Well known celebrity gossip newsletter PopBitch has turned its attention to comics and book author Neil Gaiman this week. The newsletter, whose stories are often picked up by the tabloids and celebrity magazines like Heat reports that “Comic fans are… Read More ›
downthetubes News
British comic and creator news, book news, media news. If it’s news, it’s here.
Dan Dare Cap Badges, Dredd Buckles Released
Following the sell-out success of its Judge Dredd badges, Termight Replicas has announced two new licensed products available for pre-order. Both are full-sized props, with the same gold-plating as the Dredd badge, but this time combining it with coloured hard… Read More ›
Copyright Theft: A New Weapon?
We’ve on occasion reported on some blatant copyright theft of comic artists’ work, but a new specialist search engine could help creators track down culprits a bit more easily. MicroStock Insider, a guide blog to selling stock photography on the… Read More ›
Iron Man Art Auction to help Gene Colan
Top British comics artist Jon Haward has pitched in on efforts to raise money to help veteran comics artist Gene Colan who is very ill and has no medical insurance (see news story). Up for sale via eBay are the… Read More ›
Hewlett’s Olympian Task
Comic artist Jamie Hewlett and Blur band member Damon Albarn are to provide visuals for BBC Sport’s marketing campaign and titles for the forthcoming Olympic Games, based on the traditional Chinese folklore Journey To The West. The campaign, which will… Read More ›
Bryan Talbot Signings Etc…
Alice in Sunderland artist Bryan Talbot will be signing with Steve Dillon at Books Etc., 421 Oxford Street, London on Saturday 14 June at 2.00pm. More info at 0207 495 8507. He and Mark Stafford have also been talking with… Read More ›
Nice To Have A Friend
Comic artist James Nash has a new comic available called It’s Nice to Have a Friend Such as Yourself, collecting all the diary drawings that he did in 2007. James started a diary strip “just to explore the idea that… Read More ›
In Review: Dan Dare and The Birth Of Hi-Tech Britain
Dan Dare And The Birth Of Hi-Tech Britain is one of the exhibitions currently on at the Science Museum in London. Using the character of Dan Dare and the cutaway illustrations from Eagle comic, the museum relates the technological advances… Read More ›
Prestonpandemonium 3
A reminder for those readers in the south east of Scotland and the north east of England that Saturday 31 May sees the return of the Prestonpandemonium comic mart to Prestonpans just off the A1 near Edinburgh. The third PP… Read More ›
Mike Western: 1925 – 2008
Following the death of British comics artist Mike Western, reported earlier this week, we’ve published two new features on the main downthetubes site to celebrate his life and work. In Mike Western Remembered, Ian Wheeler pays tribute to the late,… Read More ›
Bishop is Not The Weakest Link
Former editor of 2000AD David Bishop did comicdom proud this week by winning BBC contest The Weakest Link. In an episode broadcast on Friday 23rd May (available via iplayer for the next seven days), David beat a sports journalist for… Read More ›
From Inverness, With Love: Hi-Ex 2009
After the success of Hi-Ex, the Highlands International Comics Expo in Inverness last February, the dates for the follow up convention have been announced. The 2009 Expo will take place on St Valentine’s weekend, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February… Read More ›
Manga Maniacs Day at Manchester’s Urbis
Crazy about Astro Boy, think you could make it as one of Gwen Stefani’s next Harajuku girls or would just love to star in your own version of Spirited Away? Manchester’s Urbis Centre is inviting manga and cosplay fans to… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Mike Western
Sad news via Steve Holland’s Bear Alley: one of the giants of British comics, Mike Western, has laid down his pen for the last time. Mike, who suffered a heart attack in 2007 and was laid low by it for… Read More ›
The Return of Paper?
British comic creator Adam York Gregory has just released his new book based on his webcomic, The Flowfield Unity — but has abandoned trying to sell it by Print On Demand in favour of a tried and tested distrIbution method… Read More ›
Vampire Chiller joins ROK Comics
Check out this digital vampire comic by Rodrigo Diaz Ricci
Parody Ad: Gremlins
The critters from the 1980s film Gremlins do their best to scupper a late night in the office for Dragons’ Den and American Inventor star Peter Jones in this BT ad, created by Swarm. Swarm have published a “Making of”… Read More ›
Woolworths’ Darth Vader Spot
Long-running Wooolworths promotional characters Wooly and Worth (who even have their own ine of merchandise!) prepare for lunch Darth Vader in their flat. The Sith lord is making beans on toast but alas! No toaster. Wooly is sent out to… Read More ›
New UK Comics Auction Opens
The Summer 2008 auction at comics auction site Compalcomics (www.compalcomics.com) is now open, with another great range of both British and US items on offer. There are over 300 lots in this catalogue. DC Thomson’s The Broons are once again… Read More ›
Comics, Nerds and Spandex!
As promised: David Hailwood’s account of this year’s Bristol Comics Expo — although it seems he managed to do more avoiding of the event than actually being at it! (Which, by the way, is par for the course when you’re… Read More ›