There are many tall tales about the highwayman Dick Turpin. The actual history, as is usually the case, is somewhat more muddled. 
Such is the way of legends.
Unlike the more internationally famous Robin Hood, we know for certain there was a Dick Turpin. He was born in 1706 and died by hanging in 1739. What he did in between and whom he associated with is somewhat more debatable. It is agreed, however, that he spent the last few years of his life as a horse thief and highwayman, after several years as a house-robber, poacher, and smuggler.
Dick Turpin and the Crimson Plague is more concerned with romantic fiction than solid fact. Nevertheless, this updated and expanded edition of the original 2011 graphic novel concludes with a decent overview of the real history. This is noteworthy, given how the stories contained within this volume are as unlikely as the account of Turpin riding 200 miles in a single night.
The main story, The Crimson Plague, finds Dick Turpin and his fellow thief, Tom King, enjoying their ill-gotten gains in London. After watching another unfortunate’s execution, the two decide to have some fun at the local brothel. However, it becomes apparent that there is a dark secret within the bawdy house’s basement. Soon, the two thieves become monster-slayers, fighting to save London from a vampire invasion!
The new edition of Dick Turpin and the Crimson Plague colorizes what was originally a black-and-white comic. The color art by Gavin Ross is decent enough. However, there are many pages I think might have hit harder in monochrome. Indeed, there are some pages where the colors seem to obscure the original inks of Graeme Howard’s artwork.
This new edition also contains an original short comic. Subtitled “The Crawling Terror,” this tale finds Dick Turpin and Ton King making camp in a cave. Unfortunately, the depths of the cave contain monsters that seem more appropriate to a Conan comic than a Dick Turpin story. Still, the artwork for this chapter by Roland Bird and Brett Burbridge is stronger than the main event.
All in all, I found Dick Turpin and the Crimson Plague to be an amusing read. I enjoy a good story of supernatural horror and stories about reluctant heroes. This is both. I also enjoyed the history provided at the end, which adds some context to what came before.
Time Bomb Comics does not offer a rating for Dick Turpin and the Crimson Plague. I would suggest that any librarian interested in this place it in the adult collection. First, because there is considerable bloodshed and Steven Tanner’s scripts do not skimp on adult language and sexual content. The only nudity in the book is a corset that slips to reveal one sex worker’s nipples at one point.
Another note for librarians: the only place I believe this new edition hardcover is available is the Time Bomb Comics website. The edition currently listed on Amazon and GoodReads under the provided ISBN is for the 2011 original.
Dick Turpin and the Crimson Plague
By Steve Tanner
Art by Roland Bird
Time Bomb Comics, 2025
ISBN: 9780956182241
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+)
