Jump to content

Mark Askwith: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Changing short description from "Canadian producer" to "Canadian producer (born 1956)"
 
(70 intermediate revisions by 49 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Canadian producer (born 1956)}}
⚫
'''Mark Askwith''' (born 1956) is a Canadian producer, writer, interviewer (and sometime-publisher/editor), and a familiar name in the fields of [[science fiction]] and [[comics]].
{{Infobox person
|name = Mark Askwith
|image =
|caption =
|occupation = Producer, writer, interviewer
| education = [[Trinity College, Toronto]]
|nationality = [[Canadians|Canadian]]
|website = https://www.space.ca/
}}
⚫
'''Mark Askwith''' (born April 6, 1956) is a Canadian producer, writer, interviewer (and sometime-publisher/editor), and a familiar name in the fields of [[science fiction]] and [[comics]].


==Early life==
==Early life==


Askwith was born into a military household on [[April 6]] [[1956]]. His family moved about before settling in [[Ottawa, Canada]], when he was 6. Here, Askwith's mother subsequently ran a children's bookstore called the Bookery, through which he was able to gain access to a wide range of literature. He cites this exposure to all forms of literature - in particular a [[Tintin]] album (''[[Explorers on the Moon]]'') aged 4 and a "stash of superhero comics" aged 7 - as a "pivotal event" in his young life, which clearly deeply imbued in him considerable enjoyment of such genres and titles.
Askwith was born into a military household on April 6, 1956. His family moved about before settling in [[Ottawa|Ottawa, Ontario]], when he was six years old. Here, Askwith's mother subsequently ran a children's bookstore called the Bookery, through which he was able to gain access to a wide range of literature. He cites this exposure to all forms of literature – in particular ''[[The Adventures of Tintin]]'' album ''[[Explorers on the Moon]]'' and a "stash of superhero comics" – as a "pivotal event" in his young life, which clearly deeply imbued in him considerable enjoyment of such genres and titles.


He has stated that he "didn't take comics seriously", until his friend, Peter, showed him 'The Tiny Perfect Collection', bringing to his knowledge a range of different comics (by such greats as [[Will Eisner|Eisner]], [[Jim Steranko|Steranko]], [[Michael William Kaluta|Kaluta]] and [[Bernie Wrightson|Wrightson]]), during his first year at University. He graduated with a B.A. in English from [[University of Trinity College|Trinity College]], [[University of Toronto]].<ref>[http://www.erasingclouds.com/0721askwith.html J. D. LaFrance Interview with Mark Askwith]. Accessed on January 12, 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.bailsprojects.com/(S(5vfahe45j3eisp45rt4x0we2))/bio.aspx?Name=ASKWITH%2C+MARK Askwith Comics-skewed Mini-biography]. Accessed on the 12th of January, 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.alanmooresenhordocaos.hpg.ig.com.br/entrevistas144.htm Jose Carlos Neves Interview with Mark Askwith]. Accessed on the 12th January, 2008</ref>
He has stated that he "didn't take comics seriously", until his friend, Peter, showed him 'The Tiny Perfect Collection', bringing to his knowledge a range of different comics (by such greats as [[Will Eisner|Eisner]], [[Jim Steranko|Steranko]], [[Michael William Kaluta|Kaluta]] and [[Bernie Wrightson|Wrightson]]), during his first year at University. He graduated with a B.A. in English from [[University of Trinity College|Trinity College]], [[University of Toronto]].<ref name="erasingclouds.com">[http://www.erasingclouds.com/0721askwith.html J. D. LaFrance Interview with Mark Askwith]. Accessed on January 12, 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.bailsprojects.com/(S(5vfahe45j3eisp45rt4x0we2))/bio.aspx?Name=ASKWITH%2C+MARK Askwith Comics-skewed Mini-biography]. Accessed on the 12th of January, 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.alanmooresenhordocaos.hpg.ig.com.br/entrevistas144.htm Jose Carlos Neves Interview with Mark Askwith] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122070116/http://www.alanmooresenhordocaos.hpg.ig.com.br/entrevistas144.htm |date=2008-01-22 }}. Accessed on the 12th January, 2008</ref>


==The Silver Snail==
==The Silver Snail==


After working at Oberon Press, and Coach House Press, between 1982 and 1987, he managed one of the premiere North American comic book stores - [http://www.silversnail.com/ The Silver Snail] in [[Toronto]]. Situated at that time opposite the [[Bakka-Phoenix|Bakka-Phoenix Science Fiction Bookstore]], it provided an excellent opportunity to soak up the comics/Sci-Fi atmosphere, and allowed Askwith to meet legendary (and local) Science Fiction and comics authors, including [[Frank Miller (comics)|Frank Miller]] and [[Bill Sienkiewicz]].<ref>[http://www.erasingclouds.com/0721askwith.html J. D. LaFrance Interview with Mark Askwith]. Accessed on January 12, 2008</ref>
After working at Oberon Press, and Coach House Press, between 1982 and 1987, Askwith managed one of the premiere North American comic book stores - [http://www.silversnail.com/ The Silver Snail] in [[Toronto]]. Situated at that time opposite the [[Bakka-Phoenix|Bakka-Phoenix Science Fiction Bookstore]], it provided an opportunity to soak up the comics/Sci-Fi atmosphere, and allowed Askwith to meet legendary (and local) Science Fiction and comics authors, including [[Frank Miller (comics)|Frank Miller]] and [[Bill Sienkiewicz]].<ref name="erasingclouds.com"/>


