James Redington was the third and final host of The Panel @ SBC: he brought energy back to the feature when the previous host was burnt out; he pioneered The Panel Live at the Bristol Comic Expo; he introduced new creators to answer your questions.
He was, of course, much more than this - reviewer for SBC, editor/writer/publisher for Portent Comics, film-maker, and Superman's Biggest Fan (with apologies to that other James).
He loved comics, he communicated his love of comics to hundreds of people - there are few people in the industry who promoted quality books to readers as well as he did, and his premature departure from this mortal coil in early July is a sad loss personally, and for the industry.
The thoughts of all our contributors and everyone at SBC goes to his family. We'll miss him.
- Craig Johnson, SBC Senior Editor
I first met James at a UK comic convention in 2003. It was at a time when I was very new to the world of publishing and, indeed, the British comic book industry -- which, for most, James was at the forefront of in so many ways.
I know for a fact that James supported every UK publisher both big and small, which ultimately resulted in James owning and running his very own comic book publishing outfit, Portent Comics. Surely, if he could channel as much energy into his own business as he did other companies it would be just as good. And it was.
His own creation, Elite, was his dream, his baby -- and thanks to Harry at Markosia Elite saw print as a back up story and distributed to thousands of readers around the world. I know for a fact that James was overjoyed with this and as soon as the book was printed he ordered a handful of copies just to hand out to family and friends. In his moment of triumph, James was a very generous human being.
It was only a few weeks ago when I bumped into James at the London Comic Expo, if I knew then what I knew today I would've spent more time with him. I'll never regret that though, as over the past four and a bit years we've exchanged much banter on e-mail -- more than enough gossip to fill the yellow pages. We even shared a dinner table at 2006's Eagle Awards, talking about the industry and how we'd like to change it for the better. James was a great guy. He never had anything bad to say about anyone. His hard work, enthusiasm and integrity should be an inspiration to all that will follow in his footsteps.
James, RIP, buddy. You'll be sadly missed.
- Richard Emms
James was always on top of things -- and if riding herd on the opinions and ideas of comic-book crazies wasn't a feat, then there is no such thing.
Ride on, James.
- Donna Barr
I first had contact with James via The Panel and we had some funny correspondence around the subject matter and James' geekyness over Superman.
James enjoyed a laugh and when we later met up at the Bristol Comic Expos I found that he also had a great sense of humour in person.
James had big plans for Portent Comics, his comic company, and at this year's Expo he outlined his plans for the future. He'd taken the big step of becoming a Sole Trader and I was working on a series of interviews with James and his creators to push Portent.
A couple of weeks ago I spoke to James and he was all fired up. Portent Comics WAS going to succeed and I believe that it would have been a success -something the UK Independent comic scene needed; new blood.
As you get older you expect to lose friends in your own circle and age group, but when someone dies this young, it's a kick in the guts. Whether running SBCB's The Panel online or at the Comic Expo, James was clearly having fun.
That's how I'll remember James Redington: having fun doing what he loved the most -- talking comics and publishing them. But my thoughts go to his family who lost much more.
- Terry Hooper - Black Tower CG
I am really taken back at this news... I was just talking to James recently about working together on Elite and he was doing two interviews with me. The comics business is a tough one and I am saddened that we've lost one of the rising stars.
I've known James for a long time and when I look back at our relationship, I am able to smile because I know with certainty he was doing what he loved. I will never forget his integrity, his incredible positive attitude and his passion for comics. You will be missed...and remembered.
- Sean O'Reilly - Arcana Studios
If it's true that only the good die young, then James is a shining example. Working with him on THE PANEL was reward enough, but the fact that he created a forum where each week, several comics professionals answered fans' questions was and is unparalleled in today's comic blogosphere.
He will be greatly missed, although he'd already moved on from THE PANEL. More sadly, If there's anything more tragic than the death of a young parent who doesn't get to watch his child grow up, it's a child who loses his daddy and doesn't have their guiding hand while facing life's trials and tribulations.
Hopefully, James' little one will someday take the time to read ROB & DUCKY, THE PANEL, other works and films, and take solace in the fact that while James was on this earth, he did good.
- Jesse Leon McCann
I would like to extend my condolences to James' family and friends. It is always difficult to know what to say in times like this. But my sincerest hope is that we can take a small lesson from James his enthusiasm for comics and appreciation of its creators and fans can surely teach us something. Thank you James.
