La Guerre de la Dent-du-Troll

Available now from Scriptarium is the French translation of The Trolltooth Wars graphic novel - La Guerre de la Dent-du-Troll.

La Guerre de la Dent-du-Troll first went on sale at the French RPG and Games convention OctoGônes in Lyon last month. As you can imagine, it went down a storm!

Translated from the graphic novel by Gavin Mitchell and PJ Montgomery by Fabienne Berganz, as with other Scriptarium-related FF products, the French edition includes some bonus material.

There is an illustrated Archives de l'Allansia section written by Florent Haro, an interview with Steve Jackson, and another with PJ Montgormery, who wrote the script for the graphic novel, while Gavin Mitchell, drew, inked, coloured, and lettered it.

A spread from La Guerre de la Dent-du-Troll.

Archives de l'Allansia.

If you would like to buy a copy of La Guerre de la Dent-du-Troll, you can do so via Scriptarium's online store, where you will also find the French edition of the Advanced Fighting Fantasy book Blacksand, Le Port du Sable Noir, which has been adapted and expanded with information from other official sources.

40 years of Rebel Planet

2025 marks 40 years since the publication of the fifth Fighting Fantasy sci-fi title, Rebel Planet (FF18), by Robin Waterfield.

“I was working in the Penguin/Puffin copy-editorial department when the series began," Waterfield explains. "My desk was free to edit one of the books, and after that I became the default copy-editor for them all, having got the hang of them. Later, after leaving Penguin, I became the series editor from 1986-1988, when I handed over to Marc Gascoigne.

“By the time I wrote my first one, I had edited quite a few, and was already involved in reading (and rejecting) the countless submissions from hopeful kids. I knew how the games worked, and I’ve been a lifelong games-player (though I was not involved at all in the RPG world). So I didn’t find them too difficult to write. The first one I wrote was non-Titan (Rebel Planet), but that was because Philippa specifically asked me to do an SF one.”

In Rebel Planet, the leaders of SAROS (a secret Earth organization) are fighting to overthrow the alien Arcadian Empire. Having gathered together their last few resources, they send the hero on one last daring, and foolhardy, mission to strike at the heart of the Arcadian homeworld.

Rebel Planet was adapted to become one of a select group of FF computer games, available for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, BBC Micro and Acorn Electron. The cover was provided by artist and colourist Alan Craddock with Gary Mayes producing the internal black and white illustrations, just as he would for the next two SF FF titles.

Robot, by Gary Mayes.

(© Gary Mayes, 1985 and 2025)

“If I remember correctly, the opportunity arose through the Games Workshop magazine, White Dwarf, and I think my name was put forward to the publishers Puffin, as a likely candidate,” says Mayes, recalling how he came to contribute to the Fighting Fantasy series. “In many ways it was a breath of fresh air to illustrate a whole book and particularly to work in black and white, something I had wanted to do for quite a while. My work at that time was varied and came from a number of different sources and this [Rebel Planet] gave me an opportunity to work within the fantasy/science fiction genre, which I had wanted to do since I had started drawing as a child.

“My early influences were illustrators like Frank Bellamy, Frank Kelly Freas, and numerous others that I had pored over as a teenager and inspired me to think about work of that nature. The FF books were a significant step along the way and provided an opportunity to develop my skill and method of working with a subject I loved.”

Alan Craddock’s cover rough for Rebel Planet, which at the time went by the title Emperor of Arcadion.(© Alan Craddock, 1985 and 2025)

But what of Craddock? Did he have a background in RPGs? “I had played Waddington’s Risk board game for many hours with my friends,” says Craddock. “During the Sixth Form school holidays we would play games which would last days at a time. So I knew the pleasure a good board game could provide. And when I had finished reading Tolkien I wanted more, and obviously a role-playing game could be a way of achieving that. But painting was my particular outlet. Once I became a professional artist in 1979 and got married soon after, those long balmy summer days of playing Risk for days on end were gone. I wanted to be the best artist I could be; no time for playing games. I also had to decorate and wash dishes!” 

Gamebook author Mark Lain is currently working with Gary Mayes on Rebel Planet: The Graphic Novel. To read an interview withM Mark about the graphic novel, follow this link.

To read more about the history of Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, follow this link.

Artist Gary Mayes to attend Fighting Fantasy Fest

In another first for Fighting Fantasy Fest 4, sci-fi artist Gary Mayes will be one of the guests attending on the day. Gary is the artist who illustrated the Fighting Fantasy science fiction titles Rebel Planet, Robot Commando and Star Strider.