Leaving the Silver Snail in 1987, he started work on a ''[[The Prisoner|Prisoner]]'' comic with [[Dean Motter]] (below), and worked in an art directorial supportive role on [[Ron Mann]]'s comics documentary [[Comic Book Confidential]] (Sphinx Productions, 1988), an overview/history of the [[comic book]] medium in the U.S.A, from the 1930s to the '80s. The documentary featured interviews with such noteworthy individuals as [[Charles Burns (cartoonist)|Charles Burns]], [[Art Spiegelman]], [[Françoise Mouly]], [[Frank Miller (comics)|Frank Miller]], [[Stan Lee]], [[Will Eisner]], [[Robert Crumb]], [[Harvey Pekar]], and [[William M. Gaines]]. The success of the documentary inspired Askwith to expand upon some of Mann's ideas into a television magazine programme which would similarly explore areas of [[fan (person)|fan]] interest (comics, Science Fiction, horror, etc.) largely through interviews and commentary. The programme was called [[Prisoners of Gravity]].
Leaving the Silver Snail in 1987, he started work on a ''[[The Prisoner|Prisoner]]'' comic with [[Dean Motter]] (below), and worked in an art directorial supportive role on [[Ron Mann]]'s comics documentary [[Comic Book Confidential]] (Sphinx Productions, 1988), an overview/history of the [[comic book]] medium in the US, from the 1930s to the '80s. The documentary featured interviews with such noteworthy individuals as [[Charles Burns (cartoonist)|Charles Burns]], [[Art Spiegelman]], [[Françoise Mouly]], [[Frank Miller (comics)|Frank Miller]], [[Stan Lee]], [[Will Eisner]], [[Robert Crumb]], [[Harvey Pekar]], and [[William M. Gaines]]. The success of the documentary inspired Askwith to expand upon some of Mann's ideas into a television magazine programme which would similarly explore areas of [[fan (person)|fan]] interest (comics, Science Fiction, horror, etc.) largely through interviews and commentary. The programme was called [[Prisoners of Gravity]].


==''Prisoners of Gravity''==
==''Prisoners of Gravity''==
{{main|Prisoners of Gravity}}
{{main|Prisoners of Gravity}}


In 1989, Askwith became a full-time television producer and writer, and one of his first programmes was ''Prisoners of Gravity''. The brainchild of Askwith, [[Daniel Richler]], and [[Rick Green]] (who also hosted the programme), ''Prisoners of Gravity'' was a [[Canadian]] [[news magazine]] program that explored [[speculative fiction]], specifically [[Science Fiction]], [[Fantasy]], [[Horror fiction|Horror]] and [[Comic books|Comics]]. Produced by [[TVOntario]], the series ran for 139 episodes over five seasons.
In 1989, Askwith became a full-time television producer and writer, and one of his first programmes was ''Prisoners of Gravity''. The brainchild of Askwith, [[Daniel Richler]], and [[Rick Green (comedian)|Rick Green]] (who also hosted the programme), ''Prisoners of Gravity'' was a Canadian [[news magazine]] program that explored [[speculative fiction]], specifically [[science fiction]], [[fantasy]], [[Horror fiction|horror]] and [[Comic books|comics]]. Produced by [[TVOntario]], the series ran for 139 episodes over five seasons.


The establishing framework for the programme is not dissimilar to that of its similarly-targeted peer ''[[Mystery Science Theatre 3000]]'', both featuring a stranded host who ostensibly broadcast the programme themselves from isolation. The similarities largely end there, however. Whereas ''MST3K'' focused each episode on a particular film, and provided running commentary on it, '''Prisoners of Gravity''' focused each episode on a particular topic, and dissected/commenter on it usually through extensive interviews with key individuals.
The establishing framework for the programme is not dissimilar to that of its similarly-targeted peer ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]'', both featuring a stranded host who ostensibly broadcast the programme themselves from isolation. The similarities largely end there, however. ''MST3K'' was a comedy programme that focused each episode on a particular film and provided running gag commentary on it. ''Prisoners of Gravity'' ran a series of interviews with authors and creators from the science fiction and comics communities, with the host linking the subject matter together and focusing down on a specific topic for that episode.


Episodes from the first series (broadcast between August 1989 and March 1990, and now sadly believed largely missing/wiped) reportedly focused on areas including [[UFO]]s, ''[[Star Trek]]'' and [[Comic book conventions]]. The subsequent four series (preserved, and available for viewing by appointment at [[Judith Merril|The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy]][http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/uni_spe_mer_index.jsp] public library located in downtown [[Toronto]], Canada) often featured episodes on much more specific topics. These included "[[Will Eisner]] & [[Spirit (comics)|The Spirit]]", "[[Watchmen]]", "[[Cyberpunk]]", "[[Ray Bradbury]]", "[[The Sandman]]", "[[J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]" and [[Jack Kirby]]" among many others.
Episodes from the first season (broadcast between August 1989 and March 1990, and now believed largely missing/wiped) reportedly focused on areas including [[UFO]]s, ''[[Star Trek]]'' and [[Comic book conventions]]. The subsequent four seasons (preserved, and available for viewing by appointment at [[Judith Merril|The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy]][https://web.archive.org/web/20061211190900/http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/uni_spe_mer_index.jsp] public library located in downtown [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada) often featured episodes on much more specific topics. These included "[[Will Eisner]] & [[Spirit (comics)|The Spirit]]", "[[Watchmen]]", "[[Cyberpunk]]", "[[Ray Bradbury]]", "[[The Sandman (Vertigo)|The Sandman]]", "[[J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]" and "[[Jack Kirby]]" among many others.


