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 ›
Featured News
Major new stories on downthetubes – or simply things we feel are major!
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 ›
Alan Hebden and José Ortiz “Tower King” tale from New Eagle collected
From the the 1980s comic New Eagle comes the classic story “The Tower King”, written by Alan Hebden (one of the current writers on Commando, but whose credits also include many strips for 2000AD, including “Meltdown Man” and other comics)… Read More ›
Nemo: The Roses of Berlin gets digital launch in advance of print edition on SEQUENTIAL
Nemo: The Roses of Berlin, the latest League of Extraordinary Gentlemen tale from Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill, has been released digitally on Panel Nine’s SEQUENTIAL app today, in advance of its print release next week (3rd March). Following the… Read More ›
Tom Plant’s “Sunshine Bay” – Every Bit as Good as People Say
On sale soon from The Beano and The Oldie cartoonist Tom Plant is Sunshine Bay: Not Half As Bad As People Say, two fantastiic, funny and beautifully drawn short stories based in the delightful seaside hellhole of the same name…. Read More ›
“A Lovely Bloke”… Barrie Mitchell remembers Tony Harding
Following up on his son’s tribute, fellow comic artist Barrie Mitchell recalls working with artist Tony Harding… I first met Tony when he walked through the door, which he filled, at Link Studios. He was a big lad. I… Read More ›
Lakes Festival confirms first round of guests, including Gail Simone and Jeff Smith
Hot on the heels of announcing the final creative line-up for its 24 Hour Comics Marathon, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival has just announced a number of top comic creators who will be attending their event in Kendal in… Read More ›
Frank Hampson’s “Head of Christ” model up for sale
The sculpted Head of Christ created by the Dan Dare studios for Frank Hampson to draw Jesus for his Eagle, strip “The Road of Courage”, is being auctioned on eBay by current owner Dave Westaway. When Eagle artist and co-creator Frank… Read More ›
Doctor Who Magazine reaches record sales, and comic celebrates 50 years of continuous production
Panini UK are celebrating after achieving the highest ever ABC figures for Doctor Who Magazine, which features news and features about the BBC’s top SF show, along with all-new comic strip every issue. No doubt boosted by the series 50th anniversary… Read More ›
Lakes Festival choose not one, but two 24 Hour Comic Marathon artists
After a huge amount of deliberation, grinding of teeth, frustrated wails, and budget-nudging the Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announced that not one but two artists will be joining its first 24 Hour Comics Marathon – Joe Decie and… Read More ›
Hasbro preps release of original Death’s Head figure for 2014
It’s been in the works for a while but, finally, Hasbro confirmed at New York Toy Fair that its original Death’s Head figure is on the way. Originally announced (along with Deathlok, also set for release this year) as part… Read More ›
In Memoriam: “Look Out for Lefty” artist Anthony John “Tony” Harding
(Updated 24/2/14, adding David Hunt’s comments on Tony’s passing): We’re sorry to report the passing of comic artist Anthony John “Tony” Harding, whose credits across over 30 years in British comics included work for both DC Thomson and IPC Magazines,… Read More ›
Comics and music combine for latest issue of La Belle Dame Sans Merci horror comic
Chapter Two of English Gothic horror comic-book series, La Belle Dame Sans Merci, created by P M Buchan (BLACKOUT) and Karen Yumi Lusted (Tommi C. and the Cat Burglar) is now on sale, in print and digital versions, at http://pmbuchan.bigcartel.com…. Read More ›
Compalcomics auction offers first edition Beano, Roy of the Rovers and Star Trek art
There’s a host of British comic goodies in the Spring 2014 auction at Compalcomics , which is now open, including an excellent copy of the first issue of The Beano, some great looking early issues of Mickey Mouse Weekly, art work… Read More ›
Losers and Winners: Latest British News Stand Comic Sales revealed
There’s a mixed bag of results for British comics publishers in terms of reported sales for June – December 2013, based on figures released by the Audit Bureau of Circulations earlier today. As we’ve previously noted, many adventure titles such as 2000AD and Commando –… Read More ›
Latest free OFF LIFE comic out now, launches Talent Match Making service
The latest edition of OFF LIFE, the UK’s only street press comic, is out now, available free from the usual outlets in Bristol and London, and digitally from the comic magazine’s web site here. Issue 8 – which comes in… Read More ›
Jock heads for Croatia
No, we’re not talking about the summer holidays already. Comic creator Miljenko Horvatić has just dropped me a line to remind me about the comic convention MaFest in Makarska, Croatia (www.mafest.com), whose announced line up so far includes Eric Bourgier (Live War Heroes) and Olivier Coipel (House… Read More ›
Barroux’s On Les Aura! Now In English
During the summer of 2013, the Edinburgh International Book Festival ran a major comics and graphic novels strand entitled Stripped which we covered heavily here on downthetubes at the time. BookFest’s 2013 Illustrator in Residence was Stephane-Yves Barroux who took… Read More ›
Infinity Issue 6 includes Hannah Berry interview, out today
Infinity #6 – the terrific, free, digital magazine of graphic novels and sequential art is out today. This issue from Panel Nine, makers of the SEQUENTIAL app within which Infinity appears, features long interview with Hannah Berry, reviews of Hip… Read More ›
In Praise of… Comic Artist John Gillatt
Comics editor and writer Barrie Tomlinson kindly sent us this photograph of himself with veteran artist John Gillatt at his home in Peterborough this weekend. John’s credits in British comics span decades, including work on “Jet Ace Logan”, “Johnny Cougar”,… Read More ›