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| Dinah Mo. |
As you know, I semi-retired this year and the other day I completed my last pages for a children's publication. It's one of three Dinah Mo stories that will be in The Dandy Annual 2027 which will be published next year in September 2026.
(There are Dinah Mo stories in the latest Dandy annual (2026) but they're by Spanish artist Melchor Prats, who did a fantastic job on them.)
I've found that work opportunities have been gradually reducing for a few years now for whatever reasons, and the worry and stress of that has worn me down as well as the fatigue due to having CLL. I couldn't manage a weekly deadline now anyway. So I've decided that in my senior years I'll just focus on characters I own the rights to, plus my monthly mini-strip in Doctor Who Magazine.
Basically my career has come full circle, back to the days 42 years ago when I was self-publishing and doing mini-strips for Marvel UK.
I've no bitterness, no resentment. That's how it's always been in this business, or in any creative industry. The older creators fade away to be replaced by a younger breed. But I'll still be producing my own comics, in my own time, with full creative control, so I'm still in the game for as long as I'm able to be. Thanks for all your support over the years!
16 comments:
When is the next Combat Colin out?
Thank you for *everything*, Lew. You've more than left your mark on the industry and it's good to know you're moving to a speed that suits you better. Long may it continue! B.
Sorry to hear this Lew! Freelancing is tough, especially when you work in the creative industry! Now we have Ai in the mix its probably going to get even harder. There are no easy answers here, I'm sure you gone through all the options already. When I was younger my dream was to be a comic artist but my procrastination and lack of focus led me into a different career! So at least you made a name for yourself that bought happiness to millions of readers. Thats cetainly something to be proud of as a legacy.
All power to you, Lew!
Been a good run, Health comes first and doing what you enjoy.
I don't know, sorry. Got some unexpected expenses coming up. You'll read about publication dates here when it's out.
Health is the main reason I'm cutting back, Qamar, plus personal choice. The work is out there for those willing to work to deadlines, or who editors want to employ. I don't wish to be doing that in the time I have left, however long that may be.
Thank you.
You've certainly made your mark on the industry you love Lew not many folk can say that. Look after yourself and take care.
Thanks Paul. Hopefully more to come, just not with kids' comics. I'll carry on doing comics for the comic fan/older readers audience in my own time.
As a long time fan of yours, I've enjoyed both your art AND your insight on the British comic industry over the years. Those Dinah Mo stories in next year's Dandy Annual 2027 (love reading those every year, btw I prefer Dandy's wilder mix-and-match lineup of strips over Beano's more grounded and traditional cast) will be a really good sendoff for your long career.
So, thanks for the laughs you've provided to the pages over the years and best of luck on your future goals in life.
Thanks Callum. It's only my work in kids' comics that's ending though. I still intend to self publish, and also contrubute to comics for older readers, such as The77 (and another forthcoming comic). Well, health permitting that is. Might write some articles on UK comics if someone pays me to do it.
Vanity press doesn't count as real comics.
What a stupid comment from the latest 'Anonymous'. Self publishing isn't "vanity press". Even if it was, how would it not be "real" comcs?
So sorry your career is over now but you left us so much to reread over and over. I treasure my Oink and the Buster comics.
Frank, my career ISN'T over. At least I hope not yet! As I said, I'm cutting back to focus on publishing my own comics plus strips for DWM and a few others.
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