As regular downthetubes readers know, I recently suggested it was perhaps time the 1980s Dan Dare stories, published in “New Eagle” were collected. Well, there’s a bit of good news on that front – but it requires some patience. Responding… Read More ›
Features
In Memoriam: Comic Artist Massimo Mattioli
We’re sorry to report the passing of the award-winning Italian comics genius Massimo Mattioli, who died last Friday aged 75. Many comic readers may know him best for the violent funny animal strip “Squeak the Mouse“, a tale of a… Read More ›
In Review: Psycho Gran Comic Capers Cavalcade #2
Psycho Gran Comic Capers Cavalcade marks the return to print of the cult cartoon character who made her first appearance in much-loved, and missed, kids comic, Oink! back in 1987. Please, please, please – at least one of you reading this, for buy a copy of the latest issue and tell her where you heard about it! I’ve been getting strange bits of meat through the mail, ever since I got my review copy, and I’m pretty sure there are less door to door salesmen on the street than there were last week…
Lakes Festival Focus 2019: An Interview with Bryan and Mary Talbot
Every year, in the countdown to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October, we bring you a series of interviews with guests at the event. This “Festival Focus” for 2019 is with award-winning comic creators and Festival patrons Bryan… Read More ›
Lakes Festival Focus 2019: An Interview with Garth Ennis
Every year, in the countdown to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October, we bring you a series of interviews with guests at the event. This “Festival Focus” for 2019 is with Garth Ennis, perhaps best known for his… Read More ›
Lakes Festival Focus 2019: An Interview with Artist Lucy Sullivan
Every year, in the countdown to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October, we bring you a series of interviews with guests at the event. This “Festival Focus” for 2019 is with artist, author and animator Lucy Sullivan, whose… Read More ›
The 2000 AD Thrill-Cast: Simon Furman on The Vigilant
There’s a great episode of the 2000 AD Thrill-Cast available to listen to now – a wide-ranging chat with writer Simon Furman, talking about his work on The Vigilant and reviving a terrific roster of classic British comic characters. Simon… Read More ›
In Review: The Vigilant – Legacy
The Vigilant – Legacy Writer: Simon Furman Artists: Will Sliney (Opening Pages) and Simon Coleby Colour: Len O’Grady Lettering: Simon Bowland “Doctor Sin – Tribunal” Writer: Simon Furman Art: Jake Lynch Colour: john Charles Letters: Oz Includes character background features… Read More ›
Creating Comics: Wally Wood’s “Panels That Always Work”
Tips from a master of the Ninth Art on how to make the VP best of comic storytelling
WebFind: Closer Than We Think – a tribute to the visionary artist Arthur Radebaugh
Somehow, the amazing work of Arthur Radebaugh, the visionary artist behind the late 1950s and early 60s US newspaper feature “Closer Than We Think!“, surely deserving of collection, has completely passed me by until last week, when I not only… Read More ›
Spot the TARDIS: Police Boxes recreated in “Ghost Monuments” project
Photographer and Doctor Who fan Paul Dykes has started a new photography project he’s calling “Ghost Monuments” – photo composites using a 3D model of a Gilbert MacKenzie Trench police box, rematerialising them in their former locations across London
Why Frank Bellamy was the perfect artist for “Thunderbirds” in TV21
Fred McNamara argues Frank Bellamy’s depiction of “Thunderbirds” remains TV21’s most memorable strip, and with good reason
WebFind: Alice in Wonderland Playing Cards by Jesus Blasco
British comic fans will be familiar with the name Jesus Blasco, an artist whose distinctive style thrilled many on strips such as “The Steel Claw” for Valiant and 2000AD’s “Bill Savage” – but he was a dab hand at lighter… Read More ›
TV Flashback: The White Horses, Tales from Europe and The Singing Ringing Tree
A discussion about the haunting 1957 East German film The Singing Ringing Tree, first broadcast in the UK in the 1960s by the BBC in a serial format, led me back to the BBC’s Tales from Europe shows of the… Read More ›
In Review: Edge of Extinction #3
Written by Baden James Mellonie Art and Letters by Paul Peart-Smith Covers by Stephen Sampson (also known as Steve Sampson), David Millgate, Ryan Brown and Huy Truong Published by Eighth Continent Publishing Note: Some strong language as zombies try to… Read More ›
In Review: Combat Colin No. 4 by Lew Stringer
The Book: Reprinting the “Combat Colin” stories from The Transformers Nos. 257 to 283, Combat Colin No.4 brings you fast-paced comedy-action that takes place beneath the sea, on Mars, in the Prehistoric past and in Colin’s home town of Wallytown!… Read More ›
WebFind: Cold Type: The Years of Paste-Up Graphics, and the short comics career of Derek Duff
If you’re under a certain age, you’d be forgiven for failing to recognise these tools of the trade many veteran comic creators and comics editors used to create their work. Finding an online edition of the Cold Type: The Years… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Actor David Hedison
I was very sorry to learn of the passing of David Hedison, the American actor probably best known to many for his roles in the James Bond franchise, but for me, as one of the stars of Irwin Allen’s hokey but fun SF adventure show, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
A Comics Collection for the Nation: An Interview with Peter Hansen
downthetubes is delighted to present both a video and text interview with comics collector Peter Hansen, whose extraordinary archive of British comic art, comics and comics ephemera is an incredible “Aladdin’s Cave”
Comic Creator Spotlight: Roland Davies and “Come On, Steve!”
Here’s a few examples of the wonderful “Come on, Steve” strip, and a tribute to the strip’s creator, Roland Davies. Davies drew for the strip for both the Sunday Express and the Sunday Dispatch and I loved reading the stories… Read More ›