Brian Lewis (illustrator)
Encyclopedia
Brian Moncrieff Lewis was a British science fiction illustrator, comics artist and animator.
Lewis served in the RAF, and became involved in science fiction fandom
in the early 1950s. His first professional illustration was for the Radio Times
, and he began contributing to New Worlds
in 1954, painting forty covers for the magazine. He also painted 21 covers for Science Fantasy
, 19 for Science Fiction Adventures
and a few for Digit Books between 1957 and 1962. His work was characterised by strong colours laid on thickly, and was influenced by surrealists
Paul Klee
and Max Ernst
and illustrator Richard Powers
.
His first work in comics was the strip "Magna Carta" for Lone Star in 1959. In the early 1960s he drew adventure strips "Jet Ace Logan", "The Suicide Six", "Paddy Ryan", "Memorable Moments in Sport" and "The Destroyer from the Depths" for Tiger, "Captain Condor" for Lion, "John Brody" and "Brett Million" for Boys' World
, "Planet Z" for Hurricane, and "The Guinea Pig" and "Mann of Battle" for Eagle
. He also used a more cartoony style to draw "Pest of the West" and "Georgie's Germs" in Wham!, and "Space Jinx" and "Charlie's Choice" for Smash.
Around 1966 he moved into animation, working on films such as Yellow Submarine
. In the late 1960s and 70s he drew TV adaptations for TV21, Countdown and TV Action, and horror adaptations for Dez Skinn
's House of Hammer, which led to a strip, written by Cary Bates
, for Warren Publishing
's Vampirella
in the USA. He also continued his cartoonier work with "Tomboy" in Cor!!
and Buster and "Les Dawson
is Superflop" in Look-in
. In 1978 he had a brief stint on "Dan Dare
" in 2000 AD, drew a strip in a Van Der Valk
annual, and produced some technical illustrations for Harry Harrison
's book Mechanismo. He died on 4 December 1978. His final published work appeared in The Wall of Years by Andrew M. Stephenson in 1979.
Lewis served in the RAF, and became involved in science fiction fandom
Fandom
Fandom is a term used to refer to a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of sympathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest...
in the early 1950s. His first professional illustration was for the Radio Times
Radio Times
Radio Times is a UK weekly television and radio programme listings magazine, owned by the BBC. It has been published since 1923 by BBC Magazines, which also provides an on-line listings service under the same title...
, and he began contributing to New Worlds
New Worlds (magazine)
New Worlds was a British science fiction magazine which was first published professionally in 1946. For 25 years it was widely considered the leading science fiction magazine in Britain, publishing 201 issues up to 1971...
in 1954, painting forty covers for the magazine. He also painted 21 covers for Science Fantasy
Science Fantasy (magazine)
Science Fantasy, which also appeared under the titles Impulse and SF Impulse, was a British fantasy and science fiction magazine, launched in 1950 by Nova Publications as a companion to Nova's New Worlds. Walter Gillings was editor for the first two issues, and was then replaced by John Carnell,...
, 19 for Science Fiction Adventures
Science Fiction Adventures (British magazine)
Science Fiction Adventures was a British digest-size science fiction magazine, published from 1958 to 1963 by Nova Publications as a companion to New Worlds and Science Fantasy. It was edited by John Carnell...
and a few for Digit Books between 1957 and 1962. His work was characterised by strong colours laid on thickly, and was influenced by surrealists
Surrealism
Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for the visual artworks and writings of the group members....
Paul Klee
Paul Klee
Paul Klee was born in Münchenbuchsee, Switzerland, and is considered both a German and a Swiss painter. His highly individual style was influenced by movements in art that included expressionism, cubism, and surrealism. He was, as well, a student of orientalism...
and Max Ernst
Max Ernst
Max Ernst was a German painter, sculptor, graphic artist, and poet. A prolific artist, Ernst was one of the primary pioneers of the Dada movement and Surrealism.-Early life:...
and illustrator Richard Powers
Richard Powers
Richard Powers is an American novelist whose works explore the effects of modern science and technology.- Life and work :...
