DANDRIDGE
Dandridge is the 'spookpunk' adventure series created by myself and artist Warren Pleece for legendary British comic 2000 AD. The series stars the dandy, bon vivant, man of affairs and sometime ghosthunter Doctor Spartacus Dandridge, who first appeared in our single-episode story Antiquus Phantasma in 2000 AD #1631 (April 2009).
THE STORY
Another time. Another England. The Victorian Spiritualists discovered a way of harnessing the psychokinetic energy (PKE) produced by ghosts and other phantasmal entities. Ectoplasm or 'white gold' became a viable fuel alternative, while certain captured ghosts became valued antiques. Bolstered by its innovations in 'ecto-technology', the British empire continued to prosper and a second World War never took place.
The year is now 1981 and the empire is fast becoming a ghost of its former glories. Newly elected Prime Minister Nicholas Wheatley has vowed to crack down on civil unrest among the living, the dead and otherwise. Meanwhile, PK-quakes rock the capital as otherworldly forces gather to fight over what's left of a crumbling empire.
[The following news item was first published in The Daily Medium on Friday 13 October, 1905]
"Scotland Yard apparently remain baffled as to the current whereabouts of the ghost of Doctor Spartacus Dandridge, who was shot dead three weeks ago outside Mournwood Market, Camden, allegedly over an unpaid tailoring bill. The Doctor’s ghost vanished shortly afterwards and apparently remains untraceable. Speaking to reporters today, Superintendent Marion Crawford of the Ecto-terrestrial Enforcement Agency was guarded about his team’s progress. 'I can only stress the importance of recapturing the ghost of Doctor Dandridge,' said Mr. Crawford. 'One can only imagine the consequences should the essence of one of the empire’s most eminent ghosthunters fall into foreign hands.'
It is believed that the ghost of Doctor Dandridge is currently sought after by several unsavoury agencies, including foreign collectors from as far afield as China and Faerie, several black marketeers and occult crime syndicates, as well as an aggrieved mob of bookmakers, publicans and tailors. Mr. Crawford added: 'We shall regard as treason the withholding of any information that could lead to the recapture of this particular fugitive essence. Like all of His Majesty’s subjects, the late Doctor Dandridge became lawful property of the empire upon death.'
Doctor Dandridge was one of England’s most celebrated – if erratic – ghosthunters, renowned throughout the Empire for his eccentric taste in formal attire. The late Doctor was also a prolific inventor, notably of the anti-gravity brogue, the pan-dimensional chaise longue, and Crowley’s Fez. Readers may recall how the latter item was employed to scandalous effect in Trafalgar Square last year, when a coven of witches briefly transformed Nelson’s Column into a spouting monument of pagan rudery.
Doctor Dandridge was also the author of the popular Montague Baine stories, serialised in The Strand Magazine and a steady source of melodramatic material for the stage. The Doctor’s exploits have also been serialised – to the delight of the lower orders – by the regrettably popular penny dreadful 1900 AD.
As mysterious a figure in life as he is in death, Doctor Dandridge was also a premier exponent of a mesmeric technique that he referred to as 'savior fu'. One can only imagine what other kinds of esoteric resource the late Doctor might bring to bear in order to evade unwanted pursuers. When questioned by this very newspaper about the key to his success – following the successful closure of the case of the Tweed Yeti – Doctor Dandridge was typically enigmatic: 'Fully-fashioned knitwear can have a strong influence upon the weak-minded.'"
THE DANDRIDGE ADVENTURES SO FAR…
Antiquus Phantasma
Dandridge hunts a deadly exhibit that has escaped from the British Ghost Museum.
Art by Warren Pleece. Letters by Simon Bowland. 2000 AD # 1631 (April, 2009)
Return of the Chap
Having been murdered by his creditors over seventy years ago, Dandridge's ghost is unearthed in 1981, where he finds himself not only stalked by a mysterious stranger and but also menaced by a possessed ghost-collector.
Art by Warren Pleece. Letters by Simon Bowland and Ellie De Ville. 2000 AD # 1710-14 (Nov-Dec, 2010)
The House That Dripped Devilry!
Having retreated to his gothic mansion, Dandridge and his mute manservant Shelley face an unwelcome guest.
Art by Jon Davis-Hunt. Letters by Simon Bowland. 2000 AD # 1726-30 (March-April, 2011)
LINKS OF INTEREST
Click here to read an exclusive excerpt from Dr Dandridge's latest Montague Baine novel, The Devil Wore Brogues.
Alternatively, you may click here for an interview with the Doctor himself and the organisers of the Highlands International Comic Expo.
Warren Pleece
Warren has been drawing comics for over 20 years, during which time he’s worked on DC/Vertigo titles including Hellblazer (with Paul Jenkins), The Invisibles (with Grant Morrison), True Faith (with Garth Ennis), and Deadenders (with Ed Brubaker). To find out more about Warren and his work, check out his blog or read this career-spanning interview with Warren by journalist Paul Gravett.
2000 AD
Available every Wednesday and still the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic. Visit the official website.
Dandridge copyright of Rebellion A/S