Many of the interviews for these programmes (including specific interviews with ''Watchmen'' creators [[Alan Moore]] and [[Dave Gibbons]], and ''Sandman'' author [[Neil Gaiman]]) were apparently carried out by Askwith himself.
Many of the interviews for these programmes (including specific interviews with ''Watchmen'' creators [[Alan Moore]] and [[Dave Gibbons]], and ''Sandman'' author [[Neil Gaiman]]) were apparently carried out by Askwith himself.


Prisoners of Gravity first aired on [[TVOntario]]and ran for five seasons and 137 episodes before being canceled in 1994. Many of its episodes were subsequently syndicated, and have appeared (briefly) on [[PBS]], [[The Discovery Channel|the Discovery Channel]] and [[Space (TV channel)|Space]], of which Askwith is one of the founding producers.<ref>[http://www.erasingclouds.com/0721askwith.html J. D. LaFrance Interview with Mark Askwith]. Accessed on January 12, 2008</ref>
Prisoners of Gravity first aired on [[TVOntario]] and ran for five seasons and 139 episodes before being canceled in 1994. Many of its episodes were subsequently syndicated, and have appeared (briefly) on [[PBS]], [[The Discovery Channel]] and [[Space (Canadian TV channel)|Space]], of which Askwith is one of the founding producers.<ref name="erasingclouds.com"/>


==Space & CHUM/CTV==
==Space and CHUM/CTV==
{{main|Space (TV channel)}} {{main|CHUM Limited}}
{{main|Space (Canadian TV channel)|CHUM Limited}}
⚫
[[Space (Canadian TV channel)|Space]] is effectively the [[Canada|Canadian]] equivalent of [[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|The Sci Fi Channel]], an English language [[cable television]] [[specialty channel]] owned and operated by [[CTVglobemedia]]. It features mainly sci-fi and fantasy movies, documentaries and television series.


⚫
Askwith was one of the founding producers of the channel, which was licensed by the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] (CRTC) in 1996, and debuted on October 17, 1997, at 6:00&nbsp;p.m. EST, under the ownership of [[CHUM Limited]]. Askwith is particularly involved in the documentary side of things, and the so-called 'interstitial' materials which pepper the channels' output. The first of which was a comment on the channels first-broadcast film ''[[Forbidden Planet]]'' by noted Canadian Science Fiction author [[Robert J. Sawyer]].
⚫
[[Space (TV channel)|Space]] is effectively the [[Canada|Canadian]] equivalent of [[The Sci-Fi Channel]], an English language [[cable television]] [[specialty channel]] owned and operated by [[CTVglobemedia]]. It features mainly sci-fi and fantasy movies, documentaries and television series.

⚫
Askwith was one of the founding producers of the channel, which was licensed by the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] (CRTC) in 1996, and debuted on [[October 17]], [[1997]] at 6:00 p.m. EST, under the ownership of [[CHUM Limited]]. Askwith is particularly involved in the documentary side of things, and the so-called 'interstitial' materials which pepper the channels' output. The first of which was a comment on the channels first-broadcast film ''[[Forbidden Planet]]'' by noted Canadian Science Fiction author [[Robert J. Sawyer]].


He has produced - and appeared in - SPACE's ''HypaSpace Daily/Weekly'', an entertainment news programme which looks specifically at the Science Fiction news.
He has produced - and appeared in - SPACE's ''HypaSpace Daily/Weekly'', an entertainment news programme which looks specifically at the Science Fiction news.
Line 37: Line 46:
==Books and comics==
==Books and comics==


Having been inducted into the worlds of science fiction, fantasy and comics at a young age (Askwith cites in particular [[C.S. Lewis]]'s [[Narnia]] books, works by [[Andre Norton]] and [[Robert A. Heinlein]], [[Superhero]] [[comic books|comics]] and [[Tintin]])<ref>[http://www.erasingclouds.com/0721askwith.html J. D. LaFrance Interview with Mark Askwith]. Accessed on January 12, 2008</ref>, and later rubbing shoulders with Science Fiction and comics authors at '''The Silver Snail''' and '''Bakka-Phoenix''', Askwith has dabbled in writing himself, mostly comics.
Having been inducted into the worlds of science fiction, fantasy and comics at a young age (Askwith cites in particular [[C.S. Lewis]]'s ''[[Narnia]]'' books, works by [[Andre Norton]] and [[Robert A. Heinlein]], ''[[Superhero]]'' [[comic books|comics]] and ''[[The Adventures of Tintin]]''),<ref name="erasingclouds.com"/> and later rubbing shoulders with Science Fiction and comics authors at The Silver Snail and Bakka-Phoenix, Askwith has dabbled in writing himself, mostly comics.


