The team behind Hancock: The Lad Himself, the graphic novel published by B7 Comics retelling the life of comedian Tony Hancock, will be at London’s Cartoon Museum this month, talking about creating biography comics, their upcoming projects, including Sing Cuckoo, and more.
The book has earned praise from comic creators such as Neil Gaiman, Mike Collins and many others since its release earlier this year.
Hancock: The Lad Himself graphic novel writer Stephen Walsh (also known for his work on Commando) and artist Keith Page (also known for his work on Commando, Eagle and “The Adventures of Charlotte Corday”) and book editor John Freeman (publisher of downthetubes, writer of Pilgrim – Secrets and Lies, Crucible, current editor of Star Trek Explorer magazine) will discuss the making of this affectionate account of comedian Tony Hancock’s life at the event, chaired by B7 Comics Helen Quigley.
The 290-page graphic novel, introduced by author and journalist Louis Barfe, available direct from B7 Media, Hancock – The Lad Himself covers the story of the comedian’s rise to stardom, and subsequent decline, retold from a completely unique perspective.
You can read the first chapter here on downthetubes
“It’s really good in a way that creeps up on you,” said author Neil Gaiman of the book earlier this year. “Hancock’s brilliance and comedy are timeless but the inner demons and insecurities that caused him to destroy himself are timeless too. This graphic novel shows us both sides of the man.”
“Simply put, instantly one of the greatest British graphic novels ever,” enthused comics writer and Mike Collins of the story back in April. “An immediate classic. Moving, funny, tragic and surreal. A tale that could only be told in comics form. Buy it and become entranced in the funny yet melancholy life of a British icon, beautifully told.”
Join B7 Comics (the comics publishing arm of B7 Media – Audio Drama) for “More than a Pageful – Transforming the life of a British comedy icon into a graphic novel”, brought to you in association with the Cartoon Museum.
A 45-minute panel discussion centres on the creation of Hancock: The Lad Himself, an epic graphic novel following comedian Tony Hancock from cradle to grave as he agonises his way through life, work and even contributes his own opinion on the way his story is told as the book develops.
B7 Comics publisher Helen Quigley will chat to Stephen, Keith and John about how the life of a legendary comedy icon was transformed into a 300-page graphic novel. How the book came about, the novel’s development and creation, and how Tony Hancock’s personality and lingering influence gave the book its unique and poignant tone.
Stephen and Keith may also reveal more about their completed new project, the graphic novel Sing Cuckoo, a dream-like story that centres on the Hammer Film stars Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing’s imaginary but poignant quest for lost film reels shot during the making of The Wicker Man, intent on bringing the original, uncut version to the world…
The panel will be followed by a Q&A and the chance to pick up a copy of the limited edition book signed by the creators.
• Talk: More than a Pageful – Transforming the life of a British comedy icon into a graphic novel | 6.30pm Thursday 13th July 2023 (Doors 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start) | The Cartoon Museum, 63 Wells Street, London, W1A 3AE | The Cartoon Museum is online at cartoonmuseum.org | Book your tickets here
• You can read the first chapter of Hancock: The Lad Himself here on downthetubes
• Buy Hancock – The Lad Himself direct from B7 Media
Hancock – The Lad Himself: The Creative Team
Stephen Walsh grew up in Dublin, watching grainy broadcasts of comedy and drama from the BBC that somehow wafted across the Irish Sea but would vanish as soon as the weather changed.
Determined to put this extraordinary skill to some use, he has written for film, television and, perhaps most rewardingly, comics (especially the Charlotte Corday series, working with Keith Page).
• Read an interview with Stephen Walsh on Comic Book and Movie Reviews
Londoner Keith Page first became a fan of Tony Hancock whist watching the original Hancock Half Hourbroadcasts as a child. His first published work was in 1976 and he was represented by the Temple Art Agency for many years, working in a wide variety of genres for major comic and book publishers.
He has undertaken long runs of work on Thunderbirds and, latterly, Commando comics and has working on the ongoing Charlotte Cordayfantasy/humour series.
Letterer Rob Jones is UK based award-nominated writer and award-winning letterer of comic books. His lettering work can be found in the pages of various books from Image, Humanoids, Heavy Metal, Scout, Behemoth, A Wave Blue World, BHP Comics, DC Thomson, Comichaus, Comicscene, Shift and many many other titles.
Doctor Who Magazine award-winning freelance artist and graphic designer and Robert Hammond designed Hancock: The Lad Himself. He has worked on BBC DVD / Blu-Ray releases and was designer on the ComicScene award-winning, now sold out collection of the Look-In strip, “Robin of Sherwood”, published by Chinbeard Books last year.
Editor John Freeman is the founder of the award-winning web site downthetubes. Working in British comics and magazine publishing for over 30 years, he’s currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, his third tour of duty in the captain’s chair on the Titan Magazines title, he works as a comics editor, game designer, writer, and was Creative Consultant on the Dan Dare audio adventures for B7 Media. He’s also part of the team behind the Lakes International Comic Art Festival.
B7 Comics is a new, exciting publishing division from indie film and audio drama producer B7 Media, offering new comics spanning SF, mystery and adventure in the coming months, kicking off with our all-new graphic novel based on the sci-fi noir story Pilgrim, written by John Freeman with art by Neil Edwards. Blending classic comic storytelling with a modern style, and also looking to spotlight comic gems from around the globe both past and present, B7 Comics will offer a range of series spanning science fiction, action-adventure, spy-fi, steampunk, fantasy and gothic horror.
• Talk: More than a Pageful – Transforming the life of a British comedy icon into a graphic novel | 6.30pm Thursday 13th July 2023 (Doors 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start) | The Cartoon Museum, 63 Wells Street, London, W1A 3AE | The Cartoon Museum is online at cartoonmuseum.org | Book your tickets here
• You can read the first chapter of Hancock: The Lad Himself here on downthetubes
• Buy Hancock – The Lad Himself direct from B7 Media
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: British Comics, British Comics - Books, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Other Worlds, Television