My thanks to those of you who sent me birthday wishes yesterday, and now a little announcement. As I'm now 66 and eligible for my pension I've decided I'll be retiring from working for mainstream comics.
Frankly, work has been in short supply for the last few years and the financial stress it's caused hasn't been good for my physical or mental health, especially as I have hypertension, diabetes and incurable leukemia to deal with so I feel it's time to step back and take things easier as I do get more fatigued these days.
However... comics are still my passion and there's no "off switch" to creativity so in reality it'll be semi-retirement. I'll still be contributing my Daft Dimension mini strip to Doctor Who Magazine every month for as long as they want me, and I have some loose ends to tie up such as some overdue commissions, a strip for The Dandy Annual 2027 and some work for The77 and suchlike.
My main focus after that though, apart from relaxing and getting things in order, will be my self-published comics. I want to get the final issue of Combat Colin out this summer and hopefully some other comics after that. I won't be taking on any more commissions as yet, but I'll continue to sell my old artwork to collectors via eBay to help pay the bills etc.
I've had 42 happy years freelancing in the comics industry and now I'll simply be focusing on my own comics and creations and publishing those in my own time as it suits me.
I'll also be attending comic cons if I'm fit and able to, as I don't want to lose touch with the many good friends I've made in comics over the past four decades! Although that depends on when treatment starts for my CLL.
Thanks for reading this long post (if you've reached the end) and thanks for following my work over the years!
Above is a graphic showing all the professional comics (that I can recall) contributing to since 1983. (PLus a load of small press comics not listed.) That's a lot of ink! Click on the graphic to see it larger.
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18 comments:
Well done Lew! A great career! All the very best to you!
Thanks MJ!
You have done so much for the UK comics world, happy semi retirement!
Well, this is looking embarrassingly late given the circumstances, but I wanted to thank you for the delight you brought my younger self across so many different comic books. I'd say you've more than earned the right to put your feet up, but I'm glad you're still exercising your creativity.
Happy semi-retirement, Lew! Well-earned!
So that means you're no longer working for The Dandy & The Beano? Damn, that's a shame. But I'll still be reading The Daft Dimension in DWM. (If I get it again. I haven't read it for a year) Have a good semi-retirement Lew.
I’m glad you’re giving yourself a well earned rest and prioritising enjoyment over work. You can (semi) retire knowing that you’ve brought endless hours of joy to generations — a heck of a (living, breathing) legacy
You should absolutely enjoy your well deserved semi-retirement Lew! Will you keep this blog going?
Thank you so much for entertaining me with your fun, energetic, bouncily drawn comic artwork over the years. Of all the great modern British comic artists working to this day, you were, and always will be, one of my favourites and the one I most look up to. Heck, I keep going back to your other Blimey blog and reading your well-worded posts, especially that one from 2011 called "Days of Thrills and Laughter" about why comic sales (particularly the Dandy) were slipping back then.
Then again, all good things must come to an end eventually and as heartbreaking as it is to hear about your semi-retirement from mainstream comic work, I will nonetheless look back on the laughs and fun you've provided to your pages over the years and wish you luck on your next endeavours.
From a long time fan. :)
I haven't been in the Beano for two years, Ben. I have two pages to finish for The Dandy Annual 2027 but that'll be my last work for DC Thomson.
Yes, the blog will remain as I'll be posting updates about Combat Colin No.6 and any other comics I publish, as well as notifications about my art auctions.
Thanks Callum. I'll still be doing my DWM strip and self published comics plus a few other bits and bobs so it's not the end yet. I haven't been in mainstream kids' comics for two years (apart from The Dandy special and annuals) so there's not a big difference in that regard.
Thank you everyone! Just to clarify that I'll still be producing comics (as and when) so it's only semi-retirement. Fifty years ago Leo Baxendale quit the mainstream comics industry to focus on his creator-owned characters so it's similar to that.
So, would it be fair to say "he retired due to ill health"?
I am here you know. :)
No, I wouldn't say that. That's part of it but basically now I'll have my state pension it's time to wind down and enjoy life while I can. And remember I'm only *semi* retired. I'm not giving up on comics altogether. I enjoy them too much!
Living off benefits then.
It'll be law to fill in the spaces under benches with concrete.
State Pension is an entitlement, not a benefit. You'll receive it too when you're old enough.
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