ASHCAN Awards: Writer nominations include Tom Ward, Jasper Bark

By John Freeman on 10 June 2015

Tom Ward. Photo courtesy Tom Ward.

Hearty congratulations to Tom Ward, creator of the excellent indie comic Merrick: The Elephantman, a title we’ve been enthusing about on downthetubes for quite a while now.

Along with others that include the equally talented Jasper Bark (whose new book, Bloodfellas, published by Markosia, is out now) and Luke Cooper (Hollow Girl), he’s been shortlisted for the Ashcan, Alternative Showcase Hub for Comics and Animation writer of the year award.

ASHCAN is a not-for-profit group for independent comics and animation creators to showcase work and network. This year sees their first Annual Awards, with nominees in all categories set to be announced in full on Monday 15th June.

“It’s starting to feel like maybe I’m kinda ok at comics,” says Tom, whose next public appearance is at Lancaster Comics Day this coming Sunday, where he will take part in a “Breaking Into Comics” panel as well as selling his own books.

• Check out Merrick: The Elephantman here: www.merrickcomic.co.uk

• Check out ASHCAN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/682926355113730/

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.