Interview: The Return Of Department K With McConville, Holden, & Cornwell
1st June 2021
They’re the team with all the interdimensional skills – and Department K are back for a new, extended series!
Having kicked off with a new story in 2000 AD Regened Prog 2233, the Dredd-world series starts a new case in 2000 AD Prog 2234 this week – courtesy of Rory McConville and artist Dan Cornwell!
While other Judges deal with crime on the streets, TekDiv’s Dept K tackle those interdimensional enemies perennially looking to break through the walls of reality. The first series of Department K begins in 2000 AD Prog 2234, out this week!
.
Rory, PJ, Dan, hello and welcome. Trust you’re both keeping well and looking forward to post-Covid times…
PJ HOLDEN: Post Covid? There is only Covid. Now and forever. (I may have Covid fever)
So, after its debut Regened Prog 2196, we’re going to see the return of Department K in 2000 AD Regened Prog 2233, courtesy of Rory and PJ.
PJH: Yay!
And then, because Tharg is a lovely and generous master, we’re getting a brand-new Department K series starting in the pages of 2000 AD Prog 2234, this time with Dan on artwork.
PJH: Boo! BUT ALSO YAY!
(Okay, someone take the sugared drinks away from PJ right now!)
That first Regened series showed us Department K, the mysterious part of Tek-Div responsible for investigating all of those interdimensional threats that seem to break through the fabric of reality on a semi-regular basis in MC-1.
We saw the small team of Tek-Judge Kirby, Mech-Judge Estabon, and their resident interdimensional expert, Blackcurrant, joined by their new intern, Afua, who’s immediately thrown into the deep-end in an adventure on another dimension’s Earth.
So, how is it that we’re getting the two new series this time round?
RORY McCONVILLE: It was all down to Matt. After the positive reception to the first story, he got in touch asking about doing a full series but, given the amount of time that would’ve elapsed between the Regened specials, I think the idea was that it would be good to have another one-off that could reintroduce the team and serve as a launch pad for the full series that would then start in the following Prog.
What can we expect from these two new Dept K strips?
PJH: Well, we’re gonna rapidly bounce around the multiverse before bringing our little crew home, and then that’s me off – similarly to bounce around the multiverse. I leave it in the talented hands of Dan to make sure he can make the most of Rory’s scripts.
RMc: Yep, the Regened one-off is picking up where the previous story ended with the team still bouncing around different dimensions trying to make their way home. Quite a bit of time has passed since we last saw them but we get a few snapshots of some of the other adventures they’ve had along the way.
Now, it’s a special treat time for everyone… a quick preview of the Regened Department K from 2000 AD Prog 2233…
And now back to the interview…
RMc: And then the series that follows sees the team answering a call for help which leads to them investigating a very strange and suspicious incident in another dimension…
PJ, were you not available for the longer series? Did Rory burn you out with the outrageous writer demands this time around?
PJH: Sadly it just came down to over-commitment, concurrently I was doing a new thing with writer X that I can’t talk about for another publisher and was also doing Chimpsky, and when Dept K got the go-ahead for another series I just couldn’t make the timing work.
I was delighted Dept K got the go-ahead and it breaks my heart a little I can’t go on the journey with them, but you know, who knows, if it’s got legs maybe I’ll get to pop in and do the odd thing with them every so often.
It strikes me that it’s a series that works so well as an all-ages thing because there’s literally nowhere off-limits, no being tied to the darkness of MC-1, with all manner of wonderful strangeness available to you.
PJH: Well as you know, Rory and I were kicking it around as typical 2000 AD series, Matt suggested it might work as a Regened title, and to be honest, that might have been the magic moment for me. I think it allowed me to push hard in a whimsical / goofy direction, and I wanted to draw big weird alien things.
DAN CORNWELL: It definitely has a wide-ranging feeling to the strip. Nothing is off limits. It’s almost like Star Trek in that way. The only limit is Rory’s imagination and where he wants to go.
I’d imagine it’s also a load of fun to do?
PJH: It was! Not having to worry about continuity (I mean, 2000 AD/ Judge Dredd’s world isn’t bogged down in it, but at the same time there’s already a vocabularly – or a grammar of what you can do) suddenly you can loosen up.
DC: A lot of fun and a lot of work. When you work on Dredd or something along those lines – you have a depth of characters and designs to work from whereas this is all new.
PJ had the hard task of designing the lead characters but once you head out into space and beyond you have to really get your character designer hat on. PJ designed some of the Locusts, but there are many of them, and each one is different. Then there’s the other aliens and creatures we meet in the journey. One was particularly hard to design, but I’ll leave you to guess which.
And that seems like a perfect time to give you a special 2-page preview of the ongoing Dept K story, Cosmic Chaos…
With these new series, are you keeping all that fun lightness? No plans to go dark and bring the Dark Judges onboard or anything like that?
RMc: No Dark Judges yet, but you never know! We’re definitely keeping that bombastic Kirbyish sci-fi vibe but that’s not to say there aren’t darker elements – some I’m actually surprised we were allowed to include, but then I have to remind myself that a lot of kids’ entertainment is incredibly dark.
