Warwick-based Griffin’s Auctioneers and Valuers has included a number of original British comic artworks in its upcoming Antiques, Interiors & Collectables auction next week, on Tuesday 20th February, the catalogue available to view on their website, and at The-Saleroom. You need to register to bid, the comic art lots including work by Martin Asbury and Dudley D. Watkins.
Also on offer are a number of mixed comic lots, fine art and a couple of comic-related book rarities from the 1950s – an Ace Brave Pop Up Book, with art by Ron Turner, and Dan Dare Pop Up Book, published in 1954.
Included among the comic artworks is what looks like a promotional image for the Daily Mirror‘s newspaper strips, drawn by Martin Asbury, the last artist to work on the adventures series “Garth” for the Daily Mirror. Dated 1976, with small illustrations showing Asbury’s work – Margaret Thatcher, Elvis Presley, and Garth’s companion Professor Lumiere. that date coincides with Asbury’s debut on the long-running strip, drawing “Garth” from 1976 to 1997, when it was cancelled by then editor Piers Morgan.



In a discussion about Danny Longlegs on the ComicsUK Forum, “Kashgar” notes the character, created by Dudley D. Watkins, appeared in The Dandy as follows: Series 1, No 285 cover dated 3rd February 1945 – No. 349, (2nd August 1947); a Christmas Special strip for No. 359 (20th December 1947); Series 2, No. 372 (19th June 1948) – No. 395 (7th May 1949), in which he is kidnapped in order to be the bodyguard of and eastern potentate; Series 3 No. 405 (27th August 1948) – No. 407 (10th September 1949), the last series drawn by Watkins, in which Danny Longlegs confronts a mechanical dragon.
Series 4 ran from No. 438 (15th April 1950) – No. 444 (27th May 1950), this final series drawn by Bill Holroyd, a story that has Danny Longlegs mirror reflection coming to life.
Danny Longlegs also appeared in editions of the Dandy Monster Comic spanning 1947 – 1951, all the strips drawn by Dudley D. Watkins.
The Dandy used the title ‘Danny Longlegs’ again in 1962, for a strip that featured in No 1082 (18th August 1962) – No. 1108 (16th February 1963) drawn by Jack Glass. However, this strip was set in modern times and featured the tallest hill-billy in the Catskill Mountains, Danny Kettle.









• Antiques, Interiors & Collectables Auction Tuesday 20th February, Griffin’s Auctioneers and Valuers, Unit C2, Wedgnock Industrial Estate, Harris Road, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 5JU | Web: griffinsauctions.co.uk | View the auction on The-Saleroom
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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.
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