John McLusky

John McLusky
Born	Hector John McLusky 20 January 1923 Glasgow
Died	5 September 2006 (aged 83)
Nationality	British
Area(s)	artist
Notable works	James Bond

John McLusky (20 January 1923 – 5 September 2006) was a comics artist best known as the original artist of the comic strip featuring Ian Fleming's James Bond.

Biography

Hector John Dewhirst McLusky, with his two brothers and parents, moved from Leeds to Leamington Spa in 1936. John (also known as Hector) attended Warwick School from 1936 to 1940, and, after a period back in Leeds, proceeded to the Slade School of Art.

John McLusky's rendition of James Bond

McLusky began illustrating the comic strip adaptation of James Bond for the Daily Express. From 1958 to 1966, McLusky adapted 13 of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels or short stories.

After Yaroslav Horak had taken over the James Bond strip, McLusky drew Secret Agent 13 for Fleetway. For the magazine TV Comic McLusky illustrated several strips over 15 years, notably Look and Learn and strip adaptations for Laurel & Hardy, and the Pink Panther. In 1982 McLusky returned to illustrate the James Bond strip, collaborating with writer Jim Lawrence to illustrate four new original James Bond stories.

John McLusky continued other work throughout his career – including substitute teaching and work as a puppeteer on Bournemouth pier. He continued this other work because at one stage he had almost lost the ability to speak due to his isolation from other human beings.

James Bond strips

Art by John McLusky

Title	Writer	Date	Serial no.
Casino Royale	Anthony Hern	7 July – 13 December 1958	1-138
Live and Let Die	Henry Gammidge0	15 December 1958 – 28 March 1959	139-225
Moonraker	Henry Gammidge	3 March – 8 August 1959	226-339
Diamonds Are Forever	Henry Gammidge	10 August 1959 – 30 January 1960	340-487
From Russia, with Love	Henry Gammidge	1 February – 21 May 1960	488-583
Dr. No	Peter O'Donnell	23 May – 1 October 1960	584-697
Goldfinger	Henry Gammidge0	3 October 1960 – 1 April 1961	698-849
Risico	Henry Gammidge	3 April – 24 June 1961	850-921
From a View to a Kill	Henry Gammidge	26 June – 9 September 1961	922-987
For Your Eyes Only	Henry Gammidge	11 September – 9 December 19610	988-1065
Thunderball	Henry Gammidge	11 December 1961 – 10 February 1962	1066–1128
On Her Majesty's Secret Service0	Henry Gammidge	29 June 1964 – 15 May 1965	1-274
You Only Live Twice	Henry Gammidge	17 May 1965 – 8 January 1966	275-475

Other work

• The Paradise Plot (1981-1982)
• Deathmask (1982–1983)
• Flittermouse (1983)
• Polestar (1983)
• The Scent Of Danger (1984)

External links

• John McLusky biography on Lambiek Comiclopedia
• John McLusky's artwork