We’re sorry to report the passing of another British comics great – comic artist Gordon Bell, whose work most recently appeared in DC Thomson’s Courier newspaper under the byline Fax, but who is fondly remembered by many for his work for… Read More ›
Beano
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 ›
Penguin releases its first Official Beano Sticker Book
Today sees The Beano: Official Sticker Book published by Penguin, with over 1,000 stickers and packed with puzzles and activities written by Cavan Scott. This first ever Beano Official Sticker Book is packed to the rafters with puzzles, activities, funnies and over… Read More ›
More Dennis the Menace merchandise in the works, and other Beano characters, too
In a wide ranging interview with Start Licensing’s Ian Downes, Licensing.Biz reveals that more Dennis the Menace merchandise is in the works from DC Thomson after a great year for the character – and that DC Thomson looks keen to… Read More ›
downthetubes in 2013: Crunching Numbers
Happy New Year to you all and the very best to creators popping by, as they start work on their many new projects for 2014. We’re already hearing about some great new titles and strips destined for publication by British… Read More ›
Looking back on 2013: A Good Year for British Comics?
Here at downthetubes.net we think it’s been a great year that’s included the 100th issue of The Phoenix and has been named one of the top comics of 2013 by TIME Magazine, and we’ve been able to enjoy a growing… Read More ›
New Dennis the Menace books and other Beano merchandise announced
DC Thomson is celebrating a busy year for The Beano‘s Dennis the Menace and Gnasher property as Penguin joins a raft of licensees with a planned range of children’s books and Golden Bear announces new toys. The new range of… Read More ›
Happy 60th Birthday, “Minnie the Minx”!
The Beano has dedicated its Christmas cover to the mischievous Minnie the Minx this week, to celebrate 60 years of the world’s wildest tom boy. Her solo appearance is a first in the comic’s history. The bumper Christmas issue goes… Read More ›
downthetubes Popular Posts – November 2013
Apart from landings on our home page, here’s a run down of the ten most popular posts on downthetubes over the past 30 days… • The Beano gets a Top Gear makeover thanks to guest editor Richard Hammond This has,… Read More ›
Dennis the Menace joins T-Shirt Booth “Digital Giving” project
Regular downthetubes readers will recall how we reported that Digital Giving, an organisation which develops engaging and innovative projects for the benefit of national and international causes, launched a unique way of raising funds through a free mobile and web… Read More ›
Daleks versus Dennis the Menace: Daleks triumphant
The Daleks proved the winners in the Professional Publisher Association‘s long-running Cover the the Century Poll (see news story), revealed at a Gala Dinner to mark its centenary at the Park Lane Hotel on 21st November, which was attended by… Read More ›
Comic artist Dudley D. Watkins honoured with plaque
A much admired comic artist for The Beano, The Dandy, and more, is honoured
Britain’s first science fiction weekly, Captain Scarlet art under the hammer
The Winter 2013 auction at Compalcomics is open, with 290 lots in the auction including 115 British comic-related items – among them, a further 64 issues of Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday from the 1890s and the complete 20 issue run… Read More ›
Beano gets a Top Gear makeover thanks to guest editor Richard Hammond
TV presenter Richard Hammond both stars in and was guest editor of this week’s The Beano, on sale today. The special issue, on sale Wednesday 6th November, has a Grand Prix theme and follows the Top Gear star as he… Read More ›
Beano artist Jim Dewar’s whale of a creation boosts kidney charity funds
Wilfred Whale, the creation of Beano artist Jim Dewar, helped the kidney cancer charity the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer raise more than £2000 in a special auction run by radio and tv host James Whale at the Castle… Read More ›
Beano, Dandy Annuals mix the old and the new for 2014
With folk buying for Christmas even earlier than ever to spread the cost, here’s a quick reminder that Britain’s best-selling comic, The Beano celebrates its 75th birthday this year and the annual is still sale now in all good bookshops,… Read More ›
Celebrate Christmas Past with special Beano and Dandy Covers Book
Under licence from DC Thomson, auction site Phil’s Comics is offering a limited edition full colour hardback book, The Dandy and The Beano – Classic Christmas Comic Covers 1937-1969. The nook – limited to a 1000 print run – will be… Read More ›
Photo Report: Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2013
The weather was stuck on the rinse cycle, or at least that was how the BBC weatherman described the weekend of the first Lakes International Comic Art Festival over 18-21 October 2013, but while the rain and unseasonably mild temperatures… Read More ›
T-Shirt Booth app launches, offering personalised character shirts that raise charity funds
Now this is genius – and a great way to raise money for charities, too. Digital Giving, an organisation which develops engaging and innovative projects for the benefit of national and international causes, has just launched a unique way of… Read More ›