MY LOOK AT THE CLASSIC COMIC STRIP ARTWORK OF JON DAVIS M.B.E. BY SCOOP

I was saddened to hear that artist, Jon Davis passed away in November, last year. For me, he was well known as another of that familiar team of artists who worked on TV21, Lady Penelope and Countdown comics’ during the mid-sixties and early seventies, when, as a youngster my comic reading days were at their peak.

Checking my old comic and annual collection, it seems I have a fair few examples of Jon’s work. Some, as was the norm at the time don’t identify the artist so I have to occasionally use my judgement, but as Jon’s style is reasonably easy to spot, it isn’t too difficult.

Apart from his comic art, I can’t say I knew a lot about Mr Davis, although a quick on-line check tells me he was born on 14th April, 1928, and sadly passed away 29th November, 2020, aged 92. His full name was John Frederick Charles Davis, and he became an illustrator in 1960. In 2013, he was awarded an M.B.E. in the Queens New Year Honours List for his services to Children’s Literature. I remember seeing, and meeting the late, Roger Perry, who worked as an art editor and writer on the Eagle, TV Century 21 and Countdown at an Eagle Convention in Manchester sometime in 2003. During one of his talks about artists, he mentioned Jon, and another artist, the late Ron Turner. He noted that although Ron had what Roger considered quite a small stature, was notable for drawing larger-than-life heroic figures like space detective Rick Random, and Lone Star’s, Space Ace, while Jon, who was by all accounts, a tall, broad, imposing man and happiest drawing little Elves and Pixies, inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Roger light-heartedly concluded that artists appear to sub-consciously prefer to draw their physical opposites! I’m sure there’s no real truth in that conclusion, but I mention it as it’s the only anecdote I have concerning Mr Davis, who sadly, I never got to see in person.

For this post, I’m deliberately not going to use the easy option and just use Google, apart from that earlier very brief on-line check. I want to simply use memory, and my own collection of comics, with the occasional comic reader image.

It’s not my intention to chart a definitive timeline of Jon’s comic book work; just a small celebration of what I personally feel is notable.

The earliest examples I have of his comic work are probably in my collection of Boys' World magazine from 1963. Boys' World was similar to Eagle, both sharing the same publisher, Odhams. In that, Jon illustrated some of ‘The Hand of Fate’ true life comic strips.

As a fan of Gerry & Sylvia Anderson’s TV series, TV Century 21, which began in January, 1965 was an integral part of my enjoyment of the TV shows. Within that comic’s pages, that’s where I would have begun to recognise the different artists and their styles. (If they signed their work, I might even know their names)

Jon had a distinctive and easily recognizable style, although not totally dissimilar to another TV21 artist, Rab Hamilton. Both artists worked at different times on the Agent 21 strip in TV21, including the specials and annuals, and their similar styles maintained an artistic status quo to the strip.

My personal thoughts are that Jon was very much a’ journeyman’ artist, as he’s only the regular artist on one particular comic strip, The Angels. I saw him more as someone who was able to easily cover any existing strip where needed, which he seemed to do on several occasions.

As I mentioned, that one exception to this rule is The Angels comic strip for Lady Penelope. The Angels strip which began in January, 1967 was another perfect adventure strip for an Anderson inspired girls comic, and there to eventually replace the Marina strip in the comic, which was, coincidently illustrated by the aforementioned Rab Hamilton.

Jon was able to illustrate the Angels strip in full colour for most of its run, with his clean, uncluttered style giving a unique look to the strip. The Angels strip began with the story of how the team of female pilots were formed into Spectrum’s elite flying fighter squadron.

The Century 21 Angels story book did feature art that was certainly similar to Jon’s; though I’m not 100% sure it’s him as no artist is credited.I'm told the artist is Gerry Wood.

Although, not Anderson related, it’s worth mentioning that Jon also illustrated the colour Daktari strip in Lady Penelope comic.

Jon illustrated the 1966 TV Century 21 Thunderbirds hardback story book, a sort of pseudo- annual with comic strip as well as text stories, similar to the previous 1965 TV Century 21 Stingray story book. Again, Jon followed Rab Hamilton who had illustrated the Stingray book.