James supported me and gave me my first interview and I won't forget that!!! Thanks again James!!
- Tim Kane
I didn't know James Redington very well but certainly well enough to call him my friend. We first met a few years ago at one of the Bristol Expos and I was immediately struck by his incredible enthusiasm and "can do" attitude.
He was soon channelling his energies and talents into his own indy publishing concern - Portent Comics - enthusing everyone around him with his ideas and passion. He was amazingly prolific, banging out new titles left, right and centre, many of them written by him and in a wealth of genres.
It was impossible not to be impressed, and my wallet was always a little lighter after a visit to the Portent table! Between conventions we'd keep in touch via email, usually to see what new projects the other had got on and to compare notes about the comics-related events we'd recently attended.
Oddly enough, I'd emailed James only a few hours before finding out about his death (I was angling for a plug for one of my books in his new SBC column). One of those strange coincidences, I guess.
The British indy comics scene is going to be considerably poorer without James in it. He was a really lovely fella and I never met anyone with a bad word to say about him. Likewise, I never heard him say a bad word about anyone else. He had everyone's respect, admiration and love.
James' passing at the age of 28 has been a terrible shock. I looked at my own two beautiful sons this morning and wondered how on earth I'd find the strength to carry on if anything happened to either of them. I can only imagine then the torment James' parents are going through right now. For what it's worth, I offer them my sincerest condolences.
- Andy Winter
In this world I always wondered about if there were any good guys anymore but James proved there are. He never judged me and always believed in me, when you’re climbing that ladder not everyone is willing to offer others a step onto it, but he always did - and he did it with a smile.
James, I'm proud to have called you my friend and you will be missed deeply. You’re the only one who gave me a chance to be something in this industry. The words 'thank you' don't seem strong enough for the things you have done but right now it's all I can muster.
Take care my friend you're among the stars now, high up in the sky, where the heavens sigh. I know you won't be looking down right into my eyes, because you will be standing there, by my side. The rise of the sun and the sombre smile from the moon reminds me that I'll be in your company soon.
– Jag
It's not often that you encounter someone in this life who carries such an unbridled enthusiasm for something that you just can't help but get excited about whatever it is they're talking about during your conversations.
It's even better when those talks are about something you already love: comics.
While we certainly don't benefit from people finding new, clever ways to criticize and tear down this industry, we desperately need more people who work diligently every day to enthusiastically build it up, one positive brick at a time.
Luckily, for me, James Redington was one of those positive, enthusiastic souls that I called friend. Our conversations were always enjoyable, exciting and sincere. His love of life, comics and storytelling came out in between the lines, and spoke far louder than words ever could.
While everyone buzzes about the death of Captain America, a real life hero, James Redington has been taken from us. And we'll all be the worse for the loss.
God bless you, James, you'll be missed.
-Mike Bullock
James was one of the very first people to get behind me as a creator. Right from my first correspondences with him via email, through to meeting and socialising with him at conventions, he was enthusiastic, friendly and just, well, nice.
I owe James a lot, and it pains me that I'll never get the chance to repay him. We've lost a great guy, at an unjustly early age, and my heartfelt condolences and sympathies go out to all those he's left behind.
Cheers, James, you'll be sadly missed, buddy.
- Jack Lawrence
I can't remember any Bristol show when James was not there, his love of comics and the support to fellow indie creators will be sadly missed by so many.
We can't underestimate his input to the industry, his willingness to host panels at Bristol for us was fantastic.
In fact I can't recall him ever saying no to any request we made on his time!
A top man and superb comics creator whose time spent on Earth was far too short.
Our thoughts with all family and friends who are many.
Mike & Dave - Bristol Comic Expo
James loved comics, and everything to do with comics. To this end he created his own, one of which we had the pleasure of publishing as a back story in one of our titles. 'Elite' was a quirky colourful take on superheroes, and a fun read.
He had lots of exciting ideas which he was determined to publish, and was regularly seen at conventions showing people the creations from his company, Portent Comics.
Such was his determination that it was only a matter of time when success would arrive. James was incredibly supportive of the underdog, and his support and enthusiasm for our books was fantastic.
I'll always look at Elite and think fondly of the man who created it.
