Meet the Spook Squad – Adventures Too Scary for Boys – an irresistible concept that applies to animation, toys, games, books and a wealth of potential merchandising opportunities. And, perhaps, comics too? The action is led by four feisty girls… Read More ›
Books
“Doctor Who”? No, it’s “Doctor Men”! New Mr Men-inspired figures revealed
The new Doctor may be female – and there’s no knocking that here on downthetubes. But Doctor Who‘s men still rule the roost for a new range of Dr Men figures that will be distributed in the UK by RP2 Global,… Read More ›
Sneak Peek: Definitive “Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons: The Vault” book in the works, out in October
Following 2015’s hugely successful in-depth book Thunderbirds: The Vault by Marcus Hearn, author Chris Bentley has written Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons: The Vault, which will be published in October by Signum Books. Lavishly illustrated, judging from the teaser images released… Read More ›
In Review: Women Who Kill, illustrated by Sarah Tanat-Jones
By Sarah Tanat-Jones Publisher: Cicada Books Out: Now The Book: There is nothing more shocking or fascinating than the story of a homicidal woman. We are told that violence is a man’s domain – that a woman is pre-programmed to nurture and… Read More ›
Revealed – Untold Dalek History, in… DALEK! (What else could you call it?)
Comics author Cavan Scott (Doctor Who, Vikings) has revealed some details about DALEK, an untold history of the Doctor’s greatest foes, due for release from BBC Books later this year, co-written with George Mann and Justin Richards. “The book is… Read More ›
That’s Novel! Turn your house into a vintage library for a snip, thanks to Décor Books
Décor Books is a brand new website offering a collection of high quality modern and vintage books for interiors – sold by the metre from just £29. The site is the brainchild of Lauren Giles, who has a long-standing love… Read More ›
Dinosaur are Forever – TASCHEN’s new “Paleoart” book released
TASCHEN’s stunning-looking new book Paleoart: Visions of the Historic Past, featuring a wide range of gorgeous dinosaur and prehistoric animal-inspired visuals, has just been released. And yes, it’s not cheap at £75, but it looks absolutely gorgeous! It was 1830… Read More ›
Raymond Briggs graphic novels among British children’s favourite book in new poll
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 ›
“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 ›