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University of Dundee releases audio interview with Minnie the Minx artist Jim Petrie

By John Freeman on July 7, 2015

Former Beano editor Euan Kerr and Jim Petrie , the artist who drew the Beano character Minnie the Minx for 40 years before announcing his retirement on Monday 8th January 2001. Euan seen here presenting Mr Petrie with champagne and a retirement cake that day. Image courtesy DC Thomson

The University of Dundee has released an audio interview with the late Jim Petrie, the artist best known for his work on The Beano‘s “Minnie the Minx”, documenting his career.

Conducted by Rhoda Miller, the recording is part of the University of Dundee Archive Oral History project. Jim’s work is currently the subject of an exhibition at the University, as we previously reported.

Jim talks extensively about his career, making the transition from teacher to working on The Beano – talking about how he first started on the comic, his creative process, and how he added detail to ‘lean’ scripts, written in that way at his request. He speaks enthusiastically about how freelancing enabled keeping his own hours and how much he was felt to being part of the comic’s creative team.

Comic artist David Sutherland and editors and writers Dave Torrie, Euan Kerr and Morris Heggie also feature in the audio project.

Dundee’s significant role in comic production is reflected in the comic collections held by the Univerity’s Archive. Ranging from comic strips in the ‘Dundee Free Press’ to complete runs of 2000AD and other Marvel and DC titles, the Archive’s list of our comic collections can be downloaded here.

• You can listen to the interview here on the University of Dundee web site

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.