downthetubes News

British comic and creator news, book news, media news. If it’s news, it’s here.

Sassy Smart Women of Pre-Super Hero Comics in the Spotlight at San Diego Comic-Con

By John Freeman on 13 July 2019

Before Batman and Superman were even a glimmer in Bill Finger and Jerry Siegel’s eyes, Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson created National Allied Publications, which would then go on to become DC Comics; one of the largest comic publishers in the world. Last year, Hermes Press released DC Comics Before Superman: Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson’s Pulp Comics, written by his grand-daughter, Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson. Some of that history will be in the spotlight at a panel titled “Sassy Smart Women of Pre-Super Hero Comics”at the upcoming San Diego Comic Con…

Latest Strontium Dog-inspired Dogbreath out now!

By John Freeman on 12 July 2019 • ( 1 )

The latest issue of the longest-running 2000AD fanzine – Dogbreath, from FutureQuake Press, positively demands your attention, not least for its stunning cover by Colin MacNeil – and the more so because it includes a strip written by Marvel and… Read More ›

ICE Birmingham postponed until 2020

By John Freeman on 12 July 2019

Top British comics event ICE Birmingham has been postponed until 2020, organisers have announced. Initially planned for the deferment is due to health problems, director Shane Chebsey has explained, postponing the event until 19th September 2020. The venue has not… Read More ›

Andersonic Issue 25 goes “Countdown”, interviews Thunderbirds puppet sculptor Joy Cuff

By John Freeman on 12 July 2019 • ( 1 )

Issue 25 of the Gerry and Sylvia Anderson-inspired Andersonic zine has just been published, sporting a wonderful homage cover by Richard Farrell to the classic, sadly short-lived SF comic Countdown, which would morph into the longer-running Countdown and TV Action,… Read More ›

Spirit of the Pharaoh graphic novel lays ground for new feature film

By John Freeman on 11 July 2019

Not content with developing To the Death with Geoff Senior and reinventing a host of British classic comic heroes with artist Simon Coleby for Rebellion’s The Vigilant saga, writer Simon Furman has also been busy turning Egyptian mythology on its… Read More ›

New World Of Dinosaur Roar! magazine launches soon from Signature Publishing

By John Freeman on 11 July 2019

Specialist children’s publisher Signature Publishing – publishers of Dinosaur Action, My Little Pony, Transformers and more – has picked up the licence to publish The World Of Dinosaur Roar! magazine, working with Nurture Rights. Aimed at pre-schoolers aged 3-5 years,… Read More ›

Call for Papers: Comics Up Close – New Perspectives in Comic Art

By John Freeman on 11 July 2019

A Call for Papers for Comics Up Close – New Perspectives in Comic Art, the opening event of Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2019 in October, has just been announced by the team from ReOPeN, Lancaster University’s graphic novels and… Read More ›

A Dave Clark Five jigsaw illusyrated by Walt Howarth. Instead of the more normal “340 Pieces” the box lid states the jigsaw features “340 Bits and Pieces”, the name of a big hit for Dave Clark in 1964.

Putting the Pieces Together: The Other Work of some great British comic creators

By downthetubes Guests on 11 July 2019 • ( 1 )

There are times in a comic artist’s life when work temporarily dries up, or they are offered a more financially rewarding project. Despite the theory that artists are doomed to starve in garrets for their art, the reality is “if… Read More ›

Indigo Prime returns to 2000AD, Death Wish collection out in book shops today!

By John Freeman on 11 July 2019

2000AD Prog 2139 crashed into your newsagents yesterday, with an all-new “Indigo Prime” tale debuting this issue – and officially on sale today in all good book shops is Death Wish, a collection from Rebellion of the strip created by… Read More ›

Rowland Emett's A Quiet Afternoon in the Cloud Cuckoo Valley. Image: Bonhams

Rowland Emett’s amazing “Cuckoo Valley” masterpiece goes on display ahead of auction

By John Freeman on 9 July 2019 • ( 1 )

Rowland Emett, the British artist and inventor, is most famous for his magical flying car and the crackpot machines made for the film, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. But his largest, most ambitious – and in Emett’s view, his finest work… Read More ›

New York Times best-selling thriller author James Swallow pens new Commando tale

By John Freeman on 9 July 2019

Hallucinations in the Burmese jungle, dogfights above the curvature of the Earth, betrayals in France, and friends torn apart by World War Two! It’s all happening in the latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando (Issues 5243 – 5246), out soon… Read More ›

It’s Myne, not a thief’s, Gromit! New Wallace and Gromit anti-fraud cards launched

By John Freeman on 9 July 2019

Myne Cards – a company specialising in credit card-sized devices to place into wallets and purses, which give protection over all contactless cards – has just added Wallace and Gromit cards to its catalogue. Myne Cards are specifically designed to… Read More ›

Death's Head cover by John McCrea and Mike Spicer

Counting down to the new Death’s Head from Marvel!

