Roads Not Taken: The 1632 Comic
Back in 2016, Titan Comics planned a tie-in comic based on the 1632 universe created by the sadly missed author Eric Flint. A number of artists were suggested as artists on the title – but it only got as far as Iron Man artist Kev Hopgood drawing some samples…
American author, editor, and e-publisher Eric Flint (6th February 1947 – 17th July 2022) is best known for his alternate history novel 1632 and subsequent series of novels, detailed here on the Internet Speculative Fiction Database.
The majority of his works are alternate history science fiction, but he also wrote humorous fantasy adventures.
For those unfamiliar, the 1632 series, also known as the 1632-verse or Ring of Fire series, is an alternate history book series and sub-series created, primarily co-written, and coordinated by American author Eric Flint and but has been opened out into a “shared universe” that has seen a huge range of spin-off stories by fans
The series is set in 17th-century Europe, in which the small fictional town of Grantville, West Virginia, in the year 2000 was sent to the past in central Germany in the year 1631, during the Thirty Years’ War.
Seven “spinal” novels in the series were published by 2022, and the advice for those new to the universe is to begin by reading these, what Eric calls calls “the main line” of the series.
These are: 1632, the first book; 1633 (with David Weber); 1634: The Baltic War (with David Weber); 1635: The Eastern Front; 1636: The Saxon Uprising; 1636: The Ottoman Onslaught; and 1637: The Polish Maelstrom.
In 2025, Baen Books announced they would be publishing more books in Eric Flint’s 1632 series. In accordance with Eric’s wishes, award-winning editor and a best-selling author Chuck Gannon was named the series’ “showrunner.” That role includes oversight and development of all physically published content, managing the series’ thematic directions, and close consulting on cross-platform opportunities and marketing.
In June 2023, a new magazine was announced at LibertyCon and Issue 1 of Eric Flint’s 1632 & Beyond is free to download here. Issue 18 was published in July and it, and back issues, are available here from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link), some in print, all as digital editions.
1632: The Comic
Back in 2016, Titan Comics approached Eric to explore the possibility of creating new comics based on his 1632 universe and I was on board as editor, but, unfortunately, partly due to Eric’s health and workload, didn’t progress beyond settling on an artist and producing a two-page test strip, written by me, pencilled and inked byIron Man artist Kev Hopgoodand coloured by Matt Soffe.
The samples that follow are very much in the “What Might Have Been” category of my work – Eric himself would have written the script for the comic, had it happened.
Throughout the discussions, Eric was nothing but generous with his time and feedback, and I know I’m not the only person who found him a pleasure to deal with.
Whatever alternate you’re in, Eric, you’re missed…
If you’ve never read1632, I highly recommend it.Copies are available from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link). It span off in all directions, including aRoleplaying Game.
• Read the 1632 Test Strip Script by John Freeman Here (PDF)
•Kev Hopgood is online at kevhopgood.com
•Matt Soffe is online at mattsoffe.weebly.com
Head downthetubes for…
An indispensable guide to all things 1632, especially the Reading Order and other re
The 1632 alternate history universe (1632verse) is where a rural town (Grantville) goes from 2000 West Virginia to war-torn 1631 Thuringia, Germany. As of 2024, novels are published through Baen and magazines (short story anthologies) through 1632 & Beyond.
• Assiti Shards are related alternate history universes. 1632 is the first Assiti Shard.
• Novels are available through Baen Books and all major book retailers. 1632 is available as a free download.
• The Grantville Gazette is available through 1632Magazine.com
• Eric Flint’s 1632 & Beyond is available through 1632Magazine.com and all major book and ebook retailers, including libraries
• If you are looking for the author rer.1632magazine.com
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who MagazineandOverkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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