A chat with writer and former Tharg Steve MacManus, writer of “The Tinkling Triangles” with art by Brendon Wright for The77
Steve MacManus
In Review: The Sheerglam Conspiracy by Steve MacManus
Colin Noble has rediscovered his copy of the legendary novel, The Sheerglam Conspiracy by Steve MacManus – find out what he thinks of it!
Academic Study of Fleetway’s CRISIS comic in the works
Dr William Proctor, Senior Lecturer in Transmedia, Culture and Communication at Bournemouth University has announced his next academic project will be a book-length study of 2000AD sister comic, CRISIS
The77 retro anthology smashes crowdfunding target, expands publication plans
There’s great news for fans of anthology comics this morning, after retro anthology project The77 smashed its relatively modest Kickstarter target within days of launch
Creating Comics: An Interview with the team behind “The77”, a new retro anthology comic
The77 is a brand new, retro anthology comic currently seeking crowdfunding on Kickstarter that aims to be a fantastic quarterly comic showcase for UK’s emerging talent, present day professionals and heroes from your childhood, and downthetubes caught up with its… Read More ›
Looking back at Lawless 2019, looking forward to Lawless 2020!
By Richard Sheaf As the guest list for Lawless 2020 has now been released, I thought I should collate my thoughts on my inaugural trip to the 2000AD and Judge Dredd-inspired event last year, which has spread its programming remit… Read More ›
In Review: Third World War Book One
Luke Williams takes a look at the soon-to-be released “Third World War” collection, the strip created by Pat Mills and Carlos Ezquerra for the 1980s Fleetway adult comic, Crisis…
In Memoriam: 2000AD Comics Letterer Ellie deVille
We’re very sorry to report the death of prolific comics letterer Ellie deVille, best known for her work on many strips for 2000AD, but whose many credits included Judge Dredd Megazine, Sonic the Comic and more. Ellie, who was taken… Read More ›
Tricks of the Trade: Writing a Comics-inspired Novel, by Steve MacManus
Former Tharg, comics editor and writer Steve MacManus shares his experience of writing his first novel, The Sheerglam Conspiracy, a story set inside the world of 1970s British comics. 40,000 words long, it took 14 long months to write –… Read More ›
Steve MacManus parodies 1970s British comics in “The Sheerglam Conspiracy”
Former Tharg Steve MacManus is back on our reading list here in the downthetubes dungeon, this time with his first novel, The Sheerglam Conspiracy, a thoroughly scurrilous jab at the British comics industry in the 1970s. London, 1973. For 40… Read More ›
Commando and British Comics Swap-Meet announces special guests
The next Commando and British Comics Swap-Meet is just six weeks away, taking place in Watford, Hertfordshire, on Saturday 28th September 2019. The event will see thousands of Commando comics assembled under one roof – and some special appearances by some British comic creators, including former 2000AD artist Mike Dorey, writer Alan Hebden and, hopefully, former Tharg Steve MacManus
School Daze at Dartington Hall: An Interview with Former Tharg, Steve MacManus
Steve MacManus began his career in 1973 as a sub-editor on the weekly comic Valiant, published by Fleetway Publications. He went on to work on Battle Picture Weekly and Action, before moving to 2000AD, which he edited from 1979 to 1987. Subsequently, he sought to… Read More ›
Ron Smith – A Personal Tribute by Colin Noble
My appreciation of comic artist Ron Smith, who died earlier this week, is lifelong. His passing is a great loss to the British comics industry, and our community… On the afternoon of Wednesday 2nd October 1974, I was feeling a bit… Read More ›
Sonic the Hedgehog returns to comics, but what are the chances of a British title, too?
With the news that SEGA of America and Paramount have dated the release of the first Sonic the Hedgehog feature film for November 2019, we’re wondering if we might see the character return to British comics. The character once enjoyed a… Read More ›
Former Tharg Steve MacManus probed in latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast!
There’s a slightly different episode of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast on offer this week as the team take an episode off. In place of their usual format, you get the opportunity to listen to a recording of… Read More ›
That Was the Comic Week That Was: 2000AD “Ultimate” launch, the perils of polybagged comics and the passing of a girls comic pioneer
A little later than planned, here are some items you may have missed on our site and beyond last week. Just in case you missed some of our British comics coverage… • Our most popular item last week was without… Read More ›
Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An interview with former 2000AD editor and writer Steve MacManus
The countdown has begun to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). The downthetubes “Kendal Calling” interviews continue with a chat with former 2000AD editor and comics writer Steve MacManus. Steve began his career in… Read More ›
Comics @ Edinburgh International Book Festival 2017
Tickets go on sale today for events at the largest literary festival in the world, the Edinburgh International Book Festival which this year runs in the Scottish capital from 12 to 28 August. As ever BookFest has a selection of… Read More ›
Two Thargs descend on Stoke Newington for celebratory 2000AD chat
2000AD, the beloved weekly home of Judge Dredd turns 40 years old this year. As part of the Stoke Newington Literary Festival, celebrate with two insiders who’ve worn the mantle of ‘Tharg’, alien editor of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic. Steve… Read More ›
2017 Lakes International Comic Art Festival Programme Revealed, some of the British Comics events highlighted
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has just revealed its programme for its Festival Weekend in October 2017, celebrating comic art from across the world, and I’ve picked out just some of the highlights for fans of British comics. The Festival Weekend features… Read More ›