In the run up to the 30th anniversary of the hit comic character from Deadline, a new display of Tank Girl and other comics-related ephemera is on view at Worthing Museum and Art Gallery in West Sussex, curated by the founders of Creative Waves, working closely with the character’s co-creator, Alan Martin.
New Amusements on Worthing Pier. Image: Creative Waves
Vanessa Breen and Nadia Chalk, founders of Creative Waves, have added a splash of colour and fun to their free exhibition, “New Amusements“, creating windows of opportunities for visitors to take “seaside selfies” come rain or shine.
Visitors to the town’s pier are invited to interact with the newly commissioned artwork, which reflects the growing vibrant community and culture in Worthing, a project funded by Arts Council England, sponsored by local businesses and supported by Worthing Borough Council and West Sussex County Council.
The cover of the 7 inch record from Senseless Things, “Too Much Kissing Trevor“
Unpublished character spread, by Jamie Hewlett – 1987
The first Edition of the Penguin Books Tank Girl compilation. Book design by Bill Strokhaker Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett
Alan Martin’s 633 Squadron Patch. Hand painted by Jamie Hewlett and Philip Bond, 1986
Rocket Girl E.P. cassette tape by the University Smalls. Featuring Alan Martin on lead guitar and vocals and Philip Bond on Bass Guitar
Alan first met Tank Girl co-creator Jamie Hewlett in 1986 at Worthing Art College. With fellow student Philip Bond, they began collaborating on a comic/fanzine called Atomtan. “Tank Girl” first appeared in the debut issue of Deadline in 1988, a British magazine intended as a forum for new comic talent, or as its publishers Brett Ewins and Tom Astor put it, “a forum for the wild, wacky and hitherto unpublishable.” Its first incarnation continued until the end of the magazine in 1995.
As well as an exhibition on Worthing Pier, featuring Tank Girl, Alan Martin has curated pieces from his collection of comic ephemera for an exclusive display cabinet in Worthing Museum until July 2017.
“The lucky people will be able to see a very rare original copy of Atom Tan #1, printed on the Worthing Art college’s photocopier thirty years ago,” says Alan, “featuring the first published work of Gorillaz artist Jamie Hewlett, and the very first appearance of the comic and movie icon Tank Girl.”
Issue 6 of Deadline Magazine, published in 1989, featuring Tank Girl and the Devil as cover stars, art by – Jamie Hewlett
Worthing Museum & Art Gallery is positioned within the heart of the borough town of Worthing in West Sussex.
As well as its Tank Girl display, cosplayer readers may be interested to know that the Museum holds one of the most significant costume collections in the UK, as well as notable collections in fine and decorative arts, social history, toys and dolls and archeology. There are around 30,000 items within the costume collection alone.
Creative Waves is a not for profit company with heaps of enthusiasm, passion and creativity, that aims to inspire people and inject art into the community by collaborating and sharing our wealth of experience, talent and creativity.
Tank Gir All Stars #1 – Variant Cover by Chris Wahl
Talking of Tank Girl – Tank Girl All Stars #1 is on sale now from Titan Comics, a celebratory 30th Anniversary series featuring a host of artists from across TG’s 30 year chequered history. There are four variant covers to collect, including “Strange Thing” by Chris Wahl. Get yours from your favourite comic shop, online, or digitally via Comixology, iTunes, or Kindle.
There’s quite a lot coming your way later this year to celebrate the character’s 30th anniversary, including The Legend of Tank Girl, a collection of Alan Martin Brett Parson’s Tank Girl recent series, a Tank Girl Colouring Book (out in October) and a collection of Tank Girl All Stars in November.
Between 2016 and 2017, Tank Girl co-creator Alan Brett produced a trilogy of graphic novels – “Two Girls One Tank,” “Tank Girl Gold,” and “World War Tank Girl”. These three books comprise the longest continuous Tank Girl story arc to date, involving copious amounts of spilt blood, the resurrection of long-dead characters, a train-full of gold bullion, and gallons of fine tea. Now, they’re bringing that epic story together into one, single, coffee-table-busting tome!
Printed in an over-sized format to better appreciate the beautiful full-colour artwork, packed with dozens of guest artist covers, unseen artwork, and character and vehicle sketches, The Legend of Tank Girl is the trilogy as you’ve never seen it before!
• Worthing Museum and Art Gallery, Chapel Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1HP. Admission to Worthing Museum and Art Gallery is free. Some exhibitions and events carry a separate charge. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm. Telephone 01903 221448 (Tuesday to Saturday) | Web: worthingmuseum.co.uk
• Official Tank Girl web site – www.tank-girl.com | Follow Alan Martin on Twitter @alienmartian23
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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, Events, Exhibitions
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