And the 2009 downthetubes award for the most bizarre British comics tie-in merchandise of the year goes to… Firstly let’s remember that our favourite piece of bizarre British comics tie-in merchandise to date has been the Jackie Knitting Set. DC… Read More ›
British Comics
British comics-related news, interviews and features
In Review: Spandex
The Book: Welcome to Spandex – super-heroes with a difference! From the creator of The O Men (www.comix.org.uk/theomen), Spandex is a brand new super-drama with a very unique spin. And even if you have heard what it’s about, it’s really… Read More ›
November Commandos Revealed
Internet spooks delayed the arrival of DC Thomson’s latest information on its new issues of war digest Commando, but thanks to a bit of counter espionage from downthetubes and the Dundee offices of the monthly magazine, we’re finally able to… Read More ›
Tube Surfing: Comics Good for You, Superhero Homage in 2000AD… and Moore
Yes, we know we haven’t done one of these for a while: juggling work for ROK Comics and Titan Books as well as a few other things is proving a welcome but all-consuming challenge most days of the week… •… Read More ›
Johnny Red’s Real History Revealed in BBC Shows
Comics commentator Michael Crouch reports that Radio 4’s excellent From Our Own Correspondent show has just aired an item on the Night Witches – the all-women squadrons that fought for Russia during World War 2 and who featured in the… Read More ›
Century 21 Strip Collection Details Revealed!
Trailed here back in July, publishers Reynolds & Hearn have kindly given downthetubes the lowdown on the strips that will feature in their third volume of Gerry Anderson comic strips, most taken from the brilliant 1960s comic TV Century 21,… Read More ›
Starblazer Revived?
Rumours have reached downthetubes that some form of Starblazer collection is in the works at DC Thomson, along with other graphic collections based on some of the company’s most popular characters from a range of comics. Although Carlton Books have… Read More ›
Arts Foundation Graphic Novelist Awards: Shortlist Announced
The Arts Foundation has just announced that Spider Moon creator Kate Brown, Bill Bragg, Karrie Fransman and James McKay have been shortlisted for the Graphic Novelist awards. Established 18 years ago, the Arts Foundation (www.artsfoundation.co.uk) has awarded over £1.5 million… Read More ›
Keith Page Launches New Web Comic
Commando artist Keith Page, who’s also working on a new steampunk comic, Iron Moon, for Spaceship Away, has just started a new web comic, Dennis the Donkey on a dedicated blog entitled “Witchcraft Street”. This is the backstory to his… Read More ›
Success for "Discovered Authors" First Graphic Novel
Publishing company Discovered Authors’ first foray into graphic novels, Death’s Door: Ignorance Likes Company by Jag Lall, has been getting some good press worldwide and has been picked up as a teaching aid for young people. The story touches on… Read More ›
In Review: The Misadventures of Jane
The Book: Charts some of the cartoon (mis)adventures of Britain’s first and best-loved World War 2 pin-up – the scintillating, blue eyed, blonde-haired, clothes-phobic cartoon legend that is Lady Jane Gay. This collection features two full strips (no pun intended)… Read More ›
In Review: The Best Of Battle
It feels like it has been a long time coming but Titan’s Best of Battle has finally hit the stores and surprisingly, for a “Best Of” book, the wait has been worth it. Battle Picture Weekly was IPC’s answer to… Read More ›
Don’t Forsake The Prisoner
Fans of The Prisoner reading this blog might want to check out the various web sites of US band Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, which has a new music project in the works inspired by the show aptly… Read More ›
In Review: The Chimpanzee Complex – Paradox
The latest science fiction offering in Cinebook’s increasing number of translated bandes dessinee albums from France is The Chimpanzee Complex. Unlike Aldebaran or Orbital this is a story that takes place in the near future of 2035 and begins on… Read More ›
Ricardo Garijo: The Commando List
A checklist of the Commando comics drawn by Ricard Garijo, first compiled by Vic Whittle in 2009
In Memoriam: Ricardo Garijo, Commando Artist
We’re sorry to report the passing of Argentinian comic artist Ricard Garijo, aged just 55
Leopard of Lime Street Fun…
A few years ago, UK indie publisher Starscape, run by Chris Smillie, licensed some of Buster‘s Leopard of Lime Street strips from Egmont. “I made an ad for Starscape by using some images, making an animated comic,” says Chris,… Read More ›
NASA’s Hitch Hiker Fans ‘Tweet’ Their Praise
Penguin Books and NASA have very different ideas about celebrating the 30th anniversary of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. NASA did it by having their LCROSS (Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite) vehicle tweeting lines from Hitchhiker’s, just before it… Read More ›
Matters of Convention: The Alternative Press Fair
Continuing our series of interviews with British comic convention organisers, for this sixth instalment Matthew Badham talks to comic creator Jimi Gherkin about the The Alternative Press Fair, which is being held annually in London. These convention features are being… Read More ›
Fifth Temple Spotlights Comics Talent
The Temple Issue 5 is now complete and available to download for free from the British comic creators group’s forum. Compiled by John Kirkham, at 80 megs and over 160 pages it’s the biggest issue yet, with class contributions inside… Read More ›