We’d like to wish our many readers a Happy Christmas and all the very best of the festive season. By way of getting into the spirit of things, here’s a classic cover from Tiger, cover dated 25th December 1971, recently shared over on Twitter by the title’s former editor, Barrie Tomlinson.
With traditional snow-topped logo, this “group photo” with Christmas pudding, created by a number of artists, was no easy task in the days before email, Dropbox and WeTransfer. The art was physically posted from Tiger artist to artist, who painted “their” characters from the weekly comic.
“The cover was a joint effort by the artists of the various strips,” explains comic creator and archivist Lew Stringer, who recently asked Barrie how it was created.”Sandy James, John Vernon, John Gillatt, with Roy [of the Rovers] by either Yvonne Hutton or Colin Page (I’m not sure which, but I think it’s Hutton).
“The cover had to be posted from artist to artist in order for them to do their part. (Presumably whoever started it did light roughs of the whole composition for the rest to follow).
“It turned out really well, as you can see.”
“it was a large parcel which was posted from one artist to another,” Barrie revealed. “We had to make sure it was well packed!”
Merry Christmas, all!
• Be sure to follow Barrie Tomlinson on Twitter for more Roy of the Rovers and Tiger memories!
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: British Comics, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events
PostiveNegatives partners on London event spotlighting comics role in amplifying research 
Clear Spot: The Past and Future in Comics 
The SEQUENT’ULL Interviews: Lily Williams 
The SEQUENT’ULL Interviews: Jemma Webster-Sharp
Happy Xmas 🙂
And Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Down the Tubes!
First with the news! Number one for quality! Indespensible!
Equally, Alan, thank you for your amazing books devoted to British comics history you have published this year, offering wonderful insights into the origins and “golden age” of our industry. Hugely appreciated. All the very best for 2023!
All best wishes from TVTA. Keep up the superb work in 2023!