Adrian Mackinder’s book on Stan Lee on the way from Pen and Sword

By John Freeman on March 4, 2020

Writer, performer and producer Adrian Mackinder‘s first book, its title recently revealed as Stan Lee: How Marvel Changed the World, is on course from Pen and Sword Books, due late 2020.

Writing about the commission on his blog last year, Adrian, who writes for outlets as diverse as Den of Geek and The Guardian, described Stan Lee as “one of the most important creative forces of the twentieth century.

“He helped shape pop culture as we know it,” he said. “The cavalcade of flawed, multidimensional characters he co-created for Marvel Comics (including Spider-Man, X-Men, The Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Hulk and Black Panther) still resonate with millions across the globe.

“His work helped spawn the most successful film franchise of all time; the Marvel Cinematic Universe has collectively grossed nearly $20 billion – and counting. Not too shabby.

“On a personal note, Stan’s iconic work has been a constant in my life. From being an excitable kid prancing around the house in a Spider-Man costume and the hundreds of Marvel comics still gathering dust in my mum’s attic, to bunking off work to catch a 9.00am screening of the first Avengers film (sorrynotsorry Comedy Central) and now sharing these film with my son, his vibrant imagination continues to excite me no end.

“This is a dream come true for a grumpy ageing fanboy such as myself.”

With over 350 books published every year, Pen and Sword has established itself as a specialist book publisher, best known for its books on military history, but it has been building its catalogue in other areas for some years.

Based in Denmark, Adrian Mackinder is well known for his stand-up comedy for over a decade and is a professional improviser. He may perhaps be best known to some downthetubes readers for his work on the BBC Three sitcom Cuckoo, alongside Greg Davies, Helen Baxendale and Taylor Lautner; and his work for Comedy Central.

As part of several House Teams at the award-winning Improv Comedy Copenhagen, Adrian regularly perform both ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’ shortform games and Chicago-style longform improv. He’s also performed at international improv festivals in Edinburgh, New York and Oslo.

“From stand-up comedy and improv to corporate events and workshops, it doesn’t take much to get me showing off,” he says.

As a writer, he has specialised in comedy – writing scripts, comics, commercials, promos, animation, blogs, news, reviews, editorial, continuity and social media.

“I tell stories. That’s what I do,” says Adrian on his official site. “For nearly 20 years, I have been telling stories for the world’s most important brands and collaborating with the most talented people.”

His work can be seen on film, TV and radio, in print, online, social and live on stage.

“I am fascinated not just by what people think, but why they think. How we communicate with each other, and what happens when we fail to do so. That is the crux of great story telling, comedy or tragedy. What motivates complex characters to beautiful acts of kindness or appalling deeds of horror.”

• Adrian Mackinder is online at adrianmackinder.co.uk | Follow Adrian on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or find him on LinkedIn

• Pen and Sword are online at www.pen-and-sword.co.uk

With thanks to Helen Quigley

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.