Harry Potter illustrator Jonny Duddle summoned to Lancaster Castle

By John Freeman on August 23, 2014

Harry Potter fans of all ages will not want to miss a special free event in the atmospheric setting of Lancaster Castle’s Shire Hall – an appearance by writer and award-winning illustrator Jonny Duddle on Wednesday 3rd September, organised by Lancashire County Council‘s library service and SilverDell Bookstore, Kirkham.

Jonny was chosen by Bloomsbury Publishing to reimagine the magical world of Harry Potter. Now all seven books are being republished on Monday 1st September with Jonny’s fantastic new illustrations.

Jonny, who lives in North Wales with his wife and young family, hasn’t done a huge amount of comics work – he contributed an illustration to the 2011 comic anthology Tales of the Spiffing: Comics from the Sceptered Isle edited by Ashley Boddy and J.P.Vine, but he’s a fantastic creator and his character designs were an integral part of the development work on Aardman’s feature length, Oscar Nominated animation The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists.

Having worked on a pirate ship (climbing up and down riggings), and as an art teacher in the middle of the Kalahari Dessert, it is no wonder that his work spans an exciting selection of projects including his own picture books The Pirate Cruncher and The Pirates Next Door, overall winner of the Waterstones Prize and shortlisted for; Sheffield Book Award, Specsavers National Book Awards and Roald Dahl Funny Prize.

Illustrator and writer Jonny Duddle

Jonny’s cover and inside artwork for Terry Pratchett’s bestseller, Nation, was also shortlisted for Best Children’s Illustrated Books at the English Association Book Awards.

Asked about being given the Harry Potter commission, Jonny said: “It was a bit of a shock. I painted the first cover as a test piece last year, but was concerned that I couldn’t give it the time ! I would’ve liked due to other commitments.

“So when I heard that JK Rowling and the team at Bloomsbury wanted me to paint the rest of the series, I was gobsmacked.”

At the event at Lancaster Castle, Jonny will be talking about his work and signing copies of the new editions of the Harry Potter series.

Jill Connolly, the library service’s reading and development manager for children and families, said: “We’re all very excited to be welcoming Jonny to the Shire Hall. It’s an ideal venue for a Harry Potter evening as it really does looks as though it’s come straight out of Hogwarts.

“And we’re especially pleased as this is the only event celebrating the new editions to be taking place outside London. It’s simply a must for all Harry Potter fans across the county.”

The evening also includes a fancy dress competition for children who go dressed as characters or creatures from the series, and people will be able to buy signed copies of the books.

I’m hoping this goes well, given that Lancaster is my home town, because it just occurs to me that Lancaster Castle would be a totally amazing place to hold a comics convention…

• Jonny Duddle at Lancaster Castle, 6.30pm Wednesday 3rd September, Lancaster Castle Shire Hall. This event is free but to avoid disappointment places must be booked in advance. To book a place, phone SilverDell Bookshop 01772 683444 or email info@silverdellbooks.com

• Jonny Duddle’s Official Blog, where he talks about his art for Tales of the Spiffing

• Arena: Jonny Duddle Portfolio

• Silverdell Bookstore, Kirkham

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.