Barrie Tomlinson, editor of famed British comic Roy of the Rover, dies at 88

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Tributes Pour In for Barrie Tomlinson, Editor of Roy of the Rovers

The world of British comics is mourning the loss of Barrie Tomlinson, the influential editor of the classic football comic Roy of the Rovers. Tomlinson passed away at the age of 88, as confirmed by his daughter Jennifer earlier this week.

In a heartfelt post on social media, Jennifer shared the sad news, expressing her father’s love for interacting with fans and the comic book community. She described his passion for connecting with readers and making lasting friendships through his work.

Barrie Tomlinson, a native of St Albans, Hertfordshire, is best remembered for his creation of Roy Race, the iconic football character who first graced the pages of Tiger magazine in 1954. Tomlinson played a pivotal role in shaping Roy of the Rovers, eventually becoming its founding editor until the comic’s closure in 1993.

Tributes have been paid to the influential editor of classic British football comic Roy of the Rovers following his death. – Tom Maddick / SWNS

Roy Race’s adventures continued in the BBC’s Match of the Day magazine until 2001, captivating readers with his footballing prowess and sportsmanship. Following Tomlinson’s passing, a wave of tributes flooded social media, highlighting his contributions to the comic book industry.

Hibernia comics praised Tomlinson as a “master of publicity” and a skilled writer, while the Treasury of British Comics commended his editorial prowess and passion for promoting the medium. His legacy lives on through iconic characters like Roy of the Rovers, continuing to inspire comic book fans of all ages.