After the weirdness of getting RAF Magazine off the ground (so to speak), I’m now preparing to step back in time (for me, anyway) to edit Star Trek Magazine again. I was the launch editor on this way back in… Read More ›
downthetubes News
British comic and creator news, book news, media news. If it’s news, it’s here.
Yalikavak, Turkey 2004
Just back from our first ‘proper’ holiday in five years — Turkey again but this time it was Yalikavak on the Bodrum peninsula. Been to Cavus and Cappadocia in the past. We went with Manos, enduring the torture of… Read More ›
Shooting themselves in the foot
A warning to all freelance writers out there planning a trip to the US — get a visa! And you might want to think about praying, too, as it’s no guarantee of entry. I had a call from BlackRat yesterday… Read More ›
When is a transit not a transit?
OK, here’s a question about shared experience. If you couldn’t actually look directly at the transit of Venus yesterday (unless you wanted your eyes boiled or something), is there a difference between standing out in your garden with a pair… Read More ›
Marvel UK Memories
In and out from writing Beyblade and Dick Turtle for ToonTastic and editing RAF Magazine for Titan Magazines, I’ve been spending some time thinking about one past job as editor at Marvel UK (aka Marvel Comics UK) back in the 1990s. This… Read More ›
A Busy Week: Dick Turtle, RAF Magazine and More
It’s a weird life. This week has been a mix of hassling freelancers for copy and me being hassled for copy — one of those deadline crunch weeks. Beyblade Comic was Monday, Dick Turtle for Lucky Bag Comic was Wednesday,… Read More ›
Catching Up with Old Friends
Dropped in Lancaster’s John O’Gaunt on Market Street for lunch. They do something called a “late breakfast”. How late can a late breakfast be? Whatever. One of Lancaster’s few remaining decent pubs — it’s not tied to any brewery and… Read More ›
Space Dogs Exhibition in Lancaster
There’s a bizarre exhibition at the Storey Institute Lancaster at present — giant inflatable dogs created by the Space Cadets. As you sit there these giant white amorphous blobs are suddenly pumped full of air to become giant dogs. You… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Comic Artist and Writer Art Wetherell
We’re sorry to report that talented artist and writer Art Wetherell died on Christmas Day 2003, of a perforated stomach ulcer. He had many friends in the UK comic fraternity, and beyond, and will be much missed. Art’s credits include… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Don Lawrence
Just days after receiving word of an appeal for original The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire art comes the sad announcement of the death of its creator, Don Lawrence. His official web site reports the talented comics artist… Read More ›
Paramount Heads for Rama?
Paramount Pictures will decide whether or not to make Morgan Freeman’s long-percolating Rendezvous With Rama, a proposed film adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke’s 1973 SF novel, Variety (subscription required) has reported. Freeman and producing partner Lori McCreary, through their Revelations Entertainment… Read More ›
Ripper still Go?
Anthony Stewart Head, who plays Giles on UPN’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer, told SCI FI Wire that plans are still in the works for a British spinoff series based on his character, despite reports that the show was on hold…. Read More ›
Ridley Scott Calls T.I.M.E.
Variety (subscription required) reports that film making brothers Ridley and Tony Scott, better known for directing such big-screen movies as Gladiator and Top Gun, respectively, are developing three drama projects for CBS — one of them a SF project. Under… Read More ›
Doctor Smith is Dead
We’re sorry to report Lost in Space legend Doctor Zachary Smith — actor Jonathan Harris — is dead. The 87-year old actor died on Sunday of a blood clot. He was a veteran of hundreds of films and TV shows, including… Read More ›
Smallville Sets US Ratings Records
ICV2.com reports (29/10/02) that Warner Bros. has announced that Smallville is setting new ratings records in its target demographic groups. Two weeks ago, the show delivered 8.9 million viewers and the highest ratings ever for The WB in adults 18-34. It… Read More ›
Borderline Issue 16
The first pay issue of online comics Borderline Magazine has just been published. The magazine includes interviews with Marvels’ editor-in-chief Joe Quesada and Oni’s boss Jamie Rich, plus much more. Since August 2001 Borderline has been bringing comics fansa professionally… Read More ›
downtheubes Archive News: October 2002
SCOOBY DOOBY THREE! 15/10/02: Hollywood Reporter (subscription required for full story) has revealed that with a sequel to Warner Bros. Pictures’ Scooby-Doo on the fast track, the studio is already moving forward on a third instalment, hiring scribes Dan Forman… Read More ›
Unofficial Doctor Who Television Companion Republished
The acclaimed Doctor Who reference book The Television Companion is being reissued next year by Telos Publishing. Rather than being a straight reprint authors David J Howe and Stephen James Walker intend to rework some of the material from the… Read More ›
Timberwolf Press signs Seven Book Deal with Bill Baldwin
US audio book publisher Timberwolf Press and author Bill Baldwin have reached an agreement to re-launch the best-selling military Science Fiction Helmsman saga. The first six books in the series, The Helmsman, Galactic Convoy, The Trophy, The Mercenaries, The Defenders, and The Siege will be re-released… Read More ›
Top Tips: Insider’s Guide to creating comics published
Just published by A & C Black, Robin Hall’s Trade Secrets is an excellent book about how to become a successful cartoonist or comics artist, featuring tips from a huge number of professional artists. It also features, with my permission,… Read More ›