John Freeman (editor)
Encyclopedia
John Freeman is a British
writer/editor/designer known for his work with Marvel UK
, and on Doctor Who Magazine
and The Really Heavy Greatcoat
.
student newspaper Scan in 1981.
Freeman's first professionally published comics work was The Science Service, drawn by Rian Hughes
, which Knockabout
reprinted in 2007
as part of a larger collection of work by Hughes titled Yesterday's Tomorrows.
, which eventually morphed into Off the Beat (not to be confused with the a cappella group at the University of Pennsylvania). After Freeman left Lancaster to work for Marvel UK
in 1988, Off the Beat was run by a co-operative, until Freeman returned in 1993, where he took up the editorial reins of the title, turning it into a monthly free publication.
between 1988
and 1993
, Freeman designed and then edited Doctor Who Magazine
, and comics titles such as Death's Head II, Warheads
, Overkill, and others.
Freeman became group editor on Marvel UK's superhero range while Paul Neary
was editor-in-chief at the company. The titles were set in the existing Marvel Universe — Marvel's U.S. editors were expected to approve submitted plotlines (some, such as Bobbi Chase were more responsive than others). The first of these, Death's Head II
, written by Dan Abnett
and initially drawn by Liam Sharp
, was a recreation of Simon Furman
's cyborg bounty hunter (who first appeared in the Transformers
comic).
As well as editing some of the Marvel UK titles, Freeman also wrote issues of Warheads
and Motormouth
and Killpower
. He also wrote Shadow Riders, with Brian Williamson
, and Gene Dogs
, drawn by Dave Taylor
, and the mini-series G-Force (not to be confused with the animated series), as well as several Doctor Who comic stories.
Freeman left the company before the implosion in the comics market that effectively brought an end to Marvel UK.
In 1995, after five years' absence, London beckoned once more, and returning there, Freeman helped established Titan Magazines
, as its first managing editor, as well as editing Star Trek Magazine
, Star Wars Magazine and others.
After leaving Titan in 1999 to work for the UK arm of avaterra.com, establishing its avatar-based science fiction community, he is now again based in Lancaster, working for ROK Entertainment on their comics to mobile
service, Rok Comics. His freelance projects include editing Print Media Productions anthology comic magazine Strip Magazine (the UK edition), writing the science fiction comic strip Ex Astris for Spaceship Away
magazine and continued work for Titan, including book editing for Titan Books
and reviews for Star Trek Magazine
.
Apart from his Marvel UK work, Freeman's comic writing credits include Ex Astris, The Really Heavy Greatcoat
, The Science Service, The Real Ghostbusters
, Galaxy Rangers, ThunderCats
, Beyblade
, Judge Dredd Megazine
and others.
Freeman's website, Down The Tubes and its associated blogs, feature British comics news, interviews and a comic writing guide.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
writer/editor/designer known for his work with Marvel UK
Marvel UK
Marvel UK was an imprint of Marvel Comics formed in 1972 to reprint US produced stories for the British weekly comic market, though it later did produce original material by British creators such as Alan Moore, John Wagner, Dave Gibbons, Steve Dillon and Grant Morrison.Panini Comics obtained the...
, and on Doctor Who Magazine
Doctor Who Magazine
Doctor Who Magazine is a magazine devoted to the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
and The Really Heavy Greatcoat
The Really Heavy Greatcoat
The Really Heavy Greatcoat is a British cartoon, by John Freeman and Nick Miller, that is now published as a webcomic.-History:The Really Heavy Greatcoat debuted in the Lancaster, Lancashire listings magazine On the Beat in February 1987, and its successor, Off the Beat.It is now published...
.
Biography
Freeman began his media career editing the Lancaster UniversityLancaster University
Lancaster University, officially The University of Lancaster, is a leading research-intensive British university in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. The university was established by Royal Charter in 1964 and initially based in St Leonard's Gate until moving to a purpose-built 300 acre campus at...
student newspaper Scan in 1981.
Freeman's first professionally published comics work was The Science Service, drawn by Rian Hughes
Rian Hughes
Rian Hughes is a British graphic designer, illustrator and comics artist, noted for his work on 2000AD, where he illustrated Robo-Hunter, Tales from Beyond Science, Really and Truly and Dan Dare, among others...
