Deep within Crik Wood is a village in which every person has a unique ability called a “Talent”. The Mayor can talk to insects, a girl can disappear in a cloud of smoke, and a young boy called Jack… Read More ›
Art and Illustration
Illustration and Comic Art Items
Flashback to 1968: Art from the very first British Comics Convention
Following up on our coverage of the successful Birmingham Comic Festival last month at Edgbaston, which attracted some 2000 fans from across the UK, we thought we’d flashback to 1968 and give you a look at the some of the art used… Read More ›
ArtZine Tiny Pencil Backs Nepal Charities with limited edition Postcard Sale
Tiny Pencil, an anthology artzine and blog founded in 2013 by Amber Hsu, a title described as a “safe haven for graphite groupies” have put a number of fabulous-looking art postcards up in their shop in aid of the Emergency Disaster Relief organisations working in Nepal…. Read More ›
Musical Fantasy: A is for Amos by Daria Hlazatova
While not exactly a comic, A is for Amos by Daria Hlazatova – launched on Record Day – is a piece of gorgeous art is more than deserving of a plug on DownTheTubes. Released by the machine that is Avery Hill Publishing,… Read More ›
Alternative Press: Takeover 2015 Details
In the second event of their Takeover Series, the Alternative Press team will be taking over 47/49Tanner Street, London on Saturday 9th May 2015 with a day that champions all radical publishing – from its independent bookshops and publishers to its DIY-ers; the small press,… Read More ›
Art of Doctor Who DWM Special Out Now
On sale now from all good newsagents is the absolutely brilliant Doctor Who Magazine Special Edition: The Art of Doctor Who, wrapped in a cover by US artist Mark Maddox. “This is how the story of Doctor Who unfolded in… Read More ›
A Lost Art: Queen’s Brian May Talks Stereoscope Revival
Some time in 1854, at 313 Oxford Street, the “London Stereoscope Company” was born, and under the leadership of Managing Partner George Swan Nottage, by 1856 the company had changed its name, to “The London Stereoscopic Company”, and finally in… Read More ›
“The BFG” – More Casting News, 2016 Release Date Set
As production gets underway in Vancouver, Walt Disney Studios has announced it will co-produce and co-finance Steven Spielberg‘s production of Roald Dahl‘s story The BFG, marking the three-time Academy Award winner’s first time directing a Disney-branded movie. Due for release in the… Read More ›
Creating Comics: Don’t Start Cold – Limber Up!
Deadlines can become quite overbearing, if you let them. It is entirely possible to be left, feeling like Hercules, duped by Atlas to hold the heavens aloft… but storyboard artist and illustrator Darren Taylor has some tips… The closer… Read More ›
Ladybird Books re-imagined by London College of Communication School of Design students
London College of Communication School of Design students are working with Ladybird books in their centenary year, a century after the first Ladybird book was published. The students are exploring, celebrating and reinterpreting Vintage Ladybird’s rich heritage as part of a… Read More ›
Who Remembers Letratone?
… Because if you do, then there’s a special clearance offer for the Letraset-produced screen tone paper being sold on ebay – over £1360 worth of screen tone paper, starting bid 99p. No reserve! Letratone, produced by Letraset from 1966 onwards… Read More ›
Royal Mail Launches Alice In Wonderland Stamps
The Royal Mail has just launched its Alice In Wonderland Stamps, the work of artist Grahame Baker-Smith, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the publication of Lewis Carroll’s Classic Tale – and, for the first time ever the company has… Read More ›
In Memoriam: John Cooper
We’re sorry to report the passing of British comics artist John Cooper, who died after a short illness on Sunday 22nd February. His huge and influential list of credits include work for numerous titles, including TV Century 21,… Read More ›
#PicturesMeanBusiness: UK campaign to gain Illustrators credit for their work grows
A number of British artists are actively campaigning for better credit (and, by default, better financial reward) for their work as illustrators, including comic creator Sarah McIntyre and writer-illustrator James Mayhew. Recognition for illustrators is important on so many levels – not… Read More ›
Alex Ross creates new limited edition “Yellow Submarine”-inspired Beatles prints
US print makers Dark Hall Mansion have just revealed their latest officially licensed Beatles limited edition release: “Yellow Submarine” by pre-eminent comic book artist, Alex Ross, which will go on sale Thursday 26th February 2015. 1960s music icons The Beatles have… Read More ›
Part-work magazines, 1930s style, on Bear Alley
Anyone buying one or more of the current US superheroes, Doctor Who, Star Trek, Star Wars or Judge Dredd part works might be interested in taking a look at what part-work magazines were like some eighty years ago. Artist L… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Martin Honeysett
We’re sorry to report the death of veteran and much-admired Hastings-based cartoonist Martin Honeysett, whose work has appeared in many publications, including Private Eye, Radio Times, Punch, The Oldie, The Spectator, The Sunday Telegraph, London’s Evening Standard and The Observer…. Read More ›
Marvel UK Flashback: Seventies Superhero Posters by Rafael López Espí
Check out some classic Marvel UK posters by Rafael López Espí
London Art Fair returns for 27th edition in January
The London Art Fair, the UK’s premier Fair for Modern British and contemporary art, kicks off the cultural calendar with its 27th edition at the Business Design Centre, Islington, from 21-25 January 2015. The Fair presents a unique overview… 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 ›