Gary is currently working with Mark Lain on the graphic novel adaptation of Rebel Planet. So, why not come along to Fighting Fantasy Fest 4, on Saturday 3 September 2022, and make the most of the opportunity to get Gary to sign his work in person for you? Tickets are still on sale here.

Rebel Planet: The Graphic Novel - 24 hours to go!

Rebel Planet: The Graphic Novel, written by Mark Lain and illustrated by Gary Mayes, has just 24 hours left to go on Kickstarter and it has already achieved its funding goal.

The book will not be available to buy after the Kickstarter, so if you want to secure your copy, make sure you pledge your support before it's too late!

Rebel Planet: The Graphic Novel - Mark Lain Interview

Rebel Planet: The Graphic Novel, written by Mark Lain and illustrated by Gary Mayes, has only been running for a week on Kickstarter but it is already more than half way towards its funding goal.

The Warlock decided that it was time to find out more about the project and so summoned Mark Lain to the dungeons beneath Firetop Mountain to interrogate him... Sorry! To interview him.

The Warlock: What inspired you to turn Rebel Planet into a graphic novel? 

Mark Lain: It’s the only sci-fi FF that really has a fully-developed “world” and the concepts in it are still very contemporary and relevant. The sheer variety of the environments of the planets you visit gives a lot of scope for showing the different experiences and challenges faced by the Player’s character. Plus the Arcadians are a brilliantly designed set of species and Gary’s art really beings the whole package to life.

TW: What can fans of the original gamebook expect from the graphic novel?

ML: Something faithful to the gamebook but not a slavish rendition of the true path. There needs to be peril and moments of potential failure, so some of the areas that you should avoid on the true path are here too, to make it more than just an easy ride to success. This is meant to be a mission against the odds. Also, there will be some surprises.

For example, some parts of the gamebook have been substituted for aspects from the computer game adaptation, particularly in places where I personally thought the computer version handled things better or more logically. There are some essential details for the Prologue too that are missing from the gamebook so I’ve added in some material of my own, but nothing that will contradict of offend – it’s purely to complete and fill gaps.

TW: What will readers who have never heard of Fighting Fantasy get from this adaptation?

ML: For these readers, it’s a cracking sci-fi yarn. Because of how the plot plays out, the reader has no requirement to know anything about the gamebook or FF in general. Indeed, the plot will be a total surprise for non-FF readers. At the end of the day, this is a science fiction graphic novel.

TW: What has it been like to work with Gary Mayes?

ML: So far it’s been great. He is full of enthusiasm for the project and is very open to my ideas and suggestions. We have been discussing this collaboration for over a year now, and I’m really happy at how keen he is. He is the artist who will bring my words to life so a passion for the material is vital. His love of sci-fi and knowledge of the genre makes my job of explaining concepts and tropes much easier as he just gets what I’m referring to straight away, and he’s a consummate professional.

TW: Are there any other FF books you would like to give the graphic novel treatment?

ML: Well, without giving too much away, there is an open ending designed to segue into a sequel, but obviously this first book needs to hit the right notes so we actually get a sequel (and all the necessary permissions of course)! But I’m not going to say which book it is that the ending leads to – people will have to read the Rebel Planet GN to find that out.

Rebel Planet: The Graphic Novel is funding now on Kickstarter!

Rebel Planet: The Graphic Novel is now live on Kickstarter! To find out more and to pledge your support to the project, follow this link.

Written by long-time Fighting Fantasy fan and gamebook author Mark Lain, the graphic novel is being drawn by original Rebel Planet artist Gary Mayes!

Rebel Planet: The Graphic Novel - launching on Kickstarter soon!

Rebel Planet has to be one of the most popular science fiction titles in the Fighting Fantasy range. Published in 1985, it was written by Robin Waterfield (who also wrote Masks of Mayhem, Phantoms of Fear, and Deathmoor) and illustrated by Gary Mayes.

As revealed during last year's 12 Fighting Fantasy Days of Christmas, Robin Waterfield and series co-creator Ian Livingstone have given permission for the classic FF gamebook to be turned into a graphic novel.

Written by long-time Fighting Fantasy fan and gamebook author Mark Lain, the graphic novel is being drawn by original Rebel Planet artist Gary Mayes!

Mark is raising the finance required to produce the book via crowdfunding, and the Kickstarter launches at 8:00pm on Friday 1st October 2021.

Rewards include both soft- and hardback editions of the graphic novel, signed bookplates, Arcadian propaganda badges, and T-shirts. You can even pledge to have the book dedicated to YOU!

To find out more, watch the video below and sign up to be notified when the Kickstarter launches here.

The Return of Sourbelly and Fatnose

We first met them in Ian Livingstone's seminal Fighting Fantasy gamebook City of Thieves...

