Eric Roberts

• Born 1910-01-07 · Died 1982

Eric Roberts studied at (Central) St Martin’s School of Art, London. In the Second World War he joined the RAF where he drew technical drawings, posters and cartoon work bringing humour into instructions regarding safety and security procedures. Eric met Barbie during the war and the were married in a Register Office. They moved into a house in Purley, Surrey where they raised a family and stayed there until Eric died of lung cancer in 1982. He worked from home in the front room sleeping during the day and working during the night. Pre-war he drew cartoons for magazines like Tit-Bits and Answers. His first work in comics was "Podge" (1937-48) from the first issue of DC Thomson's The Dandy. He also drew for Thomson's The Beano, including "Helpful Henry", "Rip Van Wink" (1938-48) and "Good King Coke" (1939-46). Post war credits include- The Dandy: "The Wee Black Scallywag" (1954), "Ginger's Super Jeep" (1955) and "Rip Snorter" (1956), "Dirty Dick" (1960-77), "Winker Watson" (1961-79) Knock-Out: "Sinbad Simms" (1957-60) and "Billy Bunter" (1958-59). Film Fun: "Niblo Nibbs" (1960). He would also occasionally draw fill-in strips for other artists.