This is the first Dan Dare collection I've edited for Titan Books, comprising work by Frank Hampson, Frank Bellamy and Don Harley.
Superb World War 1 strip first published in Battle and another collection edited by me for Titan
Rok Comics Creators: Rich Diesslin First Published: 14 March 2008
Rich Diesslin is the creator and cartoonist of the
KNOTS or Not (or KNOTS) scouting cartoons and a cartoonist for the London's Times Cartoons.
He is the author and cartoonist of The
Cartoon Gospel of John, ACTA Publications, and The
Cartoon Ten Commandments. He is the cartoonist of A
Journey Through Christian Theology, published by Fortress Press,
and companion A Journey Through Christian Theology
Color Cartoons CD.
Questions compiled by David Hailwood
How did you discover Rok Comics?
I believe my first contact was a message sent to me on myspace
[It was - ROK Comics has a MySpace
page - Ed]. That took me to the web site
and thought that it sounded like a really good idea.
How do you feel about Digital comics over Print based
comics?
I create in Photoshop, so the digital part doesn't bother me at all. ROK seems like an opportunity to see what the new media will bring. I still prefer to read things on paper, but the way the newspaper industry is headed leaves little to be desired for cartoonists.
What's your greatest achievement in the comics field?
I've had several books published and am just now starting
to get more active networking with other creators. Quite a lot of my cartoons
are available on merchandise now, which is helping to provide some income.
Also, it was a really great feeling to be a finalist in the ROK
Comics cartoon contest last year.
What projects (both Rok Comics and
non Rok Comics related) are you working on at the moment?
I'm currently working on Out-to-Lunch and Religious
Light. Both are fun looks at life in general, with the latter having a religious slant to it.
What advice would you offer to new cartoonists?
Love what you do, do what you love. Don't give up your day job (unless you can )!
What's your favourite comics related website?
Other than ROK Comics, I find The
Daily Cartoonist blog is very good for keeping up with cartooning in the United States.
Where else has your work appeared?
Books, local newspapers, magazines, greeting cards and my web site (www.the-cartoonist.com).
Where/when did you get your first comics break?
In 1990 my first book, The
Cartoon Gospel, was published by a small press. Since then, I've had
two other books published by mainline publishers as well as my freelance
work.
What comics are you reading at the moment (both web and
print based)?
