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Comic creators pull out the stops for “Doodles for Dave”, in memory of much-missed Bolt-01, at Thought Bubble

By John Freeman on October 23, 2021

Thought Bubble – a huge gathering of comics folk taking place next month in Harrogate – has generously allowed the Futurequake Press table this year to be entirely committed to one endeavour: Doodles for Dave, in memory of the independent publisher’s driving force, the much-missed Dave Evans, aka Bolt-01, who sadly passed earlier this year.

Unbeknown to his family and friends, Dave, a major force in the British independent comics community, who dedicated his whole career to the service of others, was battling with his mental health and he sadly lost that battle back in May.

He was funny, he was kind, generous and, as Angela Howell noted earlier this year, his willingness to always put the needs of others before his own touched the lives and hearts of all that knew this gentle man. It’s only right that his memory be treasured, and his life and comic work celebrated with “Doodles for Dave”.

“Our Bolt was forever doodling on little square bits of paper at conventions, giving them away with issues,” the FQP team noted in a Facebook post earlier this month, “they’d fall out of your copies if you ordered them from us.

(If you’re not on Facebook, there’s a thread here on the 2000AD forum, too).

“They were so integral to our memory of him that it seemed right to put everything aside and doodle.”

*Look out for this eye-catching banner at Thought Bubble and drop off your doodle at the Futurequake Press table – or buy one drawn, in aid of Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide*

There’s still time to doodle a tribute. If you’re at Thought Bubble, look out for the banner designed by Jim Campbell and Rufus Dayglo, and bring them to the Futurequake Press table, or contact them for an address to send them to if you’re unable to attend the event.

You can buy them for whatever price you feel like, and there will also be a raffle of 2000AD goodies very kindly donated directly from the Nerve Centre itself.

All monies raised in the sale of the doodles will be donated to Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide.

“We’ve reached out to them ourselves and they are a kind and responsive bunch,” say the FQP team, we’ll have literature for them if you need it but they are there and they will listen.

“Now pens and pencils out, let’s get drawing!”

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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.