EXTRACTS: The Art of Commando (illustrators special) © 2019 The Book Palace (144 PAGES in Full edition)

57 in one. Each was recorded. This is no fairy-tale. He won one of the major golfing trophies at Carnousti on which some splendid names are inscribed. But Chic died when he was 63 still in harness. Commando was his baby and he said to me, “How would you like to do some samples for us, Gordon?” And I said, “OK I’ll try that” and after much humming and hawing they said, “Yeah OK! We’ll give you a wee try” So they did. After a few weeks and doing two books in the office, I said to Chic, ”How would you feel about me going home to work?” Oh my God! Hands were held up in horror, because the only other guys going home to work were Dudley Watkins of Oor Wullie and Broons fame and a guy called Dean Walker, who I didn’t know, he worked on the other side. There were two separate art departments. There was one with John Leng and one with DCThomson, which was on the other side of a large graveyard. And I said to them, “What about if I can go home?”, I think they were frightened that I was going to swing the lead. But I said, “No honestly, I will give of my best”. So I was told when I started, that there will be a six month probationary period. OK? So after forty years I was summoned into the presence of the company chairman, Mr Brian Thomson, to receive my gold watch for forty years service. He said to me, “Have you got anything to ask me, Gordon?” And I said, “Well I do in fact”, and I told him about this probationary period thing. And I said, “Can I take it I’ve served my probationary period, because