(with thanks to Robin Ashwell): The BBC online News Magazine has just published an article on newspaper comic strips — and is challenging readers to send in their own four panel creations.
The article, published to publicise self-taught artist (and occasisonal DJ, raconteur etc) Phill Jupitus’ documentary Comic Love on Radio 4 (available at Radio 4’s Listen Again site), notes that for as long as there has been the concept of daily newspapers, there has been the political cartoon. And in the 20th Century there has been a natural symbiosis between the modern newspaper and one particular form of cartoon, the four-panel strip.
The article notes the work of the creators of the Daily Telegraph‘s Alex strip, the controversy caused by Gary Trudeau’s Doonesbury – including audio interviews with the US cartoonist – and features an exclsuive strip by Phil Jupitus himself (first panel above).
Readers — and several have already commented on the article noting their favourite strips — are also challenged to send in their own four-panel strips:
- Email: yourpics@bbc.co.uk, subject CARTOON
- MMS from UK: 61124
- Int MMS: +44 7725 100100
- Click here for terms and conditions
- 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.
Categories: British Comics - Newspaper Strips
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