We’re sorry to report the passing of prolific comic artist and children’s book illustrator Jon Davis MBE.
Jon, who received an MBE for Services To Children’s Literature in 2013, had been an illustrator since 1960, working on book jackets, and magazine illustration, and drawing for comics that included Boys’ World, Lady Penelope, TV21 and annuals, and, later, Countdown.
Strips he worked on, for the various Gerry Anderson-related titles, include “The Angels”, “Daktari” (for Lady Penelope), “Secret Agent 21” (a fill in story for TV21, the strip normally drawn by Rab Hamilton), “Thunderbirds”, “Joe 90”, “The Secret Service” and “UFO”.
One of my favourite comic artists of the early 1970s, particularly on Countdown, he also worked on the Polystyle title Target, drawing strips such as “Kojak”.
Jon also drew all the instalments of “Dinky Driver”, which was in colour on the back page of Solo comic in 1967, in which hero Johnny ‘Dinky’ Driver had adventures with the toy car company’s latest releases.
Later he drew “The Adventures of Stripey, the Magic Mini”, in Candy.
Jon also drew strips for DC Thomson, including “I Spy”, “Mr Bubbles” and “Klanky The Robot” for Sparky.
An integral part of the establishment of Linden Artists in the 1960s, his book art includes work for Ladybird, such as an edition of Frankenstein in 1984, and Rupert the Bear, and he also illustrated some of the “Bancroft Tiddlers” pocket books.
His son Ethan notes on Jon’s official web site that he began drawing science fiction and fantasy art in 1973, after reading The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. He also published his own book, The Fantastic Adventures of Trevor & Eric.
“I enjoy the work I do now,” Jon said of his later work, “which is mainly history books for children – all cartoons, Great fun!”
“I loved his work on ‘The Angels’ strip,” says Fred McNamara, author of Spectrum is Indestructible. “He clearly had great fun drawing the Angel Interceptor craft in combat, his scenes really crackle and pop with excitment.”
Our sympathies to Jon’s family and friends at this time.
• Jon Davis web site is at: wixsite.com/jondavistv21
• Fantastic Adventures of Trevor & Eric is available from Authorhouse or as an eBook download from Kobo
• Bancroft Tiddlers – A Checklist
With thanks to Jon’s son, Ethan, Graham Bleathman, David Slinn, Lew Stringer and Shaquille Le Vesconte for additional credits
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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So sorry to hear of Jon Davis passing…his great work filled my childhood with weekly anticipation for the next issue of many a comic.
Totally with you, Danny. A tremendous talent and delivered thrilling work, particularly on “Countdown “, for me
Can’t say thank you enough John for the piece you have done for my Dad
Many many thanks
Ethan
Dad would be over the moon with your comments so thank you from the bottom of my heart .
Ethan Davis
So versatile!