The Book: Steve MacManus, the editor of 2000AD during the 1980s, lifts the lid on how the UK’s most important comic came into existence and his extraordinary role in shaping it into a industry revolutionising icon. In 1973, a twenty-year-old MacManus… Read More ›
Books
Bloomsbury to publish classic Dorothy M. Wheeler-illustrated Nursery Rhymes collection
British publisher Bloomsbury currently has a number of beautifully-illustrated works in the works, including a stunning re-release of English Nursery Rhymes, as Classic Nursery Rhymes, a book first published when World War One was at its height. The new edition… Read More ›
Sparkle World’s “Goblin Princess” strip Brought To Book
A few years ago Jenny O’Connor, Editorial Director at Redan Publishing (whose titles include the best-selling Peppa Pig) started writing a strip story for the company’s popular Sparkle World called The Goblin Princess – and now the strip has become… Read More ›
Authors Rally for Tommy Donbavand with Obverse Books project
As we’ve previously reported on downthetubes, Scream Street creator, Beano writer, Doctor Who author and all round lovely guy, Tommy Donbavand, has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently recovering from a series of painful and unpleasant treatments as he… Read More ›
Print Still Matters for Kids, says publisher Egmont
Studies commissioned by Egmont Publishing suggest that reading printed titles creates a greater bond between parents and kids – and printed titles still carry more weight than eBooks and digital reading. The findings – the result of a commissioned study carried out by… Read More ›
New puzzles celebrate 50 years of Star Trek, art book also on way from Titan Books
Jumbo Games, Britain’s leading manufacturer of adult puzzles, is producing a range of Star Trek jigsaw puzzles set to launch in in September, in time for the 50th Anniversary of the franchise. The puzzle range will include a 1,000- and… Read More ›
Andrew Cartmel’s Vinyl Detective Released
Just released by Titan Books is former Doctor Who script editor and Rivers of London comic co-writer Andrew Cartmel’s new novel The Vinyl Detective: Written in Dead Wax. Titan have clearly got a lot of faith in this new title… Read More ›
Telos Publishing Re-Releases Doctor Who “The Target Book”
Chronicling the range of Doctor Who novelisations published by a variety of publishers, but always under the ‘Target’ brand, The Target Book by David J Howe, first published in 2007, was one of the most popular titles ever published by Telos Publishing,… Read More ›
Comic Industry Secrets Revealed in new autobiographies from Tim Quinn and Dicky Howett
Miwk Publishing have announced the forthcoming publication of Argh!, the autobiography of comics writer and editor Tim Quinn in May, alongside Drawing Breath, the autobiography of cartoonist Dicky Howett, who worked with Tim on various strips for over 20 years. Tim’s work will be known to comic readers everywhere, especially… Read More ›
Knockabout Reveals Alan Moore’s “Jerusalem” Novel Cover
Knockabout Comics has just released the cover for Alan Moore’s long-awaited Jerusalem, drawn by Alan himself. Begun in 2008 and running to over to over 600,000 words (putting it in the Top 10 largest novels in the English language) Jerusalem… Read More ›
Paul Cornell on Tour for Who Killed Sherlock Holmes? novel launch
Top comics writer and author Paul Cornell – now also writing the TV show Elementary – will be on tour next month around the UK to mark the launch of his latest novel, Who Killed Sherlock Holmes? Tuesday 19th May sees… Read More ›
The Famous Five At 75: New Merchandise in the Works
Bulldog Licensing, which represents the estate of children’s author Enid Blyton, has announced a range of nostalgia products will launch next year to celebrate 75 years of her much-loved The Famous Five. The Famous Five are among Enid Blyton’s best-loved creations and… Read More ›
Revealed: A New Official “Watership Down” Poster
Vice Press will release two stunning-looking a poster celebrating Richard Adams’ classic novel Watership Down produced under license from Nepenthe Productions – the work of celebrated illustrator Raid71 (aka Chris Thornley). This beautiful art print which will be released at 5.00pm… Read More ›
UK Literacy Association Book Award 2016 Shortlist Revealed
The UK Literacy Association has just announced the shortlist for its 2016 awards, which includes work by creators such as Rebecca Cobb, Viviane Schwarz, Alex T. Smith, Eoin Colfer and many more, the titles published by David Fickling Books, Puffin,… Read More ›
DC’s Super Hero High TV special air date announced, expanding new DC Super Hero Girls brand
Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment have announced the air date for Super Hero High, a one hour tie-in TV special to launch its DC Super Hero Girls brand to a TV audience. Airing on 19th March 2016 on Boomerang, the show is… Read More ›
Could You Run An Independent Bookshop? Now’s Your Chance…
Looking for a big challenge? The owners of Southampton-based October Books are looking for an energetic group of people who would like to take over the running of the bookshop. Founded in 1977 and now based on Portswood Road in… Read More ›
Colour Me Strange (Or rather, “Color” Doctor Strange)
Marvel has announced the upcoming publication of a Doctor Strange-inspired colouring book – just one of the licensed items that will launch around the the feature film starring Benedict Cumberbatch which will be released later this year. Running to 120… Read More ›
TwoMorrows Announces “Comic Book Fever: A Celebration of Comics: 1976 – 1986”
US publisher TwoMorrows has announced the upcoming publication of A Celebration of Comics: 1976-1986 by George Khoury, author of The Extraordinary Works Of Alan Moore and True Brit: A Celebration of the Great Comic Book Artists of the UK. Described… Read More ›
Ladybird Books inspire new fabric and wallpaper collections from Liberty London
The new Chesham Cabinet Collection, featuring fabrics and wallpapers created using original Ladybird Books illustrations, is now available from Liberty London. Ladybird highlights include the Limewood Wallpapers, Gail’s Garden Vintage Velvet fabrics and cushions, and the Charlotte Wallpaper in Catherine Cream. The Chesham Cabinet Collection is a… Read More ›