Home › Denny O’Neil pulls out of Bristol Comic Expo – but line-up still strong

Denny O’Neil pulls out of Bristol Comic Expo – but line-up still strong

By John Freeman on May 9, 2012

Despite an impressive line-up of comic creators from both sides of the Atlantic at the Bristol Comic Expo this coming weekend, the event will, sadly, be without planned Guest of Honour Denny O’Neil.

The organisers have announced the acclaimed DC Comics writer and editor will not be attending Expo due to failing health.

Denny has been fighting a serious condition for some time and his doctors have prohibited him from travelling at this time.

“I’m sure you share our disappointment that Denny cannot be here this year but we wish him a speedy recovery and all the best for the future,” says Mike Allwood.

Denny’s best-known works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Mike Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan, all of which were hailed for their sophisticated stories that expanded the artistic potential of the mainstream portion of the medium.

As an editor, he is principally known for editing the various Batman titles. As of 2012, he sits on the board of directors of the charity The Hero Initiative and serves on its Disbursement Committee.

Comic creators still on course to be at the Expo include writers such as Jason Cobley (selling copies of his weird wild western, Frontier), Paul Cornell, Cy Dethan, Ian Edginton, and artists such as Mark Buckingham, John M. Burns, Mike Carey, Alan Davis, Neil Edwards, Gary Erskine, Paul Grist, John Higgins, David Roach, Dylan Teague, Andrew Wildman and many, many others.

• Bristol Comic Expo: www.bristolexpo.co.uk

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.