downthetubes News Round Up - Friday 14th March 2024: Daleks, Leprechauns and other craziness...
We discovered a little known Irish comic and helped saved some of those evil pepperpots, hopefully...
Work on upgrading downthetubes continues behind the scenes, but in the meantime we’re back publishing as many comic-related news, and other media-related items we hope will be of interest.
It’s still a little up in the air, but I can report that as of today, Friday 14th March, the focus of our most-viewed story – Last chance to save unique Dalek collection before it’s destroyed – is, hopefully, on the way to resolution thanks to a huge response to the related crowdfunder and other support for longtime Dalek designer Julian Vince. Hopefully, we can bring you further news next week. The GoFundMe to save his collection, which includes unique Doctor Who items, is still running - further backing welcomed.
May I also draw your attention to a GoFundMe campaign launched to help comic creator R.E. Burke, victim of visa mixup, detained in US detention centre - a story that has attracted much media attention on both sides of the Atlantic. Let’s do all we can to bring this gifted comic creator home!
US Comic Prices Set to Soar?
Before I bring you this week’s round up – and don’t forget all our recent stories feature here on downthetubes – some of you may be interested in reading this Screenrant feature, “As The US Enacts Tariffs on Canada, The Comic Book Industry Is Bracing For Soaring Prices”, which collates much of the issues facing the US comic industry, and, of course, British comic shops who are likely to see comic and graphic novel prices rise as a consequence. Do support your Local Comic Shop if you can. Here’s our British and Irish Comic Shop Map.
New Comic Releases
• “Ragtime Soldier: Trench Raider” cover revealed, gets funding boost from Creative Scotland
Two weeks left to support this hard-hitting war comics project from Pat Mills and Gary Welsh
• Jimmy Broxton’s new comic, Fully Loaded, selling fast, Free Comic Book Day signing announced
The future is now, sooner than expected!
• Football heroes on the front line in new Commando comic!
Throwing curveballs at all readers!
• Titan Manga set to release Saint Seiya: Dark Wing
An epic battle between gods and warriors
Creating Comics
• The Leprechaun, and the Irish War on Comics
Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, James Bacon takes a little known Irish comic that emulated the Eagle in format, whose editors had similar aims… There’s very little online about this comic, so James’ research is very welcome!
• Comic Creator Spotlight: Guiu Vilanova
SF screams ahead!
• Panel Borders: First Graphic Novel Award 2025
Online launch event for the 2025 First Graphic Award
Upcoming Comic Events
Don’t forget to keep an eye on our Events Guide and Exhibitions Guide!
• Comics Laureate Bobby Joseph hosts opening “Read Manchester” event next week
Inspiring children across Manchester to fall in love with reading
• Tom Scioli to make first ever British comic convention appearance at Macc-Pow in June
If you have never been to Macc-Pow before, now is the time!
• “Celebrating the Graphic Novel” event announced by publisher Faber
A special event for Faber Members next month
From The Archives…
The latest Commando comic releases this week include a reprint of a classic tale, “The Death or Glory Mob”, first published in 1971. David was one of the first writers on Commando back in the 1960s, as well as writing for Eagle. Here’s an interview with him, published on downthetubes in 2011!
Have a great weekend, everyone… but watch out for those Daleks!
John Freeman
Cartoon by Dicky Howett