, which Knockabout
Knockabout Comics
Knockabout Comics is a UK publisher and distributor of underground and alternative comic books.-History:It was formed by Tony Bennett and Carol Bennett in the 1980s to distribute Gilbert Shelton's Freak Brothers titles as well as British work from creators such as Hunt Emerson and Bryan...
reprinted in 2007
2007 in comics
-January:*January 10: Superman & Batman vs. Aliens & Predator released.*January 24: The Boys is canceled with issue #6.-February:*February 2: Newsarama reports that The Boys has been picked up by Dynamite Entertainment....
as part of a larger collection of work by Hughes titled Yesterday's Tomorrows.
On the Beat/Off the Beat
After university Freeman launched On the Beat, a listings magazine for Lancaster, EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, which eventually morphed into Off the Beat (not to be confused with the a cappella group at the University of Pennsylvania). After Freeman left Lancaster to work for Marvel UK
Marvel UK
Marvel UK was an imprint of Marvel Comics formed in 1972 to reprint US produced stories for the British weekly comic market, though it later did produce original material by British creators such as Alan Moore, John Wagner, Dave Gibbons, Steve Dillon and Grant Morrison.Panini Comics obtained the...
in 1988, Off the Beat was run by a co-operative, until Freeman returned in 1993, where he took up the editorial reins of the title, turning it into a monthly free publication.
Marvel UK
While working for Marvel UKMarvel UK
Marvel UK was an imprint of Marvel Comics formed in 1972 to reprint US produced stories for the British weekly comic market, though it later did produce original material by British creators such as Alan Moore, John Wagner, Dave Gibbons, Steve Dillon and Grant Morrison.Panini Comics obtained the...
between 1988
1988 in comics
-Events and publications:* Jack Binder, creator of the original Daredevil, dies at c. age 86.* Tarpé Mills, creator Miss Fury, dies at c. age 73....
and 1993
1993 in comics
-January:* Doom Patrol #63: " The Empire of Chairs," Grant Morrison's final issue as Doom Patrol writer.-February:* Action Comics, with issue #686, suspends publication following "The Death of Superman."...
, Freeman designed and then edited Doctor Who Magazine
Doctor Who Magazine
Doctor Who Magazine is a magazine devoted to the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
, and comics titles such as Death's Head II, Warheads
Warheads (comics)
Warheads was a Marvel UK comic book series which ran for 14 issues in the early 1990s and was followed by the two-issue mini-series Warheads: Black Dawn. The stories contained in the comic were also serialised in the UK comics anthology Overkill...
, Overkill, and others.
Freeman became group editor on Marvel UK's superhero range while Paul Neary
Paul Neary
Paul Neary is a British comic book artist, writer and editor.His first work was for Warren Publishing in the 1970s before working with Dez Skinn at Marvel UK as well as work for 2000 AD...
was editor-in-chief at the company. The titles were set in the existing Marvel Universe — Marvel's U.S. editors were expected to approve submitted plotlines (some, such as Bobbi Chase were more responsive than others). The first of these, Death's Head II
Death's Head
Death's Head is a fictional comic book character, a robotic bounty hunter appearing in the books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Simon Furman and artist Geoff Senior for the company's Marvel UK imprint...
, written by Dan Abnett
Dan Abnett
Dan Abnett is a British comic book writer and novelist. He is a frequent collaborator with fellow writer Andy Lanning, and is known for his work on books for both Marvel Comics, and their UK imprint, Marvel UK, since the 1990s, including 2000 AD...
and initially drawn by Liam Sharp
Liam Sharp
Liam Roger Sharp is a British comic book artist, writer and publisher.-Early life:Liam Sharp was born in Derby at St. Mary's Hospital to parents Roger and Linda Sharp. He has a younger sister, Kerry, and younger brother, Rien. He went to School at Brackensdale Junior then infants school, before...
, was a recreation of Simon Furman
Simon Furman
Simon Christopher Francis Furman is a comic book writer, particularly associated with of a number of notable Transformers comics for Marvel UK, Marvel US, Dreamwave, and most recently, IDW...
's cyborg bounty hunter (who first appeared in the Transformers
The Transformers (Marvel Comics)
The Transformers was an 80-issue American comic book series published by Marvel Comics telling the story of the Transformers. Originally scheduled as a four issue mini-series, it spawned a mythology that would inform other versions of the saga...
comic).