He also contributed to the 1966 & 1967 Thunderbirds annuals with the comic strips , ‘Deep Sea Pirates’, (1966) and ‘River of Destruction’, and ‘The Trap’ (1967)

During 1967, Jon drew the ‘Dinky Driver’ comic strip advertisements for Dinky toys which appeared on the back page of the short lived ‘Solo’ magazine.

During 1968, Jon illustrated several Project SWORD text stories, and worked on the Stingray strip towards the end of its run in TV21.

Another example I’ve got of Jon working on Century 21 publications from that same year, is one of the four Joe 90 story books. The others all look like they are illustrated by Jim Watson.

In January, 1969, for the Joe 90 (Top Secret) comic Jon worked on The Champions comic strip for the first three issues. I still have a soft nostalgic spot for the relatively short lived Joe 90 (Top Secret)

As most Anderson fans eventually parted company with TV21 not long after it became TV21 & JOE 90, and it slowly became a shadow of its former self, another Anderson inspired comic was soon to arrive – Countdown!

Countdown, published in February, 1971 was a worthy successor as the editorial staff had previously worked on TV21. For the premier edition, Jon illustrated the complete UFO story, while the centre spread had a chart showing an introductory breakdown on the men and machines in the UFO TV series.

For the second edition, Jon began illustrating the first instalment of a Joe 90 strip story, and more significantly, a complete Secret Service strip story, the first time the rarely seen The Secret Service TV series had been seen in a comic strip form. The story was a prequel to the series showing how Father Stanley Unwin had been bequeathed the Minimiser invention by the late Professor Wilhelm Humbert , and the B.I.S.H.O.P. organisation’s attempts to steal it!

Jon continued on and off to illustrate in Countdown, doing the Joe 90 strip including a complete story in issue 8. He returned to the regular Countdown UFO strip, and this time had a brief stint in colour from issue 35, completing ‘The Snatch’, a strip story in which readers got a glimpse of the Aliens’ home planet, started by the resident UFO artist, Gerry Haylock. Jon completed illus ‘The Snatch’ story in issue 37. He returned to black & white in issue 40 drawing the complete UFO story, ‘The Trojan Horse’.

Jon continued to work on a lot more black & white complete UFO strip stories, ‘Catch of Doom’ in issue 42, ‘Alien Espionage’ in issue 45, ‘The Alien Ally’, in issue 48, ‘A near Thing’ in issue 50, ‘The Kidnappers’ in issue 55, and ‘Alien Brainwave’ in issue 58, which was the final Countdown issue before the comic was retitled TV Action.

As well as the comic, Jon also contributed to the Countdown annual and summer special illustrating the UFO strip. He drew ‘The Alien Totem’ in the first Countdown Holiday Special, and ‘The Circus’ in the first Countdown annual. He also provided the illustrations for the Joe 90 text story.

And that’s pretty much all I have featuring Jon’s comic work. Although I only really collect British adventure comics, I have seen examples of his artwork for D.C Thompson’s, ‘juvenile’ Sparky comic drawing ‘I-Spy’, ‘Klanky’ and ‘Mr Bubbles’.

Another example of Jon’s sci-fi comic art, I do have, but can’t put my hands on is one of the D C Thompson Starblazer pocket book comics. Jon painted the front cover of ‘Terror Tomb’ which would have been published in the early eighties. If I find it I’ll add a photo.

As an added bonus, here is a photo I took at one of the Fanderson conventions showing an original piece of Jon’s Agent 21 artwork from a TV21 special. John Frederick Charles Davis M. B. E. 1928 -2020

Give that man a ceegar!

My recent drive to buy more vintage space memorabilia netted a nice set of Tom Thumb 'Exploration of Space' cards. Slightly wider than the usual cigarette versions, this set of 32 dates from the late seventies and has some classic photographs, such as the 'Blue Marble', but also some unusual shots of Sputnik 3, SkyLab and images from the Voyager missions. Due to the vagaries of the postal service, this set went walkabout for a few weeks after purchase and eventually came back to the seller, as the address on the envelope had been obscured. Luckily, a reposting brought them home safely yesterday.
 

