An exhibition celebrating the history of Ladybird Books is is currently running at Reading Museum, presented in partnership with the University of Reading, who hold a Special Collection of artwork, and publisher Ladybird
Books
Australian western publisher Cleveland set to sell off its original Cover Art Library
Cleveland Publishing, Australia’s pre-eminent publisher of genre pulp fiction novels, is closing its doors – to the dismay of avid fans of westerns and other action genre who have been buying their books for decades. Now, the company, its closure the result of increased production costs, is selling its collection of cover art, including illustrations by the likes of acclaimed Australian artists Walter Stackpool and Stanley Pitt.
Glenn B. Fleming’s “Eight Seconds” brings life to a World War Two mission in new illustrated novel
Out in May is Eight Seconds – a new war story written and illustrated by British author Glenn B Fleming which will surely appeal to fans of Commando comics. In the early hours of 6 June 1944, the British 6th… Read More ›
Heritage Auctions offers Star Trek, Modesty Blaise art in upcoming aution
Modesty Blaise art by John M. Burns and Greg Hildebrandt’s stunning original cover art for this month’s debut issue of Star Trek: Year Five #1 comic book series are among the highlights of dozens of SF, adventure and horror masterpiece paintings… Read More ›
Newcastle Writing Conference returns in May to foster new writers
The biennial Newcastle Writing Conference returns this spring, bringing together new and emerging writers across the North with publishing industry experts, inspiring authors and creative writing tutors. There isn’t anything specific to writing comics in the programme as far as… Read More ›
Hugo Awards Shortlist Announced
The shortlist for the annual Hugo Awards, pretty much the biggest deal in the world of science fiction and fantasy, has been announced. When a graphic category was first added to the Hugos it wasn’t always the best selection of… Read More ›
Who knew Dan Dare’s “Digby” was also a cat?
Eagle fans will know Peter Hampson was his father Frank Hampson’s model for “Flamer” Spry in the original “Dan Dare” strip. But Peter was also called on to help his father when he illustrated for Ladybird Books… and the family… Read More ›
Judith Kerr talks “The Tiger Who Came to Tea” as UK stage tour begins
Direct from a smash hit West End season, Judith Kerr‘s The Tiger Who Came to Tea has returned to the stage, celebrating its tenth year as a spectacular kid’s play – and we’ve got a short interview with the book’s… Read More ›
School Daze at Dartington Hall: An Interview with Former Tharg, Steve MacManus
Steve MacManus began his career in 1973 as a sub-editor on the weekly comic Valiant, published by Fleetway Publications. He went on to work on Battle Picture Weekly and Action, before moving to 2000AD, which he edited from 1979 to 1987. Subsequently, he sought to… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Children’s Illustrator John Burningham
John Burningham, who died earlier this month aged 82, was the creator of beloved picture books including Mr Gumpy’s Outing and Avocado Baby. He and his wife and fellow illustrator Helen Oxenbury were given a joint lifetime achievement award from… Read More ›
Final Doctor Who TV novelisations on way at last, but covers disappoint
Two long-awaited adaptations of Eric Saward’s Doctor Who stories Resurrection of the Daleks and Revelation of the Daleks are on their way at last from BBC Books, but the covers are, frankly, underwhelming.
Jim Alexander’s GoodCopBadCop released as a novel
GoodCopBadCop is a crime novel from 2000AD writer Jim Alexander, with a cover by Alex Ronald, with a twist. It’s a modern crime take on Jekyll and Hyde where both ‘good cop’ and ‘bad cop’ are the same person. GoodCopBadCop… Read More ›
Latest “Men of Violence” tackles historical fiction
The latest issue of the fanzine of men’s adventure paperbacks, Men of Violence (Issue 11) is a historical fiction special from Justin Marriott with a cover by Rik Rawling. Historical fiction is popular today, but the number of titles available… Read More ›
Joe Todd-Stanton’s Brownstone’s Mythical Collection optioned for film
Nobrow’s quite excellent imprint for younger readers, Flying Eye Books, has revealed that the Brownstone’s Mythical Collection series by Joe Todd-Stanton has been optioned for film development by DreamWorks Animation. The series began with Arthur and the Golden Rope in… Read More ›
Batmobile Cutaways: Batman Classic TV Series released – complete with die-cast model
Hero Collector has just released a one of a kind custom cutaway book of every vehicle from the original Batman TV series, packaged with a die-cast model of the iconic 1966 Batmobile, written by Richard Jackson, Alan Cowsill and James Hill… Read More ›
Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda’s “Monstress” wins at the British Fantasy Awards
The autumn season means it is time for the annual British Fantasy Society‘s convention and the BFS Awards. The second volume of Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda‘s rather glorious Monstress (published by Image) won the Best Comic / Graphic Novel… Read More ›
Thunderbirds Lady Penelope focus of new merchandise from Half Moon Bay
Award-winning wholesaler Half Moon Bay has secured the licensing rights for both Moomin and Thunderbirds, adding the classic brands to its expanding gift and publishing portfolio in the UK, with new launches early in 2019. The Bath-based company, established in… Read More ›
Crowdfunding Spotlight: The Oxford Trollomicus by Spike Greenwood
An intriguing art book, The Oxford Trollomicus, created by Spike Greenwood, has caught my eye over on Kickstarter – a gorgeous-looking Illustrated Guide Book to the Bridge Trolls of Oxford, based on the increasingly dubious research of Professor Bulstrode Whitless…… Read More ›
Horror author Richard Laymon dissected in latest issue of “The Paperbook Fanatic”
Issue 40 of Justin Marriott‘s The Paperbook Fanatic is now available from Amazon, the latest in a series of terrific fanzines he publishes through Amazon’s Createspace service, primarily dedicated to vintage paperbacks, but often cross over into comics material. The Paperbook… Read More ›
Alan Moore’s Jerusalem release as omnibus paperback
Jerusalem, the New York Times-bestseller from Alan Moore, author of From Hell and Watchmen is now available in a single-volume paperback. On sale from today, Tuesday 25th September in shops and in digital from 25th September, the novel is published in the UK from… Read More ›