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Comic Art Appeal for lost ‘Eartha’ newspaper strip art by John M. Burns for new collection

By John Freeman on July 2, 2025 • ( 0 )

The hunt is on for more original newspaper strip art by the late, great John M. Burns – and downthetubes readers out there may be able to help.

“Eartha” was a colour weekly strip, the tale of a Stone Age cave girl preserved in ice for 10,000 years, revived in 1981 when a nuclear waste site in the north of England is excavated.

The strip appeared in Britain’s News of the World “Sunday” magazine from September 1981 to July 1982. Written by Donne Avenell and illustrated by John M. Burns, 52 full colour instalments were commissioned following her adventures, but only 45 were published.

“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 1. As artist Alan Davis has previously noted, the layout might appear as if this should be a double page spread, but the strip was actually given less than half a page for the first few episodes and was further reduced in later issues. “The drawing is excellent and the colour beautifully modelled and moody,” Alan says, and he gets no argument from us!

“Eartha” was developed through the Bardon agency, who often used Donne Avenall as a writer. Originally conceived as a daily, much like “Axa”, “Eartha “ was also syndicated abroad, appearing in the Yugoslavian title, Spunk, as “Erta”.

David has previously discovered the original artist was going to be Jorge Badia Romero, brother of Enrique. “Jorge was an incredibly prolific girls comic artist in the UK,” David notes, “most famous for the ‘Supercats’, of course – and I’ve seen thousands of pages by him, but not his pencils, which are really subtle and delicate.”

Part of an initial “Eartha” sample page by “Supercats” artist Jorge Badia Romero, from 1979, two years before the strip drawn by John M. Burns saw print. “Who knows why he didn't end up drawing it,” David Roach wonders, “though its possible ill health might have been a factor.” — Part of an initial “Eartha” sample page by “Supercats” artist Jorge Badia Romero, from 1979, two years before the strip drawn by John M. Burns saw print. “Who knows why he didn’t end up drawing it,” David Roach wonders, “though its possible ill health might have been a factor.”

Eartha Concept Art by John M. Burns — *“Eartha” concept art by John M. Burns*

*A low resolution of an episode of Eartha in the Yugoslavian title, Spunk, as “Erta”. (You can stop sniggering now, foolish boys)*

Now, artist, author, comics historian David Roach, together with the team behind the upcoming Zetari English language Special Edition (also illustrated by John), hope to release a collection of this strip – but they need help in locating some of the original art.

Over time, John sold some pages, either directly to collectors or through sites such as Heritage Auctions.

“For me, ‘Eartha’ was one of John’s greatest, if silliest, strips and it’s long been a pipe dream of mine to see an archival collection of the complete series,” says David. “Well, it just might happen – I know, I’m such a tease! – but only if we can track all the originals down. So, do you have an ‘Eartha’ original, or know someone who has?”

“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 16 Original Art — *“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 16, both original art and as published, illustrating how, in some cases, poorly the published strips reflect the quality of the original art*

“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 16 - as published in News of the World — *“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 16, both original art and as published, illustrating how, in some cases, poorly the published strips reflect the quality of the original art*

“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 22 - Original Art — *“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 22, both original art and as published*

“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 22 - as published in News of the World — *“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 22, both original art and as published*

*Original art for “Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 40*

“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 45 - the final episode published in News of the World — *“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 45 – the final episode published in News of the World*

*The original art for “Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 45*

*A convention “Eartha” sketch by John M. Burns*

One of John’s Top Ten favourite strips he created, a few kind souls have already provided scans of art in their collections, so this project is edging closer to potential publication. If you can help, please do!

The aim is, hopefully, to publish a landscape format hardback, similar in format to the “Carol Day” books published by Slingsby Ink!, with the scans of the strips on the left and high resolution scans of the originals on the right. The problems are getting good enough quality clippings, and that the original art boards are scattered about.

*The original unpublished art for “Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 52 – the final commissioned episode*

If you or anyone you know owns one of the missing pieces, or you can supply good quality scans of the original weekly episodes, please contact David via Direct Message on Facebook, or for those not on this social media platform, he can be contacted via johnmburnsart@gmail.com

Still being sought are Episodes 9, 10, 11, 13, 18, 25, 28, 31 and 44… and they must be out there somewhere! Altogether, John drew 52 episodes, only 45 of which were published.

“Lost” Episodes – Can You Help?

“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 9 - do you own the original art? — *“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 9 – do you own the original art?*

*“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 10*

*“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 11*

“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 18

*“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 25*

*“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 28*

*“Eartha” by Donne Avenell and John M. Burns, Episode 31*

*At some point, John sold the art for “Eartha” Episode 44 – do you own it?*

• For more about the work of the late John M. Burns, follow the John M Burns Facebook Group

With much thanks to Colin Brown for his help with this item

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.