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 ›
downthetubes Comics News
Beano named as theme for library-based 2018 Summer Reading Challenge
Beano Studios is continuing to ramp up activity surrounding the comic’s 80th anniversary next year, and Beano has been named the creative theme for the Summer Reading Challenge 2018. The Summer Reading Challenge, organised by the Reading Agency and run… Read More ›
“I Just Love It” gift company launches personalised Thunderbirds comic collections
Gift company I Just Love It has launched a range of personalised hardback and softback Thunderbirds-inspired books utilising strips from several sources – and a Gerry Anderson Collector’s Edition that offers other strips, too. Seven new personalised books are now available, re-packaging… Read More ›
Dreams are made of this: win a trip to Japan in annual “Manga Jiman” comic competition
The Embassy of Japan in the UK has just launched their annual comic-writing competition to find the best creators of comic short-stories, and this year the theme is “Dreams”. Manga Jiman 2017 has two categories; Yonkoma Manga, requiring a comic… Read More ›
Dan Dare’s Number One Fan was … top Doctor Who artist Andrew Skilleter
Organised comics fandom in the UK is usually considered to have begun in the late 1960s when the first zines began to appear, starting with Tony Roche‘s Merry Marvel Fanzine and, later, Heroes Unlimited. But there was an earlier attempt… Read More ›
Comics @ Edinburgh International Book Festival 2017
Tickets go on sale today for events at the largest literary festival in the world, the Edinburgh International Book Festival which this year runs in the Scottish capital from 12 to 28 August. As ever BookFest has a selection of… Read More ›
In Review: 60 Years Of Andy Capp Exhibition In Hartlepool
We have mentioned it here on downthetubes before but, now that the 60 Years Of Andy Capp exhibition has opened at the Museum Of Hartlepool, it is worth mentioning again because it is an excellent, and completely free, exhibition. Artist… Read More ›
Doctor Who Adventures goes on hiatus but may be back in 2018
Panini UK has announced Doctor Who Adventures has gone on hiatus, effective immediately, although we’re told it may be re-launched with the arrival of a new series lead in 2018. The company has published over 24 issues of the title,… Read More ›
Creating Comics for Self Publishers: A Nuts and Bolts Guide, courtesy from Lancaster Comics Day
Here’s a “nuts and bolts” panel from this year’s Lancaster Comics Day, discussing ways comics – and books – are published outside the mainstream today, through self publishing, crowd funding and digital outlets. The panel was was recorded by the… Read More ›
Hammer Films and Titan Comics Captain Kronos #1 Covers Revealed
The covers from Hammer Films and Titan Comics new comic series, Captain Kronos have just been revealed – a title continuing the original 1974 cult movie, which debuts in all good comic shops this September. Captain Kronos will be the… Read More ›
Harrier Comics revival continues at CEPG, 1980s strips revived for the 21st Century, tentative schedule revealed
Denver-based publisher CEPG is continuing to roll out new editions of some of the 1980s Harrier Comics titles that offered many now well-established creators one of their first entry points into publishing thanks to publisher Martin Lock. CEPG’s publisher Mike… Read More ›
New Beano collaborations planned as the British weekly humour comic ramps up for its 80th anniversary in 2018
Beantown is reeling after Minnie the Minx was elected school president – and you can just imagine the mayhem that ensues in this week’s edition of Beano – and in the real world, Beano Studios is promising lots more japery for… Read More ›
Eddie Robson and Rachael Smith share free Graphic Novels Panel billing for “Lancaster Words”
Comic creators Eddie Robson and Rachael Smith will be talking about their comics work at a free “Lancaster Words” Graphic Novels Panel on Saturday 8th July 2017 in Lancaster, an event chaired by comics editor John Freeman. The free event has… Read More ›
Little Nightmares moves from game, to comic, to TV series!
Little Nightmares – not only a critically-acclaimed game but also a two-issue comic series from Titan Comics with #1 on sale now – is to become a TV series. Hollywood Reporter first broke the story earlier this week, reporting Anthony… Read More ›
More big comics action from Commando, the pocket-sized war comic!
Here’s the intel on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando (Issues 5027-5030), on sale from Thursday 15th June 2017. Commando is sold in all good UK newsagents – and available digitally on various platforms. Size doesn’t matter in this… Read More ›
In Review and In Pictures: Lancaster Comics Day 2017
Lancaster Comics Day started in 2015 and has been running every year since. A small, friendly event, it has built up a good reputation in the comics community and is providing an appealing alternative to some of the larger, less… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Adam West
We’re sorry to note the passing of Adam West, the actor who played Batman in the iconic eponymous TV show alongside Burt Ward as Robin, has died at the age of 88. West is best known for his role as Batman… Read More ›
New Life for “Superhero 2044” RPG?
Checker Book Publishing Group has announced that it has purchased the publishing rights to the classic super hero themed role playing game Superhero 2044 from Gamescience Publishing. Artists on board for the project include Simon Bisley, Val Mayverik, Rudy Nebres,… Read More ›
In Review: Be Pure! Be Vigilant! Behave! 2000AD & Judge Dredd: The Secret History
Written by Pat Mills Out: Now (Kindle) The Book: Pat Mills is the creator of 2000AD and one of the comic’s top writers. He was also the creator of British weekly comics such as Action and co-creator of Battle and Misty, and is co-creator… Read More ›
First Doctor Who “Lost Dimension” Crossover Covers Revealed
Titan Comics has revealed covers for its an eight-book Doctor Who crossover event for 2017, a project spanning four series, launching on 30th August with the first two books in the Doctor Who: The Lost Dimension storyline: Doctor Who: The… Read More ›