We reported the loss of British comic artist John M. Burns yesterday, aged 86, who passed peacefully on Friday 29th December, after a long illness, and follow this up with tributes from many of his fans within the comics community.
An artist perhaps best known to most for his work on comics such as Look-In and 2000AD, but whose contribution to British comics across sixty years spanned much, much more, detailed by his biographer, Paul Duncan, here on downthetubes as part of an appeal for original art, it’s unsurprising many comic creators and fans have offered tributes to this singular talent, whose work brought worlds alive and joy to millions.
John announced his retirement in October, prompting praise and thanks from fans and fellow creators.
Here is a small selection of those tributes, hopefully reflecting how much John was appreciated, along with some examples of his work down the years. Our condolences again to family and friends at this time.
Writing on Facebook, John’s biographer Paul Duncan has encapsulated how many, including me, feel about his passing.
“I am upset and saddened to hear of the passing of John M. Burns, one of the giants of British comics for over 60 years,” he said. “I was lucky enough to meet John and his wife Julia several times over the decades, and they were gracious enough to allow me to visit John’s studio.
“He was a vigorous and demanding artist, constantly evolving his style and storytelling techniques right up to his retirement late last year.
“John remained modest about his achievements, although his work had a profound effect on the fans who read his work, and multiple generations of artists that followed. He was aware of this, thanks to the efforts of Colin Brown’s Facebook group, John M Burns Art.
“My condolences to Julia, John’s family, and friends. There will never be another like him.”
Also paying tribute, comic archivist Steve Holland, publisher of Bear Alley Books, noted John was “one of the last British artists who began working in the 1950s through Link Studios where he learned his craft under Harry Lindfield, before going freelance. Over a period of seventy years, he drew too many strips to list here, but they included ‘Wulf the Briton’, ‘Wrath of the Gods’, ‘Kelpie the Boy Wizard’, ‘The Seekers’, ‘Countdown’, ‘Danielle’, ‘Modesty Blaise’, ‘Eartha’, ‘Jane’, ‘Zetari’, ‘Lilli’, ‘Dan Dare’, ‘Judge Dredd’, ‘El Capitan Trueno’, ‘James Bond’, ‘Black Light’, ‘Nikolai Dante’, ‘The Order’… and dozens of others. There isn’t a duff page amongst the thousands he drew.”
“In a uniquely long and eclectic career John M Burns demonstrated his mastery of every aspect of illustration and set a standard that will never be surpassed. Nothing anyone can say or write could begin to describe the work of a true master. Just look, see and enjoy the legacy.
Comic artist and writer Alan Davis, a post to the Fans of Alan Davis Facebook Group
“One of the most inspirational comic artists; such beautiful line work.”
“[I’m] very sad to hear of the passing of John M Burns,” wrote comic artist Glenn Fabry. I’ve been a huge fan of his for as long as I can comfortably remember. I think he was in print before I was born, a brilliant artist.”
“John was a favourite of mine for an unbelievable sixty years. A master of the human figure, his work always felt fresh and exciting.”
“Dismayed and saddened by the news of John M. Burn’s passing. He was surely one of the brightest stars in the pantheon of British comics art”.
Comic artist and writer Sydney Jordan
“Terrible news. John was my favourite artist. A great loss to British comics.”
“I know the word legend is overused, but in the world of comics, it’s completely fitting for John. His career spanned from the 1950s to 2023 and he was still creating astonishing artwork right to the end… He was the last artist of his generation to be still actively working in comics, so his passing really does signify the end of an era. I think it’s quite astonishing that in every decade of his career he was operating at the very highest echelons of the medium, inspiring each new generation of would-be artists, and creating new fans.
“Simply put, he was one of the very best comic artists this country has ever produced and I know so many of us in the industry owe him an extraordinary debt. I know I still look at his work for inspiration all the time.
