Charley’s War art exhibition in Swanage next month

By John Freeman on May 30, 2014

Artwork by the late Joe Colquhoun from the seminal World War One comic story Charley’s War, which featured in weekly comic Battle, will be on show at Durlston Country Park near Swanage next month.

Created by arrangement with Joe’s family, the event will be accompanied by a range of events and a special textile exhibit inspired by the strip by Joe’s daughter, Jane.

The art on display is separate to the exhibition of “Charley’s War” art that will be on show at the Abbot Hall Gallery in Kendal as part of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, so this is another rare chance to see Joe’s amazing work for the strip that was created by Pat Mills.

Situated in the south-east corner of the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, a mile south of Swanage, lies Durlston Country Park 280 acres of very special countryside

The Country Park was established in the 1970s by Dorset County Council, and 30 years of careful management by the Ranger team have resulted in a superb site that everyone can enjoy.

Durlston Castle was restored in 2011 to become a spectacular new facility for visitors to Durlston and the Jurassic Coast.

• More info: Tel: 01929 424443 or email: info@durlston.co.uk. Web: http://durlston.co.uk

• How to get to Durlston Country Park

A special textile inspired by Charley’s War by Jane Colquhoun

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “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.