Veteran comic creator Lew Stringer has announced he’s retiring from working in mainstream comics – but, luckily for us, will continue to develop and publish his own independent titles. And he’s not giving up “Daft Dimension” for Doctor Who Magazine anytime soon, either.
A longtime supporter of downthetubes and a fervent and enthusiastic advocate and promoted of British comics, we wish him every success in his future endeavours, whatever they may be.
Lew has worked as a freelance professional humour comics artist and writer for 40 years. He sold his first cartoon to Marvel UK in 1983 and since then has created many characters such as Brickman, Combat Colin, Derek The Troll, Pete and his Pimple, Robo-Capers, Tom Thug, Tough Guy And Scruffy, Sgt. Shouty, Suburban Satanists, and others.
His clients have included IPC, Marvel Comics, Egmont, Panini, DC Thomson, Rebellion and many others, covering the comics field from originated characters to licensed properties, pre-school to adult on comics such as Aces Weekly, Action Force, Buster, Beano, CITV Tellytots, The Dandy, The Daredevils, Herman Hedning, Lego Adventures, Lucky Bag Comic, The Mighty World of Marvel, Oink!, Rampage, Sonic The Comic, Spectacular Spider-Man, Sweet FA, Swiftsure, Toxic, Transformers, VIZ, Warlock, White Dwarf, and many more.
“As I’m now 66 and eligible for my pension I’ve decided I’ll be retiring from working for mainstream comics,” Lew posted on his official blog this weekend. “Frankly, work has been in short supply for the last few years and the financial stress it’s caused hasn’t been good for my physical or mental health, especially as I have hypertension, diabetes and incurable leukemia to deal with – so I feel it’s time to step back and take things easier as I do get more fatigued these days.”
But that doesn’t mean he’s giving up on comics altogether.
“Comics are still my passion and there’s no ‘off switch’ to creativity, so in reality it’ll be semi-retirement,” he continues. ” “I’ll still be contributing my ‘Daft Dimension’ mini strip to Doctor Who Magazine every month for as long as they want me, and I have some loose ends to tie up such as some overdue commissions, a strip for The Dandy Annual 2027 and some work for The77 and suchlike.
“My main focus after that though, apart from relaxing and getting things in order, will be my self-published comics. I want to get the final issue of Combat Colin out this summer and hopefully some other comics after that. I won’t be taking on any more commissions as yet, but I’ll continue to sell my old artwork to collectors via eBay to help pay the bills etc.
“I’ve had 42 happy years freelancing in the comics industry and now I’ll simply be focusing on my own comics and creations and publishing those in my own time as it suits me. I’ll also be attending comic cons if I’m fit and able to, as I don’t want to lose touch with the many good friends I’ve made in comics over the past four decades! Although that depends on when treatment starts for my CLL.”
“Lew Stringer has consistently been one of the most remarkable artists in the British Comics Community,” comic artist Mike Perkins noted earlier today, sharing “7 Ages of Fan”, one of his favourite cartoons by Lew, featured in the 1998 UKCAC booklet. “Always embracing his, and our, artistic roots and revelling in the absurdity of situational cartooning. Astounding work throughout his career and he continues to produce beautiful illustrations.
“I have a few pieces of his work – sketches, one page illustrations and a few pieces of his long running ‘Daft Dimensions’ from Doctor Who Magazine. I feel honoured to own such artistic achievements.
“…I’ve known him since I was 15 when I was working a Saturday job in a comic shop in Wolverhampton and it’s always a true pleasure to see him when I can. He’s a true Master of Comic Book Art and should be celebrated by all.”
I think many downthetubes readers will share Mike’s opinion, and join us in thanking Lew for his amazing work down the years.
Lew was one of the very first comic creators I met, back in the days of the old Westminster Comic Marts in London, and not only have I always enjoyed his work, it was a pleasure to work with him too, back in the days when we created “Pedantic Stan” for Speakeasy magazine (some strips later written by David Leach). We’ve stayed in contact across the decades and his valuable insights into all things comics have always been a delight.
Good luck, Lew – see you, as ever, in the funny pages!
• Lew Stringer is online at lewstringercomics.blogspot.com | Artwork Sales on eBay | Comic Sales on KOFI
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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
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