.
His first work in comics was the strip "Magna Carta" for Lone Star in 1959. In the early 1960s he drew adventure strips "Jet Ace Logan", "The Suicide Six", "Paddy Ryan", "Memorable Moments in Sport" and "The Destroyer from the Depths" for Tiger, "Captain Condor" for Lion, "John Brody" and "Brett Million" for Boys' World
Boys' World
Boys' World was a boys' comic published in the UK. It ran for 89 issues in 1963 and 1964 before merging with the Eagle.-External links:*...
, "Planet Z" for Hurricane, and "The Guinea Pig" and "Mann of Battle" for Eagle
Eagle (comic)
Eagle was a seminal British children's comic, first published from 1950 to 1969, and then in a relaunched format from 1982 to 1994. It was founded by Marcus Morris, an Anglican vicar from Lancashire. Morris edited a parish magazine called The Anvil, but felt that the church was not communicating...
. He also used a more cartoony style to draw "Pest of the West" and "Georgie's Germs" in Wham!, and "Space Jinx" and "Charlie's Choice" for Smash.
Around 1966 he moved into animation, working on films such as Yellow Submarine
Yellow Submarine (film)
Yellow Submarine is a 1968 animated musical fantasy film based on the music of The Beatles. It is also the title for the film's soundtrack album, released as part of The Beatles' music catalogue. The film was directed by animation producer George Dunning, and produced by United Artists and King...
. In the late 1960s and 70s he drew TV adaptations for TV21, Countdown and TV Action, and horror adaptations for Dez Skinn
Dez Skinn
Derek "Dez" Skinn is a British comic and magazine editor, and author of a number of books on comics. As head of Marvel Comics' operations in England in the late 1970s, Skinn reformatted existing titles, launched new ones, and acquired the BBC license for Doctor Who Weekly...
's House of Hammer, which led to a strip, written by Cary Bates
Cary Bates
Cary Bates is an American comic book, animation television and film writer.-Biography:Bates began submitting ideas for comic book covers to DC Comics at the age of 13, and a number of them were bought and published, the first as the cover to Superman #167...
, for Warren Publishing
Warren Publishing
Warren Publishing was an American magazine company founded by James Warren, who published his first magazines in 1957 and continued in the business for decades...
's Vampirella
Vampirella
Vampirella is a fictional character, a comic book vampire heroine created by Forrest J Ackerman and costume designer Trina Robbins in Warren Publishing's black-and-white horror comics magazine Vampirella #1 . Writer-editor Archie Goodwin later developed the character from horror-story hostess, in...
in the USA. He also continued his cartoonier work with "Tomboy" in Cor!!
Cor!!
Cor!!, a British comic book Was launched in June 1970 by IPC , their sixth new comic in just over a year. Cor!! was edited by Bob Paynter....
and Buster and "Les Dawson
Les Dawson
Leslie "Les" Dawson was a popular English comedian remembered for his deadpan style, curmudgeonly persona and jokes about his mother-in-law and wife.-Life and career:...
is Superflop" in Look-in
Look-in
Look-in was a long running children's magazine centred around ITV's television programmes in the United Kingdom, and subtitled "The Junior TVTimes". It ran from 9 January 1971 to 12 March 1994...
. In 1978 he had a brief stint on "Dan Dare
Dan Dare
Dan Dare is a British science fiction comic hero, created by illustrator Frank Hampson who also wrote the first stories, that is, the Venus and Red Moon stories, and a complete storyline for Operation Saturn...
" in 2000 AD, drew a strip in a Van Der Valk
Van der Valk
Van der Valk is a British television series that was produced by Thames Television for the ITV network. It starred Barry Foster in the title role as Dutch detective Commissaris "Piet" van der Valk...
annual, and produced some technical illustrations for Harry Harrison
Harry Harrison
Harry Harrison is an American science fiction author best known for his character the Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! , the basis for the film Soylent Green...
's book Mechanismo. He died on 4 December 1978. His final published work appeared in The Wall of Years by Andrew M. Stephenson in 1979.