The Comics Summit, a brand-new event set up by creators, for creators has announced it will now take place across the weekend of 14 – 15th July in Cheltenham. The creating comics event, organised by Cheltenham-based Jon Lock of Big… Read More ›
Creating Comics
Articles on creating comics, how tos, reference information and more
Glenrothes Comic Con returns to the Rothes Halls next Saturday – 9 June 2018
Last year Fife Council put on the inaugural Glenrothes Comic Con in the town’s Rothes Halls with artist Gary Erskine as the event’s Creative Director. Gary’s participation ensured that the event was a truly comics flavoured comic con and the organiser’s… Read More ›
Creating Comics: Atomeka publisher Dave Elliott’s plan to save the US comics industry
Over the last few years, Atomeka Press publisher Dave Elliott has stood by and frustratingly watched as the US comic book industry continues to devour itself like the mythical Ouroboros, the snake that ate its own tail. Last week, he… Read More ›
How so many British Adventure Comics became just one – Eagle – in the 1990s
Over on his brilliant Rusty Staples site, 2000AD writer Michael Carroll has begun a series of articles tracing the history of British comics, creating a series of “family trees” showing various mergers and more down the years. It’s something Alan… Read More ›
Lawgiver 2018! What a Day!
I’ve always been a 2000AD fan but never quite got into the message board scene that they have of recent become known for. It’s an ace comic and full of some of the best and most imaginative comics you’ll see… Read More ›
Marvel UK Comics That Never Were: Rourke versus Wolverine, versus… Monark Starstalker?
Here’s an item from my archives that should interest some Marvel UK fans – Liam Sharp’s fax of our creator-owned heroine, Rourke, created for STRIP, alongside Marvel US heroes Monark Starstalker and Wolverine. I’ve written about this a little before,… Read More ›
Creating Comics: Why British publishers attempts to launch a graphic novels line keep failing, and how to do it better
Eisner Award-nominated editor, writer and publishing consultant Tim Pilcher ponders the problems getting a successful graphic comics line off the ground for British publishers… Lately I’ve been musing on why it is that traditional British book publishers have never really… Read More ›
In Praise of… Comic Artist Harry Bishop, creator of “Gun Law” and more
I recently did some brief research on the work of British newspaper strip artist Harry Bishop, perhaps best known for drawing Gun Law, based on the TV series Gunsmoke, starring James Arness as Matt Dillon, for the Daily Express. While… Read More ›
Oldham Sounds from the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast!
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast took a trip out to Oldham Comic Con 2018 last weekend and landed plenty of conversations with some terrific comic creators. “We had a great time and it really was a well ran… Read More ›
Roy of the Rovers new Melchester Club Crest revealed – and relegation woes revealed!
Following up on news on the new Roy of the Rovers creative team, publishers Rebellion have unveiled the brand new Melchester Rovers club crest – and a hint of dark times for the famous fictional football club. Featuring a modern,… Read More ›
Early Inspirations: The Bayeux Tapestry
There’s a very good reason why this 1940s King Penguin book about the Bayeux Tapestry is in such a very worn state. It was probably one of my very first encounters with the graphic form, and I often read and… Read More ›
Classic British Comic Covers: 2000AD Prog 62, featuring the comic’s first heroine
“Death Planet” was a short-lived series written by Alan Hebden with art by Lopez which began in 2000AD 62 and ran through to Prog 70, back in 1978. Commander Lorna Varn, the captain of a colony ship from Earth which… Read More ›
When Kennedy’s Collide: the Commando work of Cam and Ian Kennedy
When it comes to staying power, it is hard to come up with a better definition than comic artist Ian Kennedy’s career. Ably supported by his family, Ian has delighted generations of comic fans since he went freelance in the 1950s…. Read More ›
Essential British Comics Reference: Bear Alley Books’ “Ranger The National Boys’ Magazine”
Online discussion about where a piece of art by the talented British comic artist Ron Embleton (TV Century 21, Look and Learn, Ranger, World of Wonder) might have been published prompted Bear Alley Books publisher Steve Holland to remind me… Read More ›
Independent Comics Summit comes to Birmingham
Outside of bigger comic publishers such as Marvel and DC in the USor Titan and Rebellion in the UK, what are the realities of actually creating comics as an independent publisher? The question will be explored at ‘The Comics Summit‘,… Read More ›
Kate Evans, Frank Quitely, Bryan and Mary Talbot and more join 2018 Lakes International Comic Art Festival line up
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has just announced more guests for its Festival weekend (12th – 14th October 2018) in Kendal, including Kate Evans and Frank Quitely. Now in its sixth year, the latest guests revealed are Hunt Emerson (Calculus Cat, Bloke’s… Read More ›
Creating Comics: Nine Rules for Amazing Dialogue by Monty Nero
Death Sentence and occasional X-men writer Monty Nero lays out nine foolproof ways to write wonderful dialogue. He offers these tips because of his incredibly giving nature and not because he wants you to check out his totally awesome kickstarter… Read More ›
A Chat with Cinebook – Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast probes European comics publisher
In the latest episode of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast, the team chat to Jerome Saincantin about his role as a translator for Cinebook. Cinebook, whose titles we’ve often featured on downthetubes, are publishers of best selling European books… Read More ›
So you’ve broken into the comics industry… What do You do Next?
Many people have broken into the comic industry after attending the Birmingham event Comics Uncovered, which returns to the city this July. But breaking in is just part of the journey to a successful career in comics. “What Happens Next”… Read More ›
Who’s Who in Rebellion’s “The Vigilant” classic comic character revival – and who created the characters
Rebellion Publishing, owners of 2000AD, announced an all-new 48-page special title The Vigilant earlier this week, the lead strip written by Simon Furman, with art by Simon Coleby coloured by Len O’Grady. Breathing new life into Fleetway characters acquired in… Read More ›