My tribute to John Cooper (Battle's Johnny Red, Judge Dredd, M.A.C.H. 1), who died on Sunday, is now online: http://downthetubes.net/?p=20091. Includes comment from Garth Ennis
Brilliant.
One day the wider world will realise just how much gold was in 70s-80s UK kids comics. Cooper will be at the heart of that reassessment.
Totally agree. So many legendary creators whose work was reprinted a lot (John had both original and reprint work in the 1990s Eagle for example). Many younger readers will be unaware of their credit and influence on artists of today. I've also posted a list of credits I'm aware of, based on his workbook which John copied for me back in 2003 before making a rare convention appearance at Raptus in Norway: http://downthetubes.net/?p=17933
Great work, John. One Eyed Jack and the Death of Valiant by maryanddavid of this parish really opened my eyes to the ubiquity of John Cooper's work in the comics of my childhood. Johnny Red is the standout work, but there were so many more.
Smashing stuff. John really was one of my childhood artist heroes, and his Johnny Red was fantastic stuff - glad to see off the tributes to John that they'll be collected.
Very nice tribute. The Johnny Red spread did bring back memories, along with Charley's War, it made Battle a great read. JC sounds like one of the fastest artists around, too.
I always loved the Dredd Gila-Munja two parter he did way back. Can't remember the prog numbers but right before Block Mania kicked off. Great stuff. Sad news.
One of the first Progs I bought (#515) had a John Cooper story where Dredd took his helmet off. I remember that blew my mind at the time. Nice memory to have of him.
I grew up with Johns work on Battle Action Force. He'll be sadly missed.
That's a fantastic write-up - really in-depth, showing what a great career he had, and how influential he was.
One Eyed Jack was a favourite of mine too, but remember him for his war stories as well.
Already posted on the RIP site, but keen to register a great artists passing. My memories from an early age are of Jonny Red and my absolute facination with the storylines and pure delight in the artwork of both Joe Colquhoun and John Cooper. Z
Sad news, great tribute
Sad news, and a great artist One Eyed Jack was for me his best work, but some of those covers that he drew of Johnny Red, the ones with the yellow surround were just fantastic!
I have put the interview that Prof refers to up on Facebook if anyone would like a read,
https://www.facebook.com/HiberniaComics?ref=hl (https://www.facebook.com/HiberniaComics?ref=hl)
David
Sad news. Used to get Battle and Valliant annuals from my Dad for Christmas, so remember Jonny Red and One Eyed Jack very fondly.
Great stuff - I can think of no more fitting tribute to the man, from a comics perspective, than to finally get his run of Johnny Red back out there in those lovely Titan volumes as is hinted is still on the cards during that piece.
As said its a great shame that a generation of superb artist from the 'less well known' UK titles are passing with only a few remembering there wonderful work. It needs to be out there for as many as possible to see and relish.
Who owns the rights to One-Eyed Jack? That was a great strip.
As well as a reprint of the old series, I'd love to see John Wagner write a new one.
(I know Dredd kind of is a spiritual sequel to Jack, but I want an actual sequel.)