Though the independent UK comics scene thrives in specialist comic shops, as well as online and within the healthy, vibrant convention scene, at mainstream retail the outlook has been bleak for many years now.

It’s rare to see anything beyond repackaged anthologies of months (if not years) old US stories from Marvel and DC, with just Rebellion’s 2000AD, the Judge Dredd Megazine and DC Thomson’s Beano and Commando war comic digests being the total range of original British comics you’ll find in newsagents and shops such as WH Smith.

Occasionally, a special from a smaller publisher will be glimpsed on the overstuffed racks (and if my local WH Smith is anything to go by, these are often hidden so much that it’s very easy to miss them).

I discovered the Gerry Anderson anthology comic Spectrum this way. It was poorly displayed, somewhat hidden – but once uncovered I couldn’t resist picking it up.

You can read my thoughts on Spectrum here. The short version: it was a fun, well produced comic and it definitely left me wanting more.

Though publisher Time Bomb Comics have yet to return to the varied worlds that sprang from Anderson’s imagination – a second issue is on the way, however – they have recently launched a new comics anthology series: Quantum.

Though it is also to be found – if you look hard enough – in WH Smith, as it released shortly before the Portsmouth Comic Con I thought I’d wait to pick it up from there directly from the publisher, seeing as Time Bomb Comics were listed as attending.

I’m so glad I did; not only did I get a copy signed by some of the creators, but I also got one of their limited edition Q Cards included with my comic too. More on that shortly.

Quantum is packed with content; it’s a genuinely impressive achievement and it’s great value for money too.

The first issue in the bi-monthly series contains five stories and a few short, comedic strips – as well as a few other bonuses.

One of these bonuses is a QR code hidden in one of the comic panels; scan this and you’ll find a download of the cover art and a page from which you can order your own Q Card, which are limited in number and will be changing design every few months, with the intention of having each one being a collectable item in its own right.

Q Cards will also allow you to get discounts at the Time Bomb Comics online store and when purchasing from the publisher at events too!

I thought this was a really well thought out aspect of the comic – not only did it feel like a nicely interactive touch, but it should help to build a community of loyal readers, all armed with their special Q Cards!

In terms of stories in Quantum, there wasn’t a single one I didn’t enjoy. I thought the loose theme of alternate histories/realities was nicely carried through each tale too.

First up is Major Rakhana, a Steampunk adventure that sees the titular military official kicking arse and drinking tea (somewhat improbably for the latter, seeing as she’s wearing a bubble helmet with no openings at tea time) across the galaxy – before returning home to Earth to deal with a mysterious emergency. There’s a few clever references for us old school Brit comics readers in this one!

Next was a Westernoir tale – or rather, the first part of an ongoing story, as was the Major Rakhana strip – called Moon Curse. Having already been introduced to – and becoming very much invested in – the dark, supernatural, Weird West shenanigans of Westernoir (Volume 1 of which I’d also picked up at the Portsmouth Comic Con), this one didn’t disappoint either.

The first part of Memphis was next – and though it took me a little time to get my head around, this pseudo-ancient Egyptian sci-fi story ended up being pretty damn compelling by the time it reached its cliffhanging climax.

Whatever Happened to the World’s Fastest Man? was a strip with some really clever artistic touches to depict the titular character’s ability to freeze time. A very intriguing start to this story too!

The last of the main strips was a complete short story featuring The Clockwork Cavalier, featuring the mysterious 18th century crime fighter of the title. This definitely left me wanting more of the character too!

There’s an admirable diversity to the stories in Quantum, with none of the somewhat juvenile tone that some supposedly adult anthology comics often take.

Quantum #1 gets this new anthology series off to a roaring start. The comic itself feels like a premium product, with strong art, great writing and high production values overall.

With issue 2 having just been released, I can’t wait to continue with each of the stories the first issue features – as well as discover what new characters and settings are featured within its pages!

You can buy Quantum #1 directly from Time Bomb Comics at this link.