I’m very sorry to report the death of the extraordinary comic creator Richmond Clements, a British comics writer, editor, events organiser and educator whose loss is being deeply felt by the comics community across the UK. He was 55, and was taken by illness.
He was a friend to many, an inspiration to many more, and he will be much missed.
“He was a gloriously passionate writer and editor,” notes comic creator Chris Denton. “I first met him the same day I first met Dave Evans, at Bristol Expo, many years ago, and they shaped the course of my life. Although I hadn’t seen Rich in person for a while we always stayed in touch, and have collaborated many times. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
Richmond’s credits as a writer include the graphic novel Turning Tiger, drawn by Alex Moore, published by Renegade Arts Entertainment, and Ketsueki, illustrated by Inko, and Pirates of the Lost World, with art by Conor Boyle, published by Markosia Enterprises. He created strips for the anthology I edited, STRIP magazine, and worked on stories for Barry Nugent’s Unseen Shadows universe.
Recent work included strips for Time Bomb Comics Bomb Scares horror anthology, and “Space Precinct” strips for SPECTRUM. He was also a feature writer for magazine such Fortean Times.
“As editor, alongside Dave, Rich gave dozens of creators the opportunity to have their work seen in their Futurequake titles,” notes Time Bomb Comics publisher Steve Tanner in a personal tribute. ” “As writer, Rich not only created some great stories, but was also bloody reliable. (That combination was why I commissioned Rich to write the “Space Precinct” stories in Spectrum).”
Children of L.I.R., a graphic created with Paul Bolger, was published in July.
“We met at Thought Bubble a decade or so ago and I pitched a crazy take on the Irish myth to him,” Paul, saddened by the news of Richmond’s death, posted on Facebook. “He leapt at working together and bringing his years of writing and editing experience to bear on the story he helped shape it into the beauty of a little book we put out this past year.
“Rich was generous, wise, kind, insightful, funny as f*** and above all patient.
“As a publisher, his work with Dave Evans at Futurequake Press, on the brilliant anthologies, FutureQuake and Something Wicked, as well as popular 2000AD-inspired fanzines Zarjaz and Dogbreath, is widely acclaimed in the independent comics community… My sincere condolences to his family and friends.”
Richmond also co-organised the Hi-Ex! The Highland International Comic Expo for several years, and was a popular writing tutor in his home city of Inverness and beyond, sharing his love of the comics medium with all those who listened.
“Rich ran the Hi-Ex cons in Inverness with Vicky Stonebridge. and I was behind a table at every one of them,” notes downthetubes contributor Jeremy Briggs. “Those cons really introduced me to comics fandom and the contacts I made there helped in all the work that I did afterwards on downthetubes. RIP to a fellow Ulsterman.”
A regular convention goer, either as an exhibitor with the latest Futurequake Press titles, often alongside the late Dave Evans, who died in 2021 (another creative legend who left us too soon), and, sometimes, a welcome guest, as he was, for example, at Malta Comic Con in 2012 (which he reported about for us here, in his own ineffable style), he gained a wide circle of friends.
Sadly, success in creating comics was marred by problems in his own life in recent times, culminating in him being rendered homeless in September. Close friends rallied to support him, but his full situation was not one he shared.
“I know he hit very hard times recently, and had to reach out to us for support,” comic creator Dave Wynn noted in his tribute. “I just know his plea was answered by so many of us, a sign of how much Richmond was loved.
“I had hoped we’d see him come out of the trough and come back up into a happier time. It sadly was not to be.
“I won’t be remembering Richmond for that though. I will be remembering him for his quiet wit, his love of his friends, and his fearsomely accurate moral compass.”
“We became friends first as correspondents, then as guests and participants at conventions,” notes comics writer Jasper Bark. “He was a gentleman, a scholar and a truly compassionate human being. I can’t believe we only exchanged messages a week or so ago and now I’ll never hear from him again.
“My condolences to Richmond’s family and loved ones. I know there are no words to address this, but my thoughts are with you. We lost one of the good ones.”
“I first met Richmond Clements back in 2003 and we instantly bonded over our love of the same comics, books and movies,” said 2000AD writer Michael Carroll. “He was funny, inventive, kind, supportive and always fun to be with. It was Rich who encouraged me to submit scripts to the small-press comics he was editing with the late, great Dave Evans – FutureQuake and Zarjaz – and that kick-started my career as a comic writer: I owe them both so much for that… It’s unbelievable that he’s gone.”
“I couldn’t tell you when I first met Richmond,” writer GM Jordan, says. “I have a feeling alcohol was involved, so that puts it over eight yrs, probably nearer 16. But he was more than a friend. When he offered to edit Hunter, Hunted for Markosia, he was the first editor that didn’t pull any punches. He didn’t bully – he explained changes that needed to be made, and nurtured projects, no matter how crazy they seemed at first. He sat down with me when we discussed Hunter, Hunted in Leeds one wintry night, and in a kindly way he gave me a gentle arse kicking for pandering to the Americans by stripping out the Scots twang and making it too ‘BBC’.
“I felt like I had disappointed him by pandering to the film studio, but he was patient as I put things right & suggested changes that stripped back unnecessary plot tangents. When Mick Trimble came on board and dazzled us with his art for the book, Richmond, with his love of 2000AD and a certain style of artwork seemed to enjoy telling me when he had seen new pages before me. A few years ago his encouragement and support helped us get Raggedy Man Tales out.
“When we moved back home to Scotland one of the bonuses was going to be that we would be able to see Richmond more,” he reflects, “Especially as we hadn’t seen each other in person for a few years.
“Richmond, you were a good man, a good friend, collaborator and guide. So many creators owe you a debt that can never be repaid, including me. Mind how you go, my friend, thank you for everything.”
It is no understatement to say that the loss of Richmond to the British comics community has left a hole that will be impossible to fill. He will be much missed: but if there is an afterlife, I hope he’s already chucking ideas back and forth with his best friend, Dave Evans, and rocking the firmament around him.
Our sympathies to family and friends at this difficult time.
John Freeman
Richmond Clements, 15 July 1969, November 2024
• Remembering Richmond Clements: A Personal Tribute by Steve Tanner
• Read a 2010 Interview with Richmond Clements by Matthew Badham
• Remembering Dave Evans: A Personal Tribute by Richmond Clements
- About the Author
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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.
Categories: British Comics, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Features, Obituaries
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I’m a night porter for emergency housing buildings including the place where Richmond was staying. I just started in September, around the same time Richmond moved in. I was so shocked when I came in to work and heard the news. He seemed like such a nice man, I had no idea he was so creative and talented. What struck me when I met him was what a gentleman he seemed, very different for the environment he was in. Such sad news, really wish I got to know him. Peace eternal, Richmond,