“John’s last strip was ‘Nightmare New York’, [for 2000AD] written by Kek W, and he had completed four fully painted episodes (which look absolutely amazing) before he became too unwell to continue. Because I’ve worked with Kek for some years I was dauntingly asked to continue the strip and John was kind enough to send me over a mountain of reference and his layouts for Part 5, which I used as the basis of my first episode. I guess now the strip will serve as a memorial and a last celebration of his work, but it’s also given me a small insight into his craft and his innate kindness in helping me take it over… he was a legend, he will be missed, but he will be so fondly remembered.”
Comic artist and archivist David Roach
“Very sad, if not unexpected news. I loved, loved, loved his work and he was a major childhood influence of mine. He was inspirational, his style instantly recognisable. He was a true maestro of comics. Godspeed and a heartfelt thank you, John M Burns.”
Comic artist and writer Nick Abadzis
“John M. Burns was a legend in his field. Anyone who read a British comic strip in the last 60 years had probably read something drawn by him. And it would have been beautiful. A unique talent, never anything but top quality. RIP.”
“A genuine and unique master leaves us. He was one of the first artists I ever noticed in comics – doing extraordinary work on the most mundane of projects. His career was long and filled with thrilling art, just amazing. RIP.”
“John M Burns was a fantastic artist and an absolute giant of comics. He made every page of his art look amazing. Hard to think of any other artist with his decades of output or his variety. A genius.”
“A fantastic artist. I saw some original Look-In pages a few years ago and they raised my (already high) opinion of him to a whole new level. Astonishingly good. He could do everything.”
“A huge loss to comics, his work was on another level. My condolences to family and friends.”
“I never met John but his artwork weaved it’s way through my comic reading long before I even knew his name. An absolute comics legend.”
“His work was so admirable in so many ways it’s impossible to find the right words to pay adequate tribute to it. I can say he was a central and essential inspiration to me, for which I’m thankful beyond measure.”
Comic artist and publisher of Aces Weekly, David Lloyd
“Another sad loss. John M. Burns was a real inspiration with his supernaturally slick line work and dynamic figures.”
Comic artist and writer Keith Page
“I remember being blown away when I saw his ‘Countdown’ strip when it first came out. An incredibly talented artist and a sad loss to the world of Comics.”
Comic artist and writer Tim Perkins
“As a kid, John M Burns was the first comic artist i knew the name of and looked for…”
Comic artist Steve Pugh
“Very sad to learn that John has gone. He produced a beautiful body of work with distinctive style. Where many artist today use computers, John still worked in traditional media. Years ago. I was lucky enough to buy, in Germany, his two ‘Captain Trueno’ for publisher Arboris, which have never appeared in this country. . Respect and regards to John’s family.”
“John’s contribution to the medium was immense, such a huge talent. He’ll always rightfully be remembered as one of the Old Masters of British comics.”
Timebomb Comics publisher and writer Steve Tanner
“John M Burns produced the most wonderful painted pages of art. It feels like we’ve lost the last link to all those old ‘traditional’ comic artists like Lawrence, Bellamy and Hampson.”
Comic archivist Reuben Willmott
“A terrible loss. All the more tragic because he’d only just retired,” writes American comics writer Ron Marz on X. “Sadly, actual retirement is an exceedingly rare thing for comic creators, both financially and because many just don’t want to stop doing what they love.”
“So sad to hear of the death of John M Burns, one of the most magnificent of illustrators I was lucky enough to work with for many years. His glorious work stretches back to my childhood and covered every subject across the cosmos. We shared a contempt for the nitwits we encountered in our ridiculous profession. They seemed to grow with the years… Thanks for the ride, John, and shine on forever, and don’t ever let anyone else colour your work!”
“John drew one of my earliest strips for 2000AD, a four-page Future Shock, ten years ago. I didn’t know he’d been assigned to draw it and was floored when the issue turned up in the post. One of the real greats of British comics, always did wonderful work.”
