We’re very sorry to report the passing of artist, designer, photographer and downthetubes contributor Roger Perry, who died on Saturday 23rd July at his home in the Philippines – a day after celebrating his 78th birthday. His wife Rosa has… Read More ›
TV Century 21
Kettering hosts new comic exhibition featuring work by Frank Bellamy, Bill Sienkiewicz and Barry Windsor Smith
Kettering, Northamptonshire is currently the location of a free ‘Comics Unstripped!’ exhibition, examining the history of comics and graphic novels and featuring works by artist Frank Bellamy, who lived in the town and includes some examples from his work for the… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Comics Writer Scott Goodall MBE
A tribute to the comics writer best known for his work on titles such as Battle and Buster
Eagle Daze: The Life and Times of Leonard James Matthews – Part Eight
Leonard Matthews, General Managing Editor of Fleetway and the Eagle Group of Comics, was a Creative Visionary… but that, Roger Perry argues in his extensive biography of the man which continues here on downthetubes, is only due to him having… Read More ›
Eagle Daze: The Life and Times of Leonard James Matthews – Part Six
Leonard Matthews, General Managing Editor of Fleetway and the Eagle Group of Comics, was a “Creative Visionary”… but that, Roger Perry argues in his extensive biography of the man which continues here on downthetubes, is only due to him having utilised the ideas… Read More ›
Space:1999 FX director Brian Johnson interviewed in latest Andersonic
The latest issue of the top Gerry Anderson-inspired fanzine Andersonic is on sale now and headlines a new interview with Brian Johnson, Space:1999‘s visual effects director, designer of the iconic Eagle transporter now getting plenty of attention from modellers thanks to Round… Read More ›
Never mind War And Peace – Here’s some All-Out Dalek War!
I received a hyperlink dispatch this morning from downthetubes reader John Derek Pitt, who had only recently come across the excellent digital CGI Daleks comic saga, The Second Empire created by Chris Smith, aka MechMaster. It’s been so long ago… Read More ›
Landmark British Comics: Looking Back on TV21 Issue 200
Yesterday’s news that The Phoenix had reached its 200th issue has certainly gone down well among British comic fans, but the publisher’s carefully worded claim that it was the first “independently-published weekly” comic to reach that landmark since 1969 has… Read More ›
Eagle Daze: On Artists’ Agents (and may God bless their cotton socks!)
Part Five of the memories of Roger Perry – memories of now more than half-a-century ago – of his days at Fleetway Publications and beyond
Happy Birthday, Thunderbirds! A look back at TV21, the show – and birthday cake!
Fifty years ago today, millions of children (and their parents) sat down to watch the first ever episode of Thunderbirds, “Trapped in the Sky”, unaware that the series would have such a lasting legacy. All many of us of a certain… Read More ›
Rare First Issue British Comics, Star Wars comics, Gerry Anderson merchandise in Cardiff auction today
Langley and Jones – a company specialising in vintage collectables, toys, comics, annuals, movies, TV and sporting memorabilia – is hosting its first auction today in Cardiff and includes a number of rare British comic lots as well as other rare and… Read More ›
Latest Compalcomics auction offers rare Beanos, Number Ones with free gifts… and more Dalek Swapits!
The Compalcomics August/September auction catalogue has just launched on the-saleroom.com and includes a number of early Beanos and plenty of Number One issues of various comics complete with with free gifts, including The Hornet from 1963, the girls comic Romeo,… Read More ›
Frank Bellamy Thunderbirds art becomes a fashion statement
Classic Thunderbirds art by Frank Bellamy from TV Century 21 comic is the inspiration for a large range of men’s fashion items from top designer Lou Dalton, on sale now. Dig deep if you want to buy, though –… Read More ›
Comic Creator Spotlight: Comic Artist Jim Watson
There are many comic artists that I have still to identify whose work I’ve enjoyed down the years. Others that I have identified and see that others also share my enjoyment of their work. But there are many more who… Read More ›
Rare Beanos, Dalek Swapits, Dan Dare and Adam Eterno art in latest ComPal Comics Auction
The catalogue for the latest ComPal Comics auction is online, which ends on 14th June 2015. The company now works with the-saleroom.com to provide real time bidding, viewable online, as bids are placed by the company’s customers who have registered their details…. Read More ›
ComPalComics offers Dalek Playsuit, Dandy Number One in latest auction
The latest Compalcomics March catalogue closes on on Sunday 8th March 2015 starting at 2.00pm, featuring a huge number of both early and modern Dandy comics, artwork including “Oor Wullie” and various IPC/Fleetway covers – and a rare Dalek Playsuit!… Read More ›
In Memoriam: John Cooper
We’re sorry to report the passing of British comics artist John Cooper, who died after a short illness on Sunday 22nd February. His huge and influential list of credits include work for numerous titles, including TV Century 21,… Read More ›
Creator Profile: John Cooper
Perhaps best known as the artist on “Johnny Red” for Battle Picture Weekly, John Cooper, who died on 22nd February 2015, is regarded by some as the British “Gil Kane”. John first drew comic strip for TV21, drawing “Secret Agent… Read More ›
Frank Bellamy TV Century 21 “Thunderbirds” art up for auction
Three Thunderbirds art boards drawn by Frank Bellamy for TV Century 21 Issues 141 and 142 are up for auction through the US Heritage Auctions web site in February 2015. The pages – all a trifle faded with age – are from… Read More ›
In Review: The Gerry Anderson Comic Collection
Creators: Various, including writers Alan Fennell and Tod Sullivan and artists Frank Bellamy, Jon Davis, Eric Eden, Ron Embleton, Rob Hamilton, and Mike Noble Publisher: Egmont UK Price: £25.00 Out: Now ISBN: 978 1 4052 7266 7 Binding: Hardback,… Read More ›