downthetubes News Round Up - Friday 21st February 2024
Out and about, an Award win, and can you help save a Dalek?
Lancaster is home to a lot of comic creators, but not many comic events, so, despite some technical problems (ghosts in the machine!), it was smashing to catch up with Kate Charlesworth, Mary Talbot, and Bryan Talbot, too last night, at a Lancaster University organised event last night, titled “The Graphic Novel and Political Activism”. I’ve just posted a quick report here on downthetubes, which includes snippets about these award-winning comic creators next projects.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much time to talk about the state of the industry here in the UK, compared with Europe, which Mary and Bryan were clearly happy to do, Bryan enjoying considerable success in France right now with his Grandville, series, published there by Delirium, which is selling well there. Incredibly, Kate and the Talbots, despite their success, are finding opportunities for graphic novel publishing by traditional route growing ever smaller here. Which is ironic, when you consider his The Adventures of Luther Arkwright was one of the earliest strips to be collected in graphic novel form, in 1982; and the critical success of Mary’s Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes helped drive a mini boom in graphic novel publication after it won the COSTA Award in 2012.
Anyway… moving on. I have been discussing some new comic projects, more news later in the year. These things take a long time to come together, but an early discussion about a new SF project looks quite exciting.
Over on downthetubes, you’ll be pleased to hear I haven’t been idle, despite getting out of the house, updating both the comic events and exhibition pages – lots of exciting things going on – and exhibitions page. Yes, I’ll be heading to London’s Cartoon Museum to see their upcoming Cats in Cartoons exhibition. How could I resist?
THANK YOU
Before I head into this week’s news round up, thank you to everyone who voted for downthetubes in the ComicScene Awards. 3000 comic fans voted and I’m delighted we won in the category. Thank you for your support and and all of our contributors who helped make that happen.
NEW COMIC STORIES…
• Bryan Talbot’s “The Casebook of Stamford Hawksmoor” heads to bookshops later this year
Grandville prequel on its way, work complete
• “The 2000AD Art of Sean Phillips” out in October
Another brilliant 2000AD superstar artist in the spotlight
• Dark & Golden Books announce Carol Swan comic collection
More great comic gems unearthed!
• Alison Bechdel’s new graphic novel, “Spent” launches soon, exhibition announced
Bechdel humorously critiques privilege, fame, and existential musings in a world on the brink
CREATING COMICS and COMIC ART
• Early Judge Dredd design art by Carlos Ezquerra offered by Heritage Auctions
Check out this slice of 2000AD history!
• A Night Out with Kate Charlesworth and Mary Talbot
Ghosts in the microphones didn’t spoil this live event
• Comic Creator Spotlight: Marian Henley, from “Maxine” to “Finding the Light”
A Mother’s Journey from Trauma to Healing
• Cartoonist Malky McCormick’s archive entrusted to East Ayrshire Leisure Trust
The archive includes his collaborations with Billy Connolly on “The Big Yin”
• Judge Dredd Megazine gives 2000AD designers Robin Smith and Steve Cook a mind probe!
Go behind the curtain on the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic!
• Ray Mundo Futcast interviews Roy of the Rovers Editor Barrie Tomlinson “Live from Melchester”
Exclusive access to a true legend of the 20th century British comic strip world
UPCOMING EVENTS
• “Cats in Cartoons” exhibition announced by London’s Cartoon Museum
Cats, and kittens. Cartoons. What else do you need to know?
• First Dublin Comic Arts Festival for 2025 announced for April, more events to follow
The free quarterly small comics press focused event is back
THIS WEEK’S TOP STORY
• Can You Help Save a Dalek? Designer Julian Vince seeks support
Sad news, as designer Julian Vince, who I worked with while editing Doctor Who Magazine many years ago, looks set to lose his entire collection of work and his incredible collection of Doctor Who artefacts. (Jump straight here to help if you can)
Enjoy the weekend! Don’t let the wind and rain dampen your spirits!
John Freeman
Still not chained to a desk by his publisher. Honest.