DC: In terms of the Regened strip it’s still all PJ. He’s got a wide range whereas I’ve found myself getting darker and using more shadows and dark environments, though part of the story requires that. Funnily – early in my career, my art was called cartoony, which kind of irked a bit. Don’t know why? So I have been pushing my art away from that and when I got this story I decided to continue along that vein. That’s not saying it’s dark, maybe just a bit more regular 2000 AD.
One important thing that sets Department K apart from the regular Dreddworld is the designs and the variety of the characters, with K being made up of a real technicolour mix of Judges. Will we be seeing any more this time around or is it still just that core quartet?
RMc: It’s still the core Department K group but we will be meeting quite a few new characters over the course of the series. There will be some regular MC-1 Judges at the beginning of the series but that’s about it on the Judge front. I think we’d probably expand the department with some new members if we got another run.
DC: As Rory says, loads more characters and environments. Seriously, this series is limited only to Rory’s imagination.
Obviously, for a strip that began in Regened, Department K was pitched as all-ages, but you mentioned that it was originally intended/pitched to Tharg as a Judge Dredd Megazine series.
So, for the 2000 AD series, are you (hopefully!) keeping the all-ages aspect of it going?
RMc: That’s what we’re aiming for anyway. I think particularly when it’s running in the regular prog, you do want to ensure that it’s engaging for regular readers as well. Really though, the only difference for me between writing a regular 2000 AD story and an all-ages one is having no swearing and toning down some of the violence. The end goal of telling a compelling story is always the same.
DC: I guess that depends on the response of the readers. PJ is well suited to the story as he co-created it. When I took over I did so doing it in my style. I don’t want to copy someone else. I would love to be able to turn on a bit of Esquerra, Sienkiewicz, Bolland, or Quitely but I can’t. I just do what I do. People may say my style is still cartoony, which if it’s liked and they feel its suits the story then everyone’s a winner. It’s still a fun strip even with me on visuals and I’ve definitely not gone all Dave Kendall with it!
It’s also something that gives PJ and Dan the chance to go wild with the visuals. We’ve already PJ going all Kirby (Jack this time) with the locusts in the Regened strip, with PJ getting the chance to do his own version of both Kirby’s Celestials and that great Kirby crackle.
DC: Yeah, hard not to go all Kirby when you’re doing weird visuals in space and time. As soon as you say space rifts, dimensional portals, the first think that comes to mind is Kirby crackle.
I’m presuming we’re going to be seeing more weird and wonderful stuff this time? No doubt with Rory just adding something like, ‘and now we have a universe full of aliens invading the page, each one with a dazzling array of weapons and armour, in as much detail as possible please.’ – an artist’s delight of course!
As far as the look that’s been established in Department K, it’s noticeably brighter and more colourful than your average Dreddworld series, which is part of the all-ages appeal I’m sure. But does it mean that your approach to the art has changed at all, or does it present any challenges unique to the strip?
PJH: All art is a challenge, there’s something that unlocks a bit with certain strips though – with a strip like this you have a sort of mission statement in your own mind – BIG! BOLD! BRASSY! I know if I was the ongoing artist I’d be asking Rory for all sorts of things (RORY! LET’S DO CONAN! RORY! LET’S DO A RETRO-80S STRIP! RORY! RORY! WHY ARE YOU NOT ANSWERING YOUR PHONE?)
Anyway, that’s Dan’s challenge now…
DC: I love nothing more that drawing hundreds of characters in one panel. Easy peasy.
You know, I think that’s sarcasm I’m detecting for Dan there!
PJ, speaking of your art, can you share a few process images with us for this new Department K?
PJH: Pencils and inks for the first three pages. That’s all you’re getting from me!
Okay then… three pages of pencils and inks from PJ it is… here they are in small form, larger versions right at the bottom of the interview!
.
And Dan, you’re stepping in on the art duties for PJ on the new 2000 AD strip – what sort of style can we expect from you on Dept K? Will you be keeping to the existing look that PJ’s developed?
DC: I had to think about that before I started. Do I do a cheap imitation of PJ or just go about as I normally would? I chose the latter. Len’s colours are insanely good and he really adds the pizazz to both our pages. I can’t wait to see what he’s done.
How are you both working this time?
PJH: If I remember correctly, it was a bit of struggle (no reflection on the script- this is all me) and I ended up going all digital midway through – see if you can spot the join! (This is the continuing story of me and art, largely it’s my old age and failing body parts, specifically my eyes!)
DC: Traditional, as I always do. I love the process of making a comic page – including the screw-ups, it’s all a learning curve. It’s much easier to rectify mistakes digitally but I still haven’t really got to grips with digital art yet. I’ll need more time for that.
Now, time for a bit of Dan’s process stuff – he kindly sent along concept material, initial roughs, and full-page inks… again, full-size versions at the end.
.
Importantly, this is the second of the Regened strips to make the jump from Regened Progs to 2000 AD Progs proper, following Alex de Campi and Eduardo Ocana’s Full Tilt Boogie.
How pleased were you to find out you’d made that special graduating class?