Comics writer and author Eddie Robson
The last word, for now, from comic artist Chris Weston, saddened by the news of John’s loss, who captured the sentiments of many with his tribute on X.
“What a huge talent John M. Burns was. Every single page of art he produced was a stunner. RIP, sir, and thank you for the joy your work gave me.”
And so say all of us. Godspeed, John. You were and will always be, a comic legend.
Further Reading
A long-planned biography-art book about John’s life and work is currently being compiled by author and editor Paul Duncan.
• downthetubes: In Memoriam – John M. Burns
• Read our profile of John’s long career here, posted when his retirement was announced last October
• Read an extensive guide to John M. Burns work by Paul Duncan here on downthetubes
• Check out the John M Burns Art Facebook Group
If you want to show your appreciation of John, consider joining the Facebook group, and add your comments to a thread launched by moderator Colin Brown on Monday 2nd October (depending on your access point, you may need yo use a search within the group such as “John had to cut back on his workload”) and Colin will make sure this much appreciated artist sees them
• Wikipedia – John M. Burns – this entry includes a guide to many of the strips he drew
• Diana – “Great Expectations”, 1965 – article by Lew Stringer
• Diana – More Forgotten Classics by John M. Burns – article by Lew Stringer
• The Book Palace: John M. Burns Art
• Comic Art Fans: John M. Burns
• Comic Artist Alan Davis’ Appreciation of John M. Burns
• Trueno: Blog about El Captain Trueno – John M. Burns articles (in Spanish)
Awards
John M. Burns won a UK Comic Art Award Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993 and the Eagle Awards 30th Anniversary Award for Outstanding Achievements in British comics in 2007
Interviews
• True Brit: A Celebration of the Great Comic Book Artists of the UK edited by George Khoury (2004)
True Brit celebrates the rich history of British comic book artists with a wide selection of breathtaking art, intimate photographs and in-depth interviews with the men who have transformed the comics field to the sensation it is today, including John M. Burns
• Listen: Mega City Book Club 146: John M Burns interviewed by Eamonn Clarke (2021)
• illustrators Special 8: Art of John M Burns
Now only available digitally, illustrators presents a long overdue retrospective of John Burns’ art, with contributions from friends and colleagues, as well as access to unpublished art and revealing glimpses into John’s creative process, including his personal work and sketchbooks. Features an extensive catalogue of John M Burns’ works-in-print, including over 100 comics strips, 20 newspaper strips, over 30 Annuals and over 40 covers, including Modesty Blaise written and created by Peter O’Donnell.
• Dominical de El Periódico: John M. Burns Interview
The El Capitan Tuerno story “La Reina Bruja de Anubis” was first serialised for 12 weeks in Spain’s Dominical de El Periódico, then moved to Super Mortadelo, and was then published in a hardcover album, and a supporting interview with John appeared in the Dominical de El Periódico supplement published on 3rd March 1991, and is featured here on the Spanish language “Tuerno” blog
John M. Burns: Collected Works
• “Wrath of the Gods” a strip published in Boys’ World in the 1960s, is being collected and published by Book Palace Books next year
• Kelpie the Boy Wizard: 60th Anniversary will be released on 20th June 2024, written by Ken Mennell with art by John M. Burns | ISBN: 9781837861705
In days of old, when King Arthur reigned over Britain, there was at royal Camelot an apprentice sorcerer by the name of Kelpie. Together with his venerable master, the great and powerful Merlin, Kelpie uses his magic to protect the kingdom from evil doers including The Raven and the Weird Sisters of Doon!
First published sixty years ago by Odhams press in Wham!, the complete saga of Kelpie the Boy Wizard channels Arthurian legend through a Harry Potter filter, presented through the gorgeous black and white artwork of John Burns.
• Zetari
From 1984 to 1988, John M. Burns teamed up with the Dutch writer Martin Lodewijk to produce “Zetari”, an adult fantasy comic featuring a female lead. Zetari was serialised in Panorama magazine, the Italian magazine L’Eternauta, and the Spanish magazine Zona 84.
