Comics Grow Up!

By John Freeman on January 15, 2008

The National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh will be putting on an exhibition on the historical development of comics and graphic novels from their earliest beginnings to their modern contemporary diversity entitled Comics Grow Up!

Running during April and May 2008, and building on the expected heavy local advertising of the new The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde graphic novel by Alan Grant and Cam Kennedy for the One Book – One Edinburgh reading campaign, the exhibition is described as revealing the vitality of the current Scottish writers and artists at work in the medium.

The National Library of Scotland purchased the original artwork that Cam Kennedy produced for the Kidnapped graphic novel in 2007 and it is anticipated that this will be on display.

• More information can be obtained from the National Library of Scotland’s website.

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.