Promotional art for Titan Comics Johnny Red mini-series by Keith Burns
If you’re a fan of the art of Keith Burns, then you might want to head to the Comic Art Factory in Brussels, which is hosting an exhibition of his work from 25th October until 9th November 2019 – and the popular gallery is also offering original pages for sale on its website.
Opening on Thursday 24th October at 7.00pm, with Keith in attendance, the exhibition includes work from the Garth Ennis and Keith Burns series Out of the Blue, Johnny Red and War Stories – Castles in the Sky, and some of Keith’s stunning acrylic and oil paintings.
Lancaster B Mark 1 – acrylic art by Keith Burns
An award winning aviation artist and commercial illustrator, Keith has illustrated comics for the past decade – and is perhaps best known to many downthetubes readers for his work on Titan Comics revival of the Battle Picture Weekly star, airman “Johnny Red”, who also recently joined the ranks of Commando cover artists.
Garth Ennis, famous for Preacher, Hitman, The Boys and multiple episodes of The Punisher, has scripted three mini-series so far drawn by Keith. Both are passionate about the aviation of World War Two, delivering exciting historical drama, as well paying particular attention to detail in the reproduction of aircraft.
War Stories: Castles in the Sky #2 page 16 and 17 – USAAF B-17G Flying Fortresses on route from its base in England to bomb a target in Germany coming under attack from Fw190A8-R2’s and Me410 heavy fighters armed with 50mm cannon. A USAAF P51B Mustang comes under friendly fire. 1943
First appearing in Battle Picture Weekly, Johnny Red is a fictitious English pilot fighting against the Nazis and commanding a Russian squadron, which notably participated in the Battle of Stalingrad.
The original Keith Burns boards for the Titan Comics mini-series Johnny Red, reviving the character, and the boards from War Stories – Castles in the Sky, published by Avatar in 2014, revealing the daily lives of bomber pilots, were created in pencil and ink. Art on offer measures 30 x 42 cm (A3), with double boards measuring 60 x 42 cm (A2)
The Comic Art Factory is an international art gallery based in Brussels, created in 2014, selling original art from European and American comic book artists, and children’s book illustration art.
• Out of the Blue: The Art of Keith Burns, 25th October until 9th November 2019, Comic Art Factory, Chaussée de Wavre 237 1050 Bruxelles (10 minutes from Métro Trône Bruxelles-Luxembourg station) | Opening hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1 pm til 7 pm . Other days by appointment
• Visit the Galerie Comic Art Factory web site for more information
• Buy the Out of the Blue graphic novel from on AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
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.
Categories: Art and Illustration, British Comics, Comic Art, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Exhibitions, Other Worlds, US Comics
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