For all with a soft spot for the history of comics, illustration and artists, where we come from and good heavens what fascinating work was produced, Steve Holland, freelance author and editor, has established himself as the go to man for the low-down on old British comics, books and magazines. He is responsible for a number of books on the history of comics and genre books and illustration.
He has a website at http://bearalley.blogspot.co.uk/
with an allied site http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/links.php .
Between them they give access and links to reprints of British comics and illustration from the latter half of the nineteenth century to the present.
Though maintaining a grip on what is happening now Steve does encourage nostalgia for dear dead days within recall. But the past is not just for the wistful old reminiscing on the days when a penny was a twelfth of a shilling and would buy one an OXO cube to lick while walking home from school with the prospect of later swapping a Beano for a Film Fun. ( reference English, chronologically and social class specific). Nostalgia springs from a remembered happiness past, recalled with sadness at it’s passing. History however shows us how we got to where we are and that all innovation, creativity, narrative and artistic skill do not belong to technologically advantaged and anatomy conscious present. Many websites promoted as devoted to comics often appear in fact devoted to the latest Superhero hearsay. Which is fine but a bit like a body building healthy milk-shake site that concentrates on the bubbles on the top.
In his blog Steve reveals he has been writing an obituary for the files of The Guardian newspaper. I assume that was for some comic book or illustration person thought to have a deal more past than future. It is a fantasy of mine that when the time comes my obituary would be published in The Guardian. For those who have it must be an indication that one had really arrived.
History
History
For all with a soft spot for the history of comics, illustration and artists, where we come from and good heavens what fascinating work was produced, Steve Holland, freelance author and editor, has established himself as the go to man for the low-down on old British comics, books and magazines. He is responsible for a number of books on the history of comics and genre books and illustration.
He has a website at http://bearalley.blogspot.co.uk/
with an allied site http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/links.php .
Between them they give access and links to reprints of British comics and illustration from the latter half of the nineteenth century to the present.
Though maintaining a grip on what is happening now Steve does encourage nostalgia for dear dead days within recall. But the past is not just for the wistful old reminiscing on the days when a penny was a twelfth of a shilling and would buy one an OXO cube to lick while walking home from school with the prospect of later swapping a Beano for a Film Fun. ( reference English, chronologically and social class specific). Nostalgia springs from a remembered happiness past, recalled with sadness at it’s passing. History however shows us how we got to where we are and that all innovation, creativity, narrative and artistic skill do not belong to technologically advantaged and anatomy conscious present. Many websites promoted as devoted to comics often appear in fact devoted to the latest Superhero hearsay. Which is fine but a bit like a body building healthy milk-shake site that concentrates on the bubbles on the top.
In his blog Steve reveals he has been writing an obituary for the files of The Guardian newspaper. I assume that was for some comic book or illustration person thought to have a deal more past than future. It is a fantasy of mine that when the time comes my obituary would be published in The Guardian. For those who have it must be an indication that one had really arrived.
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I can really idetnify with what you're saying. I was in comics professionally for about three years back in the 90 s when everything was still being done by hand lettering, etc. No digital shortcuts. It was an indy project and I was the sole creator, and it burnt me out very badly and it showed in the work by the second or third issue. I have great respect for the company I worked with and the publisher himself, but it was much more difficult, repetitive, etc. than I would have imagined. Lots of good work on this site. I especially enjoy the gouache and pastel pieces.
Hullo January,
thanks for the good wishes.
Sorry that your involvement with making comics was not a happy one. There can be a tension between comics being both a creative and a business enterprise that doesn't always make for heart warming experiences.
All the best.
Arthur