A beautiful John Watkiss painting done as part of a pitch for a series of Sandman movies, in about 2005, posted in an online tribute to John by author Neil Gaiman
I’m sorry to report the passing of the hugely/talented British film and comics artist John Watkiss, whose most recent comics work was Surgeon X from Image. He was 55.
A very private man, he had been ill for some time. Regular readers will have already read our tribute to his work in the fields of both art and comics, posted just last month.
“They don’t come more talented than John,” noted storyboard artist Malcolm Wilkie on Twitter as news circulated of his passing, confirmed by comics editor Tim Pilcher and others. “What a loss.”
“One of my fave artists,” said Tim, one of John’s longtime friends. “He’ll be missed.
Another close friend, Audio Adventures producer and director Andrew Mark Sewell, called him “an inspiring presence” in his life.
“John Watkiss was a cantankerous bugger, but I always remember our long chats about Plato back in the ’90s! Amazing artist.”
Author Neil Gaiman has also paid tribute, describing John as “astoundingly talented” and posting examples of his art, including a 2005 artwork for a proposed Sandman film.
“I loved his Sandman work,” said Neil.
“He was a seriously talented illustrator and painter. RIP, sir,” commented 2000AD artist Chris Weston.
Colour work for the Tarzan animated film by John Watkiss
“I discovered John Watkiss’s work through Conan, and was amazed by it, noted Kurt Busiek. “A sad loss for comics, and for friends and family, I’m sure.
“The story I’m working on now is partly (and loosely) inspired by a [Roy] Thomas/Watkiss Conan tale.”
“Ring of Roses is one of my all time favourite comics,” noted comics writer Christian Read as many noted John’s various ground-breaking credits, including Duncan Fegredo. “I’ll miss his work forever.”
The cover of Surgeon X #4, released last year
“Terrible news,” noted writer Paul Mitchell, who got to know John in the 1980’s through mutual friends at the Helicopter art agency and was one of many to enjoy his acclaimed life drawing classes.
“I’m nowhere near John’s class but he helped me become a better illustrator… for sure.”
“The greatest honor was to have known and learned from him,” agreed concept artist Mindy Doodles.
• You can read our tribute to the work of John Watkiss here
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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: Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Features, Obituaries
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