Book Palace Books, publishers of the illustrators quarterly magazine, have three titles in the works that will delight fans of Dan Dare, Garth and Thunderbirds artist Frank Bellamy and other great British comic creators.
Due for release in 2021, The Art of Frank Bellamy is an illustrators Special Edition written by Norman Boyd, keeper of the brilliant Frank Bellamy Checklist Website and Blog.
“The artwork and covers have not yet been finalised,” Norman notes. “There will be 144 pages of glorious colour images. This will be the largest work devoted to Bellamy (so far, if I have my way!).
“Gathering the artwork is the hardest part of such a venture and many people have really been kind with hi-resolution scans,” he reveals. “Some works have been scanned from my collection where originals are not available but the whole package looks superb…and there are a few pieces you will never have seen before.”
Given Norman’s tireless devotion to tracking down every element of Bellamy’s prestigious career as comic artist and illustrator, this is definitely a title to look out for. Details announced so far can be found here on the Book Palace web site.
More like a book than a magazine, illustrators is the art quarterly devoted to the finest illustration art ever published. It guides you through the stories behind the artists and their art, with features written by some of the leading authorities on this important art form.
As well as building into an indispensable reference library, illustrators gives readers an insight into the creative process, from idea to sketch to painting, and from painting to the image seen by millions.
The next regular edition, due in Spring 2021, spotlights two other British comic greats, best known for their work on much-loved newspaper strips – Jim Holdaway, the artist who brought comic strip life to Peter O’Donnell’s “Modesty Blaise”, and Sydney Jordan, creator of “Jeff Hawke”.
Also in the works from Book Palace is the Frank Bellamy Sketchbook, one in a new series from the publisher, with a similar title devoted to the art of Italian artist Fortunino Matania, a creator whose work has previously featured in Illustrators.
There’s not much detail about these projects at this early stage and covers of the books released so far may not be final. I’d recommend signing up for the Book Palace Books newsletter for an early drop on release dates and more via subscribe@bookpalace.com.
• Book Palace Books is online at bookpalace.com
• illustrators Magazine – Index Page
• Frank Bellamy Checklist Website and Blog
• Original art by Frank Bellamy for sale on Book Palace
• Original art by Jim Holdaway for sale on Book Palace
• Original art by Sydney Jordan for sale on Book Palace
• Original art by Fortunino Matania for sale on Book Palace
With thanks to Richard Sheaf for the heads up
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.
Categories: Art and Illustration, British Comics, Comic Art, Comic Creator Spotlight, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Features, Other Worlds