Misty: 45 Years of Fear: The Essential Collection

Gothic horror, startling science fiction and the occult collide in this essential collection of cult British comics classic Misty! 

"The most peculiar, imaginative and challenging work in British comics " -The New Statesman

In 1978 British comics were changed forever with the release of Misty, the classic cult horror comic for girls. Masterminded by Pat Mills, the original editor of 2000 AD, this weekly comic featured the best comics talent working on haunting, terrifying tales. From high 70s glamour to chilling stories that have haunted readers for decades, this Essential Collection curates the creepiest, campest Misty serials and short stories alongside critical essays, in a volume perfect for readers old and new.

Shirley began working on comics in the 1950s, with her first work believed to be on C Arthur Pearson’s Glamour Library. She would go on to draw story pages for titles such as Mirabelle, Romeo, Roxy and Valentine. Unusually, her name sometimes appeared on this early work, indicating the esteem in which she was held. From the 1970s onwards she drew for the new wave of girls comics such as Sally, Jinty and – of course – Misty. She created the character of Misty and drew her throughout the comic’s run. Outside of comics, Shirley was a highly respected portrait painter who took commissions from MPs, lords and celebrities. She provided illustrations for a large number of children’s books, as well as several books for the Folio Society. She trained at Leeds College of Art and held major exhibitions with the Royal Portrait Society. Shirley’s portraits contain a real sense of character and she was particularly skilled at painting children and animals, which she pursued further when she moved out of London in later life. Shirley died on 1 February 2016 in hospital in Worcester, aged 84.

Pat Mills is the creator and first editor of 2000 AD. He developed Judge Dredd and is the writer-creator of many of 2000 AD’s most popular stories such as Sláine, Nemesis and A.B.C. Warriors. Amongst his credits are Marshal Law (Marvel and DC Comics), co-created with Kevin O’Neill, the French graphic novel series Requiem, Vampire Knight with artist Olivier Ledroit, and Be Pure! Be Vigilant! Behave! The Secret History of 2000 AD and Judge Dredd. His current projects include Joe Pineapples: Tin Man, illustrated by Simon Bisley and Clint Langley, Spacewarp, and Kiss My Axe! The Secret History of Sláine the Warped Warrior.

Malcolm Shaw began his career in journalism with D C Thomson, Dundee, in the mid 60s. He became chief sub editor on Red Star Weekly before he left in 1968 to work in London. For the next four years he worked at City Magazines on Men Only, Parade, Go Girl and Provincial Press Features as a features writer. He also wrote comedy sketches for an agency. He went for a job as editor of Romance and My Story and the interviewer asked him to spell “mantelpiece.” He spelt it correctly and was given the job. In 1972 he joined the Girls’ Adventure Group at IPC Magazines, subbing and writing on various comics and Mates, teenage romantic fiction. He became editor of the revamped Mirabelle in 1977 and stayed with the paper until it folded. In 1979 he became freelance working on Girl, Tammy, 2000 AD, Princess, Tina (Holland), Saint (Sweden), Jackie, Blue Jeans and Misty. He was probably best remembered as editor of Misty – a popular girls’ mystery comic which proved popular with all the family. Malcolm wrote many Misty stories. In 1980 he moved to Barcelona for a year with his partner and two sons. Many of the artists who worked for the girls’ comics e.g. Blas Gallego, Jose Canovas, Santiago Hernandez, Rafael Busom, lived in Barcelona and they became firm friends. He returned to London in 1981 and shortly before his death he was helping develop BEEB – a new children’s magazine based on BBC TV programmes – for Polystyle Publications. He died the day before his 38th birthday.

John Armstrong was a British comics artist best known as the co-creator of Tammy’s Bella at the Bar. He worked for many of the girls titles, starting in the 1950s, with his work appearing in Girl’s Crystal, School Friend, Misty, Tammy, as well as DC Thomson’s Bunty. For Misty, he drew the iconic serial Moonchild. He died in 2018, aged 94.

Jaume Rumeu Perera was born in 1930 in Catalonia. He began drawing comics in 1952 when he signed to the art agency Creaciones Editorial, under the name Romeo, and debuting on the comic Johnny el Temerario (Johnny the Daredevil). A master of multiple genres, he drew science fiction, adventure, espionage, sports and romance comics and during his forty year comics career his work was published across Europe. In the UK he worked primarily romance and girls’ comics, adopting the pseudonym Homero in the late 1960s. For DC Thomson he drew Susette for Cherie and Juliette for Romeo, and for IPC, he drew comics for Tammy, Jinty and Misty. His work for Misty includes such iconic stories as The Black Widow, Spider Woman and The Loneliest Girl in the World. As the comics market shrank in the 1980s, he continued to draw comics across the continent, such as football comics for DC Thomson and horse comics for the Swedish and Dutch market. He retired from drawing comics in 1992, and died in 2003.