PJH: Delighted, but then slightly disappointed that I just couldn’t commit to doing it, but I have faith in Dan!
DC: Think I must have cheated somewhere down the line, don’t grass me up to Tharg!
RMc: It was great. I think Full Tilt Boogie had come out as a series by that point so we knew it was a possibility, and I think we both felt the concept had room to work as a longer-form series, but you don’t want to assume anything’s a given.
And how important is it that you’re blazing that trail for new, younger readers in the pages of 2000 AD?
PJH: Well, we’ve talked about this before, I love doing regened stuff because it is all ages, it’s the lifeblood of comics, and now my 12-year-old is smitten with writing and drawing his own work – so I see how much comics can mean to kids.
We’ve talked before about the importance of opening up comics in general and 2000 AD in particular up to new, younger readers, and hopefully, Department K really adds something different and all-ages appealing to the Prog.
RMc: If it helps get more kids into comics, then that would be terrific.
DC: It’s incredibly important we get new, younger readers interested in 2000 AD. We can’t have it dying out as we all get older. It has to have mass appeal to as many, varied readers as possible.
Obviously, it would be great to see more and more Regened style strips, and I’m sure we’d all agree that an all-ages regular comics from 2000 AD has a load of potential. Equally obviously, we all understand the difficulties of getting a new kids comic out there right now.
But do you think Regened and 2000 AD is going in the right direction for expanding the kids readership, the readership that absolutely devours the likes of Dav Pilkey and Raina Telgemeier books?
DC: Anything that encourages children and young adults to read is a good thing. If 2000AD can provide that gateway than that can only be a good thing right? For anyone in this industry.
PJH: I hope so, but these things are a) above my paygrade and b) almost unknowable really – if anyone knew how to have a successful millionaire seller like Pilkey’s Dogman, we’d all be doing it, surely!?
I suspect for that audience you need complete stories in single books – so it could be that’s what we’ll see, or it could be I have no idea what I’m talking about!
RMc: Yeah, as PJ says, today’s younger readers seem to be more into complete volumes. Obviously, this is kind of tricky for an anthology but I think it’s good that 2000AD are moving fast to release collected editions of the Regened stuff that’s more in that format.
Finally, what’s all of you after this? PJ, I know there’s more Chimpsky coming out as well?
PJH: More Chimpsky! And another project I cant talk about, but will eat up a considerable amount of digital comic book pages.
DC: Working on something with John Wagner. Can’t say too much, but suffice to say – it’s *$£%ing awesome! Of course it is.
RMc: Quite a bit of Dredd on the way. There’s a 3-parter called Project Providence with Staz Johnson that kicks off in the Megazine in June I believe. That’s picking up on a thread from a story that we previously did called The Fugitive. There’s also a one-off with Nick Dyer and then another 4-parter, which is connected to The Fugitive/Project Providence storyline that Staz is drawing at the moment. That’s all in the Meg. Fingers crossed there’ll also be another series of Dept K at some stage.
Outside 2000 AD, I’m currently co-writing a time travel crime series called Time Before Time for Image Comics. The first issue of that arrives on 12 May but we’re already working on the second arc. I’m also in the early stages of working on a WFH project for a US publisher but can’t really say much at the moment.
And finally, finally, any out there ideas for new Regened strips?
DC: Has there been an Anderson origin story yet? Must have been? When she starts developing her abilities.
PJH: All the time, but I’m learning to eat what’s on my plate before going around and pitching new ideas…!
RMc: Nothing at the moment. I’m happy out doing Dept K for now.
Any more thoughts developing that Regened Halo Jones that you mentioned the last time we chatted PJ? – A sure-fire way to get the forums hating you!
PJH: Oh I’m not touching that with a bargepole! (But you know, I’d put Alex DeCampi on it and DaNi… if I was in charge)
No, it’s new things! Always new things! (But if I can find the time, and Rory’s willing, and Dan is busy… Rory let’s talk that Dept K Conan idea I briefly mentioned upthread…)
RMc: Yeah, I think I’d be the same as PJ – new stuff all the way.
You’ll notice that Rory’s STILL ignoring PJ about that Dept K & Conan strip!
– from Cosmic Chaos Part 1 in 2000 AD Prog 2234 – Art from Dan Cornwell)
Okay then, thank you to Rory, PJ, and Dan for spending the time to answer the questions.
You can find Department K by Rory McConville and PJ Holden in the next 2000 AD Regened, Prog 2233, out on 26 May. And then you can find the first series of Department K by Rory McConville and Dan Cornwell starting in 2000 AD Prog 2234, which is out on 2 June. You can grab copies from comic shops, newsagents, and from the 2000 AD web shop.
And you can catch up with all things Department K with their first outing, back in 2000 AD Regened Prog 2196 – grab it here! And be sure to check out the interview with Rory and PJ about that very first Department K strip.
Before you go though, take the time to enjoy the full-size versions of all the art we threw at you in the galleries above!
First – PJ Holden’s pencils and inks for the first three pages of the Regened Dept K!
Now, Dan Cornwell’s full-sized images… the roughs, the concept art for the characters, and the final, inked page…
