Putting the Heart in Liverpool Heartbeat Comic

By John Freeman on November 11, 2019

Comedian Eddie Izzard took time out from his current global tour to support Liverpool Heartbeat’s new comic/magazine, which launches next year.

Eddie Izzard and Tim Quinn. Photo courtesy Tim Quinn

Editor Tim Quinn took four extraordinary students from Liverpool’s Maricourt High School to interview Eddie at the Liverpool Empire last week, for a future issue of the magazine.

“Eddie was keen to jump on board as our first interviewee when he heard of the project,” Tim told downthetubes. “Both Eddie and his tour manager were blown away by the professionalism and positivity of the students (as was I). “No small thanks to their teacher, the remarkable Kellie Barnet.”

Eddie followed up the meeting with an email to say “there were some great questions.

“It’s not often you hear questions that haven’t been asked before,” he continued, “and I’m sure it’s a testament to a lot of research and thought put in ahead of time.

“A great interview all round I thought. Please pass on my best to everyone and good luck in all your future endeavours for Liverpool Heartbeat.”

Tim Quinn and Liverpool Heartbeat founder Robin Baynes on the cover of “Liverpool and Beyond” magazine

Liverpool Heartbeat was founded by Robin Baynes MBE, a charity that has been inspiring young people in the North West and Merseyside to pursue healthy, exciting, fulfilled life styles since its formation in 2002 and continues to support local youth organisations across the region. It’s raised hundreds of thousands of pounds and invested every penny back into the community.

“This is and all-new, different magazine too to the one I’m working on for the Lions Club,” Tim Quinn told downthetubes. “In a nutshell, the idea behind it is that I will feature the work of students from primary and secondary schools across Merseyside alongside the work of some of my professional friends from the comic book and publishing worlds (Lew Stringer, Russ Leach, Nigel Parkinson, and Holly Bushnell). It will include short stories, poetry, interviews, reviews, strips, environmental issues, and anything else that tickles the fancy of ages 5-18 and to infinity and beyond.

“For me, young people such as Greta Thunberg and the kids of America marching for gun control are the only people speaking sense today,” Tim adds, “so I want our magazine to be a showcase for the voice of the young people of Merseyside. With a little luck, the first issue will be out in January 2020 and be available direct from Liverpool Heartbeat, a fabulous charity that helps children across the region in a billion positive ways.

“Robin Baynes, the man behind it, has also been helping the homeless across Merseyside for the last 20 years. Amazing man.”

• Celebrating Liverpool’s forgotten Olympic hero, you can still order a copy of the “John Hulley” Heartbeat comic published in 2018 in aid of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital here on the Liverpool Heartbeat web site

• Details of Eddie Izzard’s upcoming shows on his official 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.