And more recently, Atlantis Miniatures turned them into 3D models...

But everyone's favourite Port Blacksand law enforcement duo - Sourbelly and Fatnose - will also be making an appearance as supporting characters in Chameleon Comix's City of Thieves graphic novel.

Not many details have been released about the plot of the graphic novel yet, but we do know that one Ebonious Malfante is the villain of the story...

And that the cults of Tanit, Goddess of Envy, and Slangg, the God of Malice, clearly also have a part to play, judging by these character illustrations by artist Krisztián Balla. 

Are you looking forward to the City of Thieves graphic novel? And who else do you hope will make an appearance during the course of the story? Let us know in the comments below.

The 12 Fighting Fantasy Days of Christmas - Day 9

Devastated by a killer virus, the world you once knew is a wilderness.

Life is lawless and dangerous. Survivors like you either live in scattered, fortified towns, or roam outside as bandits. YOUR mission is to cross the wilderness to the far-distant oil-refinery at San Anglo and bring vital supplies back to the peaceful town of New Hope. Even in the armed Dodge Interceptor you are given, the journey will be wild and perilous. Will YOU survive?

Coming next year to a Messenger App near you is the Freeway Fighter Chatbot, FF13.

Having started life as a Fighting Fantasy Gamebook, in recent years Freeway Fighter has been turned into a limited run of comics and graphic novel, but in 2021 you will be able to play Ian Livingstone's much-loved post-apocalyptic adventure again via the Messenger App on your phone, tablet or PC.

This new version has been developed by the Hungary-based team at Talk-A-Bot along with Ian Livingstone.

Below is a screenshot to give you an idea of what the Freeway Fighter Chatbot will look like.

As ever, keep checking www.fightingfantasy.com and follow Fighting Fantasy on social media - via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - to be kept up to date with all developments.

The 12 Fighting Fantasy Days of Christmas - Day 8

Do you remember Rebel Planet, one of the most popular of the Fighting Fantasy science fiction titles?

Well, today, we can exclusively reveal that the gamebook's original author, Robin Waterfield, and series co-creator Ian Livingstone, have given permission for FF and gamebook superfan Mark Lain to turn the story into a graphic novel.

The artist taking on the art duties for this momentous project is none other than the adventure's original illustrator, Gary Mayes, who will be bringing the world of Rebel Planet to life in shimmering '80s monochrome!

The art in the graphic novel will all be new material and Gary will be producing a new colour cover for the book too. So set your hype-phasers to stun now, as the Kickstarter to fund production of the gamebook will be coming some time in 2021.

Watch this space for more news in the New Year...

Mark Lain is a regular attendee of the Fighting Fantasy: Virtual Beer-o and the next one is taking place on Wednesday 23rd December, from 7:45pm GMT, so you might be able to ask him more about the project then.

Steve Beales' Galleykeep

The worlds of Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy gamebooks have inspired readers, writers and artists ever since The Warlock of Firetop Mountain was first published in 1982.

One of those so inspired is amateur model-maker and miniature painter Steve Beales. You can see many examples of his Fighting Fantasy-themed models on his blog Somewhere the Tea's Getting Cold. For his most recent conversion he took inspiration from Steve Jackson's FF novel The Trolltooth Wars, not to mention his seminal gamebook, Creature of Havoc.

Zharradan Marr's aerial fortress, the Galleykeep.

The Galleykeep was Zharradan Marr's ultimate fighting machine: a majestic sky-galleon with billowing black sails which caught the wind and drew the vessel smoothly through the air. As a spectacle, its magnificence was unsurpassed. Those on the ground who saw the Galleykeep pass above believed they were watching the gods themselves sail past. As a transport vessel it could carry a thousand troops or as much cargo as passed through the Trolltooth Pass overland in ten weeks.

From The Trolltooth Wars, by Steve Jackson.

You can find out how Steve went about converting his model here, on his blog. And you can still buy PJ Montgomery and Gavin Mitchell's graphic novel adaptation of Steve Jackson's The Trolltooth Wars here.

Blast from the Past! Freeway Fighter

Devastated by a killer virus, the world you once knew is a wilderness.

No, it's not your daily news update, but the opening to the blurb of Ian Livingstone's Freeway Fighter. It continues...

Life is lawless and dangerous. Survivors like you either live in scattered, fortified towns, or roam outside as bandits. YOUR mission is to cross the wilderness to the far-distant oil-refinery at San Anglo and bring vital supplies back to the peaceful town of New Hope. Even in the armed Dodge Interceptor you are given, the journey will be wild and perilous. Will YOU survive?

