Here’s a few quick fire SF and comic news items that have caught our eye this week here at downthetubes…

First up… Auction house Ewbank’s is hosting a vintage film poster auction this weekend that includes copies of delights such as The Railway Children (1970) with, art by Look-In cover artist Arnaldo Putzu, Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) by Bob McCall, a French Space:1999 (1975) French Serie Culte poster, artist unidentified, Sweeney! (1977) and Sweeney 2 (1978) posters, the first by Doctor Who comic strip artist Frank Langford, Superman (1978), art by Bob Peak, a Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back Polish limited edition poster, artwork by Miroslaw Lakomski, The Monster Club (1980), featuring art by Graham Humphreys, a Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) British Quad film poster, artwork by Richard Amsel – and more.

The Vintage Posters takes place on Sunday 26th September 2021 and you can view the full catalogue and register to bid here.

• Over in the ace Panel Borders radio show and podcast, in the second of two early Autumn specials, Alex Fitch chats to the creators of graphic novels with diverse ensemble casts. Jenny Robins discusses her graphic novel Biscuits (Assorted), which presents a snapshot of the intertwining lives of modern women from diverse backgrounds; and Scott Jason Smith explores his book Marble Cake, a magical realist look at a community in South London, in Q and As recorded at Cartoon County. Check it out here.

• Doctor Who Magazine, available from newsagents, comic shops, and supermarkets or directly from Panini UK at this link, sadly still doesn’t feature a full comic strip adventure, but we do at the very least get “Daft Dimension” on the letters page, by Lew Stringer. The latest issue, also available direct from Panini, leads with an interview with incoming companion John Bishop.

• Artist John Patrick Reynolds recently launched some new, official Bananaman screenprints – and don’t forget downthetubes has some to give away! Check out the competition here, which runs until Monday.

• A “Quantum Leap” reboot could be on the horizon, according to series lead Scott Bakula. During a guest appearance on Bob Saget’s Here For You podcast, Bakula said that the 1989-93 NBC fantasy series could see a new day – but it’s complicated. “There are significant conversations about it right now going on,” Bakula told Saget. “I don’t know what it would be. I don’t know who would have it. The rights were a mess for years. I don’t know if they’re even sorted out now. That’s always been the biggest complication.”

• With clone emperors in haute couture and exotic wolf-lizards poised to attack, Foundation and For All Mankind, now screening on Apple+, herald a new era of ravishing spectaculars. The Guardian wonders if such shows can do for sci-fi what Game of Thrones did for fantasy?

• Finally… Gizmodo reports the families of iconic Marvel comic book writers and artists Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Don Heck, Gene Colan, and Don Rico have filed termination of copyright notices on the superheroes they helped create. Marvel – which Disney has owned since 2009 – unsurprisingly, disagrees and has filed lawsuits against all five to keep the characters in the Marvel stable and making the company billions. That might prove an interesting, if ultimately unrewarding challenge…

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: downthetubes News