Perhaps best known as the artist on “Johnny Red” for Battle Picture Weekly, John Cooper, who died on 22nd February 2015, is regarded by some as the British “Gil Kane”. John first drew comic strip for TV21, drawing “Secret Agent… Read More ›
Creating Comics
Articles on creating comics, how tos, reference information and more
#PicturesMeanBusiness: UK campaign to gain Illustrators credit for their work grows
A number of British artists are actively campaigning for better credit (and, by default, better financial reward) for their work as illustrators, including comic creator Sarah McIntyre and writer-illustrator James Mayhew. Recognition for illustrators is important on so many levels – not… Read More ›
In Review: Perspective for Comic Artists
By David Chelsea Publisher: Watson-Guptill Publications Inc., US (October 1997) The Book: Acclaimed artist and autobiographical cartoonist David Chelsea and his hollow-headed pupil Mug together explore the many aspects of perspective, the art of rendering the visual effect of… Read More ›
Dundee University asks “Comics, So What?” in March
On Saturday 7th March 2015 from 1pm onwards the University of Dundee is hosting an event celebrating comics and graphic novels entitled “Comics, So What?” It features workshops and talks by comics creators, and invites members of the public of all… Read More ›
A Barbed Fist in a Velvet Glove: An Interview with writer Gordon Rennie
Going into this interview I had heard that Gordon Rennie isn’t the sort of writer you ask for a cuddle. He also isn’t the sort of writer who spends his day gossiping on Facebook or posting photos of his… Read More ›
Making Sense of the new Secret Wars: Battleworld and the Marvel UK Superheroes
Mark Roberts has been documenting the histories and current fates of many Marvel UK characters, from Captain Britain and Death’s Head to Motormouth and the Gene Dogs, for many years on his excellent blog, It Came From Darkmoor. But… Read More ›
Venting Spleenal: An Interview with Nigel Auchterlounie
Nigel Auchterlounie AKA Spleenal, is a cartoonist who has worked on everything from all-ages comics like Dennis the Menace to biting, one-page satirical strips that, when posted on Twitter, point out the inconsistencies and unfairness behind the policies and actions… Read More ›
“WarWorldz: Origins” Launches on Tapastic, second strip for new Shared Universe project
WarWorldz: Origins – one story for a new Shared Universe from a a number of comic creators – has just launched on the Tapastic web comic platform and we hope you’ll give it your support. The story is set in 2015 on a mysterious… Read More ›
British Comic Creators join in the fun of Hourly Comics Day
Hourly Comics Day took place online yesterday, as it does annually on every the 1st February. You can view the strips created by following the social media hashtag on places like Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook using the hashtag #HourlyComicsDay. (I use WebSta to search… Read More ›
Brighton’s Graphic War project launched
Following the success and critical acclaim for Brighton: The Graphic Novel, the team behind that project have started a new project, this time with 15-25 year-olds. Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, QueenSpark Books is working with young people across Brighton & Hove to… Read More ›
Panel Borders: Funny Monsters and Zoom Rockman
Concluding a month of shows looking at children’s comics on Britain’s only regularly broadcast radio show Panel Borders, Alex Fitch talks to a pair of cartoonists who both publish ‘traditional’ style British anthology comics in the style of The Dandy and other weekly… Read More ›
Commando Marches On: An Interview with Editor Calum Laird
Last year, I chatted to Calum Laird, Editor of Commando, for an article about “Charley’s War” – the seminal comic strip created by Pat Mills and Joe Colquhoun that ran in Battle Picture Weekly from 1979 until 1985. We… Read More ›
Panel Borders: Editing Psycho Gran with David Leach
Alex Fitch explores the art and culture of comics and graphic novels with practitioners worldwide on his Panel Borders radio show – and this week, he’s spotlighting a great British comics creator. Alex Fitch talks to cartoonist and comic book… Read More ›
Euro-Cit Spy: Arthur Wyatt exposes the secrets of 2000AD’s “Orlok: Agent of East-Meg One”
Since 2004, Arthur Wyatt has written fast-paced comic strips for 2000AD and the Judge Dredd Megazine. In this interview, conducted by email, he chats with Matt Badham about his latest strip, “Orlok: Agent of East-Meg-One – Eurozoned”, drawn by Jake… Read More ›
Après Charlie: Was Heath Robinson Really On The Nazi Death List?
The day after the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris, chairman of the British Cartoonists’ Association Martin Rowson wrote in the Daily Mirror of the need for satire and how political cartoonists had been targeted through the years. Part of his… Read More ›
British comic creators contribute to “Charlie Hebdo” fund raiser, Italian charity book raises hackles
British cartoonists such as Paul Baker, Banx and Hunt Emerson are contributing cartoons to Draw The Line Here (Tracer La Ligne Ici), a collection of cartoons being put together by the Professional Cartoonists Organisation with freedom of speech charity English Pen. The two organisations have launched… Read More ›
Darryl Cunningham: Taking on the Super Rich
Last year I chatted to Darryl Cunningham about his graphic novel, Supercrash: How to Hijack the Global Economy. That book, released in October 2014, tells the story of the recent global financial crisis. My conversation with Darryl was edited into… Read More ›
Panel Borders: Musical Monsters, Walruses and Snowmen
Continuing a month of shows looking at children’s comics on ace radio show Panel Borders, Alex Fitch talks to cartoonist Roger Langridge about his work. Alex and Roger discuss the latter’s work on licensed comics such as Popeye and Rocky and Bullwinkle, his adaptation… Read More ›
Kendal Calling: To the Clock Tower, Comics Fans!
Booking for spaces in Kendal’s Comics Clock Tower venue for this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival (16th – 18th October 2015) has just opened. A huge line up of both British and globe-spanning international comics talent is being… Read More ›
Trevor von Eeden illustrates and writes for “Boxiana”, a pugilistic anthology
Veteran US comics artist Trevor von Eeden – best known for his groundbreaking work on Batman and Green Arrow an as the co-creator of Black Lightning for DC Comics – has provided the cover and illustrations for a British anthology of never before published… Read More ›