For his sixth solo contribution to the FF range, Ian Livingstone ventured into the realms of near-future, post-apocalyptic dystopian science fiction. Clearly inspired by the Mad Max movies, set in 2022, Freeway Fighter had the hero crossing the wilderness in his heavily-armed (and armoured) Dodge Interceptor, to reach the distant oil-refinery of San Anglo so that he might return with vital supplies for the inhabitants of the peaceful town of New Hope. But success is anything but certain, since the wilds that lie between the scattered, fortified towns are the territory of lawless bandits and brigands.

Vehicular combat was a feature of this particular adventure with the Dodge Interceptor having both a FIREPOWER and an ARMOUR score to represent its offensive and defensive capabilities.

Like Starship Traveller (Steve Jackson’s one and only foray into hard sci-fi Fighting Fantasy), Freeway Fighter has fewer than the standard 400 references, coming in at only 380 paragraphs.

The cover was by the sci-fi artist Jim Burns. When the book was republished by Wizard Books, the cover was reworked by Jim Burns. However, this the painting was not an original piece of artwork for the range, the piece having already been used as far back as 1984 to illustrate the Games Workshop RPG Battlecars.

Model-maker and FF fan Stuart Bannister was inspired by Jim Burns' artwork to create a 3D revision. "I enjoy converting miniatures, and I also like making dioramas, so it made some sense to try and recreate scenes from some of my favourite FF books," explains Bannister. “My very first one was to recreate the cover art from Freeway Fighter, using a 1:43 scale model car, dismantling it and adding bits to it in order to build a more futuristic/post-apocalyptic version. I had just watched Mad Max and had re-read the Freeway Fighter book – the front cover illustration remains one of my all-time favourites. Getting a car to the right scale of 28mm miniatures was a problem and then trying to get a really smooth, red finish on the car was a challenge. I had to do a lot of sanding and use a lot of spray lacquer to get the desired effect."

Freeway Fighter, as sculpted by Stuart Bannister.

The interior art was by Kevin Bulmer. It was completed in only nine days, as a favour for Ian Livingstone after the original illustrations that had been commissioned, were rejected at the last moment.

One of the early contenders for internal artist on Freeway Fighter was actually FF legend Iain McCaig, but other commitments meant that it simply wasn’t to be. However, we have an idea of how the book might have looked since McCaig did start work on an image for the book.

With Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, the reader is always cast as the hero of the adventure. This means that secondary characters encountered along the way enjoy the sort of popularity and fan adoration normally reserved for the protagonists of more traditional novels. In the case of Freeway Fighter, readers demonstrated a particular fondness for the car the hero drives throughout the course of the adventure.

“I wanted to know the background story to the Dodge Interceptor you end up driving in the book,” says Andi Ewington, the creator and writer of the Freeway Fighter comic. “I always found it strange such a car would be found at New Hope without a bigger tale to tell. The comic fills in those gaps and brings a depth to an already existing story.

“Once I had the germ of the plot and I had my main characters, I would cherry pick scenes, encounters and baddies that fans would be familiar with and weave them into the narrative. It was imperative not to mess with the world so it would conflict with the gamebooks too much, so every step I took in the comic I would ensure I wasn’t creating a ripple that would disrupt the source material. It was tricky, but I think I’ve managed to carefully tip-toe my way through it without causing too much disruption.”

Ian Livingstone's Freeway Fighter was published by Titan Comics in 2017, with Andi Ewington's script being realised on the page through Simon Coleby's art, Len O’Grady colours, and Jim Campbell's lettering. It was later collected as a graphic novel, which has since been translated into Hungarian!

The Hungarian edition of Ian Livingstone's Freeway Fighter alongside the English language version.

This new iteration of Freeway Fighter has also inspired FF fans, including pixel artist Andy Green, who created this image, inspired by Simon Coleby's artwork.

Did you know...?

One of the variant covers produced by Titan Comics for Ian Livingstone’s Freeway Fighter #1 featured the artwork from the original FF gamebook and was exclusive to Forbidden Planet, which hosted the launch event for the comic at its London Megastore, on Saturday 20 May 2017. It was here that Livingstone and Burns were reunited for the first time in a long time.

“After a gap of 30 years, it was brilliant to see Jim Burns at the Forbidden Planet launch event signing,” says Ian Livingstone. “Puffin Books’ original 1985 Freeway Fighter gamebook (red car) cover was painted by Jim. When Freeway Fighter was republished by Wizard Books in 2005, the (blue car) cover was again by Jim, and now both of his cover paintings appear as variant covers of Ian Livingstone’s Freeway Fighter #1. And I am pleased to say that I am the proud owner of both paintings which sit proudly in my collection.”