As I prepare to head northwards to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival, in Kendal, I’d just like to thank all our readers for their support as we celebrate 20 years of downthetubes. We wouldn’t be here without you!… Read More ›
Crucible Comic Press
Power Pack of Ken Reid books must be won!
Earlier this year, after years of waiting, a crowdfunding campaign was launched to collect all of humour cartoonist Ken Reid‘s Odhams comic strips of the 1960s – featured in Wham!, Smash!, and Pow! – into a pair handsome official hardback collections. The limited collections are now on sale –… Read More ›
Could you win a Limited Edition football-inspired colouring book by Luke and Steve McGarry?
Limited to just 100 copies, Steve McGarry and Luke McGarry created a fun football-themed colouring book as part of the activities surrounding the Playing for a Draw exhibition.. and here’s your chance to win one in our latest competition, but… Read More ›
Digital Comics at the British Library – more “Digital Conversations” event details revealed
Ian Cooke, Head of Contemporary British Publications at the British Library, has outlined a little more about the “Digital Conversations” event downthetubes has partnered with at the Library on Wednesday 18th April 2018. A panel on archiving digital comics will… Read More ›
Site Gremlins!
Our apologies to regular downthetubes readers for significant site down time on Friday this week. We’re in the process of re-designing the site, but unfortunately some “under the bonnet” changes caused a number of issues resulting in a loss of… Read More ›
downthetubes partners with British Library for “Digital Conversation” event in April
I’m delighted to announce that I’ll be chairing an event at the British Library in April, the first event downthetubes has ever been a partner in organising. Titled “Venturing off the page: exploring multimedia, animation and new narrative forms” guest… Read More ›
Death Duty: Renegade from 100% Biodegradable collection – On Sale Now!
The complete Death Duty: Renegade, an all-action SF adventure comic by John Freeman, Dave Hailwood, Brett Burbridge and Ken Reynolds is available now from DriveThru Comics, in print or digital download. Edited by Dave Hailwood, the Death Duty: Renegade collection… Read More ›
Knock me down with a kipper! downthetubes is 20 years old in… October!
Well, I’ve got egg all over my face this morning. Ever striving to bring accurate reports on the world of comics (largely, at present, British comics) and more, marking major events where we can between the demands of various editing… Read More ›
Comic Book Hero Competition Winners!
Recently released by Pitch Publishing, Comic Book Hero by former comics editor Barrie Tomlinson is a joyful romp through the history of British boys comics – encompassing New Eagle, Speed, Wildcats and more. You can read reviews by John Freeman… Read More ›
downthetubes Site Update in progress
We’re doing some behind the scenes maintenance on downthetubes, which means there won’t be as many posts as usual here for the next few days. In the mean time, for your British comics news fix (and other distractions), we’ve reignited… Read More ›
Lancaster Comics Day will return – in 2019
Lancaster Comics Day will be taking a break in 2018, returning to the city on Sunday 2nd June 2019. The decision has been taken in part in response to continued changes within Lancashire’s library services and to give the event’s… Read More ›
Can Your Hear Me, Mother? I’m on the Radio This Week
Thanks to David Chandler, you’ll hear me plugging Lancaster Comics Day (and the Lakes International Comic Art Festival) on this week’s “Friday Night Three” show airing on Beyond Radio (7 – 9.00pm, 103.5FM across Lancaster and Morecambe and also online)…. Read More ›
This Week’s Top Ten Most Read Stories on downthetubes
A look back at a short-lived Commando fan magazine edited by artist Peter Richardson, Frank Bellamy Eagle art, a Jack Kirby-related crowdfunder and the first UK Gerry Anderson’s UFO convention in a long time topped downthetubes most read stories this week…. Read More ›
This Week’s Most Read Stories on downthetubes: a Rum “Comic Run”, the Mekon, and an amazing new exhibtion
Here our are Top Five Most Read stories this week. Check out our most Recent Posts here – and thank you for reading! And don’t miss out on this week’s new comics! Comic-Con run turns sour, comic fans warned as… Read More ›
Our Most Read Stories in July 2016: Top Marks for Action and 2000AD!
Apart from the downthetubes home page, here are our Top Ten stories on the site for July 2016… • Rare “Banned” Action Comic reaches £1320 bid on eBay We have The Guardian to thank for this spike in interest in this… Read More ›
downthetubes: Our Top Ten Stories for May 2016
Halfway into 2016 already and we had another upswing in visitor numbers on downthetubes in May – thank you for your continued support. We have lots of news and features and new projects yet to come! • In Memoriam: Stewart… Read More ›
WordPress downthetubes Readers – a quick apology
A quick apology to followers downthetubes using the WordPress “Reader” service who will be bemused by the sudden publication of a large number of very old posts today, including items on Eagle Times and Alan Grant and Cam Kennedy’s 2007 Kidnapped graphic… Read More ›
Back To The Life of a Freelancer…
So. Today is my first day as a freelance comic keeping operative once more, with ROK Comics behind me and several projects in the works. I’m excited but nervous. It’s been a fraught few weeks in the run up to… Read More ›
Sapphire & Steel Art Competition Winners – and a New Competition For Our Readers!
Earlier in the year we announced a challenge for downthetubes readers to come up with their interpretation of 1970s spooky ITV show Sapphire & Steeel, after it was revealed that Luther creator and Doctor Who script writer Neil Cross is, hopefully, to re-make the show. Sadly, we didn’t get… Read More ›
Charley’s War “Micro Site” joins DownTheTubes
The Charley’s War web site formerly hosted as part the SevenPennyNightmare sites has a new home here on DownTheTubes. I’d like to thank Moose Harris of SevenPennyNightmare for very kindly hosted the semi-official site dedicated to the World War One comic strip created by Pat Mills and… Read More ›