The latest downthetubes quickfire roundup of comic-related news items spotted this week…
Variant Covers: The latest issue of Comics the Magazine, #5, arrived in Local Comic Shops earlier this month, leading with an in-depth interview with Mark Spears, creator of the massive hit series, MONSTERS. What fans might have missed is a secret cover to the issue, featuring a Spawn 77 cover by Mark. “I think this was inserted into bundles of 25,” Mark reveals, “So happy hunting everyone!” For more information, head to Prana Publishers official website. #6 lands on 1st August, offering an exclusive look at Oni Press’ upcoming Fluxhouse line, where the team talk with Matt Kindt and Brian Hurtt on their upcoming epic Fort Psycho.
New Comics Documentary: P. Craig Russell is nearing completion of “The Fisherman and His Soul”, the final fairy tale in his Oscar Wilde fairy tale cycle.
Talking of Craig, Wayne Alan Howard is currently working on Into The Dreaming City, a comic art documentary that examines the amazing artist’s work on the eponymous Marvel Graphic Novel. The focus of a Kickstarter earlier this year, there’s still time to Late Pledge for signed Blu-rays and more here.
Thought Bubble Guest News: Thought Bubble have announced the third group of incredible guests for the Thought Bubble Comic Convention 2026, including Becky Cloonan, Jahnoy Lindsay and Christian Ward, joining Matt Fraction and more. The weekend long event in Harrogate, Yorkshire, again offers 600 comic-creating exhibitors showcasing their work for you to browse and buy, alongside special guests from across the world. Plus, a full programme of talks, exhibitions, workshops and signings, a dedicated kids’ zone with free activities, workshops, with family friendly exhibitors to shop. Get your tickets at thoughtbubblefestival.com/tickets
Call For Papers: Talking of Thought Bubble, Comics Forum, the amazing Leeds-based comics academic conference, has announced its theme for this year; Welfare, and issued a Call For Papers. The conference will take place on 12-13 November 2026 at Leeds Central Library, as part of Thought Bubble Festival.
Proposals are welcome from academics and comics creators, and can be a paper, panel or workshop. The deadline for submissions is 31st August. Find out more here
Tomb Raider Treats: Ahead of the official opening of new exhibition, Lara Croft: 30 Years On – From Derby to Global Icon, theres an exclusive first look planned at Pickfords’ House on Thursday 23rd July to kickstart the Tomb Raider 30 celebrations. Tickets are available here.
The £10 ticket price includes exclusive access to the exhibition, with drink on arrival, costume encouraged.
Supported by Tomb Raider Derby and Visit Derby, the free exhibition, also at Pickfords’ House, features original development materials on loan from former Core Design developers, memorabilia and collectables from private collections, co-curated with local collector Luke Earle. More information here!
Cosplay days will take place at set dates throughout the exhibition (dates here) and there are tie-in workshops for kids, too.
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: downthetubes News
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