To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Glasgow Looking-Glass, the world’s first comic, the Mitchell Library will present “Glasgow through the Looking-Glass“.
This will include a small display of Special Collections material in the foyer of Level 5 of the Library, during library opening hours, from 1st May – 31st July 2025.
The Glasgow Looking Glass (later The Northern Looking Glass) was published in 1825 and is considered by many the first ‘comic’, using used speech bubbles and is believed to be the first publication to use ‘to be continued’.
Similar to the more famous Punch, the Looking Glass contained satirical cartoons commenting on politics and society of the day.
In addition, on Saturday 7th June, also on Level 5, there will also be a special day of events: from 10.00am to 12.15pm, including talks on the creation and legacy of the original Glasgow Looking-Glass, the city in 1825, – and the presentation of a new Looking-Glass for 2025, a tribute comic taking a satirical look at modern day Scotland, curated by Colin Maxwell, currently seeking support on Kickstarter.
Plus, from 2.00-3.00pm, there a comic-drawing workshop for ‘kids’ of all ages.
All events are available free-of-charge, but please contact 0141 287 2988 or email specialcollections@glasgowlife.org.uk to reserve your place.
The Mitchell Library is one of Europe’s largest public libraries with more than a million items. Its collections include books, maps, drawings, photographs, postcards, and resources for family history.
The New Glasgow Looking Glass
Currently seeking support on Kickstarter, The New Glasgow Looking Glass will mark two hundredth anniversary of the original. Several writers and artists have come together to produce a modern version of the publication which will be printed on newsprint and tabloid sized, reflecting the design of the original. Taking inspiration from modern politics and society, the new Looking Glass contains cartoons and comic strips on modern topics. The strips are similar to those found in current newspapers and satirical publications such as Private Eye or Viz.
The new Looking Glass will be launched at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow on Saturday 7th June 2025, at a special event celebrating both the anniversary of the publication and Glasgow 850 – the 850th anniversary of Glasgow gaining Royal Burgh status.
Writers and artists involved in the project include John McShane, Pete Renshaw, Jim Stewart, Dave Alexander, Lew Stringer, David Cranna, Chris Connelly, Stephen White, Grum Murtagh, Derek Scott, Nic Rossert, Chris Manson, Connor Tierney, Julie Campbell, Colin Maxwell and others. Amongst them, the creators have produced work for publications such as The Dandy, Viz, Beano, Marvel, Commando and numerous other comics.
As well as comic strips and cartoons, this issue of the Glasgow Looking Glass contains an essay by John McShane, comic historian, on the creator of the original publication, William Heath.
• Glasgow through the Looking-Glass 1st May – 31st July 2025, The Mitchell Library, North Street, Glasgow G3 7DN | Official Site | Read the accessibility guide for The Mitchell Library on AccessAble | Autism-friendly guide to the Mitchell Library
• On downthtubes: Through the Looking Glass: Inside the pages of the Oldest Comic in the World
By Laurence Grove, University of Glasgow
• Michael Dempster’s research into the Looking Glass on Wee Windaes
With thanks to John McShane
- About the Author
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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.
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