Back in 2007, Chartwell published Drawing Dragons by BEANO and Wallace & Gromit artist Jim (Jimmy) Hansen, featuring art coloured by John Michael Burns. It seems the final cover was not the one originally considered, as an archive of the project created by the book’s colourist, the late John Michael Burns, suggests an alternative was considered – although of course, it may simply be a provisional cover for “sell-in” purposes. Either way, both covers are simply gorgeous.
“Dragons have always been a favourite mythical creature and have never been more popular than they are today,” Chartwell said of Jimmy’s book, one of a number of “How To” titles he wrote, which include Creating Superheroes & Comic Book Characters: Step by Step and Superheroes (How to Draw Manga). “This book is easy to use, and takes you through the step-by-step process of drawing your own dragons for fun and entertainment.”
The final book also included a wide variety of word and number puzzles designed to keep readers entertained. It was part of a series, showing the reader step-by-step instructions in creating their own designs and drawings.
A native of Zambia, born in 1948, James (Jimmy) Hansen (15th July 1948 – 19th June 2018) is perhaps best known for his work on the Beano’s “Dennis the Menace” strip. He was a veteran of the British comics industry whose career began on Whizzer and Chips in the 1970s , his first work drawing “Hot Rod the Dragon” for a Summer Special. His many credits include “Bumpkin Billionaires” (initially drawn by Mike Lacey, characters first published in Whoopee), which he drew in the 1980s for Whizzer and Chips; and, after contributing to many titles down the years such as Beezer, Buster, Cheeky, The Dandy, Jackpot, and Topper, he drew various “Wallace and Gromit” strips for Titan Magazines, coloured by John.
In his final years, drew “Slash Moron” for David Lloyd’s digital comic anthology Aces Weekly, despite being treated for long-term cancer and a tumour on his spine, which meant he had to work standing.
Artist and colourist John Michael Burns, who we have just learned passed away in February 2024, aged 75. The nephew of 2000AD artist John M. Burns, who died in 2023, his credits spanning over 40 years in the industry, including work on Lion in the 1970s, James Bond Jr., Slash Moron, Doctor Who Adventures, Shaun the Sheep, and Wallace & Gromit.
• Drawing Dragons is still available (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
• Creating Superheroes & Comic Book Characters: Step by Step (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
• Superheroes (How to Draw Manga) (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
• Jimmy Hansen passed in 2018 – obituary here – and John Michael Burns, nephew of artist John M. Burns, in 2024
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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.
Categories: Art and Illustration, Books, British Comics, Comics, downthetubes News, Other Worlds
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