The strip was collected in a 96-page, 2018 German-language graphic novel by publisher ERKO, ISBN 9789619439555, which can be found on secondhand bookshop sites such as Awesome Books, and eBay. There’s a review here
El Capitan Trueno
• El Capitan Trueno: La Reina Bruja de Anubis
By Victor Mora & John M. Burns
ISBN: 978-8440623027 (Spanish edition)
First serialised in El Periodico and Mortadelo, this storysees Captain Thunder and his inseparable Crispin and Goliath facingthe dark power of Black Magic, that distorts reality and throws the friends into an illusory world of hallucinations.
With her evil arts and hypnotic power, Nefer, the Witch Queen of Anubis, is determined to annihilate Sigrid de Thule who comes between her and Captain Thunder, with whom she intends to found a dynasty in the lost city of the jungle of Anubis Zan…
• El Capitan Trueno – El maleficio de las islas del viento (“The Curse of the Wind Islands”)
By Victor Mora & John M. Burns
ISBN: 978-8440635914 (Spanish edition)
Overnight, mysteriously, a peaceful and calm man, Haakon The Good-Kind, king of the Wind Islands, becomes a bloodthirsty tyrant… What has happened? How do you explain such a sudden transformation? Has Haakon, as his subjects murmur, an evil spirit from the darkness?
All this greatly worries Capitan Trueno and Queen Sigrid who, in Thule, as the inexplicable change comes with the threat of an all-out war overshadows the horizon… Thus, the Captain and his friends leave for the Wind Islands, and discover te horror that awaits them in Haakon Castle. It’s something that Captain Thunder had never had to face… Something that has come to Planet Earth from you don’t know where!
• Jane Eyre The Graphic Novel: Original Text (2008)
This Charlotte Bronte classic is brought to vibrant life by artist John M. Burns. His sympathetic treatment of Jane Eyre’s life during the 19th century will delight any reader with its strong emotions and wonderfully rich atmosphere. Travel back to a time of grand Victorian mansions contrasted with the severest poverty and immerse yourself in this love story. It is presented in full colour graphic novel format wonderfully illustrated by legendary artist John M. Burns. It meets UK curriculum requirements. Teachers notes/study guides for KS2/KS3 available.
• World War I: The Illustrated Story of the First World War – Classics Illustrated Special Issue (Cover by John M. Burns – not interior strips)
Read the thrilling story of “The Great War”, known now as the First World War. Classics Illustrated traces the history of this devastating conflict from the catalytic political assassination that started it to its end – with victory for some, shame for others and whole nations left in ruin!
• World War II: The Illustrated Story of the Second World War -Classics Illustrated Special Issue, 2014 (Cover by John M. Burns – not interior strips)
To mark the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day landings, Classic Comic Store’s special issue of Classics Illustrated, World War II, tells the astonishing and horrifying story of the Second World War in comic-strip format. Classics Illustrated traces the chronology of the most costly war in human history from its outbreak to its conclusion, with over 60 million dead, trials for crimes against humanity and a new, terrifying threat over the world: the atomic bomb.
The book contains 100 pages – 96 of Classics Illustrated’s famous comic-strip re-telling and four more pages dedicated to exploring the war further, with fascinating facts, pictures, discussion questions and more.
All major events in the war are covered, including the coming to power of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, the Dunkirk evacuation, the Battle of Britain, the Siege of Stalingrad and many more. The book also has biographies of several major war leaders, from Winston Churchill to Erwin Rommel, Dwight D. Eisenhower to Hideki Tojo.
• The 39 Steps (Classics Illustrated) by John Buchan (Cover by John M. Burns – not interior strips)
John Buchan’s thrilling tale of an innocent man caught up in a web of spies, lies and murder. Can Richard Hannay save himself by solving the mystery of the 39 Steps? Classics Illustrated tells this wonderful tale in colourful comic strip form, offering an excellent introduction for younger readers. This edition also includes a biography of John Buchan, theme discussions and study questions, which can be used both in the classroom or at home to further engage the reader in the work at hand.
