Malcolm Shaw

Malcolm Shaw began his career in journalism with D C Thomson, Dundee, in the mid 60s. He became chief sub editor on Red Star Weekly before he left in 1968 to work in London. For the next four years he worked at City Magazines on Men Only, Parade, Go Girl and Provincial Press Features as a features writer. He also wrote comedy sketches for an agency. He went for a job as editor of Romance and My Story and the interviewer asked him to spell “mantelpiece.” He spelt it correctly and was given the job. In 1972 he joined the Girls’ Adventure Group at IPC Magazines, subbing and writing on various comics and Mates, teenage romantic fiction. He became editor of the revamped Mirabelle in 1977 and stayed with the paper until it folded. In 1979 he became freelance working on Girl, Tammy, 2000 AD, Princess, Tina (Holland), Saint (Sweden), Jackie, Blue Jeans and Misty. He was probably best remembered as editor of Misty – a popular girls’ mystery comic which proved popular with all the family. Malcolm wrote many Misty stories. In 1980 he moved to Barcelona for a year with his partner and two sons. Many of the artists who worked for the girls’ comics e.g. Blas Gallego, Jose Canovas, Santiago Hernandez, Rafael Busom, lived in Barcelona and they became firm friends. He returned to London in 1981 and shortly before his death he was helping develop BEEB – a new children’s magazine based on BBC TV programmes – for Polystyle Publications. He died the day before his 38th birthday.