Out now from artist and font designer Rian Hughes self-publishes a number of books and he’s recently released the well-received 112 Hours, his fifteenth collection of fonts. Rian is best known in the comics industry at present for his work for US… Read More ›
Creating Comics
Articles on creating comics, how tos, reference information and more
Je Suis Charlie
As a comic creator, I offer my thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of all those murdered in Paris earlier today in a barbaric attack by persons as yet unknown, on the offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie… Read More ›
IDW Publishing Acquires Top Shelf Productions
Leading comic book and graphic novel publisher IDW Publishing has announced that it has acquired Top Shelf Productions, the award-winning independent publisher of graphic novels, including Alan Moore’s League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (with Kevin O’Neill) and From Hell (with Eddie Campbell), the Number One New York Times and Washington Post bestseller March by Congressman John… Read More ›
Beano cartoonist Steve Bright conjures up magic with John Holt with new book, “Just Us Then?”
Just Us Then? is the first book collaboration from the respective talents of Brighty & Holt (Steve Bright and John Holt). If it’s also the last, then you won’t hear them complaining. Their plan in producing this book was purely… Read More ›
HMRC grants concession on #VATMESS, but campaign against changes continues
There was some good news for comic creators who sell e-comics via their web sites over the Christmas period thanks to the EU VAT Action Group. As a result of their sustained and hard fought campaigning, HMRC has agreed that, for… Read More ›
Panel Borders: Non-Verbal Communication with Laura Malacart and artist Daniel Locke
Concluding a trio of shows about ‘untold tales’, narratives not normally depicted in comics, Alex Fitch talks to writer Laura Malacart and artist Daniel Locke on today’s Panel Borders radio show, about their comic book Yes! which explores the true story of an autistic… Read More ›
Comic Creators take to Twitter to protest at EU VAT changes that will cripple their business
With so little time before the European Parliament shuts for Christmas, the VAT Action Group urged its supporters to take to Twitter this morning in an urgent bid to show both EU commissioners and the UK government that we are not going… Read More ›
Comic creators and fans urged to sign new #VATMESS petition
(Updated 13th December 2014, update at end of story): A new pan European petition protesting at the implementation of new VAT rules aimed at large corporations avoiding paying tax in the countries they trade has just been launched. I… Read More ›
Nickelodeon widens its Writing Program to accept worldwide applications
Viacom-owned cable and satellite TV network Nickelodeon has announced an open call for its 2015 global Animated Shorts Program, open worldwide. They’ll be taking pitches between 1st February – 31st March 2015. They’ve also announced an expansion to their Writing Program,… Read More ›
Richard Piers Rayner, Will Sliney feature in When Saturday Comes
The latest issue of the “Half Decent Football Magazine” When Saturday Comes includes a feature on how artists turn their hands to football featuring Road to Perdition and Doctor Who artist Richard Piers Rayner and Marvel artist Will Sliney. Born in Middlesbrough,… Read More ›
Barry Kitson, Andrew Wildman part of Dutch Comic Con Line-Up
British artists Barry Kitson and Andrew Wildman are part of a growing guest line up for next year’s Dutch Comic Con, which will be held 28th – 29th of March 2015 at the Jaarbeurs Exhibition Centre, Utrecht. Dutch Comic Con is an… Read More ›
Scottish Comics Unconference Meet-up announced for February 2015, participants wanted
The Scottish Comics Unconference Meet-up – open to any and all with an interest in engaging seriously with the medium – will take place on Saturday 28th February 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland and a call has just gone out for participants. An unconference is… Read More ›
Cogs & Claws: An Interview with Creator and Artist Brian ‘Clank’ Bennett
We at downthetubes were lucky enough to be sent a preview copy of the excellent Cogs & Claws published by Markosia, an anthropomorphic space saga of astounding attention to detail and design from Brian ‘Clank’ Bennett and Jimmy Pearson. It’s… Read More ›
In Review: This Was The Wizard
Colin Noble’s review of a cracking DC Thomson reference work
British comic creators join protest over #VATMOSS (Updated 8th December 2014)
(Updated 8th December 2014 to include new links): We don’t normally dip our toes into the murky world of politics, but Europe-wide changes to the way VAT is charged for services set to be introduced in January 2015, agreed… Read More ›
Karrie Fransman heads up new Guardian comics masterclass in January
The Guardian newspaper has just announced a Comics Masterclass with Karrie Fransman, taking place in January in London. As with past classes run by Bryan Talbot and Pat Mills organised by the newspaper, “How to create successful comics and graphic… Read More ›
Comic Creators: Who’s Top and Who’s Not? Bleeding Cool Magazine has the answers
It’s that time of year again – time to see who earns the Number One power rank position in Rich Johnston‘s yearly list of American comic publishing’s comic book powerbrokers. What comes up must come down, and we’re told US… Read More ›
Dan Dare: The Lost 2000AD Story
Earlier this month we reported that Rebellion, the publishers of 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine, had announced collections of the “Dan Dare” stories published in early editions of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic, with the first of a two-volume series set to be published in autumn 2015. We also… Read More ›
Comics and Literacy, Part 5: Where Do We Go From Here? by Neill Cameron
In September and October 2014, comic creator Neill Cameron published a series of articles on the British comics industry which he has very kindly given us permission to cross post here, as part of wider efforts by both him and many… Read More ›
Malta Comic Con 2014 announces final guests for a stellar show
Wicked Comics has just announced the final comic creators and comics industry professionals for the 2014 Malta Comic Con which will be held on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November at St. James Cavalier (all floors), Valletta. Joining an already incredible line up are pop… Read More ›