Image © Steven Cook
Way back in 1988 (yes – that long ago…) my first professional job in the wacky world of comics (thanks to Richard Starkings who suggested me and Sheila Cranna, who took him up on the idea) was designer on Doctor Who Magazine, under the watchful eye of the ever-brilliant senior designer and photographer, Steven Cook.
Today, with a client list that includes the BBC, Virgin, Mattel and Sony Music, he’s a multi-disciplinary artist, based in London’s East End, best known for his work as art director on 2000AD, which still brandishes his iconic logo over 20 years after he designed it. His credits also include the fine art photographic project, Alternity (“The best way to view the past is to invent it”) and work for US comic publishers Vertigo and DC comics. He’s also a lecturer at the University of the Arts, London.
The cover of Doctor Who Magazine Issue 162
By the time I’d assumed the editorship of DWM, Steven was, I recall, moving on from Marvel UK, working on 2000AD, engaged in photo shoots for all sorts of films and music stars – but fortunately, there were still opportunities to employ him, and he provided some fantastic covers.
Steven has also maintained contact with many of the subjects of those DWM photographs – one of them being actress Sophie Aldred, who played Ace alongside Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy.
That ongoing connection will be celebrated with a new exhbition of recently discovered photographs of the Doctor’s much-loved companion Ace at London’s Orbital Comics that opens 5th Septermber and runs until 30th September.
Sophie Aldred – Doctor Who’s “Ace”: The Unseen Photographs celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who and Sophie will be signing on Saturday, Sept 7th, 12.00 noon – 3.00pm. Orbital Gallery, 8 Great Newport St. London. WC2H 7JA.
In the run up to the exhibition, Steven is publishing some of his Doctor Who companion photographs on his blog, Secret Oranges, which is a fascinating diary of his work in itself (last week, for example, he was in the Kubrick Archive).
The cover of Doctor Who Magazine Issue 152
Web Links
- Steven Cook’s official web site: www.steven-cook.com
- Steven Cook on Twitter
- Steven Cook on Facebook
- alternity.co.uk
- en.inforapid.org
- secret-oranges.blogspot.co.uk
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. Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek 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: 2000AD, Exhibitions, Other Worlds, Television
The countdown to Portsmouth Comic Con is on, with Doctor Who guests and events aplenty