MAD magazine’s Thomas Fluharty interview leads latest illustrators magazine

By John Freeman on February 13, 2022

The latest issue of illustrators magazine, from Book Palace Books, embraces Thomas Fluharty, one of the usual gang of idiots from MAD magazine during the 1990s, who talks about his artwork and shows off some of his fantastic caricatures.

More like a book than a magazine, illustrators is an art quarterly devoted to the finest illustration art ever published. With its unique blend of art and insight, it guides you through the stories behind the artists and their art, with features written by some of the leading authorities on this important art form.

As well as building into an indispensable reference library, illustrators gives readers an insight into the creative process, from the initial idea to the image potentially seen by millions. Truly fabulous artwork abounds in every issue, much of the art taken from scans of the original work.

(In addition to the regular title, Book Palace have also published several special editions. I’m currently reading, admittedly, slowly, the brilliant Frank Bellamy Special, compiled by expert Norman Boyd, and it’s absolutely brilliant).

This issue also features Arantza Sestayo and her fantasy images, and a trip back in time back in time to meet Caran d’Ache, whose work influenced many comic strip artists from the 20th century.

If you picked up on our mention of the sale of some original “The Cisco Kid” art over on Catawiki yesterday, then you’ll be pleased to hear that illustrators 37 also features an article on the strip, and spotlights the work of its fantastic artist, José Luis Salinas.

• Buy illustrators 36 direct from Book Palace Books here

Author: Diego Cordoba
Artists: Thomas Fluharty, Arantza Sestayo, Caran d’Ache, Jose Luis Salinas
Publisher: Book Palace Books, February 2022
Number of pages: 96
Format: Soft Cover; Full Colour illustrations
Size: 9″ x 11″ (216mm x 280mm)
ISBN: 9781913548216

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.