Jon Haward

It gives me great pleasure to introduce you guys to a good mate of mine in the comics industry, who is taking over the role here on the Guest Artist Page vacated by John Ridgway, who's work is now residing inside the new Hall of Fame.

Jon Haward was born in Norwich, Norfolk in the nineteen-sixties. As a child, Jon grew up reading comics filled with great art. The main artists to attract Jon's eye were: Frank Bellamy ,Don Lawrence , Ron Embleton, Frank Hampson, Mike Western, Mike Noble, Martin Asbury, John M. Burns, Brian Lewis, Dave Gibbons, Jack Kirby, John Buscema, John Romita, Frank Frazetta, Neal Adams, Frank Miller, Gene Colan, Gil Kane. It was looking at the work of these artists that made Jon decide to take up drawing.

Following his schooldays he completed a graphic design course at Lowestoft College. After a spell of being an illustrator and designer in an advertising and marketing firm based in Norwich, he decided to go freelance. When he was trying to start his career in comics Alan Grant and David Lloyd very kindly gave him advice that helped to pave his way into the field.

His first big break in comics was drawing Dan Dare, which came after receiving help from David Pugh, who had recommended he sent in work to the editors of the new Eagle comic, after seeing his work at a comics convention. 

Over the years he has worked for children's books, joke books, activity packs, comic books, newspaper strips, cards games, board games, computer game character design, story boards for films and posters, including one to promote groups. He has also drawn religious illustrations for cards and illustrated album covers and for musicals.

He has created characters for advertising companies, banks, children's books and comic books. These include: Stripy and Curly, Victor Vampire, Bony Skeleton, Shock Hockey, Shag, produced for Smut comic, Chip the Plate Man, Sid Sausage, Donna Disco, Mighty Metro, World Saver, Fit Club 5.

I first met Jon at one of the UKCAC comics conventions back in the middle nineties. I was immediately drawn to the varied styles he adopted for different companies, genres and age groups, which was something similar to my approach to comic books. We hit off straight away and have been good buddies ever since. We have worked together on several projects over the ensuing years and he is a joy to ink.

In 1997 he held his first, highly successful, one-man-art-exhibition in Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK, where on show was a great variety of his artwork, including a huge fully painted Hulk illustration, which Jon had created the frame for, and in such a way, as it looked like the Hulk was smashing out of the frame, like on a traditional looking comic book cover.