Charlie “Chas” Grigg was a cartoonist who drew Desperate Dan, Korky the Cat and many other characters for the DC Thomson’s comics – Dandy, Beano, Topper and Judy, from the 1960s to 1980s. Now a new book about his life and work has just been published – and his family are dedicating half the proceeds The Alzheimer’s Society and Dudley-based dementia support group, Me, Myself & I.
His much-admired work will also be celebrated at a special event at the Wolverhampton Literature Festival next year.
Humour Comics
Rubber Chickens take over Beano Studios Fleet Street Christmas Window!
Beano has continued its rubber chicken Christmas tradition with a brand new window display, unveiled earlier this week at their Fleet Street office. Passers-by were surprised with a unique insight into the rubber chicken’s home life as the flock took… Read More ›
Oh No! It’s the Pathetic Sharks! (Original art, that is…)
If you’re a VIZ fan, or know someone who is, there’s an opportunity to buy a piece of original Pathetic Sharks art by top cartoonist Lew Stringer on eBay right now
Wonder at Ken Reid’s World-Wide Weirdies!
Out this week from Rebellion Publishing is the latest issue of 2000 AD, with a great “Tharg” cover by Rob Davis, plus two new comic collections, including Ken Reid’s wonderful, spectacularly bonkers World-Wide Weirdies
Robert Nixon, Dudley Watkins art offered in latest Phil Comics auction
There are 165 vintage comic listings in the latest auction from Phil-Comics on eBay this week – all ending Tuesday 26th November 2019. Lots include original artwork from Dudley Watkins and Robert Nixon, 1940s and later Beano and Dandy comics
Journey to the Surface of the Earth – with Fraser Geesin!
Brighton-based comedian and cartoonist Fraser Geesin has just released a new anthology, Journey to the Surface of the Earth
Gosh Comics to host Gilbert Shelton signing later this month
London’s Gosh Comics will host a signing with legendary comics creator Gilbert Shelton on Saturday 23rd November 2019
Cartoonist Ken Reid’s Centenary celebrated with special Power Pack print offer
18th December 2019 would have been comic artist Ken Reid’s 100th birthday, and to celebrate this special occasion, Irmantas Povilaika, publisher of the brilliant Power Pack of Ken Reid books, is offering a Christmas gift to fans who still haven’t bought the two beautifully presented collections.
Britain’s “Political Pocket Cartoon of the Year” 2019 nominees announced
Sarah Boyce, Will Dawbarn, Ken Pyne and Zoom Rockman are among the cartoonists nominated for the “Political Pocket Cartoon of the Year” 2019, hosted by PR agency Ellwood Atfield, who also host the annual Awards event. Ellwood Atfield specialise in… Read More ›
Meet Space Agent Buttocks, Space Hero (sort of) – and his creators!
Picking up on the despair of older downthetubes readers with fond memories of the action-packed adventure annuals they used to get for Christmas – sadly, it seems, now an ever distant memory, if you’ve checked our recently-published checklist – we’ve… Read More ›
Mercer Gallery and Thought Bubble Festival team up for Hilda comic exhibition in Harrogate
Harrogate’s Mercer Gallery has partnered the Thought Bubble Festival to stage an exhibition of work by the creator of an award-winning comic character and Netflix series. The stories of Hilda, a young girl living in a Scandinavia populated by mythical… Read More ›
In Pictures and In Review: Asterix and the Chieftain’s Daughter – UK launch
Richard Sheaf reports on the UK launch of Asterix and the Chieftain’s Daughter, and gives the new adventure a thumbs up for its take on some of the saga’s younger characters, including newcomer Adrenalin…
UK News Stand Comics Snap Shot – 1st November 2019
New British news stand comics / magazine on sale this week include 2000AD Prog 2155, Avengers Universe #6 Beano 4009, Commando Issues 5275 – 5278, The Phoenix 409, the latest “This Is” special from DC Thomson, This is Llama Queen – and… Read More ›
Phil Comics releases “Beano and The Dandy – Classic Comic Covers 1937-1988” book
Out today from eBay comics auction house Phil Comics is a smashing-looking new book Beano and The Dandy – Classic Comic Covers 1937-1988. Following the popularity of the company’s first book in 2013, which reprinted the classic Christmas covers of… Read More ›
Check out Christopher Hazeldine’s “Golf Girl” comic at Thought Bubble
Comic creator Christopher Hazeldine’s latest project, Golf Girl, is one of a number of new comics that will be in the spotlight at this year’s Thought Bubble – and it looks great fun
Beano readers name PM Boris Johnson “ghastliest figure of 21st Century”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been named “ghastliest figure of 21st Century” by two thirds of British parents and children in a Beano poll – and earns his place in 2019’s top Halloween costumes for kids alongside The Joker… Read More ›
Katie Kirby’s “Hurrah for Gin” gets licensing deal
Licensing agency Riverside Brands has just added the popular online parenting series, Hurrah for Gin, to its portfolio, a comedic pastiche of modern day parenthood survival by Katie Kirby
A Comics Curiosity: The 1990s British “Smurfs Comic”
With a major exhibition dedicated to Peyo’s The Smurfs part of this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival, running into November in Kendal, what better time to step back to the 1990s, when Maida Vale-based DeVere Entertainment published a British Smurfs comic?
Crowdfunding Spotlight: The Mary Boys
What’s not to love about an irreverent comic centring on four brothers who gain superhuman abilities from getting drunk? Because that’s exactly what you’re being offered in The Mary Boys by comics writer and artist Karl Stephan… and it looks great.
When British Comics were… European!
Bambos Georgiou takes a look at just some of the European comic strips that once featured in Fleetway’s British weekly comics