We can't underestimate the importance that Stan Lee played in the lives of most of us working in comics today. Although I never met him, his stories inspired me as a child, and if it wasn't for Stan and the gang making Marvel Comics the success it did in the 1960s there'd be no comics fandom in the form it is, no direct market, no conventions... and none of us working in comics would even know each other.
In fact, I wouldn't even be working in comics if there'd been no Marvel Comics to keep me interested after I'd naturally grown out of Beano, Whizzer and Chips etc. The first publisher to accept my work was Marvel Comics, at a point when I'd almost given up after being rejected by other companies.
Here's a photo of me 50 years ago holding a copy of Tales of Suspense No.96 bought from a stall on Blackpool prom, written by Stan Lee. (And yes, they're short trousers, not a skirt. :)) The seeds that inspired me and many others were planted back then. Our lives would have been completely different, and culturally poorer, without him.
Rest In Peace, Stan. You did good.
A hero and inspiration when I was growing up, the comics of Stan Lee had a massive impact on my life. His stories about selflessness and equality shaped me perceptions. I never met Stan, but I was lucky to work on characters that wouldn't have existed without him. R.I.P. Stan, you were and forever will be, "The Man".
This Thursday, 15th November, sees Doctor Who Magazine No.532 arrive in the shops, and my Daft Dimension strip features the first new "monster" of the new season, - Tim Shaw! (Or T'Zim-Sha to give him his proper name.)
The issue will also include exclusive interviews, features, reviews, and the second episode of The Warmonger, the new 13th Doctor comic strip by Scott Gray and John Ross. Don't miss it!
A reminder that Combat Colin No.3 is now available exclusively from my online shop at http://lewstringer.com/page7.htm
It's 40 pages of daft comedy-action for all ages, collecting strips from 1989/90. Colin and his dozy assistant Semi-Automatic Steve encounter Madprof, The Brain, Bankrobber Man, The Amazing Dave, The Gunge, and many more!
Also available are the first two issues of Combat Colin, the Derek the Troll / Rock Solid special, and Pedantic Stan, Comics Fan!
Newsagents don't carry the number of comics they used to but that doesn't mean the British comics industry is dead. Give independent comics your support by buying them directly from the creators!
There seems to be a theme running through my life.
I'm not unique in this regard of course. Most people I know in the arts and entertainment fields have had their particular passions since they were small children. You have to follow your dream. If you're lucky, as well as talented, you'll be able to make a living out of it. Professionally, the best thing I ever did was to quit my dead end job in 1980 and focus on what I always wanted to do; create comics! It took a few years to sell my first cartoons but once I did, other editors had confidence in me, and the more work I had, the more I could develop my skills. That was 35 years ago and I've been working ever since.
If you have an ambition, and a realistic ability to pursue it, you have to go for it. Life's too short not to. And when you do make it, be confident but never cocky, because I've seen a few people fail in this business because of their own arrogance. The comic industry is relatively small and doesn't suffer fools gladly. We're all learning every day, and the most important lesson is to be grateful for how lucky we are to be working in a career we love.
Good luck!
Firework themed comics don't happen these days, except... in 2011 a few of us were allowed to do firework stories for The Dandy. Here's Postman Prat in a story written by David Mason, drawn by me.
Have a safe Bonfire Night!
