Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/421389
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2014 THIS WEEK 42 note, we've seen a growth in graphic novels, and more independent small press titles. I think the future lies in graphic novels and digital comics rather than the old weekly format. The Beano still survives of course, 76 years on and still weekly, and 2000AD keeps going every Wednes- day! How would you describe your transition from the world of fanzines into professional comics? Do you think a similar 'jump' is possible for aspiring creators today – were you to replace fanzines with webcomics and other opportunities afforded by the internet? I found that doing my fanzines in the late 1970s and early 1980s was very useful in developing my style and receiving feedback. It also gave potential editors a chance to see what I could do, and some of my early professional work came about because of that. Several of us started out that way. I think it's definitely still possible today, and I'm sure it happens, but there are less regular British comics around for new crea- tors to break into the professional comics field, so it must be frustrat- ing. On the other hand, there seem to be more opportunities for UK creators to have work published overseas now. The internet makes everything more accessible, and as we send our pages by e-mail or Dropbox it doesn't really matter where the publisher is located. It can be very stressful at times. At the moment I have my regular deadlines for The Beano, Toxic, and Doctor Who Magazine plus extra pages to do for the Dandy and Beano annuals that will be out next autumn! You just have to put in long hours and get it done. I don't have any family now so I focus entirely on my work. I try not to turn paid work down because freelancing can be a rocky road sometimes. Having worked with both British and American publishers, what would you say is the difference between the two, in terms of work ethic and professional expectations? I haven't noticed a lot of difference really. I haven't done a lot for Amer- ica yet. With the Brickman pages I did for Image's 'Elephantmen' the editor was Richard Starkings, who is from the UK, and who was my editor back in the 1980s when he was at Marvel UK, so that was like old times. More recently, I've done a couple of pages for Dark Horse for the new series of Grindhouse, and they've great to work for. How did it feel to join the ranks of Beano? Did you sense that you were partaking in what could be considered a UK 'national treasure', and the attendant pressures or expectations that come with that? Yes, although I'd worked for doz- ens of comics before that, The Beano is such a national institution that it does feel quite a privilege to work for it. I'm very proud to be part of its long history, and that of The Dandy. Both comics were favourites of mine as a child in the 1960s, so to actually work for them is great. Are you looking forward to participating at the Malta Comic Con? Yes, very much so. I've visited Mal- ta twice before, for holidays, but that was a long time ago. I like the coun- try and I'm looking forward to the event, and doing character sketches. I'm very interested in seeing what the comics scene is like in Malta. From the pages I've seen online the quality looks very high. Malta Comic Con will take place on November 29 and 30 at St James Cavalier, Valletta. For more in- formation log on to http://www. maltacomic-con.com/. The event is organised by Wicked Comics