GIL PAGE - R.I.P.

GIL PAGE on the right, with DAVE HUNT on far left and
BARRIE TOMLINSON centre - from EAGLE Annual 1983

Saddened to learn (via STEVE HOLLAND's blog)

that former managing editor of IPC's Youth Group, GIL

PAGE passed away a few days ago, aged 79.  Back when IPC

were in the process of selling their comics and mags (except for

SHOOT!) to the infamous ROBERT MAXWELL, I visited Gil

in his KING'S REACH TOWER office one day to arrange a

renewal of my ID card, so that I continued to have access to

my 26th floor desk on my weekly trips to London.

You see, I usually arrived in the city around 6 a.m. and

the Youth Group's new offices (IRWIN HOUSE, just along

the road) didn't open until 8 or 8.80 a.m.  I'd have had to wan-

der the streets for a couple of hours if Gil hadn't arranged for me

to be able to use the Tower as a drop-in point until Irwin House

opened for 'business'.  Gil was extremely affable and there was no

haughty attitude that many people in exalted positions can often

display towards the 'little people'.  He even asked me whether

I'd like a tea or coffee and actually made me feel as if

I were important.  A genuinely nice man.

A few good few years ago, I asked him if he'd write a

reminiscence of his time in comics, which was intended for

publication in the U.K. comics fanzine The ILLUSTRATED

COMIC JOURNAL.  When that esteemed organ disappeared,

I was left feeling guilty that, after him taking the time and trouble

at my request, Gil's article would never be seen.  Thank goodness

for CRIKEY!'s arrival on the scene, because I gave Gil's piece

to them, and it appeared in, I think, their fifth issue.  Gil even

supplied me with a photo of himself (at my request) to ac-

company the article.  I believe he was quietly proud to

finally see the fruits of his labour in print.

(One drawback was that Crikey! failed to turn off its

spellchecker option when retyping the article, and several

names were 'corrected' to something resembling their 'true'

state, but not quite.  (GEOFF CHAMPION for example,

instead of CAMPION.)  Gil wasn't as bothered by this

as I was 'though, and just laughed it off.)

Gil was a man who did a lot for British comics, al-

though most readers probably never heard of him.  It's a

shame he's gone, and 'though I didn't know him well or could

be regarded as one of his friends, he had that enviable quality

of making you feel as if you were, even on a brief and passing

acquaintance.  Criv-ites may be interested to learn that Gil

was editor of the revamped SMASH! (to name but one),

which recently concluded its cover gallery feature

on this humble blog of mine.

Condolences to Gil's family and friends, and I'll

always recall that sunny day in London when Gil made a

Scottish stranger feel welcome, and more important than

 he had a right to.  Thanks, Gil - and rest in peace.

Posted in: Cartoons