Back in the days before computers (and Richard Starkings), comics were hand lettered – and it was something of an arcane art that only a trusted few were employed to do at Marvel UK, where I worked in the 1990s. It… Read More ›
Features
Looking Back: Marvel UK’s Pencilling Do’s and Don’ts
I’ve got my grumpy head on this morning. Bear with me while I grumble. Back in the 1990s, many young artists would show up at the few British comic conventions there were back then and present their portfolios to… Read More ›
Chris Doherty: Bringing His Own Look to Sherlock Holmes
I’m a big Sherlock Holmes fan and have been since I was a child. I was pretty excited, therefore, when I heard that some my favourite creators – John Reppion, Leah Moore, Adam Cadwell and Chris Doherty – were getting… Read More ›
In Memoriam: John Cooper
We’re sorry to report the passing of British comics artist John Cooper, who died after a short illness on Sunday 22nd February. His huge and influential list of credits include work for numerous titles, including TV Century 21,… Read More ›
Creator Profile: John Cooper
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 ›
In Review: It’s Even Bigger on The Inside
by Tim Quinn & Dicky Howett Publisher: MIWK Publishing Out: 3rd March 2015 The Book: It’s Even Bigger on The Inside collects all the Doctor Who? Strips that ran regularly in Doctor Who Monthly and Doctor Who Magazine from Issue 64 until Issue 225, created by Tim… Read 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 ›
In Review: XIII Mystery – The Mongoose
With the original run of XIII now complete for the first time in English, publisher Cinebook move on to the original French spin-off books, XIII Mystery, a series of one-off stories each focussing on individual characters from the XIII universe… Read More ›
Sneak Preview and Review: 50 Signal Issue 1 by Nick Gonzo
Created by Nick Gonzo Published by Madius Comics The Comic: 50 Signal is a comic about space exploration and facing the unknown, an extended meditation on solitude, told from the perspective of a vat-grown astronaut. Raised by machines, our hero… Read More ›
In Review: Merrick: The Sensational Elephantman Issue 3 – “Tragedies and Reflections”
Written by Tom Ward Art by Luke Parker Letters by Nic J. Shaw Edited by Clare Lenton “The most remarkable human being ever to draw the breath of life.” The Story: The third issue of Merrick: The Sensational Elephantman begins with… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Brett Ewins
Brett Ewins was born in 1955 and spent most of his life living in Hanwell, West London, where he met fellow local artist brothers, Brendan and Jim McCarthy, who lived 10 minutes down the road. Brett studied at Goldsmiths… Read More ›
Deadline co-creator and legendary 2000AD contributor Brett Ewins has died
We are very sorry to learn of the death of artist Brett Ewins, a truly unique comic creator instrumental in helping create the legend that is 2000AD, along with many other achievements. He was just 59. “Throughout his years of working… 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 ›
In Review: The Survivors – Episode 1
Cinebook begins the spin-off series from Leo’s Worlds Of Aldebaran books with The Survivors – Episode 1, a tale set during the initial colonisation of Aldebaran IV, 100 years before the main series begins. The reason Earth abandoned the Aldebaran… Read More ›
In Review: Stephenson’s Robot Issue 1
Accent UK have a new seven issue mini-series in the form of Stephenson’s Robot, an SF-horror-steampunk themed anthology from writers Dave West and Jon Ayres and artists Indio! and Marleen Starksfield Lowe. In the universe of Stephenson’s Robot the creator of the… Read More ›
In Memoriam: “Q-Bikes” Beano artist Andy Hutton
We’re sorry to report the passing of former Beano artist Andrew Hutton, who died aged 91 on 15th January 2015. An artist and teacher, Andrew, also known as Andy, was born in Calcutta and lived abroad in his youth with his… Read More ›
In Review: Midnight Man – Bullet Time
Written by Mo Ali Art by Andy Bloor Published by Badmother Publishing The Comic: Falling from Big Ben whilst being chased by a possessed horse from the American Civil War, the time travelling vigilante Midnight Man has had stranger… Read More ›
In Review: Lady S – Portuguese Medley
Writer Jean Van Hamme and artist Philippe Aymond’s Lady S has moved from being Suzan in America to being Shania in France and is about to head south from there in the latest of her books to be translated into… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Dick Millington
We’re sorry to report the passing earlier this week of veteran cartoonist, editor and writer Dick Millington, aged 81. His credits included strips for the Daily Mail and the Daily Express but who is possibly best known to older downthetubes… Read More ›