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Sunday, 5 February 2012

Happy Birthday 2000AD! From art droid Jon Haward

Slaine by Jon Haward
Name: Jon Haward

Blog or web site:

hawardarthouse.blogspot.com 

and www.jonhawardart.com

Currently working on:

Art directing Hamlet the graphic novel for Classical Comics, drawing Slaine for Zarjaz magazine just recently finished art duties on Tales of the Buddha before he got enlightened collection 

First memory of 2000AD?

The first issue, being blown away by Invasion, Dan Dare, Harlem Heroes and Mach 1. Basically I loved it and have been a fan ever since

Favourite Character or Story?

Slaine the Horned God by Simon Bisley. Also, Mike McMahon's amazing run on Slaine, Nemesis by Kev O'Neill - both by scribe Pat Mills. Robo Hunter by Ian Gibson - the first stories I adored by  John Wagner and Alan Grant.

Then there's the Judge Child Dredd saga, the Cursed Earth Dredd saga Ron Smith, McMahon, Bolland - genius work. 

Gosh, the list goes on - Gibbons on Rogue Trooper and Dan Dare; Wagner and Ranson's Button Man etc .

My most enjoyable job for 2000AD was drawing Tales of Telguuth  by Steve Moore - a wonderful, zany dark fantasy.

What do you like most about the 2000AD?

The mix of fantasy, action and sci-fi mixed with black humour dynamite combo

What would you most like to see in 2000AD as it heads to its Forties?

The same energy trying new thrills but build also on its corner stone characters

If you worked on 2000AD, do you have an anecdote you'd like to share about your experience of Tharg and his minions?

Richard Burton was my first Tharg editor (I've worked for Richard, Alan McKenzie, Andy Diggle and Matt Smith). When Richard gave me my first Dredd job, he told me to get it done in 10 days - that's pencils, inks and colouring.

I got the job finished on time. It was a story by Garth Ennis. Richard told me it was my baptism of fire, he was interested in marathon runners not runners that could start the race and not finish it.

Actually Richard was so impressed with my Dredd and my speed he offered me Shinobi Master Ninja for Sonic the Comic!

• This post is one in a series of tributes to 2000AD to mark its 35th birthday on 26th February 2012. More about 2000AD at www.2000adonline.com

2000AD © Rebellion

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