Friday, 24 October 2025

Ron Tiner R.I.P

Sad news hearing that esteemed British comics artist and teacher Ron Tiner has passed. Formal tributes and obituaries will follow as he and his work influenced so many of us involved in the comics community today, myself included, so thought I would note my own recollections.

I can't recall exactly when I first met Ron, may have been those fabled early Bristol comic conventions or the equally legendary BICS, Birmingham's International Comic Show but I was lucky to meet and chat with him several times over the years. 

He had worked for many of the popular British comics, likes of 2000AD, Battle, Misty etc, more mainstream book publishers, particularly classical or historical adaptations and I think a few of the American superhero titles. 

Oddly though I really got to know him and his work through his highly practical educational illustration books, most notably Figure Drawing Without A Model (1992) and its much later follow up, Drawing from your Imagination (2008), both still in print from David & Charles!

His Figure Drawing book I found particularly helpful when I seriously took to drawing again in the late 1990's (mine is a 1998 reprint) with practical instructions, examples and exercises, more useful than any illustration guide I've encountered since to the extent I still refer to it today as its dog eared appearance confirms!.

These books were my introduction to Ron and his work so our interactions usually centred around art discussions and techniques. I'm pretty sure that when we first met he'd not long launched a university course on Sequential Illustration in Swindon, which in absence of my requested correspondence option, he urged me to join if I was serious about a career in comics and illustration. I did give this due consideration but with young family and a mortgage, it wasn't practical and I stayed on the sensible path until I could make my own corporate escape years later. I maintained comic making throughout as a rewarding hobby though which it remains to be to this day, Ron's advice and influence being a constant inspiration.

Although we were never in regular contact, I cherish the little correspondence we did share and I recall his enthusiasm for Italian artists introducing me to the likes of Sergio Toppi and Gino D'Antonio, who I'd not previously encountered. Unprompted, Ron even posted me his copy of D'Antonio's Man in Zululand book when he heard of my interest in the subject. Amusingly he also sent me a curt reminder to return it when he thought I'd held onto to it for too long! Thankfully I eventually picked up my own copy some time after.

Our last meeting was at one of the smaller comic shows in Birmingham at the Edgbaston cricket ground maybe 10 years or so ago, where strangely enough I first met and befriended another legendary comics gentleman, Commando comic cover artist, Ian Kennedy, also sadly no longer with us. Ron remembered me and we had several warm conversations throughout the day and being organised for once, I had brought along his illustration guidebooks for him to sign which he graciously did, adding an impromptu sketch of me in one much to my delight which I treasure to this day.

Thanks for the inspiration and memories Ron. Sincere sympathies to family and friends.



BOO in Sale!!

BOO! Not forgetting next week's Halloween appearance at Sale's Spooky Con! (G)hosted by our pals at WOW Events at the central Stanley Square shopping precinct in the heart of Sale!

A lovely local event for me and chance to catch up with some familiar faces after missing their comic con earlier this year as it clashed with our special Copenhagen trip. Should be a few surprises around with a few other artists - including Rick Eades who designed the fab new logo above, writers, actors, gift traders, attractions and much more included rumoured 'surprise' Zombies! (If you can be surprised by slow moving Zombies of course!)


See the poster above and Wow's event page for more details and I should have a few surprises myself! 

Thursday, 23 October 2025

Debuting Books at Thought Bubble!

Thought Bubble have just published a list of many fab debuting books, comics & graphic novels at this year's forthcoming festival - convention weekend on 15th & 16th November!

They've kindly mentioned my latest, WAR COMICS: A Memento with fab colours by Matt Soffe and, all being well, I'll have a few other surprises with me too!

Find me in the Harrogate Convention Centre, the 2000AD Hall (the 2nd or 3rd Hall, depending on which entrance you use - see the festival's handy map here!), table B46.

If you can make it, you won't regret visiting, although your wallet or purse might as there will I'm sure be lots of new tempting comic treats to tempt you!

Tuesday, 21 October 2025

WAR COMICS!

My latest release is an affectionate exploration of the evolution of British war comics portrayal of military subjects from the 'gung ho' heroism of Victorian story papers, through World War patriotism and eventually the so called 'golden age' of 1970's action and adventure comics.    

The journey is framed from the viewpoint of a news vendor's family experiencing those historical and industry changes first hand and illustrated in the art style appropriate to the publications of the time.


Initially inspired by a commission from the National Army Museum, this was a fun and thought provoking project to pull together and I was delighted to again work with Matt Soffe who did a great job of colouring according to each period's industry practices and available technology.


