Following up on our earlier post, an exhibition of art by Dan Dare creator Frank Hampson has just opened at The Atkinson, in Southport, Lancashire – where both the character and Eagle comic were “born” in the 1950s – and… Read More ›
British Comics
British comics-related news, interviews and features
Collecting Comics: The Strange Case of the War Comic Cover “Twins”
Richard Sheaf and I recently investigated the way British war comics used to re-use cover art, and this article reveals how two British comic companies used the same art on different titles… For those of you familiar with my Nothing… Read More ›
Orbital Comics announces “Art of Arthur Ranson” exhibition
Orbital Comics in London will be hosting an exhibition by British comics legend Arthur Ranson. The show will run from 5th October to 4th November 2018, and will feature original artwork spanning Arthur’s illustrious career. In addition, Orbital will host the UK… Read More ›
Comic Scene Issue 2 Celebrates 80 Years of The Beano, giant-size Christmas Special announced
ComicScene UK Issue 2 is in comic stores and available to order online now, celebrating 80 years of the Beano and humour comics. This issue includes interviews with Emily McGorman Bruce, Tim Quinn and Dicky Howett, Frank Quitely and the… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Terry Wiley – a tribute by Jay Eales, Selina Lock and other friends
The British comics community was stunned by the news of the passing of award-winning comic creator Terry Wiley, a key figure of the independent scene for decades, after a long battle with cancer. He was 56. Here, Jay Eales, Selina… Read More ›
Artist John Higgins joins Lakes International Comic Art Festival line-up
Award-winning comic artist John Higgins has been added to the line up for this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival, running 12th – 14th October in Kendal, Cumbria. John’s career as a freelance comic artist started in 1977 soon after… Read More ›
The 2018 Lakes International Comic Art Festival: A Quick Primer
A world of comic art will be arriving in Kendal for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, 12–14th October, 2018. downthetubes readers know this already of course, especially if you’ve been following our “Festival Focus” interviews with comic artists and… Read More ›
In Review: ‘The Needleman’ by Martin Simpson
Created by Martin Simpson Published by Soaring Penguin Press “Needlemen are the dark enforcers of a dystopian city of slaves. For one particular Needlman, a seemingly everyday investigation will spiral out of control and comprehension….” The Review : This is a… Read More ›
Sneak Peek: the new Striker comic magazine, launching in high street newsagents this week
Launching on Wednesday, the Kickstarter-funded Striker comic magazine arrives in selected high street newsagents and on subscription – and downthetubes has a sneak peek for fans of the long-running newspaper football strip created by Pete Nash. The crowdfunder raised £43,719… Read More ›
Commando comics go behind enemy lines in latest adventures!
Brand new Commando (Issues 5155-5158) are on sale now from DC Thomson in all good UK newsagents and via various digital platforms. Feel the heat of a Type 100 flamethrower in the Burmese jungle, dodge deadly foes in the English… Read More ›
In Preview: “Amnesia Agents” by Jason Cobley and James Gray
Written by Jason Cobley Art and Lettering by James Gray Black and White interiors – 52 pages – £6.99 The Story: Amnesia Agents are tasked with tracking down missing memories and forgotten people. The barrier between Earth and Echo has… Read More ›
Lakes Festival Focus 2018: Comics artist and writer Monty Nero
Every year, in the countdown to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, we bring you a series of interviews with guests at the event. Over 70 are attending in 2018 in October (and that’s not including creators you’ll find in… Read More ›
Sneak Peek: 2000AD Prog 2097 – and some hints of new thrills in Prog 2100!
As the countdown continues toward 2000AD Prog 2100, here’s a quick look at the next issue of Britain’s only SF weekly comic, on sale on Wednesday in all good newsagents, UK comic shops and via various digital platforms. This issue… Read More ›
Titan Comics announces new Minions comic, launches in November
Titan Comics has announced that Illumination’s Minions – the breakout mascots of Universal and Illumination’s global phenomenon Despicable Me animated film series – are set to return to comics this November in an all-new series, Minions: Viva Le Boss. Spinning… Read More ›
Money Spinning: How many times can you re-publish a British war comic?
As comic fans, it’s often easy to forget that publishing them is very much a business as far as companies such as DC Thomson, Rebellion and Titan Comics are concerned, and syndicating or re-using comics published is a major part… Read More ›
Crowdfunding Spotlight: Kia Wordsmith from Accent UK
I recently got chatting to Ian Ashcroft and he and I are are venturing on a short story for an upcoming anthology. He asked to show me some art from his current project, entitled Kia Wordsmith. I immediately insisted that… Read More ›
In Review: 2000AD Prog 2096
Featuring a striking The Order-inspired cover by Neil Roberts, the latest issue of weekly SF comic 2000AD is on sale now in all good comic shops and newsagents across the UK, and various digital platforms. Gordon Rennie and Emma Beeby clearly having… Read More ›
Doctor Who – The Thirteenth Doctor Launch Covers revealed
Heralding a new era for Titan’s Doctor Who line, Titan Comics and BBC Studios have revealed launch details for Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor #1, featuring variants from leading artists including Babs Tarr (Batgirl, Motor Crush), Sarah Graley (Rick and… Read More ›
Creating a football comics graphic novel: publisher Michael Barrett set to share some secrets
Michael Barrett, writer and publisher of Preston North End – The Rise of the Invincibles, will be at the Preston’s Harris Museum & Library on Wednesday 12th September, giving an illustrated talk about the story behind the project featuring the work… Read More ›
Crowdfunding Spotlight: Cadavers – World Gone to Hell, a post-apocalyptic anthology from Mad Robot Comics
Inventive independent British comics publisher Mad Robot Comics have sailed past their crowdfunding target for their latest anthology project, Cadavers: World Gone to Hell – but there’s still time to back the title on Kickstarter. Created by Edward Bentley and Matt… Read More ›