Thurman, Mark

Mighty Mites [In] OWL Magazine (1976-1991) Original 4 Panel Comic Illustration

Cleveland, OH. Robert H. Perdue, 1902. First Edition. Wraps. Signed. Very Good. Item #48727

Mark Thurman is a Canadian illustrator, comic artist, and author best known for his work on The Mighty Mites, a long-running comic strip in OWL Magazine, which introduced science and health topics to children through engaging storytelling. A graduate of Central Technical School in Toronto, Thurman has written and illustrated numerous children's books, including the popular Douglas the Elephant series, and created instructional drawing books for young readers. His work has appeared on Canadian children's television programs such as Mr. Dressup and Polka Dot Door. In addition to his illustration and comic work, Thurman is an accomplished fine artist, known for his figurative drawings and paintings, and has taught life drawing and illustration at institutions including Sheridan College and the Ontario College of Art & Design. His contributions to Canadian children's media and art education are widely recognized. As co-creator and principal illustrator of The Mighty Mites, Thurman made a lasting contribution to Canadian children's media. Across 154 episodes, Thurman's distinctive, expressive line work brought to life a group of tiny, science-savvy characters who explored topics ranging from health and anatomy to physics and the environment. His artwork combined accessible cartooning with educational clarity, supporting the magazine's mission to entertain while fostering scientific curiosity among young readers. The Mighty Mites was one of OWL's most popular and enduring features, and Thurman's visuals played a central role in its appeal and educational value. I had the pleasure of visiting Mark Thurman again this spring, following our first meeting in 2023. During that initial visit, I purchased some books and ephemera, and we began discussing the possibility of my helping to sell his original comic panels from the Mighty Mites children's series. Mark spoke in detail about the collaborative process between himself and writer Emily Hearn: their story development, writing sessions, and the creation of storyboards (some of which can be included with select issues), complete with rough sketches and empty speech balloons, all leading up to the final artwork, which we are now offering. We also spent time exploring his reference library: stacks of old National Geographic issues, periodicals, travel magazines, science books, rough drafts, proofs, nude studies, portraits, and original art from other projects, including Mighty Mites in Dinosaur Land. Mark Thurman has retained the original artwork for nearly all 154 episodes of The Mighty Mites, the popular educational comic strip he illustrated for OWL Magazine between 1976 and 1991, excluding only 10-12 episodes now held by the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books. Now offered for sale, individually by issue, are the original four-panel comic strips, hand-drawn by Thurman in black India ink. Each episode is presented as a set of four original comic panels on board [59 x 50 cm], and includes the corresponding issue of OWL Magazine (from the artist's own archive), all in fine condition. I have 142 issues of the magazine available, each accompanied by the corresponding four panels of original artwork-totaling 568 panels in all. A rare opportunity to acquire a unique piece of Canadian cultural history. Inquiries regarding the purchase of the full collection are welcome. Discounts may be available for purchases of multiple episodes.

Price (CAD): $1,300.00