08/07/2018
Stephen John Ditko.
2.11.1927 - c. 29. 6.2018

Steve Dikto was an artist who’s ‘Dr Strange’ work had an influence on me hitherto unacknowledged even to myself
Looking at that Dr Strange cover you can perhaps see how that might be.

More at -
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jul/08/steve-ditko-obituary

https://www.weeklystandard.com/kevin-binversie/steve-ditko-1927-2018-hi…

24/06/2018
For broadcast on June 27th.
Following the podcast in which I was involved comes another, a follow-up, involving a distinguished panel of experts discussing the quality and content of the former. A jury of my peers sharing their thoughts and feelings on me, my work and my Essex accent.

There is to be a show of my artwork at Orbital Comics this coming October.
This will overlap with the publication of a new edition of Mazeworld from Rebellion that same month.
What artwork will be exhibited is yet to be decided but present thinking is that Mazeworld pages will predominate.

1 June-28 October 2018,
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford
OX1 3BG

Original manuscripts, artwork, maps, letters and artefacts from the Bodleian's extensive Tolkien Archive, the Tolkien Collection at Marquette University in the USA and from private collections.- a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to see so many Tolkien-related materials together.

More at - https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/weston/news/2017/mar-17

16/05/2018
Astérix in Britian: The Life and Work of René Goscinny
Jewish Museum London, Raymond Burton House,129-131 Albert Street, London NW1 7NB
10 May 2018 - 30 September 2018
René Goscinny (1926 – 1977) was a French comics editor and writer of Polish descent, best known internationally for the comic book ‘Astérix’, which he created with illustrator Albert Uderzo.
Astérix has sold 500million copies in 150 languages and made into 100 films.

08/05/2018
After some serious too-ing and considerable fro-ing, the projected Warner TV Button Man series can now I think be announced as kaput.

23/04/2018
"Jewish Comic Con explores how Jewish identity has influenced comics, both on the page and behind the scenes. But it isn't just for the "members of the tribe". It's for everyone. It's a love letter to the creators of the comic book medium and their heroes!"

Next Sunday, April 29th at Congregation Kol Israel
603 St.

17/04/2018
A second instalment of my podcast interview with Michaell Molcher for 2000AD is due any moment now.
Wednesday April 18th to be precise.
This reminder may be appearing a little late but you know how time flies when you are having fun.

You can tune in by searching for 'Thrill-Cast' on iTunes or searching for it on your favourite podcast app.
It is also available direct through the 2000 AD website at http://2000ad.com/podcast.

April 24th - a date for the broadcast of a panel discussing what they make of what I am saying is yet to be set.

10/04/2018
A while back there was an apology for the non-appearance of the Bibliography section on this website. It was one of those things - like the inexplicable change of the blog headings typeface to one less cheery. Bibliography subsequently re-appeared . .

30/03/2018
'We Spoke Out' is a collection stories relating to the Holocaust.
The Holocaust was the Nazi Germany State's systematic assault on Jews between 1933 and 1945 - what the Nazis called the 'Final Solution of the Jewish Question in Europe'. The Jews were targeted for complete extinction and six million of them died. Slavs, 'asiatics', Gypsies and other groups were also exterminated in industrialised death camps.

15/03/2018
On March 9th between 11.45 and 15.00 Michael Molcher - tall, slim, thick dark hair, black shirt, black trousers, black leather shoes, curled moustache, short pointed beard, expensive haircut.

02/03/2018
A little ago Lee Grice digitally dropped by to mention that he was curious about Button Man becoming a TV series. The reply at that time was that something was up but it was too early to say what exactly.
Now it can be told!

19/02/2018
In November 2016 ‘Elvis Lives ‘ was published. Written by Xaviant Haze. it included the Elvis Presley strip written by Angus Allan and drawn by me for ‘Look-in’ in the 1980’s.

09/02/2018
Another in the Judge Dredd Mega Collection this one gathers the stories of the women who follow in Judge Anderson's footsteps - Judge Karyn and Judge Judy Janus.Also appearing is Juliet November, not a Judge but a psychokinetic . .

20/01/2018
Mort Walker .September. 3, 1923 - January. 27, 2018
Creator of and advocate for comic strip art.

28/01/2018
In addition to the many good reasons why you might buy the Judge Dredd Megazine this issue, it also contains an interview by Stephen Jewell of me about the Beatles book due next month.
Large parts of the article are accurate.

09/01/2019
Jim Baikie - 28th February 1940 - 29th December 2017.
Jim worked for some of the most iconic comics of the late 20th century - including 2000AD. The Eagle, Jinty, Look -in, Tammy, TV Comic, Valentine and Warrior.
In 2000 Jim Baikie won the Eisner Award for Best Anthology . .

07/01/2018
(And Parents Didn’t Even Realize)
Reading this article I found myself smiling. Then wondered why.
Perhaps its the over statement. We don't actually know if any kids were corrupted, only that there are some ideas in the scripts that could be considered a bit iffy.
I think it well worth reading.
As a lefty liberal I shared the view that there was some unpleasantness going on in the strips mentioned but I can't take the threat to the morals of youth as seriously as it author says he?she* does.

15/12/2017
The British Library present an exhibition of rare books, manuscripts and magical objects from their collection alongside original drafts and drawings by J.K. Rowling and illustrator Jim Kay, displayed here for the first time.

Open until Wed 28 Feb 2018

British Library
96 Euston Road
London NW1 2DB

https://www.bl.uk/events/harry-potter-a-history-of-magic

The New-York Historical Society Museum and Library have announced that the Harry Potter: A History of Magic exhibit will be opening there in October of 2018.

02/12/2017
In the '40s when I was a slip of a lad my favourite superhero was Captain Marvel.
Captain Marvel first appeared in Whiz Comics 02 (cover-dated Feb.1940) It was published by Fawcett, written by Bill Parker and drawn by C.C.Beck.
America it seems shared my interest - it was at that time the USA's most popular comic superhero too. DC Comics put a stop to that.

02/03/2018
A number of people (well 2 is a number isn’t it?) have recently asked how the plan for a Button Man television series is going.
It is at least possible that if two people I know are curious there could be a wider population awondering.
So, ready or not, here is what I was told . .

10/11/2017
On 3 November the Libyan Special Deterrent Forces (military police) shut
down Tripoli’s second annual Libya Comic Con festival. The SDF led by
Salafi Islamist Abdulraouf Kara raided the Dat Al-Imad conference centre
in Tripoli around 5:45 p.m. They arrested more than 20 people including
organizers, participants, and visitors . .

30/10/2017
The British Museum and The Ashmolean Museum are both hosting exhibitions of religious art.

Living with Gods: Peoples, Places and Worlds Beyond.
The British Museum, London WC18. Until 8th April.

Imagining the Divine: Art and the Rise of World Religions.
The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. Until !8th February.

Art and religion have been intrinsically linked since history began.

25/10/2017
If by any chance you were trying to visit in the past few days and couldn't - my apologies.

Unable to explain why.

07/10/2017
Action Comics is the longest-running superhero comic book series in
publication. The series started in 1938 when Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel
created Superman for Action Comics#1 - now one of the most sought-after comics in history.

Announced at the New York Comic Con was the news that DC comics will be
marking the 1000th issue of ‘Action Comics’ In March 2018, by publishing
some special titles to mark the occasion.

There is to be a special issue of Action Comics #1000 itself in an
oversized edition.