what a shame, still smiling at 88 isn't a bad innings. A definite artistic light has gone out of the world, he was the comic strip benchmark by which all others were measured. Ill treasure my Star Fleet artwork and the kind letter that accompanied it, even more.
Such beautiful artwork. Mike brought our puppet heroes truly to life, every pane of every adventure was absolutely perfect. And even more remarkable was that his line work was painted with a number one brush!
He will be sorely missed, but I think the legacy he gave us as children will even outlive us all.
A great shame. He was a fixture of my childhood, and I'm fortunate to have reprints of many of his TV21 strips in my collection, as well as a few original publications. A very sad loss. Why do I feel that my childhood has finally come to an end? Hopefully, it's only a temporary feeling.
I was glad to see his new artwork in the Thunderbirds comic of the early '90s, which only seems like last week to me. Hard to believe that it was a quarter of a century ago. I feel very old.
He certainly was a real gentleman, Kid. I remember mentioning your name to Mike at the second Andercon, as you'd asked me too, and how you appreciated his work. He came across as modest man and was genuinely pleased that folk still enjoyed his art.
And thanks for doing that for me, Scoop. I couldn't remember if it was you or Woodsy so I mentioned you both in my own post on Mike's passing. Weird as it may sound, just the fact that he heard my name mentioned to him as someone who appreciated his art makes me feel as if I 'connected' to him for a brief moment. A very sad day today when I read the news on Moonbase. However, my heart is still a Fireball...
Its worth remembering that your name will be recalled very fondly by current comic readers, Kid. Ive still got reams of 2000Ad with your own wonderful artwork in, which in turn inspired myself as an artist.
I'm sure that 2000 A.D. inspired you, BB, but I'm not sure that I did, as I was mainly a letterer on the comic (though some of my 'sound' effects and display lettering might qualify as artwork). However, I do like to think my artwork is wonderful when I DO draw, so thank you for the compliment.
The thing with 2000ad Kid was it was a cumulative effect, I'd absorb the stories voraciously, witha quick look at the little panel in the corner to see who was on duty that issue. I distinctly recall your handle being there, along with the likes of Tom Frame on Dredd strips. Do you still work for the comic now? I had to let it go about five years ago, as I was struggling to find it on the newsagent shelf near my work. Still got a full run of issues from 4-2000+ in the attic!
No, I don't work at all now due to illness, BB. I worked in comics for around 15 years, and I've now NOT worked in comics for around 18. It's nice to see my name in the reprints though. I've still got all the issues I worked on, plus number 1, which I reacquired around 25 years back. I also freelanced for Marvel Comics, UK & US.
Sorry to her that Kid. I never got around to acquiring the first 3, as the older issues I do have were deteriorating badly. I have to say that 2000ad seemed to lose its edge after Renegade took over, with stories varying wildly in quality and the Sci Fi specials - which i used to adore, just seemed to be filled with unknown amateur artists.
That is sad- he gave us kids a great gift, with his strips in TV21 every week.
ReplyDeleteTerrible news Scoop. The last of the greats from the TV21 generation. Such a huge loss.
ReplyDeletewhat a shame, still smiling at 88 isn't a bad innings. A definite artistic light has gone out of the world, he was the comic strip benchmark by which all others were measured. Ill treasure my Star Fleet artwork and the kind letter that accompanied it, even more.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad. His work is permanently etched in my mind (and life).
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful artwork. Mike brought our puppet heroes truly to life, every pane of every adventure was absolutely perfect. And even more remarkable was that his line work was painted with a number one brush!
ReplyDeleteHe will be sorely missed, but I think the legacy he gave us as children will even outlive us all.
RIP Mike.
A great shame. He was a fixture of my childhood, and I'm fortunate to have reprints of many of his TV21 strips in my collection, as well as a few original publications. A very sad loss. Why do I feel that my childhood has finally come to an end? Hopefully, it's only a temporary feeling.
ReplyDeleteI think its a feeling many of us share Kid, Mike was a stalwart of the TV21 years and beyond, his passing closes yet another small door to the past.
ReplyDeleteI was glad to see his new artwork in the Thunderbirds comic of the early '90s, which only seems like last week to me. Hard to believe that it was a quarter of a century ago. I feel very old.
DeleteHe certainly was a real gentleman, Kid. I remember mentioning your name to Mike at the second Andercon, as you'd asked me too, and how you appreciated his work. He came across as modest man and was genuinely pleased that folk still enjoyed his art.
DeleteAnd thanks for doing that for me, Scoop. I couldn't remember if it was you or Woodsy so I mentioned you both in my own post on Mike's passing. Weird as it may sound, just the fact that he heard my name mentioned to him as someone who appreciated his art makes me feel as if I 'connected' to him for a brief moment. A very sad day today when I read the news on Moonbase. However, my heart is still a Fireball...
DeleteIts worth remembering that your name will be recalled very fondly by current comic readers, Kid. Ive still got reams of 2000Ad with your own wonderful artwork in, which in turn inspired myself as an artist.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that 2000 A.D. inspired you, BB, but I'm not sure that I did, as I was mainly a letterer on the comic (though some of my 'sound' effects and display lettering might qualify as artwork). However, I do like to think my artwork is wonderful when I DO draw, so thank you for the compliment.
DeleteThe thing with 2000ad Kid was it was a cumulative effect, I'd absorb the stories voraciously, witha quick look at the little panel in the corner to see who was on duty that issue. I distinctly recall your handle being there, along with the likes of Tom Frame on Dredd strips. Do you still work for the comic now? I had to let it go about five years ago, as I was struggling to find it on the newsagent shelf near my work. Still got a full run of issues from 4-2000+ in the attic!
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't work at all now due to illness, BB. I worked in comics for around 15 years, and I've now NOT worked in comics for around 18. It's nice to see my name in the reprints though. I've still got all the issues I worked on, plus number 1, which I reacquired around 25 years back. I also freelanced for Marvel Comics, UK & US.
ReplyDeleteSorry to her that Kid. I never got around to acquiring the first 3, as the older issues I do have were deteriorating badly. I have to say that 2000ad seemed to lose its edge after Renegade took over, with stories varying wildly in quality and the Sci Fi specials - which i used to adore, just seemed to be filled with unknown amateur artists.
ReplyDelete