While there’s been much to celebrate in 2016 when it comes to our industry, we couldn’t let the year pass without noting some of those involved now sadly no longer with us, including one of our very own contributors. So… Read More ›
Obituaries
Tributes to comic creators, actors and others
In Memoriam: “Billy’s Boots” and “Jet-Ace Logan” Comic Artist John Gillatt
Former Fleetway editor Barrie Tomlinson pays tribute to John Gillatt, the artist best known for his work on strips such as “Billy’s Boots”, “Black Archer” and “Jet-Ace Logan” (for Comet and Tiger), who we have just learned died in November…… Read More ›
In Memoriam: “Luck of the Legion” and Ladybird Books artist Martin Aitchison
We’re sorry to report the passing of Martin Aitchison, artist on Eagle‘s “Luck of the Legion“, “Danger Unlimited“, “The Lost World” and “Hornblower“, who died peacefully on 22nd October 2016, aged 96. Martin also illustrated a large number of Ladybird Books… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Comic Artist Steve Dillon, A True Legend of Comics
We’re very sorry to report the passing of gifted and much-loved comic artist Steve Dillon, a renowned talent rightfully described by Jamie McElvie as “a true legend of comics“, perhaps best known internationally for his run on DC Comics Hellblazer and… Read More ›
Tributes paid to US cartoonist Jack Davis
We’re sorry to report that legendary US cartoonist Jack Davis has died, aged 91 – one of the founders of MAD magazine and certainly one of the best-known and recognisable cartoonists in the world. “Our hearts are broken,” a spokesperson… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Artist and Designer Roger Perry – A “Truculent Foot Soldier”
We’re very sorry to report the passing of artist, designer, photographer and downthetubes contributor Roger Perry, who died on Saturday 23rd July at his home in the Philippines – a day after celebrating his 78th birthday. His wife Rosa has… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Comic Creator Alan Joseph Mitchell
The sudden passing of the inspiring comics creator Alan Mitchell, perhaps best known for co-writing “Third World War” with Pat Mills for Crisis, aged just 55, came as a tremendous shock to both family and friends. Although we met only a couple of… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Comics Letterer and Designer Derek Pierson
We’re sorry to report the passing of Derek Pierson, who once self deprecatingly described his comics career as “from Hulton’s to IPC Magazines with Fleetway, taking a chunk of the middle”. Aged 77, he had been ill for some time. A… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Comic Artist Stephen Prestwood
Just over a week ago the British small press lost one of its most hardworking and consistent artists – the incredible Stephen Prestwood. I’d worked with him – watched him drawing tirelessly for years, turning in an almost endless stream of… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Stewart Perkins (WR Logan)
Writer Richmond Clements, co-editor of FutureQuake, pays tribute to an unsung hero of British comics – and particularly 2000AD – fandom, whose death was announced at the weekend… There has been a running black joke this year about the innumerable number… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Darwyn Cooke
I was very sad to learn yesterday of the sudden passing of the extraordinary Canadian comic book writer, artist, cartoonist and animator Darwyn Cooke, whose death to cancer was announced by his family this weekend. He was just 53. This short statement,… Read More ›
Remembering Gil Page: A Personal Tribute by David Hunt
Former comics editor David Hunt pays tribute to one of the great, and largely unsung force behind the success of British comics over several decades – Gil Page, who died earlier this week. I last saw my dear friend Gil Page… Read More ›
In Memoriam: IPC Managing Editor Gil Page
We’re sorry to report the passing of Gil Page, an editorial stalwart of Amalgamated Press, Fleetway, IPC and latterly Egmont, as that company’s Managing Editor. He passed away peacefully in his sleep earlier in the week, aged 79. “Gil was… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Illustrator and Comic Artist Shirley Bellwood
The very welcome reveal of 2000AD‘s cover of their first Misty collection – featuring art from a 1980 Misty Special – came tinged with the sad news of the passing of the much-admired artist who painted it, Shirley Bellwood, who had… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Comics Writer Scott Goodall MBE
A tribute to the comics writer best known for his work on titles such as Battle and Buster
In Memoriam: Ken Barr
We’re sorry to report the death of artist Kenneth (Ken) Barr, aged 83. He is perhaps best known to downthetubes readers for his Commando covers, but was an innovative artist whose covers for publishers such as Marvel and a wide variety of… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Tony Dyson, R2-D2’s Original Builder
We’re sorry to report the passing of Professor Tony Dyson, the British robot genius who originally built Star Wars R2-D2. A convention regular around the globe, 2015 marked his first appearance in the country he had made his own – Malta – for Malta… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Tony Kuroizumi-Luke
I’m very sad to report the passing of comic creator, animator and illustrator Tony Kuroizumi-Luke, who has died after a long battle with cancer – but who, despite often being in pain in recent years, battled it with every fibre of… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Comic Artist and Editor Luis Bermejo Rojo
A tribute to the Spanish master, whose credits included “Johnny Future” and “Lord of the Rings”
In Memoriam: Herb Trimpe, co-creator of Captain Britain
Fans of legendary comics artist Herb Trimpe, the co-creator of Captain Britain and one of the first artists to draw Wolverine, have rushed to pay tribute to him. Herb Trimpe, whose death was announced yesterday by his cousin… Read More ›