A blast from the past! Back in 1989, Reeltime Pictures (now Time Travel TV), best known for interviewing Doctor Who actors, writers and producers, took the bizarre step of interviewing me (and others) on how Doctor Who Magazine was put… Read More ›
downthetubes News
British comic and creator news, book news, media news. If it’s news, it’s here.
New SPECTRE image released, but no news on James Bond comics yet…
A new teaser image from the next James Bond film, SPECTRE, was released this week featuring Dave Bautista as the villain Mr Hinks, apparently a new foe for Bond. The film, due for release, 6th November 2015, will focus on his… Read More ›
Royal Mail Launches Alice In Wonderland Stamps
The Royal Mail has just launched its Alice In Wonderland Stamps, the work of artist Grahame Baker-Smith, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the publication of Lewis Carroll’s Classic Tale – and, for the first time ever the company has… Read More ›
Remembering Leonard Nimoy: The Day Spock Died
Fans of Star Trek and Leonard Nimoy‘s other work – photography, music and film – are in mourning across the globe with news of his death yesterday. WIRED Magazine has an affectionate round up of just some of the… Read More ›
Steve Bell and Posy Simmonds on guest list for “Wonderlands” Graphic Novel Expo in Sunderland
Inspired by Bryan Talbot‘s classic graphic novel Alice in Sunderland, Sunderland University is to host a major event for all fans of graphic novels on Saturday 30th May. 2015 is the 150th Anniversary of the publication of Alice in Wonderland, one… Read More ›
Jessica Martin’s Picture Palace comes to the Radlett Centre in March
An exhibition of actress, singer, and now comic writer and illustrator, Jessica Martin’s artwork will take place in the Radlett Centre in Radlett, North London beginning on Monday 2nd March 2015 and lasting until Tuesday 31st March 2015. Entitled Jessica… Read More ›
British Comic Shop Releases (25th February 2015) – 2000AD Anniversary Celebrations!
Our apologies for the delayed publication of this week’s list of both British and US comics on sale this week US (released in comic shops 25th February 2015) – it’s been a busy week on other fronts, not least… Read More ›
Panel Borders: Celebrating Will Eisner’s “The Spirit”
Concluding a month of shows about ‘Masters of American Comics’, Alex Fitch talks to a quartet of comics experts and historians about the 75th anniversary of Will Eisner’s seminal crime comic The Spirit. Will Eisner created the The Spirit in 1940. For twelve… Read More ›
In Memoriam: John Cooper
We’re sorry to report the passing of British comics artist John Cooper, who died after a short illness on Sunday 22nd February. His huge and influential list of credits include work for numerous titles, including TV Century 21,… Read More ›
Dark Detectives anthology features stories from Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker
Dark Detectives, a 480-page, stand-alone collection of 18 tales of supernatural detective fiction will be released by Titan Books next month (17th March 2015), featuring stories from Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, Kim Newman, Brian Lumley and Manly Wade Wellman and more…. Read More ›
007 Magazine to publish On Her Majesty’s Secret Service 76-Page Limited Edition Special
George Lazenby’s sole outing as James Bond is to celebrated in a 76-Page 007 Magazine limited edition special. “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, the sixth James Bond film in the enormously successful series produced by Albert R. Broccoli & Harry Saltzman, and… Read More ›
In Review: It’s Even Bigger on The Inside
by Tim Quinn & Dicky Howett Publisher: MIWK Publishing Out: 3rd March 2015 The Book: It’s Even Bigger on The Inside collects all the Doctor Who? Strips that ran regularly in Doctor Who Monthly and Doctor Who Magazine from Issue 64 until Issue 225, created by Tim… Read More ›
#PicturesMeanBusiness: UK campaign to gain Illustrators credit for their work grows
A number of British artists are actively campaigning for better credit (and, by default, better financial reward) for their work as illustrators, including comic creator Sarah McIntyre and writer-illustrator James Mayhew. Recognition for illustrators is important on so many levels – not… Read More ›
What’s All the Fuss About… Doctor Who?
FBS Publishing have announced a new non-fiction book about Doctor Who which has been co- authored by occasional downthetubes contributor Ian Wheeler. Ian has teamed-up with Will Hadcroft to write What’s All the Fuss About…? An Introduction to Doctor Who:… Read More ›
Second Rare Star Wars Figures Auction Stirs Fan Excitement, first auction raised £40,000
Auction house Vectis have released details of the second auction of mint on card Star Wars figures, owned by the former Club Chairman of the UK Star Wars Fan Club, Craig Stevens, which takes place next week – and there has been a buzz of excitement among collectors since… Read More ›
Scott McCloud heads to the UK to promote “The Sculptor”
Scott McCloud, the award-winning author of Understanding Comics, will embark on a tour of UK in March to promote his latest graphic novel, The Sculptor, published here by SelfMadeHero which is getting well-deserved critical acclaim (some Guardian writers excluded). After an evening… Read More ›
Jim Alexander and Will Pickering – All Aboard for Aberdeen!
Top comics writer Jim Alexander and ace artist Will Pickering are attending a GoodCopBadCop/Wolf Country signing at Asylum, Aberdeen tomorrow, Saturday 21st February. Asylum details: 29 Adelphi, Aberdeen AB11 5BL. 01224 574637. info@asylum-booksandgames.com. Will and Jim should arrive at the shop no later… Read More ›
Lakes Festival announces new patrons, releases 2015 promotional poster
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announced two new patrons – top French artist Boulet and Stephen L. Holland, co-creator, co-owner and co-manager of the award-winning independent comic shop Page 45, based in Nottingham. The duo further complement the Festival’s… Read More ›
Dan Dare art and memorabilia part of permanent new exhibit in Southport, Frank Hampson’s home town
A new museum in Southport features a permanent display of some Dan Dare art by his creator, Frank Hampson along with other Eagle memorabilia, helping to mark the comic’s 65th year since first publication. The Atkinson is Southport’s new home for music,… Read More ›
Alex Ross creates new limited edition “Yellow Submarine”-inspired Beatles prints
US print makers Dark Hall Mansion have just revealed their latest officially licensed Beatles limited edition release: “Yellow Submarine” by pre-eminent comic book artist, Alex Ross, which will go on sale Thursday 26th February 2015. 1960s music icons The Beatles have… Read More ›