Comic Art Charity Auction in aid of War Child launched

By John Freeman on February 27, 2021

Art from "Lofty and The Eagle", a story for the 2020 Battle Special which was written by by Peter Briggs. Art by Eoin Marron — *Art from “Lofty and The Eagle”, a story for the 2020 Battle Special which was written by by Peter Briggs. Art by Eoin Marron*

The Battle Fans Facebook Group is currently running a Charity Art Auction of comic art on behalf of War Child, the London-based International charity whose mission is to protect and support children affected by war. Bids are currently being taken for with Page 2 of the “Lofty And The Eagle” story from last year’s Battle Special, published by Rebellion, kindly donated by Eoin Marron.

To bid, you’ll need to join the Group and make your bid in the comments on this post – bids close at 8.00pm on Sunday 28th February 2021.

An illustration of the character “Specky Hector” donated by cartoonist Lew Stringer, who also featured in the Battle Special, will follow (a character that first appeared in Oink!), ALONG with a page of pencils from “Bravo, Black Lion” donated by Glenn Fabry and Karen Holloway and an A3 illustration of “Rat Pack” donated by Patrick Goddard rounding off this auction.

Art from "Bravo, Black Lion" from the Battle Special 2020, a story written by Alex de Campi , art by Glenn Fabry — *Art from “Bravo, Black Lion” from the Battle Special 2020, a story written by Alex de Campi , art by Glenn Fabry*

*Rat Pack by Patrick Goddard. Rat Pack © Rebellion Publishing*

Last year’s Charity Auction, run on similar lines, raised £559 for War Child, a charity founded in 1993 by film-makers David Wilson and Bill Leeson. On assignment in the former-Yugoslavia they were horrified by the violence and ethnic cleansing they witnessed. And especially its impact on children.

The charity aims to reach children as early as possible when conflict breaks out, and stay on to support them – long after the TV cameras have gone home. Their work helps keep them safe, give them an education, and equip them with skills for the future.

• War Child is online at warchild.org.uk

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “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.