Most notably, his collaboration with [[Dean Motter]] in helping write the authorised "[[The Prisoner]]" sequel met with considerable critical and fan-approval. The four-part prestige-format mini-series, serialised between 1988 and 1989 has subsequently been collected in graphic novel format as [[Shattered Visage (The Prisoner)|Shattered Visage]], still in print (since 1990) and published by [[DC Comics]]/[[Warner Bros.]] in the US, and [[Titan Books]] in the UK.
Most notably, his collaboration with [[Dean Motter]] in helping write the authorised "[[The Prisoner]]" sequel met with considerable critical and fan-approval. The four-part prestige-format mini-series, serialised between 1988 and 1989 has subsequently been collected in graphic novel format as [[Shattered Visage (The Prisoner)|Shattered Visage]], still in print (since 1990) and published by [[DC Comics]]/[[Warner Bros.]] in the US, and [[Titan Books]] in the UK.


Other comics work includes:
Other comics work includes:
Line 45: Line 54:
* ''Andromeda'' (Silver Snail Comics, 1986) <small>Written and published under the SSC imprint.</small>
* ''Andromeda'' (Silver Snail Comics, 1986) <small>Written and published under the SSC imprint.</small>
* ''Canadian Comics Cavalcade'' ([[Artworx]], 1986)
* ''Canadian Comics Cavalcade'' ([[Artworx]], 1986)
* ''The True North'' (CLLDF, 1988) <small>Written for the Canadian [[Comic Legends Legal Defence Fund]]. ''(See: [[Derek McCulloch (comics)|Derek McCulloch]])''</small>
* ''The True North'' (CLLDF, 1988) <small>Written for the Canadian [[Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund]]. ''(See: [[Derek McCulloch (comics)|Derek McCulloch]])''</small>
* ''Sheet Music'' ([[Fantagraphics]], 1988)
* ''Sheet Music'' ([[Fantagraphics]], 1988)
* "Raising the Roof!" <small>(Bonus Book No. 7)</small> in ''[[Justice League International]]'' <small>Vol. 1</small> #18 ([[DC Comics|DC]], Oct 1988) <small>Art by James Webb & Mark Pennington</small>
* "Raising the Roof!" <small>([[DC Comics Bonus Book|Bonus Book]] No. 7)</small> in ''[[Justice League International]]'' <small>Vol. 1</small> #18 ([[DC Comics|DC]], Oct 1988) <small>Art by James Webb & Mark Pennington</small>
* "Sharks" in ''Taboo'' #2 (Spiderbaby Grafix, Jan 1989) <small>Art by [[Richard G. Taylor|R.G. "Rick" Taylor]]</small>
* "Sharks" in ''Taboo'' #2 (Spiderbaby Grafix, Jan 1989) <small>Art by [[Richard G. Taylor|R.G. "Rick" Taylor]]</small>
* "Davey's Dream" in ''Taboo'' #4 (Spiderbaby Grafix, Jan 1990) <small>Art by [[Richard G. Taylor|R.G. "Rick" Taylor]]</small>
* "Davey's Dream" in ''Taboo'' #4 (Spiderbaby Grafix, Jan 1990) <small>Art by [[Richard G. Taylor|R.G. "Rick" Taylor]]</small>
* ''Caliber Presents'' #24 ([[Caliber Comics|Caliber]], 1991?)
* ''Caliber Presents'' #24 ([[Caliber Comics|Caliber]], 1991?)
* ''[[Silencers (comics)|Silencers]]'' #1-4 ([[Caliber Comics]], Jul-?Oct? 1991) <small>A mini-series (with [[Richard G. Taylor]]), subsequently collected as a limited edition trade, then reprinted in 2007 by [[Image Comics|Image]]. (ISBN 1-582-40728-2)</small><ref>[http://www.bailsprojects.com/(S(5vfahe45j3eisp45rt4x0we2))/bio.aspx?Name=ASKWITH%2C+MARK Comics Bibliography]. Accessed January 12, 2008</ref>
* ''[[Silencers (comics)|Silencers]]'' #1-4 ([[Caliber Comics]], Jul-?Oct? 1991) <small>A mini-series (with [[Richard G. Taylor]]), subsequently collected as a limited edition trade, then reprinted in 2007 by [[Image Comics|Image]]. ({{ISBN|1-582-40728-2}})</small><ref>[http://www.bailsprojects.com/(S(5vfahe45j3eisp45rt4x0we2))/bio.aspx?Name=ASKWITH%2C+MARK Comics Bibliography]. Accessed January 12, 2008</ref>
* <small>Ken Lashley's</small> ''Legends'' (Draxhall Jump, 2002) <small>Co-writer with Ken Lashley. Art by Ken Lashley, Marvin Mariano & Jason Azevedo</small>
* <small>Ken Lashley's</small> ''Legends'' (Draxhall Jump, 2002) <small>Co-writer with Ken Lashley. Art by Ken Lashley, Marvin Mariano & Jason Azevedo</small>
* "Joyride" in ''[[Batman: Gotham Knights]]'' #32 ([[DC Comics|DC]] Oct 2002) <small>A short [[Batman]]: 'Black & White' story with [[Michael William Kaluta|M. W. Kaluta]], as a backup to [[Devin Grayson]]'s landmark "24/7" single issue story.<ref>[http://www.cosmicclutter.com/store/Batman-Gotham-Knights-32-pr-527.html Cosmic Clutter: ''Batman: Gotham Knights'' #32 Info]. Accessed February 2, 2008</ref></small>
* "Joyride" in ''[[Batman: Gotham Knights]]'' #32 ([[DC Comics|DC]] Oct 2002) <small>A short [[Batman]]: 'Black & White' story with [[Michael William Kaluta|M. W. Kaluta]], as a backup to [[Devin Grayson]]'s landmark "24/7" single issue story.<ref>[http://www.cosmicclutter.com/store/Batman-Gotham-Knights-32-pr-527.html Cosmic Clutter: ''Batman: Gotham Knights'' #32 Info]. Accessed February 2, 2008</ref></small>
**Collected in ''[[Batman: Black & White]] 3'' (May 2007) (ISBN 1-40121-531-9)
**Collected in ''[[Batman: Black & White]] 3'' (May 2007) ({{ISBN|1-40121-531-9}})
* "Moebius: A Sketch" in ''Negative Burn'' <small>Vol. 3</small> #1 ([[Desperado Publishing]]/[[Image Comics|Image]] May 2006) <small>With [[Silencers (comics)|Silencers]] artist [[Richard G. Taylor]]</small><ref>[http://www.enjolrasworld.com/Richard%20Arndt/Negative%20Burn.htm ''Negative Burn'' Index at EnjolrasWorld]. Accessed 2 February, 2008</ref>
* "Moebius: A Sketch" in ''Negative Burn'' <small>Vol. 3</small> #1 ([[Desperado Publishing]]/[[Image Comics|Image]] May 2006) <small>With [[Silencers (comics)|Silencers]] artist [[Richard G. Taylor]]</small><ref>[http://www.enjolrasworld.com/Richard%20Arndt/Negative%20Burn.htm ''Negative Burn'' Index at EnjolrasWorld]. Accessed 2 February 2008</ref>
* ''The Comic Eye'' #1 (Blind Bat, Dec 2007) <small>"The Comic Eye is a unique collection of 50 biographical and fictional comic strips by 50 talented comic makers!"<ref>[http://www.atomicavenue.com/atomic/titledetail.aspx?TitleID=28595 ''The Comic Eye'' at AtomicAvenue]. Accessed 2 February, 2008</ref></small>
* ''The Comic Eye'' #1 (Blind Bat, Dec 2007) <small>"The Comic Eye is a unique collection of 50 biographical and fictional comic strips by 50 talented comic makers!"<ref>[http://www.atomicavenue.com/atomic/titledetail.aspx?TitleID=28595 ''The Comic Eye'' at AtomicAvenue]. Accessed 2 February 2008</ref></small>
**<small>Other contributors include: [[Fred Hembeck]] • [[Brad W. Foster]] • [[Steve Skeates]] • [[Matt Feazell]] • [[Rob Walton]] • [[Michael T. Gilbert]] • [[Allen Freeman]] • [[Dave Sim]] • [[Rick Geary]]</small>
**<small>Other contributors include: [[Fred Hembeck]] • [[Brad W. Foster]] • [[Steve Skeates]] • [[Matt Feazell]] • Rob Walton • [[Michael T. Gilbert]] • [[Allen Freeman]] • [[Dave Sim]] • [[Rick Geary]]</small>


