Author Archives
A life-long comic fan, specialising mainly in UK adventure comics, Colin did his very best to support his passion for the comics of his youth, Commandos (still going!) and any small press that interested him. Sadly, Colin passed in March 2021, an invaluable downthetubes team member, much missed by us all
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Cheeky comic “Dummy” unearthed on eBay: but what changed in the planning before print?
As time has gone by, I have become more and more interested in how British comics were pitched, created and got to that crucial first issue where I, as a kid, would go “Ooh!” and fork out my hard earned… Read More ›
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Commando: The Best Issues of the 1960s?
Someone has been really nice to me and loaned me their copies of the short-lived fanzine Achtung! Commando, a title published nearly 20 years ago now, dedicated to DC Thomson’s long-running war comic, edited by comics artist and historian Peter Richardson,… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Commando comic artist Gordon Livingstone
It is difficult to say how much artist Gordon Livingstone, who died recently aged 82, has influenced my appreciation of art. I first became aware of his work way back in December 1973, probably with the DC Thomson war comic Commando Issue… Read More ›
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In Preview Review: Royal Descent Issue Four
Continuing on from issue three, this article needs a disclaimer. Disclaimer If you have right wing views, support the Donald and/or Brexit, read the Daily Mail or Telegraph, are a royalist or partake of all of the above, then do… Read More ›
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In Review: Wired Volume One
The Book: WIRED is a noir science fiction piece with elements of horror, that is loosely based in Scotland. Set in a world where things ‘are’ usually what they appear to be, two detectives, Briggs and Smith, investigate a case that… Read More ›
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In Review: 2000AD Prog 2011
Out: Wednesday 14th December 2016 Publisher: Rebellion This Christmas issue was previewed by John Freeman last week in his article here and the advert for the 40th Anniversary bash has been highlighted by John in the anniversary article. DANGER: SPOILERS… Read More ›
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In Like Flint… Announcing a Warlord Retrospective Marathon
Over on the Comics UK forum, we love to talk about comics and one of my friends has been enthusing about Fleetway Editions Battle, home to strips such as “Charley’s War” (documented here on downthetubes, a war comic title now owned… Read More ›
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In Review: Alex Automatic
The Book: Alex Automatic is written by Fraser Campbell with art by James Corcoran, colour art by David B. Cooper with lettering and design by Colin Bell. Variant covers are by Iain Laurie, Alisdair Wood and Nick Pitarra plus pin-ups… Read More ›
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In Review: The Gorbals Vampire (a new play from Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre)
Written by Johnny McKnight Performed by Citizens Theatre First Performed 28th – 29th October 2016 Promotional art by Frank Quitely The Play: A new play by Johnny McKnight, performed by amateur actors and inspired by real-life events which took place… Read More ›
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In Review: Comic Book Fever – A Celebration of Comics: 1976-1986
By George Khoury Publisher: TwoMorrows Out: Now The Book: This book is an examination of the pivotal US comics era of 1976–1986. Contained herein are the people, comics, and artifacts that made our childhood feel larger than life, and shaped the… Read More ›
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In Review: Dan Dare The 2000AD Years Volume Two
Publisher: RebellionIntroduced by Garth EnnisCreators: Gerry Finley-Day, Dave Gibbons, Trevor Goring, Nick Landau, Garry Leach, Brian Lewis, Chris Lowder, Roy Preston, Tom TullyIncludes feature by David McDonald on Dan Dare post 2000AD Out: 3rd November 2016 The Book: Veteran British Space Pilot, Dan… Read More ›
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In Review: 2000AD Prog 2000 (Spoiler Free)
Out: Wednesday 28th September 2016 (UK) Features covers by Cliff Robinson, and variant covers by Glenn Fabry and Chris Burham (latter available from comic shops) The Prog: Prog 2000 of 2000AD is not only an incredible achievement for a British comic… Read More ›
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In Review: Johnny Red – The Flying Gun
The Book: Johnny “Red” Redburn, British-born leader of Russia’s Falcon Squadron, has two enemies to worry about: the Nazis in front of him and the Russian secret police – the dreaded NKVD – at his back. But now, NKVD Major Rastovitch… Read More ›
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In Review: Judge Anderson – Psi Files Volume 5
The Book: Psi-Division’s toughest judge, Cassandra Anderson, returns to the streets of Mega-City One, having awoken from the coma she fell into following her exposure to the Half-Live virus. But there is no respite for the veteran Psi Judge. City-wide… Read More ›
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In Review: Bust Issue 1
In light of the kickstarter for Bust Issue 3, it seems foolish for us not to go back and review the first two issues, so here is the review for Issue One. The Book: Issue One tells the story of… Read More ›
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In Review: The Mighty One My Life Inside The Nerve Centre
The Book: Steve MacManus, the editor of 2000AD during the 1980s, lifts the lid on how the UK’s most important comic came into existence and his extraordinary role in shaping it into a industry revolutionising icon. In 1973, a twenty-year-old MacManus… Read More ›
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In Review: Garth Ennis Presents… Battle Classics Volume Two – “Fighting Mann” & “War Dog”
Publisher: Titan Books Out: 23rd August 2016 The Book: Writer Garth Ennis (Preacher) curates a brand new collection of classic war stories from legendary UK comic, Battle, this time collecting the work of renowned artist Cam Kennedy (Star Wars: Dark Empire,… Read More ›
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In Review: The Boat Volume 1
Writer and Creator: Dave Lumsden Art: Mark Weallans Additional Artwork: Tammy Le Vasan and Andrei Staruiala Lettering and Cover: Andrei Staruiala Recommended for mature readers The Book: The Boat is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the ice caps have melted… Read More ›
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In Review: Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 12 (US Edition)
The Book: Judge Dredd, Mega-City One’s toughest law enforcer, is back on the streets in this collection of explosive cases. This volume of scintillating thrills features some of the very best Dredd stories including ‘Full Mental Jacket,’ ‘Bloodline,’ and the… Read More ›
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In Review: Vessels
Card Shark Comics has launched their second title and it is worth checking out. A mixture of fantasy, horror and the cold hard light of day merge together to give a very interesting Issue One. The story begins with our… Read More ›