On author and editor Alan Cowsill’s latest Last Geek in Space podcast, writer and comics and storyboard artist Mike Collins talks about his career – including his work on Doctor Who. Plus, drawing Gambit’s first appearance in the X-Men, Babylon 5, Star Trek and more – as well as selecting the comics and artwork that’s inspired him and those he’d take into space.
Mike is a Cardiff-based writer and illustrator best known for his work on licensed properties such as Doctor Who, Captain Britain, Transformers, Star Trek, Babylon 5, 2000AD and more recently, the graphic novel, Apollo.
Perhaps best known as one of the pencillers on the main strip for Doctor Who Magazine,, he enjoyed the longest uninterrupted run as artist on the comic, and pencilled the debut stories of each of three new Doctors – Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant and Matt Smith. He still draws the flagship strip, alternating with Martin Geraghty.
Mike also illustrated two successful BBC original Doctor Who graphic novels, and drew strip for IDW’s US Doctor Who comic book series.
He began his career with Marvel UK and 2000AD, writing and drawing comic strips such as Spider-Man, Transformers, Judge Dredd, Slaine and Rogue Trooper, among others.
He went on to work for both DC and Marvel Comics, working on titles like Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman, The Flash, Teen Titans, Darkstars, Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt and X-Men, where he drew #266, involving the first appearance of the X-Man, Gambit.
He also provides storyboards for TV shows and films, including Doctor Who, Sherlock and more.
• Check out the Mike Collins – Last Geek in Space Podcast here
• Mike Collins is online at www.freakhousegraphics.com
• Alan Cowsill is online at www.alancowsill.com
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. Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek 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: 2000AD, Audio, British Comics, Comic Creator Interviews, Creating Comics, Doctor Who, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Other Worlds, US Comics