We’re sorry to report the recent passing of comic artist British comic artist Jim Watson, perhaps best known for his work on TV Century 21 during the 1960s and his strips for DC Thomson’s Commando and Warlord, and the Fleetway title, Battle Picture Weekly.
Born in the 1930s, Jim, who lived in, Scotland, had been ill for some time, suffering from Vascular Dementia, diagnosed in 2014. This, sadly, meant we were unable to progress a hoped-for interview that we attempted to secure at around the same time with help from artist Graham Manley.
However, Colin Noble did provide downthetubes with a terrific guide to Jim’s work in 2015.
Anyone who grew up in the 1960s reading TV Century 21 would instantly recognise his distinctive work, particularly on some of the darkest adventures faced in the comic by “Captain Scarlet”, as well as his art on “Zero X” and “Thunderbirds”.
He also did plenty of illustrations for the annuals, storybooks and the Captain Scarlet Sticker Book too, but there he was accompanied by more artists.
Jim’s comics work on TV Century 21 was certainly very much part of my early encounters with comics, although back then, of course, his identity was a mystery to me.
Jim worked on many war comics including Battle Picture Weekly (the short-six episode story “Hold Hill 109” has been re-published by Titan Books), Commando, Warlord and Victor.
We believe one of his earliest strips for DC Thomson was art on “Daniel Boone” for a 1963 issue of Wizard.
Among his many other credits he also drew, uncredited, “Hellman on the Russian Front”, “Hellman of Hammer Force” and “Gang-Smashers!” for Action, for the short-lived title True War.
He was also the creator of “Colony Earth”, a short serial originally published in 2000AD (Progs 52 to 61) in 1978, and worked on Tornado (drawing “Victor Drago’s Black Museum of Villains), a title that was quickly merged with 2000AD after just over twenty issues.
In the 1980s he drew for the short-lived horror comic, Scream!, drawing one-shot stories variously titled “Tales from the Grave”, “Ghastly Tales” and “Library of Death”. He also provided some covers, and drew, uncredited, “The Scary Cat Challenge” for Super Naturals.
His final comics work would appear to be numerous strips for Battle with Storm Force, including the Falklands War-inspired story “Invasion”, written by Terry Magee. (There’s more about that story here in Jeremy Briggs “Falklands 25: Operation Corporate in Comics” feature).
“I recall the impact Jim Watson’s – strikingly, innovative – treatment of ‘Zero X’ made when he first joined the TV21, virtually as an unknown,” recalls artist David Slinn. “I understood him to have come from the world of advertising, but perhaps he had actually gained experience from involvement with DC Thomson.”
“I never met Jim, but spoke to him many times on the telephone,” recalls former comics editor Barrie Tomlinson.
“He did some great work for my titles and was always a pleasure to work with.
“He was particularly kind, always buying me an ornate bottle of whisky every Christmas. He worked on so many titles, always giving the same high standard of work, in his own, very distinctive style.
“I well remember the series ‘Tales From the Grave’ he did for Scream. He produced artwork which was just right for the title.
“A true professional and a nice gentleman.”
All of us at downthetubes would like to extend our sympathies to Jim’s family, particularly his wife Mary and his son and daughter.
Web Links
• The Scotsman published this obituary for Jim Watson on 17th January 2018
• Colin Noble posted this appreciation of Jim Watson in 2015
• There are more details of Jim Watson’s work on Comic Vine
• There are more details of Jim Watson’s work on TV21’s “Zero X” strip on The Gerry Anderson Complete Comic History site (link via WayBack)
• There are more details of Jim Watson’s work on TV21’s “Captain Scarlet” strip on the Spectrum Headquarters site
• There’s an interview with Chris Fitzsimons, who wrote some of the “Bishop’s Boffins” strips, here on the Victor and Hornet fan site
• Lew Stringer has posted some of Jim’s work here on his Blimey! blog and he has a feature on the 1960s Sticker Fun Books, which Jim worked on, here
While we have made every effort to ensure Jim Watson has been correctly credited for some of the work shown, corrections are very welcome. We welcome any information that enables us to find additional art, as we are still trying to document how much Jim contributed to the British body of work that is British comics. You can post information below, or on this Facebook thread (note you have to be a member of the group to post)
TV Century 21 artist Jim should not be confused with humour comic artist Jim Watson who drew humour material, including illustrating the reader’s jokes for Buster in the early 1980s and “Freaky Farm” for Monster Fun.
All art © respective publishers.
With thanks for additional information from DC Thomson, Fred McNamara, Richard Sheaf and Lee Sullivan – and Jeremy Briggs and Phil Rushton for additional imagery used in Colin Noble’s appreciation
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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, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Features, Obituaries
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