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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Dream of Deadworld concludes, stirs unsettling 1970s TV memories…
Not having been a Deca Thargo since 1997, it is rare that a 2000AD cover grabs me by the Id and will not let go until my ego and super-ego have reviewed that piece. Many will think that the… Read More ›
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In Revew: Saltire Invasion Deluxe Edition
Writer: John Ferguson Artists: Claire Roe, Gary Welsh, Tone Julskjaer and Lauren Knight Letterer: Phillip Vaughan Publisher: Diamond Steel Comics Released: 27th August 2015 When Saltire: Invasion was first launched in 2013 and reviewed by downthetubes, Diamond Steel Comics… Read More ›
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In Review: Houses of the Holy
Writer: Mike Carey Artist: Dave Kendall Publisher: Madefire In case you missed it, artist Dave Kendall has landed a rather big gig in 2000AD which has been reported on by our illustrious editor in the Dark Judges “origin story” article…. Read More ›
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An Embarrassment of Riches: A forward look at Comic Conventions of 2016
We are already seeing a surge in convention activity for next year as teams around the country begin to prepare their conventions – which should really come as no surprise to many event organisers, whose planning for their next comics… Read More ›
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In Review: Post Mortem – The Harvesting
Authors: Phil Woodward and William Wismer Pencils: Jaime Martinez Inks: Santiago Ramos Letterer: Mindy Lopkin Publisher: Close 2 Immortality The Book: No name. No memory. No escape. He awoke with no memory and found himself plunged into a blood-soaked hell…. Read More ›
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Dundee’s “Masters Show” 2015 to profile new animation talent
Dundee is fast becoming a go-to location in Scotland for comic-related events. We have Dee-Con in April and the Comics Day in October as part of the Dundee Literary Festival. This year, we also had a Will Eisner event in March…. Read More ›
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Comic Creator Spotlight: Comic Artist Jim Watson
There are many comic artists that I have still to identify whose work I’ve enjoyed down the years. Others that I have identified and see that others also share my enjoyment of their work. But there are many more who… Read More ›
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Signing at Deadhead Comics
For those that shop for their comics in Edinburgh, you could do worse than pop along to the recently relocated Deadhead Comics at their new address of 30 West Nicolson Street Edinburgh EH8 9DD. On Saturday 25 July 2015 from 2:30pm… Read More ›
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In Review: Glasgow Comic Con 2015
As the tables are cleared away and the volunteers, artists, writers and local traders head off for a post-convention tipple, we look back at how Glasgow Comic Con 2015 fared… Organised by Black Hearted Press and spread over three sites,… Read More ›
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Glasgow Comic Con 2015: The Setup
I have been to relatively few conventions, so I always find it incredibly interesting to watch a convention grow from an idea to a fully functioning beast ready to accept the traffic of hundreds, if not thousands of eager fans… Read More ›
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In Review: Purity Ring #1
Author: John Farman Pencils: Rodolfo Ezequiel Inks: Cristian Sauret and Juan Hernandez Publisher: Vital Publishing Do you realise how hard it is to write a review without adding in spoilers? I’ll do my best… When most of us hear the… Read More ›
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In Review: Draw The Line Here
Author: Various Editor: The British Professional Cartoonists’ Organisation Committee Publisher: English PEN I seem to be turning into the eclectic correspondent for downthetubes, as I am reviewing a cartoon anthology that has a distinctively sharp bite. Many of us will recall… Read More ›
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In Review: CC3 by Rob Burton and A Klassen
Written by Rob Burton Art by A Klassen Published by Mindstain This is an unusual comic to pick up in today’s small-press comics arena. For one, this comic is not wall to wall illustration. For two, this comic forces you… Read More ›
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Edinburgh Comic Con: A Bird’s Eye View
In April 2014, I went to a rather small, poorly attended comic show called SBA at the Students Union that is part of Edinburgh University. I was lucky and I got to spend an inordinate amount of time chatting with… Read More ›
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In Review: Royal Descent
I do not normally start any of my reviews with a disclaimer, but this review, published in advance of the release of Issue Three of this series later this month, needs one. **Disclaimer** If you have right wing views, read… Read More ›
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In Review: Saltire – Annihilation Part 2
Writer: John Ferguson Art: Claire Roe Colour: Lauren Knight Publisher: Diamond Steel Comics Out: 11th April 2015 The Book: As blood thins and silence echoes, a fresh torment builds behind the southern wall. When heroes fall, who will stand against an… Read More ›
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Comics, So What? at Dundee University: A Good Day Had By All!
For most of us, the idea of a day chatting and hearing about comics has to be as close to a perfect way to spend an afternoon as we could get. In this event, Dundee University got it exactly… Read More ›
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In Review: This Was The Wizard
Colin Noble’s review of a cracking DC Thomson reference work
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In Review: Creepy Scarlett – Book One
I rarely pick up small-press comics. Mainly, because there are so many and my partner-in-crime has already spent my pennies on them! However, there is one I’ve discovered that I have to share with you. Creepy Scarlett looks to be… Read More ›
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Saturday Night Special: Behind the Scenes on “Saltire”
It is amazing to think that only last year a new company and a new comic franchise was launched in Dundee. This was Diamond Steel Comics with the superhero Saltire. This was originally thought of as a way to… Read More ›