Screen printer John Patrick Reynolds is offering a new limited edition print of Dennis the Menace, based on an which first appeared in an edition of The Beano annual in the 1960s – and has inspired other similar illustrations of the character since
Merchandise
London set to go LEGO crazy at London Film & Comic Con, London Brick Festival
Celebrate all things LEGO at the London Brick Festival, returning 22nd September 2019
WebFind: Chet Phillips’ Postcards from Britain – with added monsters!
American illustrator Chet Phillips is the creator of terrific art projects such as Dr Mew, the Monster Zen book, the Steampunk Monkey Colouring Book and the Steampunk Monkey Cigarette Cards – but here at downthetubes I have to say I… Read More ›
Promoting Wham! comic in the 1960s – a rare retailer-targeted poster
Back when British comics had sales in the hundreds of thousands every week, they had a promotional budget to match, extending to retail promotions like this Wham! poster, offered to newsagents in the 1960s by its publisher, Odhams Press
Dads can be Heroes, just for one day!
London’s National Theatre loves David Bowie – singer, musician, actor, writer, fashion icon – and their Bowie inspired products have proved incredibly popular, and the organisation reckons they’d make for perfect Father’s Day presents. The bestselling Ziggy tea towel (one… Read More ›
Scribble Down transfer packs update “Action Transfers” for younger children
Earlier this year we highlighted the history-inspired rub down transfers range from Westair Reproductions Ltd, which includes packs featuring dinosaurs, Vikings and castle siege scenes. We’ve now been made aware of an award-winning transfers range aimed at younger children. Scribble… Read More ›
James Bond memorabilia offered at Aston’s Auctioneers from Cars of the Stars Museum
Dudley-based Aston’s Auctioneers are selling off the remaining contents of the world-famous The Cars Of The Stars Museum / The Bond Museum, that was based in Keswick
New Beano-inspired toys, artworks and meal boxes on their way
UK licensing agency Rocket Licensing, who also represent brands as diverse as Ghostbusters, Horrible Histories and Vikings, have secured a number of new Beano-related licensing deals, which will see the release of new toys, meal boxes and classic high-end art… Read More ›
British Airways “Jet Jason” – rare merchandise featuring Dave Gibbons art uncovered!
At the end of last year I revealed a ‘lost’ British comics character, Jet Jason, created as a British Airways mascot and initially brought to life for Fleetwings, the official magazine of British Airways Junior Jet Club by writer Donne… Read More ›
Flash Gordon 40th Anniversary movie figures in the works from BIG Chief Studios
BIG Chief Studios Ltd – the company also behind some smashing Doctor Who and Thunderbirds figures – has announced a licensing deal with Hearst Holdings, King Features Syndicate Division, via Allsorts Licensing, to produce a range of high-end collectables based… Read More ›
Thunderbirds “Parker” joins BIG Chief Studios collectable International Rescue figures line up
By popular demand, BIG Chief Studios Parker figure, from Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s 1960s smash hit Supermarionation show Thunderbirds, will soon be available to order via the company’s Launch Pad platform and specially selected exclusive retail partners. Available as an… Read More ›
“Nothing But Trouble” Limited Edition Prints by Sleek celebrate Beano, Oor Wullie
Sleek is a young, classically trained artist who found his distinctive style by connecting street art together with pop art, creating a fresh new fusion genre – and has just released a range of limited edition Beano and Oor Wullie-inspired prints
Re-discovering Vintage Cereal Packets, and how one Star Trek memory still plagues my fuzzy brain
This week’s “Rabbit Hole” mission across the web started with memories of Letraset’s marvellous “Action Transfers” – specifically, Joe 90 “instant transfers” which if memory serves, I acquired through an offer on the back of a cereal packet… and ended… Read More ›
WebFind: Rub-Down Transfers Revived!
Anyone of a certain age, who probably grew up in the 1960s and 70s any way, will remember Letraset’s “Action Transfers” (and similar products), offering the opportunity to create your own Doctor Who, Joe 90, Star Wars and Tarzan adventures with “rub-down” figures applied to “blank canvas” backgrounds. But until this morning, I had no idea they were still being made.
MEGO Batman and Robin Figures offered in latest Aston’s Auction
The next Toy & Model Railway Auction from Dudley-based Aston’s Auctioneers next Tuesday (26th March 2019) has a great assortment of items on offer including collectables that will appeal to Doctor Who, Star Trek and Superhero fans… and more. The… Read More ›
Creating Comics: Artist Paul McCaffrey, artist on the new Joe 90 comic from Network
Following up on our news item about Volume 4 of Network‘s Joe 90 Blu-Ray collections, which features a brand-new comic featuring art from acclaimed comics artist Paul McCaffrey, we’ve pinned him up against BIG RAT to ask him about the project…. Read More ›
Star Trek: Discovery U.S.S. Enterprise model out soon from Eaglemoss Collections
The next issue of the Star Trek Discovery Starships Collection from Eaglemoss Collections, out 31st March 2019, features a model of the show’s version of the Constitution-class U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 – the most iconic Starfleet vessel of the 23rd century
Jaws set to bite again with new t-shirts heading to UK stores
Look out for new t-shirt designs featuring Universal Pictures properties such as Back to the Future, Jaws, Despicable Me and more in British high street stores later this year. Licensed clothing specialist Poetic Brands has just announced a new agreement… Read More ›
Build Your Own Saturn V!
Prepare for the launch of your very own Apollo 11, months before the anniversary launch and moon landing date! Designed and made in Denmark, Plus-Plus is a building brick toy that lets you create 3D masterpieces, models can be as… Read More ›
Royal Mail goes MARVEL mad with Special Issue by Alan Davis and Neil Edwards
With Captain Marvel in cinemas in a couple of weeks and Avengers: Endgame hot on its heels, it should be no surprise the Royal Mail has turned its hand to a Marvel-inspired Special Issue stamp release – and artists Alan Davis… Read More ›