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Robert Thomas Nixon (1939
- 2002) A Cartoon History |
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The Early Years
Robert's artistic
talent was recognised by teachers at his school in Southbank, whose
encouragement and support eventually led to a scholarship at
Middlesbrough art college when Robert was 16.
Robert began his
scholarship in 1955, but this was to be cut short by the death of
his father, and Robert left to find work locally as a lithographic
artist.
He remained at the
printing factory for ten years, and it was during this time that
Robert became interested in a career in the comics industry.
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Robert (age 14) pictured in his art classroom at school
in South Bank, Middlesbrough in 1953, with one of his early competition pieces. |
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D.C.Thomson &
Co. Ltd. (1964-1972)
Robert began sending
examples of his work (his own ideas for cartoon characters) to comic
publishers, and in 1964 his work was accepted.
Between 1964 and 1972
Robert ‘ghosted’ several cartoon strips for D.C.Thomsons, including:
Little Plum; Roger the
Dodger; Lord Snooty; Grandpa, Esky Mo; and Captain Cutler.
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Captain Cutler and his Butler, for the SPARKY 1969
(left)
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Fleetway
(IPC). (1972-1985)
In the early
1970’s Robert was impressed by a new style of cartoon artwork
published by Fleetway, and began working freelance in 1972,
initially ‘ghosting’ strips such as ‘Hire-A-Horror’ and ‘Ivor Lott &
Tony Broke’.
During the 13 years that Bob worked for Fleetway, he ‘ghosted’
several popular strips and went on to create some classics of his
own, such as ‘Kid Kong’ and ‘Gums’. One of Robert’s own favourites
was ‘Frankie Stein’ which he re-styled from Ken Reid’s original
work. Robert’s ‘cuter’ version of Frankie was very popular with the
readership and appeared regularly on the front covers of Fleetway
Annuals and Specials.
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Frankie Stein Cover for Whoopee Book 1976 (left). Kid Kong Cover for
Monster Fun Annual 1977
(right)
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Between 1972 and
1985 Robert’s cartoon artwork for Fleetway included:
Hire-A-Horror;
Ivor Lott & Tony Broke; Frankie Stein; Soggy the Sea-monster; Lolly
Pop; King Arthur & his Frights of the Round Table; Fun Fear; Kid Kong;
Gums; Super Steve; Elephant on the Run; Laser Eraser; Stage School;
Kid King; Ossie the Ostrich; Shipwreck School; Family Trees; Creepy
Comix; and Clumsy Colin.
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D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. (1985-2002)
In 1985 Robert
returned to D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd and worked for them exclusively
until his death in 2002. During this period Robert continued to draw
popular characters such as Lord Snooty, Korky the Cat and Beryl the
Peril. He also created his own ‘Ivy the Terrible’ who remains popular
today.
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During 1985 and 2002
Robert produced a prolific amount of cartoon artwork for D.C.Thomson &
Co. Ltd including:
Lord Snooty;
Korky the Cat; Grandpa; Polar Blair; Willie Fixit; Beryl the Peril;
Roger the Dodger; True Brit; Geezer; Oor Wullie; Yeti; Desperate Dan;
Roger & Ivy; The 3 Bears; and Korky & the Kits.
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Ivy the Terrible was introduced in the BEANO in 1985 (above left). Roger the Dodger appearing in the BEANO (above
right).
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| Robert Nixon
contributed to the cartoon industry in the UK for more than 35 years.
An exhibition of his cartoon and fine-art has been organised by his
family as a tribute to him and we hope that his work continues to give
pleasure and inspiration to adults and children alike for many years
to come. Click here for more details of
the 2008 'no boundaries' exhibition.
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Robert working in his studio at home in Guisborough in 1986
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