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

93 ABOVE: Commando 2543 'Cellar Rats' published February 1992. FACING PAGE: Commando 5053 'Fatherland', one of Ian's most recent covers shows that his art is just as powerful today as it was back in 1968. illustrators he worked with, and was trained by, in his early days and I know that he never stops looking at other illustrators’ work. As I’ve said, he is constantly tweaking his techniques to better deliver his art. It’s a pity in a way that he’s largely associated with aviation art, not because it isn’t good – it is! – but because he can paint and draw so much more. During my time at the helm, I was contacted by a few people asking if I could put them in touch with Ian. Some were fans, some were after private commissions, and yet others were comics editors who had assumed that Ian had completely retired and that all the covers we were using on Commando were reprints. That assumption is quite understandable as Ian’s quality of work has remained constant throughout his working career (and shows no sign of dipping). His familiar use of colour and his stylistic touches are very much the same as they were when he began working in comics. Of course I was happy to pass their details on to Ian who, amongst other things, was given a Judge Dredd cover commission as a result. At about the same juncture, he became aware of and jumped into the world of Comic Cons, starting in Birmingham. As he has regularly appeared at other cons and signings, I think it’s safe to say that he enjoys the experience, despite his genuinely reserved nature. I for