Netherlands-based comics archivist John Wigmans is seeking information on the life and work of Mickey Mouse Weekly writer and artist Basil Reynolds, particularly, at present, in annuals and books published between 1956 and 1958.
Basil Reynolds (22nd December 1916 – June 2001) was one of one of the youngest nationally syndicated newspaper cartoonists in the 1920s, and is considered an influence on Ken Reid. In the 1930s, his early credits include drawing “Our Silly Cinema” in 1933, for the South Wales Echo, “Septimus and his Space Ship” the following year, for the Scottish Daily Express, and “Billy the Baby Beetle” for the Daily Sketch in 1935.
Between 1936 and 1939, he also wrote and drew “The Children’s Corner”, a syndicated serial item, published in a variety of regional newspapers, such as the Banbridge Chronicle, Bellshill Speaker and Fifeshire Advertiser.
Hired by Wilfred Haughton as a staff artist on Mickey Mouse Weekly in 1936, his credits on that title include writing and drawing “Skit, Skat and the Captain“, “Elmer and Tillie” and “Shuffled Symphonies“.
After serving in the army in the Middle East during World War Two, he returned to civvy street and Mickey Mouse Weekly as art editor, as well as drawing strips including “Bongo“, “Li’l Wolf and Danny the Lamb“, “True Life Adventures” and “Peter Puppet“.
Later, Reynolds also became art editor of the preschool titles Jack and Jill, Playhour and Tiny Tots, going freelance around 1959. In 1962-68 he drew “Bizzy Beaver” for Robin, and from 1971 he drew for Disneyland magazine. He also designed book jackets, including one for a biography of Walt Disney.
Documenting Reynolds Life and Work
John Wigmans is seeking information and art for a specific and little documented period in Reynolds successful long career.
“I’m looking for contributions, mostly nature features, to annuals and books 1956 to 1958,” he writes. The ones in Playhour Annuals, Jack and Jill Annuals, Tiny Tots Annuals and the Billy The Kid Book Of Picture Stories 1958 are known to me. These annuals were published by the Amalgamated Press, Reynolds’ employer since February 1956.
“But at the same time he contributed to other publishers’ annuals and books. All of the Express Annuals (1957-1962) have spreads by him, and for the Rupert Book 1956 he did a puzzle page as well. The Odhams Young People’s Encyclopedia part D-J (1957) has a page about ‘extinct animals’ (dinosaurs).
“Now I wonder if there is still more by this underrated artist in annuals and books that has escaped my attention. All help is welcome and appreciated.”
If you can help, you can contact John via Facebook
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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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I presume you have data from Denis Gifford’s private partwork, the British Association of Comics Enthusiasts/British Comics Encyclopedia, which ran from 1978 for 14 years (and longer with reprints in the Comic Journal)? In it’s latter years, Reynolds would write a page titled “Of Skit and Skat and This and That”.
Best wishes
David R
I wish I did, David – sounds fascinating!
John – I have replied to your email 🙂 – Dave