==Other==
==Other==
Line 63: Line 72:
The Hugo Award-nominated novel ''Humans'' by Canadian science-fiction writer [[Robert J. Sawyer]], published in 2003, carries this dedication: "For Mark Askwith, Master of Multiple Universes."
The Hugo Award-nominated novel ''Humans'' by Canadian science-fiction writer [[Robert J. Sawyer]], published in 2003, carries this dedication: "For Mark Askwith, Master of Multiple Universes."


Askwith is thanked by [[Alan Moore]] in his and [[Bill Sienkiewicz]]'s [[Big Numbers]] comic, for, in Askwith's words "read[ing] several articles about chaos theory in the mid- 80s and sav[ing] them", later to be forwarded to Mr Moore, as research for that, ultimately aborted comic series.<ref>[http://www.alanmooresenhordocaos.hpg.ig.com.br/entrevistas144.htm Jose Carlos Neves Interview with Mark Askwith]. Accessed 12 January, 2008</ref>
Askwith is thanked by [[Alan Moore]] in his and [[Bill Sienkiewicz]]'s [[Big Numbers (comics)|Big Numbers]] comic, for, in Askwith's words "read[ing] several articles about chaos theory in the mid- 80s and sav[ing] them", later to be forwarded to Mr Moore, as research for that, ultimately aborted comic series.<ref name="alanmooresenhordocaos.hpg.ig.com.br">[http://www.alanmooresenhordocaos.hpg.ig.com.br/entrevistas144.htm Jose Carlos Neves Interview with Mark Askwith] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122070116/http://www.alanmooresenhordocaos.hpg.ig.com.br/entrevistas144.htm |date=2008-01-22 }}. Accessed 12 January 2008</ref>