• Chinbeard Books are currently celebrating John M. Burns iconic work by collating Look-In magazine’s “The Tomorrow People” strips in a set of books. Volume One is available direct from Chinbeard here and Volume Two here. “A genuinely rare talent who oozed class and individuality,” notes publisher Barnaby Eaton-Jones of John’s work
• “UFO” from Countdown and TV Action has been collected by Anderson Entertainment over two volumes – the second volume features strips by John. Both volumes have sold out, so you’ll have to track these down secondhand
• “Space: 1999” from Look-In has been collected by Anderson Entertainment and is available here
Sable & Fortune
by Brendan Cahill, John M. Burns
Marvel Comics, four-issue mini series, collected 2006
Collects Sable & Fortune #1-4
ISBN: 978-0785118336
Digital Editions – One – Two – Three – Four
Silver Sable is leader of the unstoppable Wild Pack and the world’s greatest mercenary! But times change… the Pack has gotten so big it no longer resembles the team Sable once led – and when evidence points to a traitor, Sable will stop at nothing until she finds him! Enter a brash young private detective calling himself Dominic Fortune, who’s out to make a name in the world of international espionage! With Sable branded a has-been, and Fortune’s star ascending, they’re a match made in heaven…as long as Fortune shuts up and follows Sable’s orders!
• 2000AD: Nikolai Dante
Year of the Tsar 2674 AD, and bastard son of the Romanovs Nikolai Dante has bonded with a cyborganic Weapons Crest, an alien combat computer, which allows him to extrude lethal bio-blades… the complete saga is available as a digital bundle from 2000AD direct
• 2000AD: The Order
Created by Kek-W and John M. Burns
• The Order: Die Mensch Machine: Volume 1
In 13th Century Germany, while reading the papers of her dead father young Anna Kohl uncovers a shocking secret – that defending Earth from an other-worldly menace is a secret cadre of warriors known only as The Order. Now she, and her father s rag-tag former comrades, must do battle with the sinister forces of these eldritch creatures! From Teutonic Knights with robot heads to gun-toting warriors in high speed pursuits on the streets of Elizabethan Engand, The Order is an incredible genre mash-up of medieval and Renaissance history, action movies, Michael Moorcock, Jack Vance, and Hammer Horror!
Obituaries
• ICV2
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: 2000AD, British Comics, British Comics - Newspaper Strips, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Features, Obituaries
I changed my laptop some years ago, and meant to keep in touch with downthetubes, but looking after my wife, then a house, move delayed a lot of things. But today, I thought I must do it and saw the news about John Burns, what a shock. As you know we both worked in Link Studios, I was 17 when starting my apprenticeship at Link, this was 1957 November, and who was I following? John.
He was two years older than me, nearly at the end of his apprenticeship, but those couple of years left were worth so much, he would come and sit with me or Tony Harding who came after me, helping with our artwork and the idea of telling the story without words. Obviously, some text is needed, but to see him draw and layout a page was something else, no sketching out, straight down on the page, it was as though he could see the artwork before the pencil went down.
We had an older artist called Bill Mainwaring in the studio, he was drawing just one frame for a text story called, I think, “Iron Man” in maybe Lion. John was asked if he would like to do it, he said yes of course, he was 16/17. It was excellent, and he just went on from there.
After his National Service he came back to Link stayed for a few, then moved on .
I had the honour of completing the Doctor Who story, “The Age of Chaos” by Colin Baker, which John had started but pressure of other work meant he could not finish it. I did my best, but he was some artist to follow.
He was my mentor and a good friend, I had not seen him since an SSI exhibition many years ago, he moved to Cornwall, me to the Isle of Wight.
He was up there with the best, if not the best, my condolences to John’s family.