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Back around 1996, EGMONT/FLEETWAY editor PETE KEMPSHALL 'phoned me to see if I was up for lettering a four-page strip for a try-out magazine for the foreign market. "Sure!" I said, and he promptly sent me a FLINTSTONES strip, along with a script in Danish, I think - can't quite remember. (Or maybe it was Swedish, Finnish, or even Norwegian - best to cover all the options.) I had lettered comics translated from Spanish or Italian into English before, so this was just the same thing in reverse.
Above is the cover of the 'finished' product. As it isn't priced I assume it's a dummy, and I received it as a folded sheet which I then trimmed and stapled into comic form. I don't think it ever progressed to a regular weekly or monthly periodical which was on sale anywhere, so this is quite a rare item. So, here it is, you lucky peeps, just for your perusal.
(Incidentally, I wasn't responsible for the rather lacklustre and badly-positioned 'GAME TIME' logo, so don't blame me.)
Looks good, never seen so many expressions on Fred and Barney's faces before - in particular the first panel of the second page, and their reactions to the freezing water.
ReplyDeleteIf I was Norwegian, I'd've been into this, certainly.
Danish, Finnish, Swedish or Norwegian - it all sounds Greek to me.
ReplyDeleteThe strip comes from a comic published by DC Comics in America, if I'm not very much mistaken, THB. (And I very well could be.)
Probably was, I recall CD publishing a "Cartoon Network" comic over here for years.
ReplyDeletehttp://themagicwhistle.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-twiddle-method.html
Thanks, Chris. I think I've actually got a couple of them. Must dig 'em out for a look.
ReplyDeleteWow, haven't seen that in a while.
ReplyDeleteThat particular comic was commissioned by Cartoon Network as a promo they could hand out at launches and fairs to drum up business for the satellite TV channel. We did a couple of them, and there was talk of doing more, but I moved to Australia before I got the chance to see the project through.
The other issue we created promoted the new wave of cartoons they were introducing at the time, shows for which no reprint existed. That meant we had to create our own strips from scratch, and I'm reasonably sure that made us the first to generate strip material for Dexter's Laboratory and Two Stupid Dogs.
Ah, Pete - how the devil are you? Hard to believe it was so long ago I last spoke with you. Thanks for clearing up what happened - but why didn't I get to letter the second one? I'm hurt, man - hurt I tell ya! (Feeling guilty yet?) All the best to you, sir.
ReplyDeleteI'm well, thanks - still in Australia, still editing, but making progress with writing too now. And yes, it's been a loooong time.
ReplyDeleteAs I remember, the page rates for all the Cartoon Network jobs were a bit higher than the usual (they were paid for by someone with a bigger budget than Fleetway...) and we tried to make sure as many regular contributors as possible got to take advantage of the better rate. That'll be why you didn't get a go at the second issue -we were sharing the love!
I don't remember it being higher than normal, but I'll still have the invoice that came with the cheque. No doubt I'll stumble across it one day. I'm writing a stern letter to Mr Maxwell if it isn't serious wonga.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're doing well. Ever miss Britain?
I unsuccessfully peddled my portfolio to Cartoon Network's comic around 99- 2000 (It seemed only right as I had the channel playing in the background 24/7 as I worked) shame I didn't get in, I really wanted to have them on my CV... ah well.
ReplyDeleteI don't think your 'rejection' was a reflection on the standard of your work, AJ. As you can see from editor Pete's comment above, the work was given to regular Fleetway contributors.
ReplyDeleteYou are very kind, I was rather disappointed with them though, having had a nice ‘rejection’ letter from the Beano (and a telephone conversation) followed by the promise of work from Smut (over the phone) and an apology from Zit (via the post) having waited several weeks I eventually called Cartoon Network comic up and ask “yes or no”? They apologised and explained that they had all their art/strips sent over from Warner Bros. I wish I had kept the artwork I sent them (they never did return the examples I sent them) 3 pages of Hanna Barbera characters- a real shame as I would have been so proud to say that I drew HB characters for a living… Should I give up on the dream? Its been over 15 years…
ReplyDeleteExcept for the second ish, as Pete explains, which was stuff that Fleetway commissioned. I appeared on TV once, and The Beano and Dandy editors were on the same programme. When they found out what I did for a living, they invited me to submit some samples (of lettering, not art). I wasn't really looking for more work at the time, but, flattered at being asked, I eventually sent in some samples of my lettering. I got a reply from them saying that they weren't looking for any letterers as it was done 'in-house', and an apology of sorts for giving me the impression that they were. That was back in the late '90s. Which proves that some editors often talk sh*te and waste contributors' time. The answer to your last question - never give up on the dream, AJ.
ReplyDeleteNah, I’m not even sure why I posed that as a question sir- I’ll never give up on the dream!
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to you was awful though, when I contacted the Beano it was purely on the off chance and although I was rejected an official letter from the Beano complete with letterhead and a personal chat with the editor himself put my ego at ease! Its funny I still have it at the back of my mind to this day that I need examples of the company’s own brand characters in order to get work, a notion that Marvel would not employ someone if they only had Superman in their portfolio!
I once volunteered to send a Glasgow artist's sample pages to some editors at IPC and Marvel U.K., but they didn't seem too impressed by them. Later, the artist showed the same pages to the same editors at a Glasgow comic convention and got some work. Which shows that some editors, unless they've got on their 'talent scout' heads on a particular day (which they have at conventions, but not in 'the office' for some reason), can't see what's in front of them.
ReplyDeleteAlways the way! Is the portfolio 'sent' out these days or is it all websites these days?
ReplyDeleteNot sure, AJ, but I'd say that showing the actual full-size pages to an editor would probably make more of an initial impression. I suppose if one is an artistic genius 'though, a website may suffice.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was on my graphic design course (1997-98) everyone was predicting that interactive CD ROM’s would be the way forward. I didn’t and felt that a website would be far better, so much so for my final course project I made a website… I was convinced that one of the big editors would find my site and hire me that day! Ah to be young an optimistic again… sigh!
ReplyDeleteA lot of editors are either lazy or loyal (not that the two are mutually exclusive) and tend to use those with whom they're already familiar, AJ. However, I'm sure there must be artists who've picked up work through their websites. Certainly wish I was young again.
ReplyDeleteYou mean, *gulp* its not WHAT you know but Who you know?! Shock horror!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, sadly, yes. Although it can occasionally be a combination of the two.
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