⚫
He is credited for coming up with the name "Taboo" for [[Stephen R. Bissette]]'s horror anthology, which was until then being called "The October Project".<ref>[http://www.enjolrasworld.com/Richard%20Arndt/Taboo.htm ''Taboo'' Index at EnjolrasWorld]. Accessed 2 February 2008</ref> The title ''Taboo'' supposedly played a key part in inspiring Alan Moore (with [[Eddie Campbell]]) to write the landmark [[Jack the Ripper]] graphic novel ''[[From Hell]]''.<ref name="alanmooresenhordocaos.hpg.ig.com.br"/>


⚫
He adapted the [[anime]] television series of the [[Capcom]] game ''[[Power Stone (video game)|Power Stone]]'' into English.<ref name="alanmooresenhordocaos.hpg.ig.com.br"/>
⚫
He is credited for coming up with the name "Taboo" for [[Stephen R. Bissette]]'s horror anthology, which was until then being called "The October Project".<ref>[http://www.enjolrasworld.com/Richard%20Arndt/Taboo.htm ''Taboo'' Index at EnjolrasWorld]. Accessed 2 February, 2008</ref> The title ''Taboo'' supposedly played a key part in inspiring Alan Moore (with [[Eddie Campbell]]) to write the landmark [[Jack the Ripper]] graphic novel ''[[From Hell]]''. <ref>[http://www.alanmooresenhordocaos.hpg.ig.com.br/entrevistas144.htm Jose Carlos Neves Interview with Mark Askwith]. Accessed 12 January, 2008</ref>


⚫
In recent years, due in part to his familiarity with the comics and Science Fiction scenes, and his role with SPACE, he has played a role in various events relating to those fields. On October 23, 2007, he hosted readings by [[Jasper Fforde]], [[Spider Robinson]], [[Robert J. Sawyer]] and [[Jay MillAr]] as part of the 2007 [[Toronto]] [[International Festival of Authors]].<ref>[http://www.readings.org/?q=main/jasper_fforde_spider_robinson_robert_j_sawyer Readings.org's page on the IFOA Sci-Fi/Fantasy event]. Accessed 12 January 2008</ref>
⚫
He adapted the [[anime]] TV series of the [[Capcom]] game ''[[Power Stone]]'' into English.<ref>[http://www.alanmooresenhordocaos.hpg.ig.com.br/entrevistas144.htm Jose Carlos Neves Interview with Mark Askwith]. Accessed 12 January, 2008</ref>


On October 30, 2008, Askwith interviewed [[Neal Stephenson]] at the [[Ryerson Theatre]] in Toronto. This event is part of the 'This is Not a Reading Series' of book events hosted by Toronto's Pages Book Store.
⚫
In recent years, due in part to his familiarity with the comics and Science Fiction scenes, and his role with '''SPACE''', he has played a role in various events relating to those fields. On October 23, 2007, he hosted readings by [[Jasper Fforde]], [[Spider Robinson]], [[Robert J. Sawyer]] and [[Jay MillAr]] as part of the 2007 [[Toronto]] [[International Festival of Authors]].<ref>[http://www.readings.org/?q=main/jasper_fforde_spider_robinson_robert_j_sawyer Readings.org's page on the IFOA Sci-Fi/Fantasy event]. Accessed 12 January, 2008</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0039497}}
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0039497/ Mark Askwith at the IMDb]
* [http://www.readings.org/?q=biographies/mark_askwith IFOA (International Festival of Authors) Mini-biography]
* [http://www.readings.org/?q=biographies/mark_askwith IFOA (International Festival of Authors) Mini-biography]
* [http://www.bailsprojects.com/(S(5vfahe45j3eisp45rt4x0we2))/bio.aspx?Name=ASKWITH%2C+MARK Mark Askwith at ''Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928-1999]
* [http://www.bailsprojects.com/(S(5vfahe45j3eisp45rt4x0we2))/bio.aspx?Name=ASKWITH%2C+MARK Mark Askwith at ''Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928-1999]
* {{anime News Network|people|13760}}
* [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=13760 Very brief biography at the AnimeNewsNetwork]
* [http://www.erasingclouds.com/0721askwith.html J. D. LaFrance Interview with Mark Askwith]
* [http://www.erasingclouds.com/0721askwith.html J. D. LaFrance Interview with Mark Askwith]
* [http://www.alanmooresenhordocaos.hpg.ig.com.br/entrevistas144.htm Jose Carlos Neves Interview with Mark Askwith]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080122070116/http://www.alanmooresenhordocaos.hpg.ig.com.br/entrevistas144.htm Jose Carlos Neves Interview with Mark Askwith]
* [http://www.spacecast.com Space Channel's webpage]
* [http://www.spacecast.com Space Channel's webpage]
* [http://www.teddog.com/pog/ A ''Prisoners of Gravity'' fansite]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040205111027/http://www.teddog.com/pog/ A ''Prisoners of Gravity'' fansite]


{{Canadian comics}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Askwith, Mark}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Askwith, Mark}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Canadian screenwriters]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian screenwriters]]
[[Category:Canadian television producers]]
[[Category:Canadian television producers]]
[[Category:Canadian comics writers]]
[[Category:Canadian comics writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Trinity College (Canada) alumni]]
[[Category:Trinity College (Canada) alumni]]
[[Category:University of Toronto alumni]]
[[Category:Writers from Ottawa]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian screenwriters]]
[[Category:Canadian male screenwriters]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Ontario]]

Latest revision as of 20:09, 18 August 2024

Mark Askwith
NationalityCanadian
EducationTrinity College, Toronto
Occupation(s)Producer, writer, interviewer
Websitehttps://www.space.ca/

Mark Askwith (born April 6, 1956) is a Canadian producer, writer, interviewer (and sometime-publisher/editor), and a familiar name in the fields of science fiction and comics.