We would like to extend our deepest condolences to James's family and friends. James, you will be sorely be missed.
- Harry Markos, AAM/Markosia Enterprises
Well here's one piece I thought I would never have to write. James Redington my publisher at Portent Comics and more importantly my mate passed away last week at the youthful age of 28.
I am 56 years old and death is no stranger to me. I've already outlived lots of friends, family members, and people who were my inspiration creatively and everyone of their passings hurt even if they had lived to a ripe old age and accomplished all that they wanted to on the earth but it is always the passing of the young ones that moves me the most. James's was one such exit it came out of nowhere and hit me like a ball peen hammer.
I knew him for a year and in that time he published a comic book by my company Aggressive Studios called Uncle Tickle which was no small feat in and of itself. Uncle Tickle is an extremely violent, vulgar, and funny book and James not only published it but he loved it too. He adored horror movies as much as everyone in my studio does and so he was constantly daring us to make Uncle Tickle even more violent and to pull no punches with our humor.
After seeing the first issue he sent me a cheeky note taunting me to make the next issue even weirder and with a larger body count and he egged us on with the idea that if we didn't do just that then he would have to write such a story himself to show us how it was done. Luckily he was more than satisfied with what we did with issue number two.
Actually he was flabbergasted and wrote a funny email to that effect to me. During the last year of James's life he got to read way ahead on what we had planned for Uncle Tickle he saw the art to number two done and read the detailed synopsis's to the next several issues too, which he really seemed to dig. He was also enthusiastic about an outline we were working up for a Uncle Tickle movie.
One of the last things we forwarded to him was the last chapter of a prose novel we are starting about the character that he may or may not have had time to look at. Another Uncle Tickle project we were talking to him about was something we were tentatively calling Show Me Your Uncle Tickle in which each member of our creative team would go off and with no input from the others and would write a solo prose story about our serial killing clown. Since we considered James a member of our creative team we wanted him to write one too and I bet it would have been really good if he had done one.
Which brings me to my next point. James was a very talented creator in his own right too. He produced some really cool comic books under his own byline and it was because he understood exactly what was involved in doing such labors that he was such an excellent publisher to work for. James was right on the cusp of breaking out hard. My own Aggressive Studios which includes the horror director David Todd Ocvirk, and the well-known critic and agent Tim Lasiuta, were pressing buttons to get his company noticed in the States and to get his books turned into movies over here too which he really hoped to accomplish. When he passed away we were right in the middle of a couple of very promising deals for him. Hopefully the idea of this dream of his finally coming true made his last days ones full of promise and great hopes for the future.
Like I mentioned before I've lived through lots of people I cared about departing from me. Unfortunately in every case there is always something that went down that wasn't as nice as you would have wanted it to be and this time it is no exception either. While sentimentally reviewing James's last couple of emails last night we discovered to our dismay that we hadn't noticed that one of the last ones he sent had included an attachment that we hadn't some how opened last week when we got it. Normally this wouldn't be any big deal but when we did pop it open we discovered that he had sent us the finished pages to a story of his own great Rob and Ducky characters that my son and I had written a guest script for. James knew in my earliest days I was know as a funny animal guy at Disney and other places like that and he knew I loved his Rob and Ducky books too so he invited Kevin and I to write a guest piece for it and we did and it turned out wonderfully and I wish I could have told him this too while he was still amongst us (oh and by the way I loved the art too and would like to talk to the artist sometime if he is reading this).
What the future of Portent is at this point is anyone's guess. Obviously James would have wanted it to live on and I'm sure it will. Me and my folks want to keep working there if Portent still needs us but I guarantee you it won't be as much fun without my mate James. I mean how could it be and thank God I often got to tell James that he was the best boss I had ever worked for and that Portent was the best company that I had ever been associated with in my twenty years of doing this because it was. But beyond that I will miss the chummy little emails we used to exchange where we chatted like next door neighbors about what our respective families were up to or about Superman which we both loved or most often we would be turning one another on to the latest horror movies we were watching. You know the kind of stuff friends talk about. That won't be happening anymore and you must believe me when I say I will miss it a lot. I'm not ashamed to publicly admit that I think there is an afterlife and the older I get the better it sounds to me. Hopefully I will run into James there and if it is the kind of Heaven I hope it will be we will hit a few horror flicks together at the local cinemas there until then save a good seat for me amigo and rest well until I catch up with you again.
