An action and sci-fi comic that may become a TV animated show will showcase Manx talent in an early animated production.

TPub publication, a UK comic book publisher, has been working with local people while converting its action and sci-fi comic called ’The Theory’ into an animation during the pandemic lockdown.

The comic, which follows a number of character storylines that are based on space and time travel, has had interest from Microsoft, Epic Games and is being promoted by global tech company Razer.

TPub has used Razer’s equipment to create the first pilot episode of the comic called BATTLESUIT, is launched today (Friday).

Local band Fox Trap has created the soundtrack for this proof of concept animation with the TPub team basing one of their characters on world-renowned actor John Rhys-Davies who lives in Kirk Michael.

Business manager for TPub, Kenny Diack from Douglas, said: ’My long-term goal is to try to give local creatives the opportunity where possible, but it’s not because "they are Manx" it’s because they are talented and work well as team.

’I just believe we are full of talented people who need the opportunity to show off their talent more.’

Mr Diack first got involved in the project after meeting author Neil Gibson - who later created The Theory - at the 2018 London Comic Con.

Mr Diack had previously made a fantasy and sci-fi comic for students in the Isle of Man called ’A World Apart’, which sold 600 copies locally.

’It’s one of the reasons I went to Comic Con to find out what I am supposed to do next in terms of selling them,’ he said.

When Mr Diack joined, the TPub team decided to create another volume of ’Twisted Dark’, a comic which focuses on psychological stories, with the view of having it created for TV. It now has six volumes in total with the most recent one being published yesterday.

Manx-born Danger Mouse animator Adrian Bell, who is behind The Dome is a 360-degree part-planetarium in the Nunnery, is to make an animated short for Twisted Dark.

The Theory was later created as fans at comic cons often asked TPub for more action and sci-fi comics.

Mr Diack said the comic caught a lot of attention from producers and the team was approached to have it made into a TV animated show.

You can watch the premiere of BATTLESUIT by searching www.razer.com/campaigns/made-with-blade/battlesuit and there is also an opportunity to enter a competition to win a Razer laptop.