Network Rail has extended its safety campaign highlighting the dangers of electrified railways into a comic book, which launched at Birmingham’s Comic Con this week.

The campaign, entitled Eighteen, began life as a film in which events take place around a central character's 18th birthday. Network Rail’s creative agency 23red worked with a team of comic book specialists to recreate the film as a 32-page graphic novel that follows the same storyline but examines some scenes in greater detail

Network Rail senior communications manager Stuart Humphreys said: “Comic books and graphic novels are not only cool, which means people are more likely to accept and read one than a leaflet, but they use visual, spatial and textual cues to formulate one solid understanding of the story. So, as well as being entertaining, these books require more investment from the reader and are therefore more memorable.”

Sean Kinmont, creative director and co-founder at 23red, added: "We are wholly supportive of work that drives behaviour and is a force for good. This campaign does both and has the potential to save lives."

Print copies will be available free of charge at public safety events taking place from February 2020 along the electrified route of the Midland Main Line in city centres, schools and train stations. A digital version will also be available early in the New Year.

The creative team was led by Steve Tanner of Time Bomb Comics, and included writer Richmond A Clements, artist Gary Crutchley, colourist Matt Soffe and letterer Bolt-01.