- Ken L. Jones - Aggressive Studios
James was a nice chap, always armed with a fine set of manners and a decent line in conversation. He was way too young and far too pleasant to pass away so soon.
- Frazer Irving
The first time I met James, as I think most people here who actually met him face to face will agree, was at a convention. I think it was the Brighton one a couple of years back.
We'd emailed each other, and I had posted a reply to one of his random questions on Silver Bullet Comic Books' The Panel (this very column you read right now) a couple of times, but this was the first time we met in the flesh.
And the first thing he did was convince me to go on his live panel. he was quite persuasive, I recall. And so I sat with several other industry types including Frazer, Budgie and Daley and talked utter bollocks for about an hour or so.
And the only question I can remember was 'what Super-heroine would you like to shag' or something like that. He smiled when he asked this, grinning as we squirmed. I remember he had a video camera on. Even then he knew how to blackmail. :-)
I jest, of course. Not about the filming - one of his passions was to become a filmmaker, and he was constantly wandering about with camera surgically attached. But in all honesty, James spent his life making sure others were okay. From making sure we were happy on that panel to checking constantly online if our questions were okay, he was a breath of fresh air in a sometimes stagnant industry. And he was making his own headway - Portent Comics were starting to get noticed and he as a writer was pushing forwards.
I don't actually remember spending any time with him in May this year, but my last proper memory of him is at Birmingham last December, sitting with me in the Radisson bar and laughing at extraordinary prices for incredibly small drinks. It was something we never did enough, and we always said we would do more so at the next con. Always the next con.
And of course, that'll never happen now. Although I make a promise now, James - wherever you are - we shall have that drink, my friend. And every person there will raise a glass to you.
It's really weird, but he had become a mainstay of the UK scene without even trying. In an industry where you have to paint your clown face on, step into as many spotlights as you can and dance like a puppet, hoping for all the editors, fans and publishers out there to applaud, James walked through it with dignity and poise. He made a lot of friends in the business and I for one will feel his loss, even though we never spent as much time together as others.
He always used to end his columns with "The views and opinions expressed on the panel are solely those of the panellist who has written them. They do not reflect the views or opinions of silver bullet comic books or myself. Freedom of speech is great, isn't it?"
When it comes to what we think of James Redington, I think that you'll find that the views and opinions expressed here on the panel are not only the opinions of the people writing them, but of many people who read them, of Silver Bullet Comic Books and myself.
God's speed, James. They must have needed a bloody good comic writer up there for you to be taken from us so early.
- Tony Lee
It was with some shock and disbelief that I learned of James' death and it's with an equal disbelief that I've had to accept that I'm not going to see him at another con, nor share a drink with him in the bar.
I'm not sure when I first met James – I know that we'd corresponded for some time by email before I realised that the fella I was emailing was THAT James, the ever-cheerful, always enthusiastic bloke I saw in a dealers' room, or in the front row of a panel… or offering me a scotch.
When I got to know him better, of course, we talked about his work, about Rob & Ducky, about The Panel, for which he kindly gave credit for the inspiration to Hypotheticals… and about comics. Both the online and live versions of The Panel were incredible fun to do, the latter a sheer joy in the main because of James' entirely relaxed moderation.
James had an eagerness and passion for comics that was infectious, and it was impossible to spend time in his company without remembering why you loved the medium of comic books.
If there's any justice, and there's a dictionary of comic books that has a definition for "enthusiasm", it just says "See James Redington."
Rest easy, James.
- Lee "Budgie" Barnett
His will be a noticeable loss - too many cynics in the biz and fan base.
- Pat Sullivan - Diamond Comic Distributors
I'm lost as to where to begin. I guess I'll begin from when I first met James; at the London Comic Expo in 2004. We had just brought out Brodie's Law #1 and James was one of the first people to review it.
You gave it such a positive review and encouraged both myself and David to carry on whatever the obstacle or difficulty we may face.
As time went on James and I became good friends and we spoke regularly about comics, films and the future of both our publishing companies. James was a good friend and I will dearly miss him.
You have gone to a better place. Until we meet again, Take care Jimbo!
My well wishes to David, Robbie and all the family.
- Daley Osiyemi. Creator Brodie's Law
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