July sees the return of comic and pop artist Des Taylor to Orbital Comics in London with a new exhibition. Influenced by vintage fashion, pin-up art, romance and Bronze Age comic books, Des has put together a collection of limited… Read More ›
downthetubes News
British comic and creator news, book news, media news. If it’s news, it’s here.
“Charley’s War” Battle cover on offer on eBay
More “Charley’s War” art from the weekly war comic Battle – this time a striking cover by Joe Colquhoun for an issue published back in 1981 – is on offer on eBay. On offer is the original cover art to Battle… Read More ›
Zoom Rockman mind probed for latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast!
Beano cartoonist and Lakes International Comic Art Festival patron Zoom Rockman is the guest of the organisation’s podcast this week. Zoom is a young creator who started producing comics from a young age, He appeared in the Beano at age… Read More ›
Sneak Peek: Doctor Who’s Seventh Doctor returns to comics this week!
The Seventh Doctor and Ace – played by Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred on screen in Doctor Who in the 1980s – return to comics week, with the launch of the three-part mini series, Operation Volcano. Written by series script… Read More ›
In Review: The Lady and the Lost World
Written and lettered by Ian Sharman Illustrated by Hakan Aydin Cover art by Loles Romero Published by Markosia – out 25th June 2018 101 pages – Full Colour The Story: Emmaline ‘Emmy’ Harcourt is prone to wearing twin sets and… Read More ›
In Review: Anxiety Me by Nicole Bates
Written and illustrated by Nicole Bates The Book: “Anxiety Me is a personal journey, my journey,” says Nicole. “When anxiety attacks it leaves you feeling like you are the lost at sea. Sometimes you find the shore, sometimes you… Read More ›
Alan Moore at London’s Royal Albert Hall tonight!
Join award-winning comedians and bibliophiles Robin Ince and Josie Long tonight in London, as they bring a special live version of the popular Book Shambles podcast to the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room as part of Festival of Science: Space…. Read More ›
In Pictures: Cardiff Independent Comic Expo 2018
Well. That was a blooming good Comic Convention! The Cardiff Independent Comic Expo was a big deal for a couple of personal reasons. Myself and my Awesome Comics Podcast buddies, Vince Hunt and Dan Butcher (including the mighty Nick Prolix)… Read More ›
Comics @ Borders Book Festival 2018
The Borders Book Festival in the Scottish town of Melrose, perhaps best known for its Abbey and the Melrose Sevens rugby tournament, is not a literature festival that normally covers comics in any great depth but that has changed this… Read More ›
Comics Summit heads to Cheltenham in July
The Comics Summit, a brand-new event set up by creators, for creators has announced it will now take place across the weekend of 14 – 15th July in Cheltenham. The creating comics event, organised by Cheltenham-based Jon Lock of Big… Read More ›
New Gerry Anderson UFO Collection released ahead of second SHADO Con
Ahead of the second SHADO Con dedicated to Gerry Anderson’s alien invaders series, ITV have quietly released a new complete UFO DVD sporting new cover artwork. The series – Anderson’s first ongoing live action TV show – was previously available… Read More ›
Glenrothes Comic Con returns to the Rothes Halls next Saturday – 9 June 2018
Last year Fife Council put on the inaugural Glenrothes Comic Con in the town’s Rothes Halls with artist Gary Erskine as the event’s Creative Director. Gary’s participation ensured that the event was a truly comics flavoured comic con and the organiser’s… Read More ›
Crowdfunding Spotlight: How Irmantas Povilaika hopes to bring some classic Ken Reid comics back into print
When we recently reported on a plan to bring some of artist Ken Reid’s humour comics back into print with a crowdfunding appeal – “Frankie Stein” and the “The Nervs” to name but two – British comic fans greeted the… Read More ›
Creating Comics: Atomeka publisher Dave Elliott’s plan to save the US comics industry
Over the last few years, Atomeka Press publisher Dave Elliott has stood by and frustratingly watched as the US comic book industry continues to devour itself like the mythical Ouroboros, the snake that ate its own tail. Last week, he… Read More ›
In Review: Bloke’s Progress by Kevin Jackson and Hunt Emerson
By Kevin Jackson (writer) and Hunt Emerson (Artist) Published by Knockabout Comics ISBN 9780861662715 £12.99 Published May 24th 2018 The Book: Darren Bloke is an ordinary, hard-working stiff until a lottery win changes – and ruins – his life. He… Read More ›
Blitzkrieging Panzers! New Commando comics on sale on Thursday!
Brand new Commando (Issues 5127 – 5130) are on sale in all good newsagents from DC Thomson across the UK on Thursday. Evade Blitzkrieging Panzers in Belgium, lead a squad of Polish criminals straight against bloodthirsty Gestapo soldiers, dodge desert… Read More ›
George R R Martin’s “The Ice Dragon” set to become animated feature
Warner Bros is developing George R R Martin’s fantasy novel, The Ice Dragon into an animated film, with the Game of Thrones creator on board as producer. First published in 1979 in Orson Scott Card’s short story collection entitled “Dragons… Read More ›
Oo-de-lally! What a set of Disney inspired goodies up for grabs in Graeme Neil Reid’s May Art Raffle
Not only will one person walk away with an original landscape scene based on a classic Disney animated film but a second winner will receive a watercolour original of that wicked evil fairy Maleficent in artist Graeme Neil Reid’s monthly raffle…. Read More ›
Coverless Batman #1 sells for £8200 in UK comic auction
A coverless copy of Batman #1, estimated to sell for between £2000 – 2,500 (somewhat less than its US valuation) has just sold for an astonishing £8,200 in an online auction yesterday. Comic Book Auctions offered the rarity along with… Read More ›
Comics Uncovered postponed, merged with ICE Birmingham in September
The comic creator-focused event Comics Uncovered, announced in February, will now be part of the ICE Birmingham line up in September and will not take place in July as previously announced. “Due to circumstances beyond my control I have had… Read More ›