Review by John Freeman
The Book: Colin Howard’s art graced the covers of around thirty VHS releases, and for the first time ever, they’re collected together in Timeslides: The Doctor Who Art of Colin Howard. Join Colin as he opens his personal archive and takes you on a tour of his ‘Doctor Who’ universe – from iconic videos to book covers, from illustrations to private commissions.
Colin’s work has been featured in the Target novelisation range; on the covers of the Doctor Who Classic Comics, and the past Doctor and Eighth Doctor Adventures novels; in Doctor Who Magazine; and even in recent DVD and Blu-ray animations like The Evil of the Daleks.
The Review: Firstly, I have to admit it’s a little strange reviewing this wonderful collection of Colin Howard‘s Doctor Who art, published by Candy Jar Books. After all, Colin already persuaded me to write an introduction for Timeslides, which I was honoured to do. When he kindly sent me a copy of the book, it was a bit of a shock to discover my words followed directly on from an introduction by the ever articulate Colin Baker, aka The Sixth Doctor, and heartwarming words from Colin’s partner, Michelle, too. Then, politely, he asked me to review this brilliant art book, too… and I hit a bit of “writer’s block”.
What can I add about the book that I haven’t already said about the artist, I wondered? What can I say that hasn’t already been noted in afterwords in the book from folk like fellow former Doctor Who Magazine editor Gary Russell, writer Nick Abadzis, comic artists Martin Geraghty and Lee Sullivan, each adding some new aspect to this glorious overview of Colin’s distinguished, much-praised career as an artist?
This was going to be hard, I thought. I’ll put the book aside, and have a think, I thought. Which, of course, in an editor’s house, especially one in the throes of redecorating, never mind near daily arrivals of new books, comics and magazines for review, was the worst thing I could have done, because of course, the physical book has, and is, currently buried in one of several anonymous boxes. (Always label boxes! Buy see through plastic boxes!).
Of course, I should be used to such chaos by now, this late in my own publishing career, Timeslides jogging plenty of memories within its pages of one of the most amazing periods in my life, commissioning artists like Colin Howard to illustrate DWM, and provide the occasional cover, which he happily did, in singularly spectacular style, this quiet spoken, gentle soul only now revealing his dismay when said editor covered up his cover art with cover lines and, even, on one occasion, a flexi-disc. (Sorry!)
Along with every artwork featured in this 120 plus page book, the work presented sans cover lines, mastheads, and other editorial trappings, Colin recalls the old days of pre digital publishing: the nightmares of lost art, art stripped from its backing board to be scanned, of impossible deadlines in an age where reference imagery wasn’t something you could find at the touch of a button. Of physical art delivery, and lunchtime pub get togethers, to discuss the next commission. Of those days when life hadn’t bitten us on the bum with old age health issues, or, far worse yet, in Colin’s case, Multiple Sclerosis, a savage, thoroughly unwelcome disease. Illness, I might add, Colin has, in public at least, stuck two fingers up to, in his own indomitable fashion, only occasionally acknowledging its presence. Which, for me, is as inspirational as his art.
And what an inspiration Colin has been, down the years, in his art, in his life, to so many, and Timeslides, crammed with glorious art, anecdotes, art tips and the occasional aside, captures him perfectly.
If you’re a fan of Doctor Who-inspired art, you’ll want a copy of Timeslides. It’s as much a document of past times in publishing as it is a celebration of a terrific artist.
If you don’t buy a copy of this book, I may have to start posting out Cybermats. Better yet, buy two, one for your local school or library to inspire future artists, or a fellow fan. They’ll thank you! (Well, they better had…)
John Freeman
• Timeslides by Colin Howard is available to order now from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
• Timeslides: The Doctor Who Artwork of Colin Howard | Pre-order links: Paperback £14.99 (+ postage) | Limited Edition Hardback £30 (+ postage)
• Colin Howard is online at colinhowardart.com | Buy prints of Colin’s work here | Facebook
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, Books, Doctor Who, downthetubes News, Features, Other Worlds, Reviews, Science Fiction, Television
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