SUNDAY MORNING ON THE MOONBASE

Its Sunday morning here at Moonbase. The sun is shining and the sky is a pale washed blue. Spring is definately in the air and the birds are getting frisky.

There's something on the box about the rising power of Facebook so I've muted it. 

My Missus is outside putting six bags of unwanted stuff on the front step for people who said they wanted it on freecycle. Mostly old plates from our daughter's wedding and some unwanted books. There's a pile still to be listed. She's just quipped what if we put everything we had on freecycle! I immediately thought of my old books, old toys and old videos and said .... forget it!

Stuff on freecycle can be eye-wateringly new and expensive looking, brand new and never used in some cases. Huge loads of kids toys, entire kitchen units and even a garage, if you came and took it down. In fact one of the most common phrases used is.. if it doesn't go to a good home it'll go to the tip tomorrow! I dread to think what end up in landfill, stuff which would kit out entire homes. Crazy. People must renew their belongings constantly. Could be an age thing. Our stuff is ancient.

Anyways, as Spring wakes up, things in England seem to be tilting towards what used to be. Schools re-open in a week, 7 million schoolkids all migrate back. I'll have to migrate back with them too. Luckily I get my first dose of the vaccine this coming Saturday, a day before the onslaught. My Missus isn't 60 yet so she'll have to wait a bit. How was it for you readers, the vaccine?

We've joined Amazon Prime for a month's trial via the telly's firestick. I've been watching Tommy Lee Jones, one of my favourite actors. In a week I've seen In the Electric Mist, Shock and Awe and last night I saw The Valley of Elah. There's just something about his acting, his voice and matter-of-factness that appeals to me. Might see another one tonight depending on what the Missus wants to watch.

I noticed in a few American films recently that coffee appears to be always served from large glass jugs straight from the machine and that hardly anyone acts milk or sugar. This throws up a few questions. Does nobody drink instant coffee in the States and is the drinking of black coffee universal or is it simply a time-saver in movies? Hmm. I need a coffee!

8am is when I get up on the weekend. I could probably lie in bed all day if I didn't force myself to get up. The alarm goes off at 7.30am and repeats itself for half an hour keeping in a state of suspended animation and softens the final shock its 8 '0' clock. That semi-sleep state is a strange time for dreams, drifting in and out of consciousness like breaching fish. This morning I dreamt about my teenage sweethearts - or birds I went out with as I would have said back then. I knocked on the door of the one I was with the longest, Janet, and when she opened it I was horrified. Standing their was an old woman. All the beauty of youth had faded and the years had caught up. All sixty of them. Like me, she'd got older and 45 years passed just opening the door. Wherever you are Janet I hope you're OK.

There's still coffee going so I'm off for a refill - with milk and sugar - and then I'd better think about getting dressed to take Blue boy out for his morning ablutions near the cemetery.

Going for a drive today so we get out of the house.

Have a good day readers. Let us know what you're up to!

TEST DEPARTMENT

Hi Woodsy,

Here is an interesting item featuring toy testing by Popular Mechanics magazine. The video title says 1959, but the toys are clearly later, and a copy of the magazine dated November 1962 is shown. Some interesting items, including the Monogram Big T Ford Model T custom car kit in 1/8th scale - a real monster; Fred Flintstone with his working dinosaur crane; and even a set of toy bagpipes.

POPULAR MECHANICS TOYS of 1959 - YouTube

Yours Sincerely,
Paul Adams from New Zealand

DRAGSTER BY NIGHT

A Moonbase Central Short Film

starring my Grandson's fave HotWheels

Re-posted from 12 months ago!

CENTURY 21 TOYS ASTON MARTIN DB5

Here's my plastic Aston Martin DB5 by Century 21 Toys. 

In immaculate condition it comes with a red racing stripe and friction drive. With its obvious 007 heritage it really is a cool toy. 

The scalextric-like box shows a red Aston numbered 1. The actual toy is white and numbered 4 so it does beg the question whether there are other colour variations out there?

Have you an Aston Martin?