As well as editing some of the Marvel UK titles, Freeman also wrote issues of Warheads
Warheads (comics)
Warheads was a Marvel UK comic book series which ran for 14 issues in the early 1990s and was followed by the two-issue mini-series Warheads: Black Dawn. The stories contained in the comic were also serialised in the UK comics anthology Overkill...
and Motormouth
Motormouth (comics)
Motormouth is a fictional character created by Paul Neary and developed by writer Graham Marks with initial designs by Gary Frank as the titular character of her own series Motormouth , was part of a line of original comics released in the early-to-mid 1990s by Marvel UK...
and Killpower
Killpower
Killpower is a fictional British comic book character from Marvel UK. He is the partner of Motormouth and first appeared in Motormouth #1. Killpower was created by Gary Frank and Graham Mark.-Publication history:...
. He also wrote Shadow Riders, with Brian Williamson
Brian Williamson
Brian Williamson was a Jamaican Gay rights activist and co-founder of the Jamaican forum for lesbians and gays, J-Flag...
, and Gene Dogs
Gene Dogs
The Gene Dogs are fictional characters who appear in the comic books published by the Marvel UK imprint of Marvel Comics. Originally members of an elite counter-terrorism squad known as Team Omega, five dying soldiers become the Gene Dogs after an experimental medical process saves their lives by...
, drawn by Dave Taylor
Dave Taylor (comics)
Dave Taylor is a British comic book creator. He is best known for his work on Force Works, as well as Batman and Judge Dredd stories.-Biography:Taylor was born in Liverpool in 1964 and attended the Liverpool Arts School....
, and the mini-series G-Force (not to be confused with the animated series), as well as several Doctor Who comic stories.
Freeman left the company before the implosion in the comics market that effectively brought an end to Marvel UK.
Recent career
After returning to Lancaster, Freeman worked as a freelance writer; then a publicity officer and, eventually, as director of the Lancaster Literature festival, now known as litfest.In 1995, after five years' absence, London beckoned once more, and returning there, Freeman helped established Titan Magazines
Titan Magazines
Titan Magazines is the magazine-publishing division of Nick Landau's Titan Publishing Group. Titan also owns several Forbidden Planet specialist comics and collector stores .Titan Magazines' publishing director is Chris Teather.TPG also owns Titan Books,...
, as its first managing editor, as well as editing Star Trek Magazine
Star Trek Magazine
Star Trek Magazine is an authorized periodical published bi-monthly by Titan UK in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, devoted to the Star Trek franchise. The magazine has limited distribution in Europe...
, Star Wars Magazine and others.
After leaving Titan in 1999 to work for the UK arm of avaterra.com, establishing its avatar-based science fiction community, he is now again based in Lancaster, working for ROK Entertainment on their comics to mobile
Mobile comic
A mobile comic is a digital comic or cartoon strip that can be purchased, downloaded, read and sometimes edited or shared with friends via mobile phones.- Overview :...
service, Rok Comics. His freelance projects include editing Print Media Productions anthology comic magazine Strip Magazine (the UK edition), writing the science fiction comic strip Ex Astris for Spaceship Away
Spaceship Away
Spaceship Away is a comic magazine largely based on the classic British hero Dan Dare, featuring new full colour stories written and drawn in the style of series creator Frank Hampson. The magazine was created by Rod Barzilay as an attempt to revive the original Dan Dare of the 1950s and early 1960s...
magazine and continued work for Titan, including book editing for Titan Books
Titan Books
Titan Publishing Group is an independently owned publishing company, established in 1981. It is based at offices in London, England's Bankside area. The Books Division has two main areas of publishing: film & TV tie-ins/cinema reference books; and graphic novels and comics reference/art titles. The...
and reviews for Star Trek Magazine
Star Trek Magazine
Star Trek Magazine is an authorized periodical published bi-monthly by Titan UK in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, devoted to the Star Trek franchise. The magazine has limited distribution in Europe...
.
Apart from his Marvel UK work, Freeman's comic writing credits include Ex Astris, The Really Heavy Greatcoat
The Really Heavy Greatcoat
The Really Heavy Greatcoat is a British cartoon, by John Freeman and Nick Miller, that is now published as a webcomic.-History:The Really Heavy Greatcoat debuted in the Lancaster, Lancashire listings magazine On the Beat in February 1987, and its successor, Off the Beat.It is now published...
