BBC Issue a Comics Challenge

By John Freeman on July 16, 2008

(with thanks to Robin Ashwell): The BBC online News Magazine has just published an article on newspaper comic strips — and is challenging readers to send in their own four panel creations.

The article, published to publicise self-taught artist (and occasisonal DJ, raconteur etc) Phill Jupitus’ documentary Comic Love on Radio 4 (available at Radio 4’s Listen Again site), notes that for as long as there has been the concept of daily newspapers, there has been the political cartoon. And in the 20th Century there has been a natural symbiosis between the modern newspaper and one particular form of cartoon, the four-panel strip.

The article notes the work of the creators of the Daily Telegraph‘s Alex strip, the controversy caused by Gary Trudeau’s Doonesbury – including audio interviews with the US cartoonist – and features an exclsuive strip by Phil Jupitus himself (first panel above).

Readers — and several have already commented on the article noting their favourite strips — are also challenged to send in their own four-panel strips:

Email: yourpics@bbc.co.uk, subject CARTOON
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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.