The Liverpool Beatles Museum is working on building a collection of all the comic book and comic appearances featuring the Fab Four, assisted by comics writer and author, Tim Quinn.
Last October, they unveiled a new addition to the collection – the final issue of The Dandy, featuring Sir Paul McCartney, and the unseen storyboard for both the featured comic and Nigel’s shelved “Little Sir Paul McCartney” story, drawn by Nigel Parkinson.
Nigel was at the “unveiling” as special guest speaker, along with Tim Quinn, who is helping the Museum grow their Beatles comic collection.
Nigel was working on a new idea for his “little” series of cartoons, which was to feature “Little Sir Paul McCartney”. Having already used Simon Cowell and Richard Hammond as subjects in this series, Nigel began the story board for Sir Paul.
He then remembered an interview Paul had done for New Musical Express in February 1963, in which the musician had revealed that to appear in The Dandy comic, which he read fervently as a child, was one of his life’s ambitions.
Nigel set about contacting Paul and alerted him to the fact that, as the last news stand edition of The Dandy was to be printed soon, it was Paul’s final opportunity to have his wish realised. Paul agreed to get involved, and the “Little Sir Paul McCartney” story was shelved.
Sir Paul’s wish ultimately came true and, thanks to Nigel’s skills, he did appear, with Desperate Dan, in the final edition of The Dandy in 2012.
Sir Paul later commented that some of his friends thought that his appearance was a highlight of his career. All that remained of the “Little Sir Paul McCartney” idea was the story board.
Tim Quinn is busy working on gathering more Beatles comic art items for the Museum, as well as new book projects with cartoonist Dicky Howett such as Who’s 60? A Celebration of Whos, out later this year from New Haven Publishing.
If you can help him in his quest, drop him a line via his web site.
Offering the largest collection of Beatles memorabilia anywhere in the world, The Liverpool Beatles Museum in Matthew Street, opposite The Cavern Club, offers a collection of over 1000 rare and authentic items across three floors.
• The Liverpool Beatles Museum is online at liverpoolbeatlesmuseum.com
• Tim Quinn is online at mightyquinnmanagement.com
• Nigel Parkinson is online at nigelparkinsoncartoons.blogspot.com
This item was updated to correct the full name of The Liverpool Beatles Museum to avoid confusion with The Beatles Story Museum – our apologies
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.
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