DC Thomson bids farewell to Bill Graham

By John Freeman on January 1, 2010

DC Thomson editor Bill Graham

DC Thomson editor Bill Graham – whose credits include Starblazer, Warlord and Spike and had a long and varied career with the Dundee-based company – has just retired.

Previously interviewed by Jeremy Briggs for the site, what we haven’t published before is a picture of him with his lesser-known brother — PC Murdoch from the Oor Wullie strips!

“The story goes that the comics/boys’ papers staff held a PC Murdoch look-a-like competition and he won,” claims Commando editor Calum Laird, who kindly sent us this picture.

“He was, however, the only entrant. And he had no idea the competition was going on!”

downthetubes would like to thank Bill for all the support he’s given this site over the past few years and wish him all the very best for the future.

• Read our 2008 interview by Jeremy Briggs with Bill

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.