Back I n 1962, the film Dr No introduced cinema-goers to the world of James Bond starring Sean Connery as the British spy with a licence to kill. The film adapted one of Ian Fleming’s popular spy novels and struck a… Read More ›
Art and Illustration
Illustration and Comic Art Items
John Mollo’s original Star Wars designs go under the hammer at Bonhams
The personal notebooks and sketchbooks of world-renowned double Oscar-winning British costume designer, John Mollo, the concept artist behind the international Star Wars franchise, are to be offered at Bonhams in a stand-alone 62-lot sale, Designing an Empire: The John Mollo… Read More ›
A tribute to Doctor Syntax, the first 19th century British comics brand
Doctor Syntax – not to be confused with the hip hop rapper – was a hybrid character of caricature and comic verse, and one of the first illustrated characters to have his own merchandise in England, the work of political… Read More ›
Get your stinking paws on an original Planet of the Apes painting!
We’re marking two celebrations this month with this coverage of artist Graeme Neil Reid’s latest art raffle. Not only is this the 24th monthly art raffle, making it two full years of Graeme giving away art to his supporters – but it is also the 50th anniversary for the film that inspired this month’s themed painting – Planet of the Apes.
Taschen’s “Walt Disney’s Disneyland” a visual treat
Specialist publisher Taschen has just released a stunning look back at the origins of Disneyland in Walt Disney’s Disneyland by Chris Nichols, a visual history of the world’s magic megalopolis. Walt Disney dreamed for decades about opening the ultimate entertainment venue, but… Read More ›
Topps 80th anniversary cards prove almost as collectible as the originals
If you remember the fun collecting bubble gum cards from younger days, then you may already know card company Topps is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2018, and to commemorate the occasion, they’re issuing weekly exclusives on their website –… Read More ›
Crowdfunding Spotlight: Spacecraft 2000 to 2100 AD (40th Anniversary Reprint)
A crowdfunder to celebrate a classic SF-inspired series of books has succeeded in attracting backing for a reprint of the fondly-remembered Spacecraft 2000 to 2100 AD Terran Trade Authority handbook by Stewart Cowley, to be published by Battlefield Press next… Read More ›
New documentary celebrates the ground-breaking SF art of Chesley Bonestell
Long before satellites would journey to planets and deep-space telescopes would photograph distant galaxies, there was an artist whose prescient vistas dazzled the eyes and the imagination of all who beheld them. His name was Chesley Bonestell. How could he… Read More ›
Axa and Modesty Blaise artist Romero announces new art book
Modesty Blaise and Axa artist Enric Badia Romero, still very much active, has announced a new book, Legends of Comic Women and Men of Paper, available to pre-order from him direct. It’s the latest in a line of self-published Books… Read More ›
Space Kingley artist Ron Jobson’s Airfix art documented in latest Constant Scale magazine
What’s in the latest issue of Constant Scale? Find out here
Billy Bunter art by “Magnet” artist C.H. Chapman offered on eBay
Five smashing pen and ink drawings of “The Fat Owl of the Remove” himself, Billy Bunter, are up on eBay, art created by C.H. Chapman, one of the character’s original artists for The Magnet. The seller of this delightful set… Read More ›
Don’t delete this newsflash! Graeme Neil Reid has some great Cybermen art on offer in his latest art raffle
This month one lucky person will win an original acrylic painting of a Vogan War Cyberman in Graeme Neil Reid’s monthly Art Raffle. But now all his Patreon supporters win with an exclusive high resolution download of the raffle art…. Read More ›
Vice Press celebrates 50 years of The Prisoner with new art from Paul Mann
Celebrating 50 years since it first aired in the United States, Vice Press has worked with legendary poster artist Paul Mann on an officially licensed, limited edition print for the 1960s television classic The Prisoner, which will be released later this week…. Read More ›
As NASA celebrates 60 years, Apollo’s 50th Anniversary celebrations gathers pace, offers us opportunity to remind you about a great new graphic novel!
In the run up to the 60th anniversary of its establishment as a US government agency this year, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) you may have missed that it unveiled an official logo to mark the upcoming 50th… Read More ›
Major Ray Harryhausen retrospective announced for Summer 2020 – in Scotland
The Scottish National Gallery Of Modern Art and the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation have announced the dates for Ray Harryhausen – Titan of Cinema – an exhibition celebrating the work of the extraordinary film maker Ray Harryhausen, opening 23rd May 2020 and… Read More ›
Rare Frank Hampson Dan Dare painting fetches a pretty penny at auction
A Dan Dare watercolour by his creator Frank Hampson recently sold on eBay for £650, complete with a letter of provenance from the artist himself. An earlier ink sketch of Dan by Frank with a similar pose that will feature in… Read More ›
Iconic anti-Vietnam War poster by Wes Wilson up for auction
This classic 1969 Anti-Vietnam War poster by Wes Wilson is up for auction right now through Hakes Americana and Collectibles. American artist Wes Wilson is one of the leading designers of psychedelic posters, best known for designing posters for Bill Graham… Read More ›
New Greeting Cards are needed! Art & Hue’s new “The Avengers” releases help celebrate Diana Rigg’s impending 80th birthday
. It’s no state secret that Art & Hue likes the cult 1960s British TV show The Avengers, as evidenced by the large pop art collection of stylish art prints featuring the show’s characters. Starring Diana Rigg as Mrs… Read More ›
Comic Creators work beyond Comics: David Roach, Chris Weston team up for Rebecca Closure EP cover
Just out is a new EP by the immensely talented Rebecca Closure with a cover drawn by David Roach, coloured by Chris Weston, the album package designed by David’s daughter Emily. The cover heroine is Rebecca herself (in typical stage… Read More ›
Look Alive, London! Here’s some rare dinosaur invasion art by Don Lawrence
Regular readers of downthetubes will recall we previously covered the short-lived replacement to Look and Learn, Look Alive, highlighting an early appearance of the Alan Grant penned story “The Chronicles of Genghis Grimtoad”, drawn for the title by Angus McBride,… Read More ›