Harper Collins are to publish a hardback collection of Paul Magrs Panda cartoons this September, much to the delight of his fans. (And yes, we mean Paul, not Panda, a character who first debuted as a character in his popular Iris Wildthyme novels!)
In The Panda, the Cat and the Dreadful Teddy: A Parody, surely soon-to-be million-copy bestselling sort-of inspirational parody… here’s how Paul, who began working on the cartoons earlier this year, describes it…
Danger: Some Rude Words Ahead…
Enter the world of me, Panda, plus my sometime-friends Cat and Teddy. You will find us living our best lives, trying (and occasionally succeeding) to be kind to each other. The cat is quite nice but can be a little bit selfish. Teddy can come across as very nice, with his squeaky voice and looking so tiny and helpless.
But I must warn you, Teddy can be a vicious little backstabber, actually.
This is a book of nice illustrations and some words from which you will likely gain some sort of inspiration.
Like:
“Just because you’re struggling, it doesn’t mean you’re failing… But it might do.”
“Nothing beats kindness,”said the cat. “Gin does”, said Panda.
“If you don’t stop saying inspirational things to me, I’m going to punch you up the hooter.”
“You OK, hun?’ asked Panda, but he was just taking the piss.
“We’re just so, so lucky to have each other as friends, and it’s going to make a marvellous book.”
In a 25 year writing career, Manchester -based Paul Magrs has published novels in every genre from Literary to Gothic Mystery to Science Fiction for adults and young adults. His books include the Iris Widthyme time travel adventures, a recent re-issue of All The Rage, a story set against the Eurovision Song Contest, and the wonderful, funny “Brenda and Effie Mysteries”, which began in Never the Bride, re-released last year, beginning the saga of Brenda, the long lost Bride of Frankenstein.
Paul has also taught Creative Writing at both the University of East Anglia and Manchester Metropolitan University, and now writes full time.
• Paul Magrs is online at lifeonmagrs.blogspot.com
• Panda: A Biography on the TARDIS Data Core Wiki
Which includes the information that while Panda may have debuted in the audio adventure Wildthyme at Large, but did you know he’s first mentioned in “Teenage Kicks”, a short story by Paul Cornell for Doctor Who Magazine?
John Freeman
The founder of downthetubes, John works as a comics editor, writer, as Creative Consultant on the Dan Dare audio adventures for B7 Media, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. Working in British comics publishing for over 30 years, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Magazine and Babylon 5 Magazine. 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 “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz, published on Tapastic; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood for digital comic 100% Biodegradable.
Categories: British Comics, British Comics - Collections, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
New thrills in 2000AD, and a fantastic classic Treasury of British Comics comic collection, Karl the Viking, too! 
In Review: UFO Comic Anthology Volume One 
Retro Review: Eddie Campbell’s Alec: The Years Have Pants 
Rebellion reveals full Treasury of British Comics collection line-up for 2022