George MacDonald Fraser, author of the hugely entertaining Flashman novels, and is credited for the screenstory and screenplay on the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy, has died aged 82. The Daily Mail, The Times and other papers report Fraser, whose… Read More ›
Features
The future of newspapers?
(With thanks to the Daily Cartoonist for the link): American editorial cartoonist Ted Rall has recently written a three-part column on the future of the newspaper industry. • Part IAs big newspapers and magazines start giving away their content “violating… Read More ›
Haining Tribute
(via the FPI blog and Dave Langford’s Ansible) The family of the writer Peter Haining, who died recently will be celebrating his on Thursday 6 December at noon at Colney Wood Burial Park, Watton Road, Colney, Norwich.“Family flowers only but… Read More ›
Blog Readability Test
(with thanks to Gad Sir! Comics). According to this simple Blog Readability Test from the Critics Rant web site, you apparently have to be a genius to read the downthetubes blog. It appears to work on some HTML based sites… Read More ›
Verity Lambert OBE 1935 – 2007
Sad news of the death of original Doctor Who producer, Verity Lambert
In Memoriam: Peter Haining
Award-winning journalist and author Peter Haining, perhaps best known for his Doctor Who books, has died suddenly at the age of 67, reportedly of a heart attack. Haining, who lived in Suffolk, wrote a number of books about Doctor Who,… Read More ›
New UK Comic Creators Interviews
The fab comics site Read Yourself Raw has just been updated to include previews of new book, comic and manga releases for January 2008, a new essential reading list. They’ve also drawn our attention to some UK creator interviews and… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Reverend Dr Chad Varah OBE, CBE
A tribute to the EAGLE and Girl writer, and founder of The Samaritans
Friday Fun – Mission: Impossible Squirrel
Okay, okay, nothing to do with comics, cult tv (well, apart from the theme tune, surely one of the best ever for an adventure show), but it’s Friday and this Carling Black Label ad is one of the best UK… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Manny Curtis, Cartoonist and War Veteran
David Lloyd marks the passing of a groundbreaking comic creator
I went to the Birmingham International Comic Show and all I got was…
— a fab day out seeing some great comics people, the chance to talk about ROK Comics, announce the winner of the $10,000 ROK Comics humour competition as judged by Beano editor Alan Digby and pick up some terrific indie… Read More ›
Alan Moore interviewed
“Alan Moore, the undisputed, eccentric king of comic-book writing, made it acceptable for literary-minded adults to enjoy books about superheroes. Will his new book do the same for erotica? Susanna Clarke, the novelist and long-time Moore devotee, speaks to him… Read More ›
Miss Moneypenny Dead
We were sorry to hear the news that actress Lois Maxwell died at the weekend. Best known as the actress who starred as M’s long-suffering secretary Miss Moneypenny in fourteen James Bond movies, she appeared in over 50 films (her… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Phil Frank
downthetubes is sorry to report the death of San Francisco cartoonist Phil Frank, whose cartoons graced the pages ofthe city’s The Chronicle and other newspapers for more than 30 years. He was 64. Paying tribute to Phil, The Chronicle reports… Read More ›
Creator Interview: The Mysterious Mr George Low…
This month sees a major change at DC Thomson with the retirement of long-serving but, perhaps, little-known editor of Commando George Low, who joined the company from school in 1963 and has worked on the digest title ever since. downthetubes caught up… Read More ›
Here come the Copyright Police!
It had to happen – while fuddy duddy Britain enforces copyright protection through dull sounding organisations such as the Federation Against Copyright Theft, the Chinese government has gone all 21st century and introduced animated copyright police characters that will patrol… Read More ›
Project: Rooftop to host ‘Wieringo Week’ tribute
In memory of Mike Wieringo, who passed away earlier this month, Project: Rooftop has announced an open call for redesigns of Bart Allen (Impulse/Kid Flash/The Flash), the character created in 1994 by Wieringo and Mark Waid. Submissions will be accepted… Read More ›
Read Yourself Raw
Online comics ‘zine Read Yourself Raw has just had another update, which includes previews of new book, comic and manga releases for October 2007 and a new Essential Reading list. The site’s worth a visit for its huge links section… Read More ›
Comics Artist Phil Gascoine: Tributes Pour In
Tributes to one of Britain’s unsung comic heroes, Phil Gascoine, who has died after a short illness, have poured into downtheubes after an online appeal. You can read them alongside a 2006 interview with Phil here, while over on Bear… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Phil Gascoine
I’m very sorry to report that artist Phil Gascoine has died after a short illness. For those of you who knew him the news comes as a terrible shock. He was once chairman of the Society of Strip Illustrators and always… Read More ›