Continuing a month of shows on Britain’s only regular on air comics show Panel Borders about comics and graphic novels which present ‘slices of life’ on the page, Alex Fitch talks to writer / artist Ilya about his latest graphic novel, Room… Read More ›
downthetubes News
British comic and creator news, book news, media news. If it’s news, it’s here.
Sylvia Anderson speaks out in new Andersonic
The latest issue of the Gerry Anderson-inspired fanzine Andersonic, featuring a cover image by Martin Bower (the Space: 1999 effects artist whose work used to feature in Starlord comic), is on sale now – and the team have pulled off something of… Read More ›
Starblazer Adventures Game reaches end of the line
Game publishers Cubicle 7 Entertainment are selling PDF downloads of their Starblazer Adventures and Legends of Anglerre games, after deciding not to renew their license for the FATE gaming system. Starblazer Adventures – originally announced back in 2007 and released in 2009 – is based… Read More ›
2000AD’s marketing secrets in new Geek Syndicate magazine
The new issue of Geek Syndicate magazine is out – and it’s a cracker! Articles include an interview with comic creator Steve Grant on 2 Guns – how the comic series turned all action film starring Denzel Washington and Mark Walberg. The… Read More ›
Lakes Comic Art Festival’s reveals new mascots, designed by Jonathan Edwards
Guardian and MAD Magazine cartoonist Jonathan Edwards has created “Poblin’s Gang” — a family of mascots for this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival, which returns to Kendal from 17th – 19th October. Poblin and family reflect the inclusive aims of the… Read More ›
Creator Owned Day Return to promote indie comics
(with thanks to Stephen Downey): Creator Owned Day returns Wednesday 5th March 2014, this year’s event following two previous annual challenges that saw comic creators writing and drawing up new characters, readers celebrating their favourite creator-owned series and a trending topic on… Read More ›
Titan Comics releases details of its first Doctor Who comics
Titan Comics has announced the first of its three Doctor Who ongoing series will launch in July and gave US web site Comic Book Resources an exclusive first look at the covers (which they plastered with their own branding). Lucklily for us, the BBC’s… Read More ›
Calvin & Hobbes artist Bill Watterson’s film poster for “Stripped”
US artist Bill Watterson seems to be making forays back into the world of comic art, some 20 years after he ended his world-famous and much-loved newspaper strip Calvin & Hobbes about a boy and his talking tiger. Watterson has… Read More ›
Two days of comic goodness in Glasgow this weekend
The Big Glasgow Comic Page – described as “a hub of comic awesomeness run by comic fans for comic fans” – is holding its “Ultimate Comic Mart” at the Buff Club tomorrow, 1st March, and Sunday. The Big Glasgow Comic Page aims to bring… Read More ›
Second Self Publisher Conference to spotlight children’s books, cover design
Britain’s Second Self-Publishing Conference takes place on 30th March 2014 at the University of Leicester, aimed at any author wishing to self-publish. The event will bring together key figures in the self-publishing sphere for the benefit of self-publishing authors. “Last year’s Conference was… Read More ›
Rochdale’s “Black Box” comic shop on a mission
A new comic shop joined the ranks of Britain’s comics retailers last December – The Black Box in Rochdale, Lancashire (or Greater Manchester, if you want to get pedantic). Specialising in supplying graphic novels, manga and children’s books to the… Read More ›
Neil Gaiman at London’s Barbican in July
Neil Gaiman will be at London’s Barbican Centre on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th July for two performances of his story The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains. Neil will read his story The Truth Is A Cave In The Black… Read More ›
Comic Book Babylon event in Brighton
Author Tim Pilcher will be hosting an event to romote his book Comic Book Babylon in May, as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival. Comic Book Babylon is the candid and amusing odyssey of one comic fan’s quest to get… Read More ›
Taking “Stok” of Vincent van Gogh – SelfMadeHero’s new “Art Masters” title
With London’s National Gallery now giving visitors a chance to compare two versions of Van Gogh’s iconic “Sunflowers“, there’s another unique interpretation in graphic novel form by Dutch illustrator Barbara Stok who explores the final years of the artist’s life… Read More ›
Red5 offers Superhero, Doctor Who “Onesies”
Goodness me, how on Earth did we miss these? Not content with Batman-related mugs (“The Dark Mug Rises“), gadget shop Red5 are offering two superhero-inspired “Onesies”. Two Onesies celebrating US publisher DC Comics pantheon of heroes are now on sale… Read More ›
TItanCon Belfast announced for September
(via Andrew Luke): TitanCon Belfast returns in September, with tickets going on sale now from £15. The organisers can’t say too much about who’s coming, but comic creator and self publisher advocate Andrew Luke tells us he can confirm several popular… Read More ›
DieGo to publish top, award winning Italian comic character in the UK
DieGo Comic Publishing, the independent London-based publishing house founded by Giuseppe and Marcella Pennestri, has added another Italian comic book to the public: Desdemona, by authors Giuseppe Di Bernardo and Andrea J. Polidori. The series is scheduled for presentation next… Read More ›
Garo and the Birth of Alternative Manga – London talk announced
(Via Paul Gravett): From its founding in Tokyo in 1964 to its temporary demise in 1998, the monthly Garo was a beacon for experimentalism in Japanese comics. Next Wednesday (26th February 26th) US comics expert Ryan Holmberg is giving a free illustrated… Read More ›
London’s Orbital Comics hosts Liz Prince exhibition
(Updated 27th February): London’s Orbital Comics is currently hosting an exhibition of work by US artist Liz Prince, which runs until 9th March 2014. The exhibition coincides with the release of her latest book from Topshelf, Alone Forever: The Singles… Read More ›
London’s Gosh! makes March British Comics Month
London’s Gosh! comic store has announced a huge range of British Comics-related events taking place through March, all focused on creators, and British comics publishers – be they small or large – such as SelfMadeHero, Blank Slate.The store will also be… Read More ›