Regulars Editor’s letter

I’ve wanted to get David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King on the cover for years – the ImagineFX team has long had a tradition of bunging on the Labyrinth soundtrack when things get crazy around deadline. I mean, how can you feel stressed or peeved when you’re listening to Magic Dance?!

Anyway, we commissioned Andreas Bennwik to create a fantasy art poster homage cover (page 66) long before Bowie’s death was announced on 11 January. Many of you will have a soft spot for those 1980s fantasy films – some featured on the cover, even more in the big poster art feature on page 40 – which boasted a magical mix of adventurous storylines, inventive puppetry, stunning set designs and evocative poster art. Bowie’s Goblin King character takes his place at the top of the lot, and I’m just sad that it’s become more than a fun cover to work on, but our very own tribute to the late, great artist.

This issue sees us reuniting with an old friend of the magazine, Min Yum, as he takes on a lesser-known Brothers Grimm fairy tale and creates a memorable, melancholic illustration – head over to page 70 for that. There’s also a cracking workshop on populating your own role-playing game with engaging, unique characters from artist Simon Dubuc on page 76.

There’s loads more to explore, but I highly advise you do so with the Labyrinth soundtrack blaring away! Enjoy the issue.

Beren Neale, Acting Editor beren.neale@futurenet.com