By John Freeman on 8 July 2019

The countdown has begun to an all-new Death’s Head mini series from Marvel, launching 31st July 2019 in all good comic shops! Starring Death’s Head, originally created by Simon Furman and Geoff Senior in the 1980s, the new series is… Read More ›

Manchester’s National Football Museum’s 65th anniversary Roy of the Rovers exhibition opens next week

By John Freeman on 8 July 2019

Celebrate the 65th anniversary of Roy of the Rovers with a visit to the dedicated pop-up exhibition at Manchester’s National Football Museum, which opens next week, on Friday 19th July. The Melchester Rovers legend made his first appearance in Tiger… Read More ›

In Review: TechnoFreak #2: “The Dame and the Damned”

By downthetubes Guests on 8 July 2019

Review by Ben K Sy Co-created by John Charles, Barry May and Tom Newell. Co-plotted, designed, coloured by John Charles with co-plotter and scripter Barry May; art by Tom Newell. Lettering by Nikki Foxrobot, colouring assistance by Guilherme Lindemberg Mendes… Read More ›

The 1977-2000AD Creator Interviews: Artist and Writer Ian Gibson

By downthetubes Guests on 8 July 2019

An interview with artist Ian Gibson, mind probed by Steve Bull

Swinging Sixties British superhero Johnny Future returns! Collection out next year

By John Freeman on 6 July 2019

Never before reprinted in the UK, 2000AD and Treasury of British Comics publisher Rebellion will publish a complete collection of Johnny Future next year, a stunning superhero strip that appeared in 1960s comic Fantastic, featuring art by the late Luis Bermejo

Stranger Things decor. Image: FurnitureChoice.co.uk

Re-decorate your home Eighties style, the Stranger Things way

By John Freeman on 6 July 2019

With Stranger Things Season Three now screening on Netflix, 1980s inspired décor is back in the spotlight. Neon flashes, science fiction movie posters and bold retro-styled furniture are taking centre stage in this cult classic themed room to amp up the nostalgic feel.

Polar Gear Spider-Man Lunch Bag. Image: Polar Gear

Polar Gear adds Spider-Man-inspired lunch bags to range

By John Freeman on 6 July 2019

Is your younger sibling ready for a Spider-Man: Far Frome Home or Avengers-inspired summer road trip? Polar Gear’s Avengers Spider-Man lunch bag and bottle might be just the thing to brighten that car journey to the coast. You know, without them blasting the caravan in front of you with their super powers, or something

Barbarella film poster, 1968, United Kingdom Release

Florida’s Norton Museum of Art hosts major Dwight M. Cleveland Collection film poster exhibition

By John Freeman on 5 July 2019

If you’re heading to Florida on holiday this summer, then you may want to pop along to the Norton Museum of Art, which is presenting the first, extensive museum exhibition of classic movie posters from one of the most prominent… Read More ›

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downthetubes News

Sassy Smart Women of Pre-Super Hero Comics in the Spotlight at San Diego Comic-Con

Latest Strontium Dog-inspired Dogbreath out now!

ICE Birmingham postponed until 2020

Andersonic Issue 25 goes “Countdown”, interviews Thunderbirds puppet sculptor Joy Cuff

Spirit of the Pharaoh graphic novel lays ground for new feature film

New World Of Dinosaur Roar! magazine launches soon from Signature Publishing

Call for Papers: Comics Up Close – New Perspectives in Comic Art

Putting the Pieces Together: The Other Work of some great British comic creators

Indigo Prime returns to 2000AD, Death Wish collection out in book shops today!

Rowland Emett’s amazing “Cuckoo Valley” masterpiece goes on display ahead of auction

New York Times best-selling thriller author James Swallow pens new Commando tale

It’s Myne, not a thief’s, Gromit! New Wallace and Gromit anti-fraud cards launched

Counting down to the new Death’s Head from Marvel!

Manchester’s National Football Museum’s 65th anniversary Roy of the Rovers exhibition opens next week

In Review: TechnoFreak #2: “The Dame and the Damned”

The 1977-2000AD Creator Interviews: Artist and Writer Ian Gibson

Swinging Sixties British superhero Johnny Future returns! Collection out next year

Re-decorate your home Eighties style, the Stranger Things way

Polar Gear adds Spider-Man-inspired lunch bags to range

Florida’s Norton Museum of Art hosts major Dwight M. Cleveland Collection film poster exhibition