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Birmingham’s The Navigation pub tribute to Reg Bunn, co-creator of “The Spider”

By John Freeman on August 2, 2025 • ( 1 )

Tributes to British comic artists are always of interest to us at downthetubes. So we were delighted to learn that artist Reg Bunn, co-creator of “The Spider”, published in Lion, had been honoured as part of a £2.5 million refurbishment of The Navigation pub in Kings Norton, when JD Wetherspoon elected to save the 180-year-old landmark back in 2021.

The Navigation pub, 1, Wharf Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B30 3LS | Image: JD Wetherspoon — *The Navigation in KIng’s Norton | Image: JD Wetherspoon*

Reopened after five years of uncertainty for its future, the pub’s interior includes a display dedicated to Reg, who was born in Kings Norton, which has been recently updated with welcome assistance from Rebellion, after downthetubes contacted JD Wetherspoon to point out the art featured in the original tribute was actually by Geoff Campion and Garry Leach.

The Navigation Pub tribute to "The Spider" artist Reg Bunn featuring art by Reg, alongside art by Geoff Campion and Garry Leach — *The Navigation Pub tribute to “The Spider” artist Reg Bunn featuring art by Reg, alongside art by Geoff Campion and Garry Leach*

We were first alerted to the absence of Reg Bunn’s take on the super villain who eventually turned superhero by comic creator and archivist Lew Stringer.

*The Spider in action, from the pages of Lion* ©️ *Rebellion. Art by Reg Bunn*

The research team behind the pub’s decor, led by Robert Renak, were quick to respond to our query, and, after Rebellion provided two striking examples of art by Reg, they are now included in an updated tribute, alongside the art by Garry and Geoff.

Geoff Campion, incidentally, hailed from nearby Coventry, and drew most of the Lion covers featuring The Spider (and indeed, most of the Lion covers from the late 1960s onwards, although Tom Kerr also drew some of them).

Reg Bunn is profiled here by the Cartoon Museum (a fascinating guide to the life of the much-acclaimed artist) and here on Lambiek.

So, anyone fancy a pint?

*The original version of the Reg Bunn tribute at The Navigation pub in Kings Norton, now redesigned with help from Rebellion. Photo: Robert Renak*

*The mighty Reg Bunn brings the weird and wonderful world of “The Spider” to life. His credits for Lion also included episodes of “Zip Nolan”. Via Chris Wright*

The Navigation also features a tribute to the Reverend W. Awdry, who created Thomas the Tank Engine while a curate at the local St. Nicholas Church during World War Two, to entertain his son, Christopher, while he had measles. His tribute comprises an example of early “Tank Engine” art from Awdry’s books, albeit using from a recent reproduction poster.

Such honour is welcome for both these creators, as is the fact that the pub, which was recently described as “top notch” by The Great British Pub Crawl,was saved from being levelled and turned into another supermarket.

JD Wetherspoon made considerable effort to spruce up the pub, and that included commissioning local artist Paula Woof to provide some of the pub’s murals, and the creation of some unique tapestries and a new, unique carpet.

The pub chain’s designers worked with Kings Norton Library Local Studies and History Section, Birmingham Museums Trust, the Kings Norton History Society and the Worcester Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society to create the pub’s interior decor.

There are also tributes to other locals of note, including Spitfire pilot Charles Piers Egerton Hall, who took part in The Great Escape from Stalag Luft III in March 1944 before being captured and subsequently shot by the Gestapo, wood engraver Bernard Sleigh.

As Birmingham Live noted, reinventing the pub has enlarged Kings Norton’s heritage district which includes the city’s largest collection of Tudor buildings.

The area already included St Nicolas Church as well as two buildings saved by the BBC’s 2004 Restoration series, The Old Grammar School and Saracen’s Head on The Green, on the other side of the Pershore Road.

• The Navigation is located at 1, Wharf Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B30 3LS | JD Wetherspoon Web Page | TripAdvisor Reviews

• Reg Bunn (29th October 1905 – 1971) – Lambiek Profile

• Reg Bunn – Comic Art Creators UK Profile

With thanks to Robert Renak, Rebellion and Lew Stringer

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as 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.