Early life

[edit]

Askwith was born into a military household on April 6, 1956. His family moved about before settling in Ottawa, Ontario, when he was six years old. Here, Askwith's mother subsequently ran a children's bookstore called the Bookery, through which he was able to gain access to a wide range of literature. He cites this exposure to all forms of literature – in particular The Adventures of Tintin album Explorers on the Moon and a "stash of superhero comics" – as a "pivotal event" in his young life, which clearly deeply imbued in him considerable enjoyment of such genres and titles.

He has stated that he "didn't take comics seriously", until his friend, Peter, showed him 'The Tiny Perfect Collection', bringing to his knowledge a range of different comics (by such greats as Eisner, Steranko, Kaluta and Wrightson), during his first year at University. He graduated with a B.A. in English from Trinity College, University of Toronto.[1][2][3]

The Silver Snail

[edit]

After working at Oberon Press, and Coach House Press, between 1982 and 1987, Askwith managed one of the premiere North American comic book stores - The Silver Snail in Toronto. Situated at that time opposite the Bakka-Phoenix Science Fiction Bookstore, it provided an opportunity to soak up the comics/Sci-Fi atmosphere, and allowed Askwith to meet legendary (and local) Science Fiction and comics authors, including Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz.[1]

Leaving the Silver Snail in 1987, he started work on a Prisoner comic with Dean Motter (below), and worked in an art directorial supportive role on Ron Mann's comics documentary Comic Book Confidential (Sphinx Productions, 1988), an overview/history of the comic book medium in the US, from the 1930s to the '80s. The documentary featured interviews with such noteworthy individuals as Charles Burns, Art Spiegelman, Françoise Mouly, Frank Miller, Stan Lee, Will Eisner, Robert Crumb, Harvey Pekar, and William M. Gaines. The success of the documentary inspired Askwith to expand upon some of Mann's ideas into a television magazine programme which would similarly explore areas of fan interest (comics, Science Fiction, horror, etc.) largely through interviews and commentary. The programme was called Prisoners of Gravity.

Prisoners of Gravity

[edit]
Main article: Prisoners of Gravity

In 1989, Askwith became a full-time television producer and writer, and one of his first programmes was Prisoners of Gravity. The brainchild of Askwith, Daniel Richler, and Rick Green (who also hosted the programme), Prisoners of Gravity was a Canadian news magazine program that explored speculative fiction, specifically science fiction, fantasy, horror and comics. Produced by TVOntario, the series ran for 139 episodes over five seasons.

The establishing framework for the programme is not dissimilar to that of its similarly-targeted peer Mystery Science Theater 3000, both featuring a stranded host who ostensibly broadcast the programme themselves from isolation. The similarities largely end there, however. MST3K was a comedy programme that focused each episode on a particular film and provided running gag commentary on it. Prisoners of Gravity ran a series of interviews with authors and creators from the science fiction and comics communities, with the host linking the subject matter together and focusing down on a specific topic for that episode.

Episodes from the first season (broadcast between August 1989 and March 1990, and now believed largely missing/wiped) reportedly focused on areas including UFOs, Star Trek and Comic book conventions. The subsequent four seasons (preserved, and available for viewing by appointment at The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy[1] public library located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada) often featured episodes on much more specific topics. These included "Will Eisner & The Spirit", "Watchmen", "Cyberpunk", "Ray Bradbury", "The Sandman", "Tolkien" and "Jack Kirby" among many others.

Many of the interviews for these programmes (including specific interviews with Watchmen creators Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, and Sandman author Neil Gaiman) were apparently carried out by Askwith himself.

Prisoners of Gravity first aired on TVOntario and ran for five seasons and 139 episodes before being canceled in 1994. Many of its episodes were subsequently syndicated, and have appeared (briefly) on PBS, The Discovery Channel and Space, of which Askwith is one of the founding producers.[1]

Space and CHUM/CTV

[edit]
Main articles: Space (Canadian TV channel) and CHUM Limited

Space is effectively the Canadian equivalent of The Sci Fi Channel, an English language cable television specialty channel owned and operated by CTVglobemedia. It features mainly sci-fi and fantasy movies, documentaries and television series.

Askwith was one of the founding producers of the channel, which was licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in 1996, and debuted on October 17, 1997, at 6:00 p.m. EST, under the ownership of CHUM Limited. Askwith is particularly involved in the documentary side of things, and the so-called 'interstitial' materials which pepper the channels' output. The first of which was a comment on the channels first-broadcast film Forbidden Planet by noted Canadian Science Fiction author Robert J. Sawyer.

