Two graphic novels by Raymond Briggs are in the Top 15 of a list of 20th century children’s books which are still being read today, in a new poll commissioned by the CILIP Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Medals. Top honours… Read More ›
Books
“Into the Unknown”, the life story of “Quatermass” creator Nigel Kneale, gets updated re-release
As writer of the legendary Quatermass television serials and a string of unforgettable TV plays, Nigel Kneale is one of British popular culture’s most influential figures. Fully revised and updated, a new edition of Into the Unknown by Andy Murray… Read More ›
In Review: Sydney Newman – The Man Who Thought Outside the Box
By Ryan Danes Publisher: eye-imagine-digitalentropy Out: Now The Book: Exactly where did the idea of Doctor Who come from? What did Canadian Sydney Newman do that changed British culture forever? We can trace the show’s origins back to a BBC report on… Read More ›
Locus Award Finalists 2017 include MR Carey, Paul Cornell, Jo Walton
The Locus Science Fiction Foundation has announced the top ten finalists in each category of the 2017 Locus Awards. They include numerous British creators such as Stephen Baxter, MR Carey, Paul Cornell, Dermot Power, Alistair Reynolds, Charles Stross and Jo… Read More ›
Spectrum is Indestructible: a new Captain Scarlet book will include comic strip guides
Regular readers of downthetubes will recall we reported in 2016 that Chinbeard Books is to publish an unofficial guide to Gerry Anderson’s Captain Scarlet later this year, marking the character’s 50th anniversary since his debut on ITV. Spectrum is Indestructible… Read More ›
Explore the SF and Fantasy art of Patrick J. Jones
Back in 2009, I edited SciFi Art Now, a compendium of great art with a foreword from one of my favourite all-time SF artists Chris Foss. One of the artists who responded to my international appeal for art to be… Read More ›
Coming Soon: Dazzle Ships and the Art of Confusion
If you’re a fan of Commando comics, then you may want to check out Dazzle Ships: World War One and the Art of Confusion, out later this year. Yes, it’s nonfiction – but there is a comics connection. Written by… Read More ›
Dan Abnett and Jack Campbell among writers for “Cosmic Powers” SF anthology edited by John Joseph Adams
Those of you who are looking forward to Titan Comics Lost Fleet: Corsair mini series (out in June 2017), written by Lost Fleet creator Jack Campbell, or are fans of 2000AD writer Dan Abnett‘s work might want to check out… Read More ›
Fighting Fantasy Fest Returns to London in September
Fighting Fantasy Fest returns to Ealing for the largest dedicated Fighting Fantasy convention yet in September 2017, featuring Guests of Honour Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, as well as a host of other guests. Fighting Fantasy Fest 2 will feature talks, gaming sessions, comics,… Read More ›
Origins of “Doctor Who” revealed in new Sydney Newman memoirs
Exactly where did the idea of Doctor Who come from and how much of the show was the idea of Canadian film and TV producer Sydney Newman? That’s just one of the subjects tackled in The Man Who Thought Outside… Read More ›
50 Years of Captain Scarlet to be celebrated in new unofficial guide
Chinbeard Books is to publish an unofficial guide to Gerry Anderson’s Captain Scarlet next year, marking the character’s 50th anniversary since his debut on ITV. Originally shown in September 1967, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons was Gerry Anderson’s follow-up to… Read More ›
“Mr. Testy” book debuts from comics creator Paul Eldridge
Satirising a line of famous children’s books Paul Eldridge‘s Mr. Testy is the kind of project that might strike a chord with fans of VIZ, or Keith Lemon. An illustrated book rather than comic from this independent British comic creator… Read More ›
Crowdfunding Spotlight: Bambi Wendt’s field guide to dragons
Currently smashing its fairly modest Kickstarter funding goal of $2500 out of the park, Bambi Wendt‘s proposed The field guide to: Dragons, Wyrms, and Serpents of the World is a gem deserving attention. The project is being promoted as a… Read More ›
Resurrecting the Doctor Who Target Book That Never Was
As part of an audience with writer Eric Saward, there will be a reading of Chapter One of the Target Book that never was – an adaptation of the Fifth Doctor story Resurrection of the Daleks – at Manchester’s Fab Cafe… Read More ›
Paul Kidby’s Terry Pratchett Memorial Statue for Salisbury one step nearer to realisation
Back in 2015, a campaign was launched for the creation of a Terry Pratchett Memorial Statue, which we reported here on downthetubes. Artist Paul Kidby, who worked with Sir Terry, was put forward as the sculptor of choice to create… Read More ›
In Review: Comic Book Fever – A Celebration of Comics: 1976-1986
By George Khoury Publisher: TwoMorrows Out: Now The Book: This book is an examination of the pivotal US comics era of 1976–1986. Contained herein are the people, comics, and artifacts that made our childhood feel larger than life, and shaped the… Read More ›
Alan Lee to illustrate new edition of JRR Tolkien’s love story, “Beren and Lúthien”
HarperCollins will publish a new JRR Tolkien title, Beren and Lúthien, in May 2017, a love story that has inspired many creators to illustrate scenes from their story. This edition will feature art by Alan Lee, an award-winning artist long associated with… Read More ›
Enjoy a taste of the macabre with celebrated Lancaster author AS Chambers this Hallowe’en
A.S.Chambers, Lancaster’s master of the macabre (and one of Lancaster Comics Day’s most fervent supporters), will be making a special appearance at Lancaster Library this Hallowe’en weekend. On the 29th October he will be holding a one off event, where he will… Read More ›
Comics and Short Stories Digital Hub Tapas Launches Writer Appeal
Tapas, a publishing platform home to serialised, snackable stories for mobile audiences that includes the Tapastic comics hub which features the work of some 17,000 creators, is looking for amazing original stories. Tapas recently began to serialise the work of… Read More ›
“Martian” author Andy Weir short stories published exclusively on the books and comics app, Tapas
Before Andy Weir’s brilliant SF novel The Martian became a bestseller and a box-office hit, it was posted in short, free instalments to his website. His approach mirrors the serialised stories of 19th century periodicals, which popularized authors like Charles Dickens and… Read More ›