It's both a nostalgic look at bygone eras but also a reflection on the potential power and influence the comics medium may have on its readers. While war comics may have all but disappeared from British newsagents (hang in there Commando!), there are plenty of graphic novels dealing with the subject of both historic and contemporary conflicts which I highlight and included in my talk at the recent Battles Through History event.  


I had a few advance comics of this at Ardingly which I'll also bring to Wow Comix's 'Spooky-Con' in Sale on Saturday 1st November followed by its official launch at the Thought Bubble Comic Art Festival where I'll be in the 2000AD Hall, table B46!

Monday, 20 October 2025

Battled Through History!

What a fun time the other weekend returning South to The Battles Through History military show where I was delighted to again be invited as a guest author and with others tucked up nice and cozy in the Norfolk Pavilion, as Storm Amy did its best to disturb proceedings outside.

When we did briefly venture out, there was plenty going on which sadly we only caught a fraction of, although at least we had excellent panoramic views of the showground arena displays from our pavilion grandstand. Thanks to the organisers and all who braved the weather to help out or put on a display and special thanks to those who popped by our table or attended our talks.

Please visit the show's facebook page for many more images.

Me, James Dix (Die Hards, wargamer and soon to be author)
with author pals,David 'djp' Palmer and Kevin Brazier 


Yes 'Lawrence' was there too!


Tuesday, 23 September 2025

Battles Through History Returns!

Delighted to support the return of Battles Through History, a multi-period military show in early October, last year was great fun and this year promises to be bigger and better. The full programme of events is about to be published so please keep an eye on their website here or their regularly updated facebook page here, where I was delighted to provide some header artwork as shown above!

Thursday, 10 April 2025

Return the SALUTE!

 

Yay! A welcome return to the UK's largest wargaming show this weekend in London for SALUTE! Amazingly will be my fourth time exhibiting with my comics, art & more and each time I'm feeling more comfortable with the event being as its, obviously, not a traditional comics one. However being as many of my comics have a historical or fantasy basis there is a crossover with people's interests who would not otherwise likely come across my work. 




This year I'm in a different corner of the Excel convention space at TJ16 which, as you come in, is towards the back, bottom right as you'll see on the website's main map here. If you're able to attend, please stop by and say hello!


Wednesday, 2 April 2025

Thought Bubble 2025!

Delighted to be confirmed for this year's Thought Bubble Comic Convention, the UK's premier (with Macc-Pow and Enniskillen!), pure comics festival. Follow their website for updates!

Tuesday, 25 February 2025

Denmark Return!

Copenhagen Comics 2025 Poster by Craig Frank

Delighted to have the opportunity to return to our spiritual Comics home this summer!

Martin Flink's distinctive 2004 banner artwork

Since making the initial trip in time for the first 'modern' Danish comic convention, komiks dk, all the way back in 2004, Dave West and I as Accent UK regularly made the trip at subsequent events, (see here for a few of them!) through committee, venue and re-branding changes to Copenhagen Comics until covid, brexit and changes of our own brought things to an end.

I'm further delighted to confirm that Dave West will again be my travel and table sharing buddy as we attempt to roll back the years and try not to bore everyone about the good old days when it felt that we were trailblazing pioneers of British comics or something like that anyway!

Trailblazing Pioneers of British Comics or just a couple of naive chancers?

It was thanks to an encounter with Copenhagen Comics committee members and some old Danish pals  at last year's Thought Bubble Festival that led to Dave and I sharing a pint and discussing the possibility of returning and here we are now confirming plans. It will be different with another new venue and need to showcase samples of our latest endeavours, but we'll look forward to it and seeing who remembers us, Mange Tak for the opportunity!

Saturday, 15 February 2025

Macc-Pow is Back!

This year's events calendar is starting to take shape with a few applications pending but just received welcome news that I'm returning to Macclesfield this summer for the 10th Macc-Pow!!

It's testament to Macc's own Marc Jackson that he's made a success of this fun annual event over the years, boasting a fab line-up of the UK's (and beyond!) comics talent. Guests announced for this year so far include the following;


Alongside Yorkshire's own Thought Bubble Comic Art Festival, which have also recently confirmed their 2025 dates, Macc-Pow stands strong as one of the UK's finest celebration of comics - put the 28th June in your diary now for fab comics fun!

Wednesday, 8 January 2025

Birthday Bowie

Happy Birthday Starman, gone but not forgotten - almost 9 years now! Playing my favourite album of his, not only a great listen but the first I bought on release, happy memories.