Creating Comics

Articles on creating comics, how tos, reference information and more

Madefire comics part of Apple TV revamp, gets launch slot in new App Store

By John Freeman on September 9, 2015

International computer giant Apple – the makers of iPads, iPones and more – has just announced an App Store for its new Apple TV 4, and its launch partners not only include a lot of games, content readers and video viewers… Read More ›

2000AD to publish Goldtiger, marking tentative step into comics publishing beyond own titles

By John Freeman on September 9, 2015 • ( 2 )

It’s the secret history of the greatest comic of the 1960s that you’ve never heard of… and you’ll end up wondering if it’s a true story or gloriously put together hoax. But it’s also a Kickstarter success story, a time-capsule of… Read More ›

Want to be in the comics industry? Lifting the Lid on Comics Uncovered 2015

By John Freeman on September 9, 2015 • ( 1 )

Birmingham had barely caught its breath from all the excitement of the International Comic Expo (read our review here) the day before when more comic enthusiasts and professionals descended on The Studio venue for Comics Uncovered 2015. Jon Laight reports… The sister event… Read More ›

Lakes Festival Focus 2015: An Interview with Simon Grennan, writer of Dispossession

By John Freeman on September 9, 2015

Last year, in partnership with the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, downthetubes brought you a number of interviews with creators attending the event – and we’re delighted to be able to run a series in the run up to their… Read More ›

Roger Perry in the Girl office in early February 1965. The newspaper headline refers to the Labour government's decision to cancel two jets - a decision that would have grave implications of the British aerospace industry, noted in our coverage of the British Interplanetary Society's Dan Dare themed event earlier this year. A self-portrait with the Rolleiflex sitting on the window sill and using the self-timer!

Eagle Daze Part Four: Pop Stars, Knickers and a Dodgy Cup of Coffee

By Roger Perry on September 9, 2015

We are pleased to publish Part Four of the memories of Roger Perry – memories of now more than half-a-century ago – of his days at Fleetway Publications working on Girl, Eagle, WHAM! and other titles… Of Braces and Bin Fires… Read More ›

It’s Electrifyin’! Awesome Comics Podcast features Leah Moore

By John Freeman on September 7, 2015 • ( 1 )

Episode 10 of the Awesome Comics Podcast is slipping and sliding into your pyjamas today. Hosted by Vince Hunt, Dan Butcher and Tony Esmond, this episode has as its guest, writer and digital comics pioneer Leah Moore. The guys talk… Read More ›

Brought to Book: John A. Short talks about communist comic hero Octobriana

By Antony Esmond on September 5, 2015 • ( 1 )

The more obscure the band in certain areas of music the cooler they are. The underground, crazy named and most importantly obscure horror movies are also considered cool. Right? So, a character called Octobriana that is out of copyright, and… Read More ›

Crowdfunding Spotlight: “A Restless Night”, a Merrick: The Sensational Elephantman spin-off

By John Freeman on September 4, 2015

Tom Ward and Luke Parker, the talented team behind the brilliant Merrick: The Sensational Elephantman (the latest issue reviewed here), have just launched their latest Kickstarter for a one-shot prestige horror comic from the world of their hit comic, based… Read More ›

How to Draw Comics the Small Press Way with The Imperium

By downthetubes Guests on September 4, 2015

Tzvi Lebetkin and Stefano Cardoselli’s IndieGoGo campaign to fund for their Imperium (“a love letter to Sixties telefantasy”) draws to a close today. We interviewed Tzvi about the campaign and his other comics recently and here, he explains why he’s offering a low rent small press… Read More ›

In Review: Over the Line, an introduction to comics poetry

By Antony Esmond on September 4, 2015

Sidekick Books has just published Over The Line, an introduction to comics poetry edited by poet and comics editor Chrissy Williams and comics artist Tom Humberstone, a project that has earned high praise from the likes of Alan Moore, who described the project… Read More ›

Electricomics app launches for Apple devices, featuring strips by Ennis, Moore, Reppion, Hogan – and Moore

By John Freeman on September 3, 2015 • ( 1 )

Electricomics, the new digital comics reader app developed by a team including Alan Moore, has just been launched for iPad – with an Android version planned at a future date. Over two years in the making, the app gives you… Read More ›

Lakes Festival Focus 2015: An Interview with Karrie Fransman, creator of “Death of the Artist”

By John Freeman on September 2, 2015

Awesome Comics Podcast Episode 9 - Rachael Smith

The Awesome Comics Pod – Rachael Smith and Kat Chapman

By Antony Esmond on August 31, 2015

Finally! The gentlemen of the Awesome Comics Podcast have had the restraining orders removed and welcome not one, but two female creators onto Episode 9 of their weekly small press comics podcast. This week Vince Hunt, Dan Butcher and Tony Esmond… Read More ›

Comic Stars head for Birmingham for this year’s International Comics Expo

By John Freeman on August 31, 2015

Some of the biggest names from the world of comic book art and publishing will be descending onto the Studio Venue in Birmingham city centre this coming weekend for this year’s International Comics Expo. The International Comic Expo, or ICE as… Read More ›

Saltire Goes To (Scottish) Schools!

By John Freeman on August 28, 2015

Struggling to get children to pick up a book? Comic books and graphic novels might be the key to boosting literacy in youngsters, particularly boys, say researchers – and now Scotland’s newest superhero, Saltire, is joining efforts to encourage reading…. Read More ›

The opening page of a lost Grant Morrison and John M. Burns story, "Johnny O'Hara", intended for a fortnightly comic, Fantastic Adventure, that was dropped in favour of MASK by IPC/Fleetway.

Hibernia Comics uncovers “Lost Stories” for new Comic Archive