He has produced - and appeared in - SPACE's HypaSpace Daily/Weekly, an entertainment news programme which looks specifically at the Science Fiction news.

Books and comics

[edit]

Having been inducted into the worlds of science fiction, fantasy and comics at a young age (Askwith cites in particular C.S. Lewis's Narnia books, works by Andre Norton and Robert A. Heinlein, Superhero comics and The Adventures of Tintin),[1] and later rubbing shoulders with Science Fiction and comics authors at The Silver Snail and Bakka-Phoenix, Askwith has dabbled in writing himself, mostly comics.

Most notably, his collaboration with Dean Motter in helping write the authorised "The Prisoner" sequel met with considerable critical and fan-approval. The four-part prestige-format mini-series, serialised between 1988 and 1989 has subsequently been collected in graphic novel format as Shattered Visage, still in print (since 1990) and published by DC Comics/Warner Bros. in the US, and Titan Books in the UK.

Other comics work includes:

  • Andromeda (Silver Snail Comics, 1986) Written and published under the SSC imprint.
  • Canadian Comics Cavalcade (Artworx, 1986)
  • The True North (CLLDF, 1988) Written for the Canadian Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund. (See: Derek McCulloch)
  • Sheet Music (Fantagraphics, 1988)
  • "Raising the Roof!" (Bonus Book No. 7) in Justice League International Vol. 1 #18 (DC, Oct 1988) Art by James Webb & Mark Pennington
  • "Sharks" in Taboo #2 (Spiderbaby Grafix, Jan 1989) Art by R.G. "Rick" Taylor
  • "Davey's Dream" in Taboo #4 (Spiderbaby Grafix, Jan 1990) Art by R.G. "Rick" Taylor
  • Caliber Presents #24 (Caliber, 1991?)
  • Silencers #1-4 (Caliber Comics, Jul-?Oct? 1991) A mini-series (with Richard G. Taylor), subsequently collected as a limited edition trade, then reprinted in 2007 by Image. (ISBN 1-582-40728-2)[4]
  • Ken Lashley's Legends (Draxhall Jump, 2002) Co-writer with Ken Lashley. Art by Ken Lashley, Marvin Mariano & Jason Azevedo
  • "Joyride" in Batman: Gotham Knights #32 (DC Oct 2002) A short Batman: 'Black & White' story with M. W. Kaluta, as a backup to Devin Grayson's landmark "24/7" single issue story.[5]
  • "Moebius: A Sketch" in Negative Burn Vol. 3 #1 (Desperado Publishing/Image May 2006) With Silencers artist Richard G. Taylor[6]
  • The Comic Eye #1 (Blind Bat, Dec 2007) "The Comic Eye is a unique collection of 50 biographical and fictional comic strips by 50 talented comic makers!"[7]

Other

[edit]

The Hugo Award-nominated novel Humans by Canadian science-fiction writer Robert J. Sawyer, published in 2003, carries this dedication: "For Mark Askwith, Master of Multiple Universes."

Askwith is thanked by Alan Moore in his and Bill Sienkiewicz's Big Numbers comic, for, in Askwith's words "read[ing] several articles about chaos theory in the mid- 80s and sav[ing] them", later to be forwarded to Mr Moore, as research for that, ultimately aborted comic series.[8]

He is credited for coming up with the name "Taboo" for Stephen R. Bissette's horror anthology, which was until then being called "The October Project".[9] The title Taboo supposedly played a key part in inspiring Alan Moore (with Eddie Campbell) to write the landmark Jack the Ripper graphic novel From Hell.[8]

He adapted the anime television series of the Capcom game Power Stone into English.[8]

In recent years, due in part to his familiarity with the comics and Science Fiction scenes, and his role with SPACE, he has played a role in various events relating to those fields. On October 23, 2007, he hosted readings by Jasper Fforde, Spider Robinson, Robert J. Sawyer and Jay MillAr as part of the 2007 Toronto International Festival of Authors.[10]

On October 30, 2008, Askwith interviewed Neal Stephenson at the Ryerson Theatre in Toronto. This event is part of the 'This is Not a Reading Series' of book events hosted by Toronto's Pages Book Store.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d J. D. LaFrance Interview with Mark Askwith. Accessed on January 12, 2008
  2. ^ Askwith Comics-skewed Mini-biography. Accessed on the 12th of January, 2008
  3. ^ Jose Carlos Neves Interview with Mark Askwith Archived 2008-01-22 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed on the 12th January, 2008
  4. ^ Comics Bibliography. Accessed January 12, 2008
  5. ^ Cosmic Clutter: Batman: Gotham Knights #32 Info. Accessed February 2, 2008
  6. ^ Negative Burn Index at EnjolrasWorld. Accessed 2 February 2008
  7. ^ The Comic Eye at AtomicAvenue. Accessed 2 February 2008
  8. ^ a b c Jose Carlos Neves Interview with Mark Askwith Archived 2008-01-22 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 12 January 2008
  9. ^ Taboo Index at EnjolrasWorld. Accessed 2 February 2008
  10. ^ Readings.org's page on the IFOA Sci-Fi/Fantasy event. Accessed 12 January 2008
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Mark_Askwith&oldid=1241010636"