24th December 2017

I must confess to being a poor correspondent, and no amount of excuses should be accepted by you. If it is of any consolation, you are the first that I am writing to. I know that I still have [others] to put pen to paper to, even though I’m sure it won’t be until 2018 that I am likely to do so.

Just under twelve months ago, following my plans to edit a Phantom issue of Inkspot, the Publishers at Frew asked me if I would ask [others] if they would give permission for Frew to publish some of your brother John Dixon’s older works.

They readily agreed, and the results are in your hands. Of course, there was no obligation for Glenn Ford (one of the present Frew owners) to ask permission to reprint the Catman stories. They were, after all, something they published a long time ago, and I assume they still have the rights to. Still, it was good they asked. The Crimson Comet on the other hand, was owned by John’s earliest comic employee, Mr Edwards, and his next of kin are a present mystery, but people may also argue that John had some moral ownership of the character. So they asked again.

The bottom line, I suppose, is that some of John’s work has again appeared on the Australian newsagent stands; something that pleases me no end. The publishers have kindly supplied complimentary copies of the magazines (the reason I need to forward them on and write to you and John’s family). I know I have a bias, but I shall say it anyway: compared to some of John’s contemporaries (also enclosed in these volumes), John’s work positively shines. I hope you enjoy reading them.

Not only is my mailing late, but also my opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas. I was never one for good timing. Instead, I shall wish you a Happy New Year, and I shall resolve to – perhaps – be a better correspondent in 2018!

Kind Regards,
Nat Karmichael.