This year’s Lancaster Comics Day will be bringing some “Roy of the Rovers” moments to Lancaster in June, when special comic guests artist David Sque and writer and editor Barrie Tomlinson recall their time working on Britain’s best-loved and most… Read More ›
Barrie Tomlinson
Roy of the Rovers editor and “Scorer” writer Barrie Tomlinson confirmed for Lancaster Comics Day 2017
Roy of the Rovers and Tiger editor Barrie Tomlinson has been announced as a guest of Lancaster Comics Day 2017 (Sunday 11th June) – making a very rare appearance at a comics event. “It’s real Roy of the Rovers stuff!”… Read More ›
Creating Comics: a 2000AD Podcast with comics editor and writer Barrie Tomlinson
“It’s real Roy of the Rovers stuff!” has been a cry of football commentators for decades – and the latest episode of the award-winning 2000AD podcast features an interview with author, comics editor and writer Barrie Tomlinson, the man who helped… Read More ›
In Memoriam: “Billy’s Boots” and “Jet-Ace Logan” Comic Artist John Gillatt
Former Fleetway editor Barrie Tomlinson pays tribute to John Gillatt, the artist best known for his work on strips such as “Billy’s Boots”, “Black Archer” and “Jet-Ace Logan” (for Comet and Tiger), who we have just learned died in November…… Read More ›
Step aside WWE, here’s Johnny (Cougar, that is)! But could this comics hero make a comeback today?
Long before WWE in its present form and ITV’s Gladiators there was a wrestling star that outfought all his opponents – Johnny Cougar, a Canadian Seminole mat fighter, co-star of the long-running weekly comic Tiger alongside the likes of “Roy of… Read More ›
Roy of the Rovers: A Collector’s Guide
The recent release of longtime comics editor and writer Barrie Tomlinson‘s book Real Roy of the Rovers Stuff (Barrie himself talks about that project here, and Ian Wheeler’s review is here) made us wonder what other Roy of the Rovers books… Read More ›
In Review: It’s Ghastly, the untimely demise of “Scream!” (Not for the nervous…)
Greetings mortals! Don’t expect an objective review of It’s Ghastly, the new Comic Archive from Hibernia Comics (their third), because I’ve been waiting for this publication for over 30 years. I was absolutely the right age to be into Fleetway Editions short-lived… Read More ›
Scream! in the spotlight: a wonderfully ghastly new Comic Archive from Hibernia Comics!
We’ll be running a fuller review of this cracking new title from Hibernia Comics soon, but I couldn’t not give an early plug to their latest brilliant ‘Comic Archive’, It’s Ghastly, the untimely demise of Scream!, on sale now. The third… Read More ›
In Review: Real Roy of the Rovers Stuff by Barrie Tomlinson
By Barrie Tomlinson Publisher: Pitch Publishing Out: Now The Book: Roy Race was Melchester Rovers’ super striker, who became player-manager of the club. He is known everywhere simply as ‘Roy of the Rovers’. Real Roy of the Rovers Stuff is… Read More ›
Barrie Tomlinson reveals “Real Roy of the Rovers Stuff”, his new book on Britain’s best-loved football comic hero
Out on 3rd October from Pitch Publishing is Real Roy of the Rovers Stuff!: Roy’s True Story, a new book on one of British comics greatest characters, written by comics editor and writer Barrie Tomlinson, a man instrumental in the creation… Read More ›
Eagle Flies Again, thanks to Hibernia Comics
The Eagle Flies Again. 34 years ago this month, classic British adventure comic the Eagle was relaunched under the stewardship of Barrie Tomlinson and David Hunt. It featured an enviable lineup of characters and creators and ran for nearly 12 years,… Read More ›
Dan Dare Recalled: Artist Jon Haward’s 1990s Designs
There’s plenty of interest in Dan Dare of late, with B7 Media‘s new audio series developing fast (I’m happy to report the pilot script from Bev Doyle and Richard Kurti is shaping up nicely) and the release of 2000AD‘s simply… Read More ›
New Eagle editor Barrie Tomlinson on the mend
We’re pleased to report that former British comics editor Barrie Tomlinson, whose credits include Tiger and New Eagle, is on the mend after his stroke in February and, touched by comments he received via social media, has asked downthetubes to publisher this quick… Read More ›
Get Well Soon, Barrie Tomlinson!
David McDonald from Hibernia Comics has Informed us that one time IPC Group Editor, Barrie Tomlinson has had a few health scares in the past few weeks. Barrie’s name will be very familiar to some but to others it… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Jan Shepheard, 2000AD’s first Art Editor – an “unsung heroine” of British Comics
We’re sorry to report the passing of Jan Shepheard, an “unsung heroine” of British comics and first Art Editor of 2000AD, who may best be remembered by our readers for her famous “Judge Dredd” logo, but who created many… 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 ›
In Review: Lion – King of Picture Story Papers
by Steve Holland Published by Bear Alley Books at £24.99 Paperback 262 black and white pages The Book: A history of the famous Lion weekly, which ran from 1952 until 1974. Steve Holland tells the story of Lion’s creation and… Read More ›
It Crept Up on Us!
downthetubes reader John Owens reminds us that last week was the 25th anniversary of the first publication of the short-lived but long-remembered Scream!, published by Fleetway. The date crept up on us and almost passed us by! First published on… Read More ›
In Memoriam: “Hot Shot Hamish” writer Fred Baker
Comics writer and editor Barrie Tomlinson has been in touch with sad news that prolific British comic script writer Fred Baker died earlier this month. He had been ill for some time with Alzheimer’s and died of pneumonia on 4th… Read More ›
Fred Baker: A Tribute
Writer and former Tiger and New Eagle editor Barrie Tomlinson pays tribute to Fred Baker, one of British comics unsung heroes, who died on 4 June 2008. He had been ill for some time with Alzheimer’s and died of pneumonia…. Read More ›