There was a time not that long ago when British boy’s comics celebrated the heroism of British and Commonwealth servicemen. As London celebrates the current British forces with the City Salute, Jeremy Briggs takes a look back at how… Read More ›
Features
Ewing and Holden Interviewed
Matthew Badham has just posted a great interview with 2000AD and small press creators Al Ewing and PJ Holden (who has also worked for Image Comics and Fantagraphics) on his Overspill blog. “We were supposed to be talking about Dead… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Terry Maloney
Over on Bear Alley, Steve Holland has just paid tribute to writer and illustrator Terry Maloney, who died on 16 March 2008, aged 90. In the 1930s, Maloney joined the Communist Party and renounced his Catholic upbringing and the church… Read More ›
By Sea, By Land, By Air: An Interview with Calum Laird
This interview was first published on 9th April 2008 on downthetubes and was merged with this blog in 2013. First published in 1961 Commando is Britain’s last war comic. Indeed, of those British comics that many of us grew up with,… Read More ›
By Sea, By Land, By Air
First published in 1961 Commando is Britain’s last war comic. Indeed, of those British comics that many of us grew up with, only the ubiquitous Dandy and Beano are older – however, since there are eight Commandos a month, its… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Johnny Byrne
downthetubes is sad to report the death of writer and script editor Johnny Byrne. Byrne, born in Dublin in 1935, worked on many British television shows including Heartbeat, Tales of the Unexpected and the two BBC One vets series All… Read More ›
Alan Moore Interviewed for Inside Out
Alan Moore has been interviewed for BBC East’s The Inside Out show, to be broadcast on tonight (Friday 21 March). The interview can also be viewed on the Inside Out website. Alan talks candidly about his work, revealing he was… Read More ›
Cartoonist Jim Medway interviewed
downtheubes contributor Matthew Badham has just interviewed cartoonist Jim Medway, a self-published cartoonist whose comics might best be described as anthropomorphic, all-ages fun. He has recently been invited to pitch ideas to the new anthology comic from Random House, The… Read More ›
Actor Brian Wilde dies
Brian Wilde, best known for his roles of Foggy in some 100 episodes of BBC comedy Last of the Summer Wine and Barrowclough in Porridge, but whose credits included several cult TV appearances, has died aged 80. Brian last appeared… Read More ›
Manga at Manchester’s URBIS
I approached the How Manga Took Over The World exhibition at Manchester’s Urbis museum, writes Matt Badham, with some trepidation. I’m not a massive manga and anime fan and certainly don’t know my shonen from my shojo. However, perhaps because… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Sir Arthur C. Clarke
It seems to be a really bad few weeks for the science fiction and comics medium, with yet another reminder that my generation is in “mortality country” (as Alan Moore describes it). Today comes the news of the passing of… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Cover Artist Walt Howarth
Cartoonist Lew Stringer reports that Walt Howarth, the prolific artist of many British annual covers of the 1960s and 1970s has died, aged 80. This is Lancashire reports Walt, whose credits include work on Doctor Who, The Lone Ranger, Dempsey… Read More ›
Sean Azzopardi Interviewed
With the release of his new book, Twelve Hour Shift, Matthew Badham has just interviewed London-based cartoonist Sean Azzopardi and both have kindly given permission for us to republish the piece here. Sean Azzopardi is a self-published cartoonist living and… Read More ›
Paul Cornell Interviewed
British podcast producers Geek Syndicate have just released an epic 90 minute journey through time and space and into the mind of comics and TV writer Paul Cornell, whose credits include Doctor Who, Primeval, Wisdom, Robin Hood and a host… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Dave Stevens
Writer Mark Evanier has paid tribute to Rocketeer artist Dave Stevens, who died this week after a long battle with leukaemia. He was just 52. A tributes page has been added to the American artist’s official web site, and in… Read More ›
ROK Comics Creator Interviews Online
Several interviews with creators of UK-based comics to mobile service ROK Comics, have been posted on the downthetubes.net main site. The questions were compiled by David Hailwood. • Artist Josh AlvesJosh Alves is a Graphic Designer/Cartoonist/Stand-up Comedian residing in the… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Smoky Dawson
Over on Comics Down Under, Kevin Patrick recently paid tribute to Australian musician Smoky Dawson, who died last month but who was at one time famous enough to be the star of his own comic. “Even if you’re not a… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Gary Gygax
Mourning the death of a gaming legend
Artist Jon Haward Interviewed
The Classical Comics project to make literature contemporary and relevant through comics is ambitious, but has received high praise educators and actors, including Royal Shakespeare Company fellow and Star Trek icon Patrick Stewart.On the launch of the second Classical Comics… Read More ›
Steve Whitaker: Online Memorial Site Launched
A livejournal gommunity and a flickr group devoted to the late, already-much missed artist and colourist Steve Whitaker, who died last week (see related story), have now been launched. “If you were a pal or admirer of Steve and his… Read More ›