Latest Issue of Illustrators Journal now available

Illustrators journal celebrates the finest magazine, book and comics illustrators published in the UK and Europe featuring fabulous artwork in every issue, much of which is taken from scans of the original art. It gives readers the stories behind the artists with features written by some of the most eminent enthusiasts of this oft neglected art form.

Features inside Illustrators issue 3 include:

Fortunino Matania: Peter Richardson writes about the talented and versatile artist who plunged his audience into the heart of historical events in magazines such as The Sphere and Look and Learn.

Andy Virgil: Bryn Havord writes about one of New York's leading illustrators who Havord commissioned to work for many British women’s magazines.

Peter Maddocks: Bryn Havord covers the life and times of the Fleet Street cartoonist who created Four D Jones for the Daily Express.

Told in Pictures: Former Micron editor Keith Chapman shows that there is much more to the pocket library than meets the eye as he remembers his time working for the publisher of such titles as Combat Picture Library and Edgar Wallace Mystery Magazine.

The Studio: featuring the art of the influential American illustrator Bernie Fuchs.

Illustrators issue 3 is a 96 page, softcover book available directly from Book Palace Books who have an e-preview on their website.

• There are more details and illustrations from Illustrators as well as ordering details on the Book Palace Books website.

• Illustrators editor Peter Richardson was interviewed on downthetubes here.

In Review: Crikey! pays tribute to John Hicklenton, O'Donnell

The latest issue of Crikey! - which has notched up an imprejavascript:void(0)ssive 15 issues, none too shabby for an independently published comics magazine these days - has changed its planned line up to pay tribute to the passing of creators John Hicklenton and Peter O'Donnell.

Dropping a planned Dalek cover in favour of a striking image from John's upcoming graphic novel, 2000AD co-creator Pat Mills pays tribute to the controversial but never dull Judge Dredd artist, while Jody Kihara shares her thoughts on the sad passing of Peter O'Donnell.

Despite such downbeat items, both fitting tributes to the creators, Crikey! overall has plenty to celebrate, not least of which is a rare interview with veteran cartoonist Peter Maddocks, who now lives in Malaga. The artist talks extensively about his career, which includes his time as cartoon editor of Lord Beaverbrook's newspapers, which included nursing the early development of the James Bond newspaper strip, and his own strips such as Four D Jones. It's an informative piece (despite requiring just a touch more copy editing, perhaps) and a welcome insight into newspaper strip cartooning, all too rarely covered by comics magazines.

Equally enjoyable is David Slinn's continued look at all things Eagle, which provides an informative overview of the much-loved weekly's early days; while Tony Ingram takes a look at the 1980s Eagle, another title rarely given much coverage despite its huge following.

All in all, this is another fine issue and fully deserving the support of downthetubes readers. Recommended.

• For more information and stockists visit: www.crikeyuk.co.uk