Following the death of British comics artist Mike Western, reported earlier this week, we’ve published two new features on the main downthetubes site to celebrate his life and work.
In Mike Western Remembered, Ian Wheeler pays tribute to the late, great comics artist. Included is a selected stripography, with additional information courtesy of Steve Holland, who is currently working on an updated edition of his book, The Mike Western Story.
Tributes to Mike Western have come in from many comics creators including John Wagner, writer of one of Mike’s best known strips “Darkie’s Mob”, Tiger and Eagle editor Barrie Tomlinson, former IPC editor Dez Skinn, artists Rufus Dayglo and Chris Weston and many others.
“Mike was one of a dwindling band of true comic heroes, old school in the very best sense of the words,” recalls Wagner. “The complete professional – gifted, totally reliable, a terrific artist and a genuinely decent man. He will be missed.”
“I always wanted to see how Mike would have handled modern or mainstream comic strip stories,” says Chris Weston. “It would have been nice to see him draw an episode of Bad Company or Rogue Trooper. Imagine him working on Batman or Superman!
Alas, all these un-drawn strips are now dispatched to the “What If” drawers. But I tell you something, they would have been great. Really, really great!”
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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: downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Obituaries