, The Science Service, The Real Ghostbusters
The Real Ghostbusters
The Real Ghostbusters is an American animated television series based on the 1984 film Ghostbusters. The series ran from 1986 to 1991, and was produced by Columbia Pictures Television, DiC Enterprises, and Coca-Cola Telecommunications. "The Real" was added to the title after a dispute with...
, Galaxy Rangers, ThunderCats
ThunderCats (comics)
The ThunderCats comic book series was based on the original television series of the same name. It was originally published by Marvel Comics through its Star Comics imprint in 1985, lasting for 3 years and 24 issues...
, Beyblade
Beyblade
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takao Aoki. Originally serialized in CoroCoro Comic from 2000 to 2002, the individual chapters were collected and published in 14 tankōbon by Shogakukan...
, Judge Dredd Megazine
Judge Dredd Megazine
Judge Dredd: The Megazine is a monthly British comic magazine, launched in October 1990. It is a sister publication to 2000 AD. Its name is a play on words, formed from "magazine" and Dredd's locale Mega-City One.-Content:...
and others.
Freeman's website, Down The Tubes and its associated blogs, feature British comics news, interviews and a comic writing guide.
Comics
- The Real GhostbustersThe Real Ghostbusters (comics)The Real Ghostbusters is a comic series spun off from the animated series of the same name. Versions were published by Marvel UK and NOW Comics. Publication of the series began on March 28, 1988.-NOW Comics:...
(with various artists including Anthony WilliamsAnthony Williams (comics)Anthony Williams is a Welsh comic book artist.-Biography:He broke into comics at Marvel UK, drawing for the series Action Force, The Real Ghostbusters and Transformers, among others...
, Marvel UKMarvel UKMarvel UK was an imprint of Marvel Comics formed in 1972 to reprint US produced stories for the British weekly comic market, though it later did produce original material by British creators such as Alan Moore, John Wagner, Dave Gibbons, Steve Dillon and Grant Morrison.Panini Comics obtained the...
, 1988–1992)
- Doctor WhoDoctor WhoDoctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
- "Planet of the Dead" (with Lee SullivanLee Sullivan (comics)-Biography:Sullivan trained as a wildlife and technical illustrator at Barnfield College before working as a graphic illustrator for British Aerospace...
, in Doctor Who MagazineDoctor Who MagazineDoctor Who Magazine is a magazine devoted to the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
#141-142, 1988, reprinted in Doctor Who Classic Comics #14, Marvel Comics, 1994) - "Follow that TARDIS!" (with Dougie Braithwaite, Kev HopgoodKev HopgoodKev Hopgood is a British comic artist who has been drawing comic books since 1984. He specializes in artwork for science fiction and fantasy comics.-Biography:...
, John RidgwayJohn Ridgway (comic artist)John Ridgway is a British comics artist.-Career:Ridgway began his career initially as a hobby, drawing D.C.Thompson's Commando War Stories alongside professional work as a design engineer...
, in Doctor Who MagazineDoctor Who MagazineDoctor Who Magazine is a magazine devoted to the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
#147, 1989) - "Stairway to Heaven" (with co-author Paul CornellPaul CornellPaul Cornell is a British writer best known for his work in television drama as well as Doctor Who fiction, and as the creator of one of the Doctor's spin-off companions, Bernice Summerfield....
and pencils by Gerry Dolan and inks by Rex Ward, in Doctor Who MagazineDoctor Who MagazineDoctor Who Magazine is a magazine devoted to the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
#156, 1990) - "A Glitch in Time" (with Richard Whitaker, in Doctor Who MagazineDoctor Who MagazineDoctor Who Magazine is a magazine devoted to the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
#179, 1991) - "Emperor of the DaleksEmperor of the DaleksEmperor of the Daleks was a black-and-white comic strip based on the television series Doctor Who. It ran primarily in the pages of Doctor Who Magazine, written by John Freeman and novelist and future television series writer Paul Cornell...
" (with co-author Paul CornellPaul CornellPaul Cornell is a British writer best known for his work in television drama as well as Doctor Who fiction, and as the creator of one of the Doctor's spin-off companions, Bernice Summerfield....
and art by John RidgwayJohn Ridgway (comic artist)John Ridgway is a British comics artist.-Career:Ridgway began his career initially as a hobby, drawing D.C.Thompson's Commando War Stories alongside professional work as a design engineer...
