Following up on news of a signing by Gilbert Shelton at London’s Gosh Comics to mark the launch of the new collection Fifty Freakin’ Years of the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers from Knockabout Comics, we’ve got an exclusive extract of a… Read More ›
Creating Comics
Nottingham Does Comics back with Jade Sarson, Sally Jane Thompson and more next month
Nottingham Does Comics returns to Nottingham Writers’ Studio on Tuesday 14th November at 7.30pm with an event featuring Jade Sarson, Sally Jane Thompson and Myriad Editions publisher Corrine Pearlman, All of this introduced by the wonderful Josh Franks, on-line editor of INK Magazine…. Read More ›
Creating Comics: Cam Smith’s Comic Book Inking Masterclass returns!
Ace inker and comics artist Cam Smith is doing another inking workshop at London’s Orbital Comics in London on Friday 17th November 2017. If you’re interested then book now because places are limited! “I can’t wait!” Cam tells us. “The… Read More ›
Creating Comics: A Turn of the Millennium Interview with Alan Moore, Part One
First published on the Engine Comics web site way back in 2002, this wide-ranging interview with Alan Moore specifically about writing comics with Daniel Whiston is a fascinating read, and we’re delighted to have permission to re-publish it here on… Read More ›
In Review: How Comics Work by Dave Gibbons & Tim Pilcher
How Comics Work By Dave Gibbons, Tim Pilcher Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group – Wellfleet Press The Book: This “How It’s Done” series reveals insider hints, tips, and tricks from one of the world’s greatest comic creators in his own words…. Read More ›
Italy’s Fumettomania association continues appeal for their online Jack Kirby celebration
Italy’s cultural association Fumettomania are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Jack Kirby‘s birth – and they’re inviting comic creators worldwide to join the comics tribute on their web site, launching 28th August and running for the whole of September 2017. Delivery… Read More ›
That Was the Comic Week That Was: Millarworld bought by Netflix, Dave Gibbons on tour, and is Darth Vader a cider drinker?
Here are some items you may have missed on our site and beyond. Have a great weekend! • Our most popular item this week was without doubt discussion about the new Scream & Misty Halloween Special, out in October from… Read More ›
Pitching Art Samples – A Comic Editor’s Notes
As regular downthetubes readers know, I’m currently editing a couple of comics projects for Titan Comics, (Lost Fleet – Corsair #3, a military SF title based on and written by the novelist John Hemry, as Jack Campbell, is on sale… Read More ›
Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An interview with award-winning comic creators Metaphrog
The countdown has begun to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). We continue our “Kendal Calling” interviews with METAPHROG, Sandra Marrs and John Chalmers, whose incredible work straddles children’s and adults’ comics with a… Read More ›
The British Comics Industry – Still in Decline or On the Up?
The state of British comics – and exactly what people mean by the “British comics industry” came into focus in a couple of threads on social media over the weekend, with many older comic fans noting with dismay the dominance… Read More ›
Etherington Brothers get set to storm Oxford’s Story Museum
The hugely-talented Etherington Brothers will be presenting their Lost and Found Comic-Making Show at Oxford’s Story Museum on Saturday 12th August. Robin and Lorenzo, whose credits include Star Wars and The Phoenix comic – will take you on a humorous,… Read More ›
Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An interview with top Finnish comics artist Petteri Tikkanen, aka Black Peider
The countdown has begun to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). We’re delighted to continue our “Kendal Calling” interviews with the amazing Finnish comic artist Petteri Tikkanen, who blew Festival guests away with his… Read More ›
Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An Interview with 2000AD Comics Artist Mark Sexton
The countdown has begun to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). We’re delighted to continue our “Kendal Calling” interviews with 2000AD comic artist Mark Sexton, who’s coming to the event all the way from Australia… Read More ›
Dreams are made of this: win a trip to Japan in annual “Manga Jiman” comic competition
The Embassy of Japan in the UK has just launched their annual comic-writing competition to find the best creators of comic short-stories, and this year the theme is “Dreams”. Manga Jiman 2017 has two categories; Yonkoma Manga, requiring a comic… Read More ›
Creating Comics for Self Publishers: A Nuts and Bolts Guide, courtesy from Lancaster Comics Day
Here’s a “nuts and bolts” panel from this year’s Lancaster Comics Day, discussing ways comics – and books – are published outside the mainstream today, through self publishing, crowd funding and digital outlets. The panel was was recorded by the… Read More ›
Creating Comics: Aces Weekly and Beano artist Marc Jackson latest Comic Art Festival Podcast guest
The latest Comic Art Festival Podcast (Episode Four) is live and features an interview with Marc Jackson, who has written and drawn for Aces Weekly and Beano and is currently working on Here Comes Cat Stevens which will be officially launched… Read More ›
Creating Comics: The Comic Industry and the Downside of Working from the Belly of the Whale
Our thanks to comics writer, inker, letterer, editor and publisher Ian Sharman today for kindly giving us permission to post his thoughts on working in the comics industry, addressing why creators seem loathe to challenge some of its working practices… So, let’s… Read More ›
Creating Comics: Cartoon Cliches Exposed
Beano comic creator Nigel Auchterlounie has pointed me in the direction of an edition of New Yorker cartoon editor Bob Mankoff‘s “Cartoon Lounge” podcast entitled “Trop de Tropes“, webcast last year, in which he looks at the history of the… Read More ›
“Marionette Unit” Script Book Released
Regular downthetubes readers will recall The Marionette Unit, a creepy, scratch the back of your eyeballs work of gothic steampunk-driven horror we reviewed positively last year. Well, now the team behind the book – filmmakers Azhur Saleem and James Boyle –… Read More ›
Creating Comics: Drawing and Life Lessons from Master Cartoonists in the works from IDW
Whether you’re an amateur or pro artist or like comics history or insights into artists you might like Drawing and Life Lessons from Master Cartoonists, set for release from IDW Publushing in July The very first book of its kind,… Read More ›