downthetubes News

British comic and creator news, book news, media news. If it’s news, it’s here.

Classic Cold War Visions

(with thanks to Matthew Badham): The Guardian reports on an upcoming exhibition at London’s V&A Museum, featuring Sputniks, space suits, an early coupe form of the Trabant and a full-scale reconstruction of a futuristic inflatable building. Cold War Modern, which… Read More ›

Lee’s Legion of 5

Image details: Stan Lee at the opening Reception For ”Stan Lee: A Retrospective” in February 2007. Image via picapp.com Marvel Comics Master Stan Lee and his Pow! Entertainment, along with Brighton Partners have teamed with CG producers Rainmaker Entertainment (now… Read More ›

HammerWeb Revamped

It’s been a long time coming, but the Hammer Films official web site (www.hammerfilms.com) has just been updated to fully reflect its new productions, while still celebrating its groundbreaking history as Britain’s favourite horror film company. The site has had… Read More ›

BBC Seeks New Writers

The next generation of TV writers are being sought by the BBC for its Drama Writers Academy, a unique course that equips writers with the skills to work on BBC flagship continuing drama programmes. The Academy is the only course… Read More ›

Cartoonists invade Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury will be invaded by all manner of cartoonists this coming weekend (18th – 20th April), intent on enjoying themselves to the maximum at the Shrewsbury International Cartoon Festival. Guests include Guardian cartoonist Steve Bell, Steve Bright, David Fletcher (creator… Read More ›

2D Returns to Derry

2D, The Northern Ireland Comics festival, will return this year and will take place from the 5th – 7th June in the Verbal Arts Centre and other locations here in Derry, Northern Ireland. The festival is organised by the Verbal… Read More ›

Torchwood Toys go Underground

BBC Worldwide has chosen Underground Toys as the North American and UK licensee for Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood, with several product lines planned, including mugs, key chains, plastic replica items, laying cards and resin busts. Expect products to start shipping… Read More ›

More Moore

Ronald D. Moore, that is – not Alan. US broadcaster Fox has ordered a two-hour sci-fi pilot, Virtuality from Ronald D. Moore (Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica) and produced by Universal Media Studios. Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun along with Ronald and… Read More ›

Podcasters Paraded!

Whether you’re looking for a place to discuss comics with like-minded individuals, or you’re after ideas for new titles, comics podcasting has the answers – and now, the makers of some of the UK’s finest shows are about to reveal… Read More ›

Art Attack!

May 1st-15th sees the return of Street Blitz to London – the interactive way to conduct guerrilla art. The idea is to use the whole city as an open gallery. Install your art, or creative urban landscape subversion, and then… Read More ›

Thunderbirds Specsavers Ad

(Updated 11 April): Now being screened in the UK is this fun Thunderbirds-inspired advertisement for Specsavers featuring an updated Virgil Tracy and The Hood in a mini adventure to promote their Specsavers Reaction lenses. The advertisement was shot using the… Read More ›