John Higgins talks comics in Liverpool

By John Freeman on May 20, 2017 • ( 1 )

John Higgins

As part of the Open House Lightnight Liverpool evening of celebrations last week, 2000AD artist John Higgins, creator of Razorjack, gave a one and a half hour talk at his exhibition of work displayed at the Victoria Gallery & Museum.

Liverpool-born John signed copies of his new book, Beyond Watchmen & Judge Dredd, and spent the evening chatting away to everyone.

“He was really friendly and approachable, and it was a pleasure to meet him,” artist David Hathaway-Price, who runs the Classic UK Comic Fanzines online archive, tells us.

John Higgins being interviewed by Science Fiction Foundation Librarian Andy Sawyer

“We weren’t able to stay until the full light show projection at midnight (an image of Judge Dredd projected onto the outside of the VG&M as part of the DROAR art installation),” he continues, “but I’ve seen video and it looked brilliant…. it was a lovely night out.”

John’s exhibition at Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery, which runs until October, offers a glimpse into his extraordinary imagination – an output which crosses the boundaries between comics, graphic novels, cinema, television, advertising and music.

John’s original art is displayed alongside examples of the work of the artists and science fiction classics that inspired him.

Beyond Watchmen & Judge Dredd contains some of John’s best work as a comic artist, bringing together work for projects such as Watchmen, Judge Dredd, Hellblazer, Before Watchmen and Razorjack.

• John’s exhibition continues until February 2018 (first planned to run until October, its success has meant it has been extended). Details on the Victoria Gallery web site

• Beyond Watchmen & Judge Dredd, with a foreword from Dave Gibbons, can be ordered through Amazon

Photos by and with thanks to David Price & Joy Barrett

John Freeman

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.