The latest issue of the digital anthology comic 100% Biodegradable (Issue 14) is on sale now, wrapped in an awesome cover by Brett Burbridge. Here’s the full rundown, and yes, I’ll admit to some bias for this marvellous title, given… Read More ›
John Freeman
Alliigator Descartes latest Crucible Comic 3D Model Revealed
Here’s the latest Crucible comic-inspired 3D model, based on the comic characters co-created by myself and Smuzz and designed by Smuzz, who many downthetubes readers will know as SMS, one of the artists who drew “ABC Warriors” for 2000AD. Crucible started out in… Read More ›
Talking Art and Comics To Lancashire!
For those of you who missed it, you can still tune into my interview about comics on BBC Radio Lancashire, recorded yesterday at Lancaster’s Robert Gillow public house, taken over for most of the day to promote local Lancaster voices,… Read More ›
Sneak Peek: 100% Biodegradable #13 on sale now, features work by 2000AD’s Kek-W and more
The latest issue of digital action adventure and SF anthology 100% Biodegradable – Issue 13 – is on sale now, and features some great strips from a 2000AD droid and many other great comic creators. (I’m not counting myself as one… Read More ›
Lancaster Comics Day 2017 Date Announced
The Friends of Lancaster Library have announced Lancaster Comics Day will return for a third year on Sunday 11th June 2017. Post the date in your diary now! Lancaster Comics Day 2016 raised over £600 for Library funds, which will be used to… Read More ›
Lancaster Comics Day 2016 – Comics, Cake and REPAINTED Cybermen!
The Second Annual Lancaster Comics Day was a lavish and star studded event (smiley face). Full of eager comics buyers, readers, sellers, creators and cake, lots of cake (thanks, Katie White). Whilst not exactly a red carpet event, it evoked comics… Read More ›
Thank You, Doctor Who (Magazine) – You Kickstarted My Comics Career
Doctor Who Magazine, the longest running TV-tie in magazine in the world, as recognised by Guinness World Records, reaches its 500th issue today, Thursday 26th May 2016… And I’m proud to have been one of its many editors. Back in… Read More ›
Crucible Character Models On Display at Glasgow’s Satellite 5 SF Convention
Top designer Alligator Descartes, who has created some amazing Crucible figures based on designs by Smuzz for the eponymous comic story which you can read on Tapastic, will be giving a talk at Satellite 5, a Glasgow SF convention, this weekend,… Read More ›
Doctor Who Magazine Covers: Readers Top 50 Revealed
In the run-up to publication of the landmark Doctor Who Magazine Issue 500 (which is out next week and is a real bumper issue), the current editorial team are asking you to vote for your favourite DWM covers. With a… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Comic Artist Gerry Dolan
When artist Gerry Dolan died last November I started writing this tribute, but for various reasons it got pushed back in its publication until now, and I can only apologise to those of you who already knew of his passing… Read More ›
Back To The Life of a Freelancer…
So. Today is my first day as a freelance comic keeping operative once more, with ROK Comics behind me and several projects in the works. I’m excited but nervous. It’s been a fraught few weeks in the run up to… Read More ›
Dan Dare Audio Adventures Writers Announced, Episode Details Revealed
Inspired by the original Eagle comic strips the writers for B7 Media’s dramatic new audio version of Dan Dare have been announced – but there’s no casting news just yet. “Space is back! After years languishing in the backwaters, suddenly the romance… Read More ›
Marvel Fact Files Returns Attention to Marvel UK
The long-running Marvel Fact Files, available through most UK newsagents, turns its attention back on Marvel UK (and more) with Issue 149 later this month, having last given the British versions of the US publisher’s heroes back in Issue 97, released… Read More ›
Freaks, Heroes and Horrors, Good Grief! A Dastardly Digital Bundle of Comics Now On Sale
Following up on my plug earlier today for 100% Biodegradable Issue 11, there’s a fab “Freaks, Heroes and Horrors Bundle” on offer from four ace independent publishers on the digital platform Drivethrucomics – and it’s bigger than ever this time around. Offering… Read More ›
100% Biodegradable Issue 11: All Action, All New and Out Now for Christmas!
Issue 11 of the digital anthology 100% Biodegradable is out now on Drivethru (Comicsy and ComiXology release to follow soon), sporting a rather lovely cover from Andrew Hartmann and Charlie Hogg, to complement the “Moby Douche” strip written by the… Read More ›
The Really Heavy Greatcoat Review of the Year 2015
The Really Heavy Greatcoat by myself and Lancaster-based artist Nick Miller was published fairly regularly for about 20 years in alternative Lancaster print titles such as On The Beat and Off the Beat and online on virtual-lancaster.net. The strip’s last regular appearance in print was in the… Read More ›
Truugationary: The Wit and Wisdom of Truuglub Vanderpatz The Daunting
Please note, these are the only the terms known to date employed by the Chk’Rath, Truug, who features prominently in Crucible. It will, over time, expand. Bellingly: Ironically. With thundering yet much-avoided inevitability. Bathetically. Chk’Rath: Truug’s species (see Episode One) Frentling: Pantomiming… Read More ›
Lakes Festival Focus 2015: An Interview with Comics Editor and Writer John Freeman
Last year, in partnership with the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, downthetubes brought you a number of interviews with creators attending the event. We’re delighted to be able to run a series in the run up to their eagerly anticipated 2015… Read More ›
Malta Comic Con Announces First Guests for 2015, including Simon Davis and Jon Haward
Malta-based Wicked Comics has unveiled the official Malta Comic Con 2015 poster by Jon Haward, Nigel Dobbyn and Kenneth Micallef (who respectively illustrated, coloured and lettered the Star Wars themed art) – and have announced the first of this years guests, again drawing on… Read More ›
Sufferin’ satellites! Dan Dare to return as audio drama series
Spaceship Away! The science fiction action hero Dan Dare – Pilot of the Future, is set to return as an audio drama series. Independent production company B7 Media, in association with the Dan Dare Corporation, has announced that BAFTA nominees… Read More ›