companies/play-at-the-best-new-paypal-casinos-for-2025/
December 29, 2025 @ 7:46 am
Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
December 29, 2025 @ 3:39 pm
Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. This type of clever work and coverage! Keep up the amazing works guys I’ve you guys to my blogroll.
December 30, 2025 @ 12:59 am
online casino accepts paypal us
References:
https://pharmakendra.in/employer/top-10-online-casinos-in-australia-2025/
December 30, 2025 @ 1:20 am
casino mit paypal einzahlung
References:
http://workompass.com/employer/new-casinos-2025-the-best-online-casinos-safe-tested-trustworthy/
December 30, 2025 @ 8:32 am
Really wonderful visual appeal on this website , I’d rate it 10 10.
December 30, 2025 @ 2:59 pm
Thanx for the effort, keep up the good work Great work, I am going to start a small Blog Engine course work using your site I hope you enjoy blogging with the popular BlogEngine.net.Thethoughts you express are really awesome. Hope you will right some more posts.
January 2, 2026 @ 9:59 pm
trumpkennedycenter.com has Club Drug Warning and it’s easy, cheap and fake
January 5, 2026 @ 8:49 am
It’s arduous to seek out educated people on this topic, but you sound like you realize what you’re speaking about! Thanks