Comico 2018 is Bradford’s first dedicated comics and manga weekend and will be held at University of Bradford, alongside the annual Bradford Literature Festival (29th June – 8th July 2018). Comico will combine a traditional convention setup with specially curated… Read More ›
downthetubes News
British comic and creator news, book news, media news. If it’s news, it’s here.
In Pictures: Comic Creators unite for second Swindon Small Press Day 2018
The second Swindon Small Press Event took place at The Incredible Comic Shop in Swindon last month. It’s a great comic shop full of everything that a fan needs. (Along with some dodgy looking small press creators on SPE). The brainchild… Read More ›
In Review: “Meta Worlds”, a new superhero novel series
Written by Harry Harris and CD Mick Published by Mediaaria CDM – 336 pages – £12.00 Black and White interior illustrations Cover by Ciara McAvoy The Story: META WORLDS was conceived with the intention to introduce a new type of storytelling…. Read More ›
Crowdfunding Spotlight Sneak Preview: The Edge Off by Fraser Campbell and Iain Laurie
Here’s a preview of a preview, if you understand what I mean. The Edge Off is a new comic that will be hitting Kickstarter on the 20th April 2018. The creators are very wisely creating a bit of buzz… Read More ›
In My View: Why Comics Need Better Media Coverage
Comics publisher, artist and events organiser Shane Chebsey has launched a petition calling on the BBC to consider more regular coverage of comics as a medium. We think he has a point – the last major coverage (without 1960s Batman… Read More ›
If only comics publishers had the marketing budget of Avengers: Infinity War…
ComicBookMovie is reporting that the US marketing spend for Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War, on general release 26th April in the UK, is likely to be around $150 million, the spend boosted by licensed TV promotions from companies such as Coca-Cola,… Read More ›
How I Got Used to digital comics “Guided View” – and it’s all down to Shang Chi, Master of Kung Fu!
I was away on a long course for a full week recently, so began reading quite a lot of comics digitally again. US publisher Marvel had a large and outrageously priced sale recently and I picked up loads of old… Read More ›
In Review: “Bald” by John Tucker
“My scalp was so smooth, I fell clean out of my mother while she did the weekly shopping!” The Story: Essentially this is the story of one man and his male patterned baldness. This is no ordinary baldness and the… Read More ›
Digital Comics at the British Library – more “Digital Conversations” event details revealed
Ian Cooke, Head of Contemporary British Publications at the British Library, has outlined a little more about the “Digital Conversations” event downthetubes has partnered with at the Library on Wednesday 18th April 2018. A panel on archiving digital comics will… Read More ›
2000AD and Rick and Morty and indie comic creators head to Leamington Comic Convention
The fourth annual Leamington Comic Convention is fast approaching, taking place on Saturday 14th April at All Saints Parish Chuch, Leamington Spa. This is a convention that makes comics its central focus and there’s a huge line up of guests… Read More ›
Etherington Brothers latest project is the most successful British comics crowdfunder, ever!
Lorenzo Etherington just dropped us a line at downthetubes this morning, to share the exciting news that his latest crowdfunder – the chance to grab a copy of their new book, How to Think When You Draw – has achieved the… Read More ›
Charley’s War art offered on eBay, bids reach over £600
A smashing item of “Charley’s War” art by Joe Colquhoun, created for the cover of a 1980 issue of weekly war comic Battle is being offered on eBay. Bidding, which closes this evening, is currently at £650. “Charley’s War”, created by… Read More ›
In Review: 2000AD Prog 2075
After its recent “Jump On Board” issue, well received by many regular readers from the look of the letters page, the action hots up in 2000AD Prog 2075, on sale now in UK newsagents and digital platforms, fronted by a… Read More ›
First impressions of the first issue of new comics magazine, ComicScene UK
ComicScene UK, the new subscription only title, launches 1st May 2018 in print and digital format – and publisher Tony Foster is hoping to fund comic workshops for young people with part of the profits. I really hope you’ll give this… Read More ›
In Review: Spaceship Away 44
The first issue of Spaceship Away for 2018 has been out for a few weeks now but this is the first chance I’ve had to give it a plug. Wrapped in a smashing new piece of Dan Dare related art… Read More ›
Korky the Cat artist Charlie Grigg’s life work celebrated in new exhibition
A long-planned special exhibition celebrating the work of Sandwell-born cartoon artist Charlie ‘Chas’ Grigg as an illustrator for The Beano and The Dandy opens today in Wednesbury in the Black Country. The exhibition at Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery highlights… Read More ›
Dust ups in the desert and archaeological adventures in new Commando comics!
Brand new Commando (Issues 5111-5114) go on sale this Thursday (5th April 2018) from DC Thomson, on sale in all good newsagents and via various digital platforms. There’s brawling in desert dust ups, U-Boats under attack by Bristol Beaufort torpedo bombers,… Read More ›
Top graphic novelist Reinhard Kleist heads to London to promote new Nick Cave art book
Award-winning, Berlin-based comic book artist Reinhard Kleist is coming to London to promote his latest book Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: An Art Book on 13th and 14th April 2018. The new book – published by SelfMadeHero – is a lavish, vinyl-cover sized… Read More ›
Incredibuilds new wooden Star Trek models to feature supplements by Dayton Ward
Some new wooden Star Trek DIY models from Incredibuilds are on their way to stores later this year – and look terrific. The IncrediBuilds collection, which also includes animals, famous buildings, Star Wars items and Marvel Superheroes, features do-it-yourself, customizable,… Read More ›
Carlisle Comic Con focus for latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast team took a trip up to Carlisle Comic Con recently and the latest podcast features interviews with some of the comic creators featured there. These include Emma Vieceli, featuring on the show for… Read More ›