Cartoonist Colin Whittock, known as a Birmingham journalism legend, died on February 14 at 84, after working for the Birmingham Mail for over 40 years.
Colin started working in the 1960s and retired from the paper in 2008. Editors remember him fondly, calling him a “legend of Birmingham journalism.” He told the city’s story with cartoons.
Graeme Brown, the current editor, said Colin was important to the news. His cartoons were often sharp and insightful. Graeme grew up reading Colin’s work, which inspired him to work there.
Colin was born in Alum Rock in 1940. He failed art in school but taught himself cartooning. He had a successful career because of it.
He drew about ongoing issues such as gas prices and waste charges. He also drew about new things, including Spaghetti Junction and speed cameras. His work was in national magazines, too.
Steve Dyson, also an editor of the Birmingham Mail, called Colin one of his “media heroes.” Steve watched Colin present ideas to the editor and remembers Colin inking the chosen sketch.
Later becoming editor himself, Steve got to pick Colin’s daily cartoon. He considered this a privilege and stayed friends with Colin after leaving. He even hired him for a media course.
Colin also drew a cartoon strip called “Chipper,” started by Len Pardoe in 1949. Colin drew over 7,000 editions of it.
Colin lived in Streetly for most of his life, later moving to Shenstone. He is survived by his wife, Sue, and leaves behind three children and six grandchildren.