Nigel Parkinson, Cartoonist

Nigel Parkinson, Cartoonist
Me at a Comic Con

Tuesday 5 October 2010

My favourite Editors part Two

Bob Paynter, then of IPC magazines comics division, gave me my first break. So he's the guilty man. I first met him in 1978. In 1980 he offered me a job. See? Two years begging for work and they eventually give in. For some reason in those days people were trying to get me to do 'adventure' strips, or 'half and half', semi-straight stuff. I did a couple of things for Bob but they weren't very good.
In 1982, over lunch in the IPC canteen (it was Italian Week- they treated their staff very well at IPC in those days!) he eventually suggested I approach DC Thomson again, who I had drawn a six week run of a girls' comic strip for by that point. This time, he said, why not  try Ian Gray, who was putting together a new line, 'Comic Libraries', and needed 'ghost artists'. I knew what a ghost writer was - someone who did all the work and got minimal recompense and zero notice, and thought "I'm not sure I want to be that sort of artist!" But needs must, as ever, and I gave it a try. Turned out that wasn't quite how a ghost artist worked. But it was Bob who put me on to it.
I was able to thank him for giving me a start when worked with him again in 1989 on Scouse Mouse comic for Fleetway, and he was as enthusiastic as ever. He has often been maligned for 'playing safe' and indeed was always aware of his responsibility towards young readers, but he managed to produce some excellent comics anyway, originating Whizzer and Chips , Cor!!, Monster Fun, Shiver and Shake and more. The above strip is from Knockout circa 1972. Not sure who drew it, but it's a good likeness!

8 comments:

Lew Stringer said...

Bob Paynter was a good editor indeed. He could be over-cautious at times but in retrospect it was to protect the comics from the potential complaints of parents.

Bob gave me my first break with IPC too (ghosting Tom Paterson on a Jackpot Annual) - but unlike you I never had the privilege of being invited to the IPC canteen. ;-)

Kid said...

Bob gave me MY break on the IPC humour titles - but I had already sneaked in via 2000 AD. I have a photo of him somewhere - and of the canteen also. It was subsidized, and a hearty meal could be acquired for a mere pittance. It was also the size of a football pitch (or so it seemed). I dined there many a time - ah, happy days indeed.

Kid said...

Ps. And I didn't need an invite.

Peter Gray said...

Bob did lots of unusual fun comics..from Oink to Cheeky..
I quite liked the theme comic he did..

Love to meet him one day..
His comics made a special part of my childhood..
Great comic memories..

Anonymous said...

Bob Paynter is my Grandad <3

NP said...

Hello Anonymous! Tell your granddad hello from me and thanks for the start in comics he gave me 35 years ago! I'm very grateful.

Unknown said...

Hi Anonymous, I know a former IPC artist who like to get in touch with Bob. Any chance of a contact or mail address? Cheers, Scott

Unknown said...

What is the artists name, I see him tomorrow