Earlier in his career, Burton published the popular fanzine Comic Media News, and was a co-founder of the Eagle Awards.
CMN had a circulation of close to 2,000 in late 1977,[9] and began to feature art contributions from such established creators as Brian Bolland.
[2] With Skinn, he created the popular character Night Raven, who first appeared in Marvel UK's Hulk Comic #1 (March 7, 1979).
[18] At this point, Burton retired Comic Media News, though he continued to co-produce the Eagle Awards for another couple of years with Mike Conroy.
In 1987, IPC's comics line was sold to Robert Maxwell and renamed Fleetway Publications; Burton was at that point promoted to editor of 2000 AD,[20] succeeding Steve MacManus.
At that point, Burton took the opportunity to launch the very successful videogame tie-in Sonic the Comic with Fleetway, which lasted nine years (three with him as editor).