Marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day, we feature some pages from Clifford Makins and Frank Bellamy‘s classic 1957 Eagle biography of Sir Winston Churchill, “The Happy Warrior“, which revolutionised the presentation of historical documentary in strip form for British comics…. Read More ›
downthetubes News
In Review: The Leopard from Lime Street Volume Two
The next book from the Treasury of British Comics sees the return of Buster comic’s The Leopard from Lime Street, with Volume Two of the strips collecting his adventures published between June 1977 and 1978. The “UK’s answer to Spider-Man” returns… Read More ›
The Dream is Over: 34 years in the making, Striker finally bows out
Striker creator Pete Nash has announced the grim news that his football strip, a long time staple of The Sun, is to finally end – and despite two successful crowdfunding campaigns, the Striker comic will not be returning, apart from one final “wrap up” Special
Amazing Fantasy #15 sells for £9600 in UK Compal Auction, Dandy 2 for £4550
There was clearly some fierce bidding in the latest ComPal comic and comic art auction, with some high prices paid for the top lots, among them a copy of Amazing Fantasy #15, the first appearance of Marvel’s The Amazing Spider-Man,… Read More ›
Director’s Commentary and Sneak Peek: Black North by Mark McCann and Steven Austin
Black North is a new, 96-page gritty SF action adventure graphic novel from Mark McCann and Steven Austin which will soon be seeking crowdfunding. We asked Mark, an author and writer from Belfast, to give us the lowdown on how… Read More ›
Raymond Briggs’ “Time For Lights Out” due in November
Time For Lights Out by Raymond Briggs is a 256-page hardcover out on 14th November from Jonathan Cape. In his customary pose as the grumpiest of grumpy old men, the award-winning graphic novelist contemplates old age and death… and doesn’t… Read More ›
Dads can be Heroes, just for one day!
London’s National Theatre loves David Bowie – singer, musician, actor, writer, fashion icon – and their Bowie inspired products have proved incredibly popular, and the organisation reckons they’d make for perfect Father’s Day presents. The bestselling Ziggy tea towel (one… Read More ›
Crowdfunding Spotlight: Get your teeth in Songbird, a vampire novel by A.S. Chambers
This July sees a fan favourite from Lancaster-based fantasy author A.S. Chambers’ ever expanding urban fantasy universe receive her first outing in her own novel. “Since her first appearances in The Casebook of Sam Spallucci, readers have loved the vampire… Read More ›
Taschen releases second in its “The Complete Little Nemo” series
Following up on The Complete Little Nemo 1905-1909 released in January, Taschen have now released The Complete Little Nemo 1910-1927 by Winsor McCay. Little Nemo may be a diminutive hero of comic narrative, but he stands tall as one of… Read More ›
Sneak Peek: Rob Davis’s “Book of Forks” out in October, concludes “Motherless Oven” trilogy
This October, just in time for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, SelfMadeHero will publish The Book of Forks – the final book in Rob Davis‘s stunning abstract adventure trilogy that began with the brilliant The Motherless Oven back in… Read More ›
Harrier Comics revival abandoned?
There was a uproar from several creators when downthetubes reported Canadian-based publisher CPEG had announced reprints of some of independent British publisher Harrier Comics 1980s titles back in 2017 – and it seems the project is now in limbo.
Panel Borders: Apollo and other other Space Adventures
In an episode of the radio show Panel Borders looking depictions of astronauts and close encounters on the comic book page, Alex Fitch talks to writers Matt Fitch and Chris Baker about their graphic novel adaptation of the first American… Read More ›
Scribble Down transfer packs update “Action Transfers” for younger children
Earlier this year we highlighted the history-inspired rub down transfers range from Westair Reproductions Ltd, which includes packs featuring dinosaurs, Vikings and castle siege scenes. We’ve now been made aware of an award-winning transfers range aimed at younger children. Scribble… Read More ›
Network DVD includes “Man in a Suitcase” Comic as part of new Blu-Ray release
Award-winning specialist Blu-Ray and DVD distribution company Network have included another fantastic comic strip addition to one of their latest limited deluxe edition Blu-Ray box sets – Man in a Suitcase: Volume 6. A cracking ITC adventure series first broadcast… Read More ›
Crowdfunding Spotlight: The Wonders of Science by Eddie Campbell and Phil Elliott
Behind the pseudonym, Charlie Trumper, Eddie Campbell and Phil Elliott created over 100 comic strips between 1984 and 1985 for the UK weekly music paper, Sounds. The Wonders of Science was their first, with Eddie and Phil creating their own strips every… Read More ›
Simon Spurrier talks writing comics and for TV in new Lakes Festival Podcast
Writer Simon Spurrier is the focus of the latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast, and author who’s written for a wide range of comics from 2000AD to Vertigo’s Sandman – to one of hosts Ian Loxam and Nikki Bates favourites,… Read More ›
Creating Comics: How To Survive A Crowdfunding Campaign by Jasper Bark
Many comic creators now use crowdfunding as a means to raise funds to bring a dream project to life, but there are highs and lows to this, as award-winning horror author, comics writer and stand up comedian Jasper Bark relates… Read More ›
James Bond memorabilia offered at Aston’s Auctioneers from Cars of the Stars Museum
Dudley-based Aston’s Auctioneers are selling off the remaining contents of the world-famous The Cars Of The Stars Museum / The Bond Museum, that was based in Keswick
Creator Spotlight: Sgt. Rock by Brian Bolland re-visited, by Robotech colourist Marco Lesko
Colourist Marco Lesko, who I worked with on the recently-published Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor mini-series from Titan Comics, posted his colouring take on an iconic Sgt Rock page by Brian Bolland, first published by DC Comics in 1992. I’m a… Read More ›
From the Archives: Last Words from Leo – An Interview with Leo Baxendale
First published in October 2017 on the inexplicably and ruthlessly pruned Forbidden Planet International blog, an act of cultural barbarism about which Forbidden Planet (Scotland) Ltd has yet to reverse, we are delighted to republish, as first published and with… Read More ›