Issue three of 2023’s new British comics anthology, Quantum, is here!

The cover for this issue is the first not to feature Major Rakhana – instead, check out the Weird West-set, lycanthropic action of Westernoir. Gorgeous, ain’t it?

So, issue 3 continues to impress – not only do all of the stories featured progress in various compelling ways, but the extra content is all great too.

In fact, I hadn’t heard of TTRPG and comic publisher Mythworks before the feature in Quantum #3 – but I’ll definitely be checking out their stuff now!

So, onto the actual stories.

Major Rakhana is superb, as usual; a mix of camp and a bit of alt-Victoriana social commentary, with a great retro-futurist aesthetic.

I’ve mentioned before how much I adore Westernoir – I’ve been a fan since reading the very They Live-meets-Unforgiven first volume of the main series – and this werewolf tale is so brilliantly done. Gorgeously expansive art and an appropriately dark colour scheme give this Westernoir tale an appealingly stylish look, with a decompressed feel to its fast paced action.

Memphis has some great political intrigue and some excellent action; I’m a big fan of its mash up of ancient Egypt and futuristic technology.

Whatever Happened to the World’s Fastest Man? is poignant and yet inspiring; the loneliness and thanklessness of the hero’s near-endless task is really starting to hit home here.

Death and Taxes is another strip with a rich seam of social and political commentary running through it; though this one didn’t start until issue 2, it fits in brilliantly alongside the strips that have had an extra issue to settle in.

There’s a bit of a bonus preview of an interesting new comic: The Baker Street Irregulars. Though named after the street urchin assistants of Sherlock Holmes, it’s an urban fantasy tale featuring characters drawn from various sources – not unlike The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, albeit in a contemporary setting.

It’s definitely got to the stage where the bi-monthly release schedule of Quantum just doesn’t feel like enough – every time I finish an issue, I want more straight away!

That’s not a bad ‘problem’ to have, of course. I also respect the fact that it must take some time to put together each issue, so I do fully respect the work put in by the creators and Time Bomb Comics themselves.

With issue #4 not due for a while, it’s going to be a long wait for the next Quantum.

I have no doubt, however, that my patience will pay off. After all, how many years did I wait for a new UK anthology comic to arrive?

Given my advanced age, I won’t answer that question fully – just know that it was a very long time indeed, but I’m glad that Quantum has brilliantly filled that gap!

Though you’ll have to venture out into the real world to buy Quantum #3 right now, you can buy Quantum #1 directly from Time Bomb Comics at this link – and Quantum #2 here. Want to get hold of them both at the same time to save on postage? Well here you go.