Bill Sienkiewicz‘s unpublished cover for the sixth issue of the Alan Moore-scripted series Big Numbers is going under the hammer over at Heritage Auctions this weekend. The story behind the creation of the ill-fated 12-issue series Big Numbers from Mad Love… Read More ›
Other Worlds
Non Comics items – TV, Film, Books, and other things that internet wandering alerted us to
Unbound’s graphic novels Commissioning Editor Lizzie Kaye latest Festival Podcast guest
The latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast co-hosted by Ian Loxam and Nikki Bates features an exclusive interview with crowdfunding publisher Unbound‘s comics and graphic novels Commissioning Editor, Lizzie Kaye. Unbound launched one of their latest graphic novels, Reel Love by Owen Michael Johnson, at this… Read More ›
A Comics Mystery: How did a street in Norwich become a location for Alberto Breccia’s “Mort Cinder”?
Inspired to buy Alberto Breccia’s Mort Cinder through the downthetubes articles by artist Ron Tiner and the urgings of artist David Roach, one of our readers came across an interesting little oddity in the art. Mort Cinder, in case you… Read More ›
Mike Noble In Focus: “Wide World” (1962)
Following the passing of one of Britain’s best-loved and most influential comic artists, Mike Noble, who died last moth, Norman Boyd turned his attention to some of his lesser known, earlier work for the long-running adventure magazine Wide World… I… Read More ›
Comic Book Masters: Cover Artist Giorgio De Gaspari
Italian artist Giorgio De Gaspari may be an artist unfamiliar to many downthetubes readers, but throughout the 1960s his cover art thrilled many a young comic reader of British digest titles such as Thriller Picture Library and War Picture Library…. Read More ›
Jeff Hawke Space Gen Cards: comics inspired education!
Back in 1956, Junior Express Weekly, a weekly comic from the Daily Express, produced a batch of Jeff Hawke-inspired cards with a scientific background. The settings are those in which comic strip hero Jeff Hawke works, all with reference to… Read More ›
In Review: Doctor Who – The Witchfinders
WARNING – SPOILERS AHEAD… Reviewed by Paul Mount First UK Broadcast: Sunday 25th November 2018 Writer: Joy Wilkinson Director: Sallie Aprahamian Guest Starring: Alan Cumming (King James), Siobhan Finneran (Becka Savage), Tilly Steele (Willa Twiston) The Doctor, Ryan, Graham and… Read More ›
Top Doctor Who artist David Roach faces podcast Mind Probe
Episode #106 of Doctor Who: Panel to Panel from erudite Who comics aficionados Jeremy Bement is live. Artist, inker and art connoisseur David Roach chats with him about drawing the Third Doctor and Jo for the Doctor Who Infinity computer/app… Read More ›
British comics goodies from Phil Comics, on eBay now
Just a quick post to plug some of the British Comics items up for grabs this month from Phil Comics on eBay: hundreds of vintage comics, annuals, free gifts, holiday specials and flyers in 550 odd listings. Check it out… Read More ›
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 ›
Andersonic Issue 24 Out Now
Andersonic Issue 24 is now available, dedicated to all things Gerry Anderson, and features a new UFO comic strip and the following line up, wrapped in a cover image by Peter O’Roarke. In This Issue: The Story of SIG –… 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 ›
Back Issue magazine celebrates landmark Superman: The Movie 40th anniversary
You’ll believe a magazine can fly with Back Issue #109, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Superman: The Movie starring Christopher Reeve, available now from all good comic shops, published by TwoMorrows and featuring a cover by Garry Frank. Explore the Superman movies’… Read More ›
Revealed – The Dan Dare Radio Luxembourg Comic Strips by Philip Harbottle
Regular readers of downthetubes will know we recently presented a rare “Lost Episode” from Radio Luxembourg‘s 1950s serial The Adventures of Dan Dare, with the permission of the Dan Dare Corporation. Its presentation, along with the previous discovery of other episodes, prompted… Read More ›
In Review: Doctor Who – Kerblam!
WARNING – SPOILERS AHEAD… Reviewed by Paul Mount UK broadcast: 6.30pm – Sunday 18th November Written by Pete McTighe Directed by Jennifer Perrott Guest starring Julie Hesmondhalgh and Lee Mack A mysterious message arrives in a package addressed to the… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Look-In and TV21 artist Mike Noble
We’re sorry to report the passing of veteran artist Mike Noble, perhaps best known for his work on the British weekly comics TV Century 21 – drawing strips such as “Fireball XL5“, “Captain Scarlet” and “Star Trek” and Look-In – working… Read More ›
Cosplay is Not Consent: Social Issues within the Cosplay Scene
The Cosplay Community as a whole is an incredibly open and welcoming place, everyone mucking in together to build a creative space where people can enjoy their hobby. But there are so still a lot of problems with social issues… Read More ›
In Review: Doctor Who – Demons of the Punjab
WARNING – SPOILERS AHEAD… Reviewed by Tim Robins First UK Broadcast: Sunday 11th November 2018 Written by Vinay Patel Directed by Jamie Childs Guest starring Shane Zaza, Amita Suman and Hamza Jeetooa “What’s the point of having a mate with… Read More ›
Stan Lee’s British Connections – the “Uncle Stan Collection” remembered
In March 2000, London-based Comic Book Auctions took delivery of over one thousand US comics from one John Lieber, who lived near Bristol. The origin of these comics would prove a bit of a revelation… “He had explained to us that… Read More ›
Untold Tales: Lancaster’s Musicians’ Co-Op the inspiration for a comic adventure
Following up on the good news – locally, at least – that Lancaster City Council has pledged to work with the city’s Musicians’ Co-op to help secure their long-term future, revoking its eviction notice from a building much-loved organisation had occupied… Read More ›