| Roland
Davies first studied to be a lithographer, but became
an illustrator instead, starting with cinema posters
and illustrations for the magazines Autocar and Motor
Cycle. He began working for Modern Boy in 1928, where
he drew illustrations and covers, making his debut in
comics (for which he was best known) in March 1932 with
'Come on, Steve!'. This cartoon appeared in the Sunday
Express, and was such a success that Davies founded
a studio in 1936 to make an animated version of it.
Roland Davies merits mention in several dictionaries
and encyclopaedias, particularly related to his comic
work. He drew series like 'Whoopee Hank' and 'Contrary
Mary' for The Beano. He designed comics in the realistic
genre, such as 'Sexton Black', 'Dixon of Dock Green',
'Norma and Henry Bones' and 'Red Ray the Space Racer'.
From 1950 to 1959 he illustrated 'Jill Crusoë'
in School Friend, aimed at a female audience. Davies
drew 'Pete Madden' in Knockout and a version of 'Beetle
Bailey' for TV Comic. In 1970, Roland Davies left
the comics field and devoted his attention to painting,
although he had previously done work in this field.
In 1944 he illustrated a realistic watercolour image
for Sphere Magazine of British Thunderbolts attacking
German columns.
Information collated from: Lambiek Studio,
'Roland Davies', http://www.lambiek.net/davies_roland.htm,
last updated November 6 2002, accessed October 3 2003;
Michigan State University Libraries, 'Index to Comic
Art Collection: "Davie" to "Davis,
Howard"', http://www.lib.msu.edu/comics/rri/drri/davie.htm,
accessed October 3 2003; Killin Gallery, 'Killin Gallery
- Paintings', http://www.killingallery.com/paintings.htm,
accessed October 3 2003
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