Secrets of the DC Thomson archive set to be revealed?

By John Freeman on February 3, 2024

Here’s a wonderful opportunity for comic collectors and fans living in Scotland, or north of England. St. Andrew’s Preservation Trust has announced DC Thomson’s Archive Manager, David Powell, is giving a two hour talk about the BEANO and Commando publisher’s legendary archive on Tuesday, 20th February in St Andrews, Fife.

*DC Thomson’s Archive Manager, David Powell*

The archives of DC Thomson have accumulated over the past 250 years, as both the titles and business have evolved., and, unlike other publishers, they have retained an astonishing amount of original art.

As well as being a valuable business asset the archives have a wider value to the communities who worked for, contributed to, featured in, or consumed, DC Thomson’s many products.

This light-hearted tour through the collections will show their breadth, influence and use and hopefully spark a few memories, taking in newspapers, comics, magazines and our photographic collections.

David Powell has been Archive Manager at DC Thomson since 2014. He’s worked as an archivist in Scotland since 2001, working in the public, university and private sector with a specialism in the archives of business. In that time he’s worked with the records of the heavy industries of the west of Scotland, handled dynamite, rescued records from textile mills while the wrecking ball was waiting outside and seen more basements and attics full of records and moth frass that I care to remember.

At DC Thomson, he is responsible for the documentary and physical heritage of the business and working with people across the business to make use of it as a business asset.

The St Andrews Preservation Trust was formed in 1937 by the community to protect historic buildings from demolition and redevelopment. Over the last 85 years they have committed ourselves to not only this, but guiding St Andrews’ future development. The Trust maintain several properties ranging from the many doocots around the St Andrews area, the Trust Museum at 12 North Street and the Boase Wood, all of which are free for the public. They also collaborate with local organisations and businesses to preserve the character of St Andrews while the town develops, and reward efforts from the community towards this with their annual Pride of Place Awards.

• St. Andrew’s Preservation Trust Winter Talk 2: David Powell on the DC Thomson Archives 2.30pm – 4.30pm 20th February 2024 St Andrews Bowling Club 1 Pipeland Road, St Andrews, Fife | Member Ticket £3 | Non-member Ticket £5 | Event Details

Thanks to Phil Shrimpton for the news tip

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.