English language collections of “Matt Marriott“, the much-admired western strip first published in the London Evening News from 1955 until 1977 are in the works – but the publisher is asking fans of the strip help to fill some gaps in the material already assembled.
“Matt Marriott”, unusually for a newspaper strip, saw both Matt and his trail partner “Powder Horn” growing older as the story progressed. Written by Jim (James) Edgar, as we recently noted, it’s fondly remembered for its stunning art by Tony Weare (1912 – 1994), whose early comic credits also included “Pride of the Circus” and “Billy Brave” for Mickey Mouse Weekly, “Greyfriars Ghost” for Comet, and “The Colditz Story” for Junior Express in the 1950s.
Author and publisher Paul Duncan has been assisting Portuguese publisher Manuel Caldas with his Spanish language collections of the widely-syndicated strip, so far running to three volumes, the latest, Enfrntamiento en Dodge City “Clash at Dodge City”), available now.
“The strip is probably the best Western strip ever published, but unfortunately very few people have had the opportunity to read it to find that out for themselves,” Paul notes.
Now, he’s working to reprint all 70 stories, originally published over 22 years, but he needs fans of the strip to help him create a “definitive” collection.
“Although we have scanned many originals and proofs and clippings, there are (understandably) many gaps,” he tells us. “If you have any original art, proofs, or clippings, or know of anybody who may have them, then please get in touch with me at MattMarriottScans@gmail.com.”
• Check out our recent guide to “Matt Marriott” here on downthetubes
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: British Comics, British Comics - Newspaper Strips, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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I don’t know if the book publishers know, but the strip can be seen on over 1,100 pages of the Leicester Evening Mail (between August 1957 and November 1963) on the British Newspaper Archive website.
The site also carries a Daily Mirror feature about Tony Weare , and shows the last cartoon he drew for his daughter before his death.
There’s also reference to the Newlyn Gallery which had an exhibition of original Matt Marriott strips, in 1990.
Thanks Rob – good to hear the strip appeared in at least one regional paper as well as a London one. Tony lived in the South West, so perhaps he was involved in the exhibition’s organisation?