Some months ago I wrote a post bemoaning the ending of a daily webcomic called Scary Go Round. It was one of the vaguely fortean webcomics that I read every morning as I sip my Lady Grey and wish that I hadn't quit smoking. As I wrote:'It is the end of an era, albeit a fairly small era. Since 2002 John Allison has been drawing a webcomic called Scary Go Round. The Sunday Times describes it as "postmodern Brit horror" that is "subtle and stylishly drawn, with a bold cartoon edge." The Morning Star has called it "brilliant, bonkers" and "the best British strip that I've yet found." For the last three years I have read it every morning.'
In September it was replaced by a new comic, albeit one still set in the fictional northern English town of Tackleford, and featuring some of the same characters. It is called Bad Machinery and is - to my mind at least - far superior to its predecessor. There are more complex plotlines and more intricate artwork in muted colours that bring a whole new subtlety to Allison's work. The stories are still vaguely fortean and I enjoy them immensely.
Sadly, it seems that the appeal of this new comic is more selective than its predecessor, and I am feeling mildly guilty for not having thrown the CFZ publicity machine in to help. Never mind, better late than never. Check it out, guys; you will not be disappointed...
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