, in Doctor Who MagazineDoctor Who MagazineDoctor Who Magazine is a magazine devoted to the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
#197-202, 1993) - "Once in a Lifetime" (with Geoff SeniorGeoff SeniorGeoff Senior is a British artist, best known for his work in the comic book field in the 1980s, mainly for Marvel UK. Senior is perhaps best remembered for his art for the Marvel Transformers series.-Biography:...
, in Doctor Who Classic Comics #21, Marvel Comics, 1994) - "A Switch in Time!" (with Geoff SeniorGeoff SeniorGeoff Senior is a British artist, best known for his work in the comic book field in the 1980s, mainly for Marvel UK. Senior is perhaps best remembered for his art for the Marvel Transformers series.-Biography:...
, in Doctor Who Classic Comics #25, Marvel Comics, 1994)
- "Planet of the Dead" (with Lee Sullivan
- WarheadsWarheadsWarheads may refer to:*Warhead, the damaging part of a projectile weapon*Warheads , a Swedish band*Warheads , a brand of sour candy*Warheads , a comic book published by Marvel UK...
#3, 12 (with Geoff SeniorGeoff SeniorGeoff Senior is a British artist, best known for his work in the comic book field in the 1980s, mainly for Marvel UK. Senior is perhaps best remembered for his art for the Marvel Transformers series.-Biography:...
(3) and pencils by Craig Huston and inks by Adolfo Buylla (12), Marvel UK, 1992, 1993) - MotormouthMotormouth (comics)Motormouth is a fictional character created by Paul Neary and developed by writer Graham Marks with initial designs by Gary Frank as the titular character of her own series Motormouth , was part of a line of original comics released in the early-to-mid 1990s by Marvel UK...
and KillpowerKillpowerKillpower is a fictional British comic book character from Marvel UK. He is the partner of Motormouth and first appeared in Motormouth #1. Killpower was created by Gary Frank and Graham Mark.-Publication history:...
#8-9 (with Del Barras, Marvel UK, 1993) - Shadow Riders (with co-author Brian Williamson and art by Ross Dearsley, Marvel UK, 1993)
- Gene DogsGene DogsThe Gene Dogs are fictional characters who appear in the comic books published by the Marvel UK imprint of Marvel Comics. Originally members of an elite counter-terrorism squad known as Team Omega, five dying soldiers become the Gene Dogs after an experimental medical process saves their lives by...
(with Dave TaylorDave Taylor (comics)Dave Taylor is a British comic book creator. He is best known for his work on Force Works, as well as Batman and Judge Dredd stories.-Biography:Taylor was born in Liverpool in 1964 and attended the Liverpool Arts School....
, 4-issue mini-series, Marvel UK, 1993) - Die CutDie-Cut (comics)Die-Cut is a fictional character who appears in comic books published by the Marvel UK imprint of Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Death's Head II & the Origin of Die-Cut #1...
vs. G-Force (with pencils by John Royle and inks by Tim Perkins, 2-issue mini-series, Marvel UK, 1993) - Judge KarynJudge KarynJudge Karyn is a fictional character from the Judge Dredd comic strip in British comic 2000 AD.-Fictional character biography:Karyn, a psi judge, first worked with Dredd in the initial Raptaur invasion and would work alongside him several times afterwards. She primarily handled supernatural threats...
(with Adrian SalmonAdrian Salmon-Biography:Salmon's early work included The Cybermen for Doctor Who Magazine and Judge Karyn for the Judge Dredd Megazine. He then spent time working on various Panini Comics titles including The Rugrats and Action Man...
):- "Skinner" (in Judge Dredd MegazineJudge Dredd MegazineJudge Dredd: The Megazine is a monthly British comic magazine, launched in October 1990. It is a sister publication to 2000 AD. Its name is a play on words, formed from "magazine" and Dredd's locale Mega-City One.-Content:...
#2.56-2.61, 1994) - "Concrete Sky" (in Judge Dredd Megazine #2.67-2.72, 1994)
- "Beautiful Evil" (in Judge Dredd Mega Special 1994)
- "Skinner" (in Judge Dredd Megazine
- Cabal (with Adrian SalmonAdrian Salmon-Biography:Salmon's early work included The Cybermen for Doctor Who Magazine and Judge Karyn for the Judge Dredd Megazine. He then spent time working on various Panini Comics titles including The Rugrats and Action Man...
, in Judge Dredd Megazine #3.07-3.08, 1995) - Ex Astris (with Mike Nicoll, in Spaceship Away #16 -, 2008 and on ROK Comics)