John Freeman
@johnfreeman.bsky.social
Publisher, downthetubes.net | Linktree: https://linktr.ee/johnfsfreeman | Comics, feature writer, editor; former editor of Doctor Who Magazine, Overkill, Star Trek Magazine/Explorer, Babylon 5 Magazine. No DMs please
Enter The Madman's Gallery…
Enter The Madman’s Gallery…
Discover the strangest paintings, sculptures, drawings and other artistic oddities ever made…
downthetubes.net
November 25, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Enter The Madman's Gallery…
While we try to maintain older articles behind the scenes on downthetubes on a fairly regular basis - removing dead links, for example – it's rare for updates to throw up a new mystery...
https://downthetubes.net/starblazer-cover-artist-identified-and-a-cover-mystery/
https://downthetubes.net/starblazer-cover-artist-identified-and-a-cover-mystery/
November 24, 2025 at 7:30 AM
While we try to maintain older articles behind the scenes on downthetubes on a fairly regular basis - removing dead links, for example – it's rare for updates to throw up a new mystery...
https://downthetubes.net/starblazer-cover-artist-identified-and-a-cover-mystery/
https://downthetubes.net/starblazer-cover-artist-identified-and-a-cover-mystery/
Reposted by John Freeman
Sneaking up next week…
November 22, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Sneaking up next week…
Issue 5 of Sonic the Comic: Reillustrated, a fan-led project to recreate favourite Sonic the Comic strips with a different artist for each panel, has just been released
https://downthetubes.net/sonic-the-comic-reillustrated-fan-project-continues/
https://downthetubes.net/sonic-the-comic-reillustrated-fan-project-continues/
November 23, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Issue 5 of Sonic the Comic: Reillustrated, a fan-led project to recreate favourite Sonic the Comic strips with a different artist for each panel, has just been released
https://downthetubes.net/sonic-the-comic-reillustrated-fan-project-continues/
https://downthetubes.net/sonic-the-comic-reillustrated-fan-project-continues/
Neon Ichiban, the visionary digital comics and manga platform from US publisher DSTLRY, built by Comixology veterans David Steinberger and Chip Mosher, officially launched worldwide earlier this month, exiting…
https://downthetubes.net/your-guide-to-the-new-neon-ichiban-digital-comics-platform/
https://downthetubes.net/your-guide-to-the-new-neon-ichiban-digital-comics-platform/
November 23, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Neon Ichiban, the visionary digital comics and manga platform from US publisher DSTLRY, built by Comixology veterans David Steinberger and Chip Mosher, officially launched worldwide earlier this month, exiting…
https://downthetubes.net/your-guide-to-the-new-neon-ichiban-digital-comics-platform/
https://downthetubes.net/your-guide-to-the-new-neon-ichiban-digital-comics-platform/
The Etherington Brothers launched a free monthly How to THINK When You Draw digital magazine earlier this year and Issue Seven is out in the wild, only available for a limited time only!
https://downthetubes.net/seven-up-new-free-how-to-think-when-you-draw-magazine-unleashed/
https://downthetubes.net/seven-up-new-free-how-to-think-when-you-draw-magazine-unleashed/
November 22, 2025 at 10:27 AM
The Etherington Brothers launched a free monthly How to THINK When You Draw digital magazine earlier this year and Issue Seven is out in the wild, only available for a limited time only!
https://downthetubes.net/seven-up-new-free-how-to-think-when-you-draw-magazine-unleashed/
https://downthetubes.net/seven-up-new-free-how-to-think-when-you-draw-magazine-unleashed/
Author David Hailwood, the comic creator behind the 100% Biodegradable comic anthology, recently released another of his popular “How To” drawing books for kids
https://downthetubes.net/scifi-flavour-to-david-hailwoods-new-book-how-to-draw-super-simple-cartoons-for-creative-kids/
https://downthetubes.net/scifi-flavour-to-david-hailwoods-new-book-how-to-draw-super-simple-cartoons-for-creative-kids/
November 22, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Author David Hailwood, the comic creator behind the 100% Biodegradable comic anthology, recently released another of his popular “How To” drawing books for kids
https://downthetubes.net/scifi-flavour-to-david-hailwoods-new-book-how-to-draw-super-simple-cartoons-for-creative-kids/
https://downthetubes.net/scifi-flavour-to-david-hailwoods-new-book-how-to-draw-super-simple-cartoons-for-creative-kids/
David Ferguson looks back at some odd crossover comics downthetubes.net/five-weird-c...
Five Weird Comic Book Crossovers That Worked
David Ferguson looks back at some odd crossover comics
downthetubes.net
November 21, 2025 at 3:05 PM
David Ferguson looks back at some odd crossover comics downthetubes.net/five-weird-c...
‘Superman’ No. 1 Leaps to $9.12 Million at Heritage, Becomes Most Expensive Comic Ever Sold
‘Superman’ No. 1 Leaps to $9.12 Million at Heritage, Becomes Most Expensive Comic Ever Sold
The world’s most expensive comic book?
downthetubes.net
November 21, 2025 at 2:28 PM
‘Superman’ No. 1 Leaps to $9.12 Million at Heritage, Becomes Most Expensive Comic Ever Sold
We've come across some more "Robot Archie" covers credited to Italian artist Vladimiro Missaglia...
https://downthetubes.net/robot-archie-cover-gems-by-vladimiro-missaglia/
https://downthetubes.net/robot-archie-cover-gems-by-vladimiro-missaglia/
November 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM
We've come across some more "Robot Archie" covers credited to Italian artist Vladimiro Missaglia...
https://downthetubes.net/robot-archie-cover-gems-by-vladimiro-missaglia/
https://downthetubes.net/robot-archie-cover-gems-by-vladimiro-missaglia/
We’re sorry to report, via artist and archivist David Roach, the passing of South African born illustrator Cecil Vieweg, who died earlier this month
https://downthetubes.net/in-memoriam-artist-cecil-vieweg/
https://downthetubes.net/in-memoriam-artist-cecil-vieweg/
November 20, 2025 at 8:55 AM
We’re sorry to report, via artist and archivist David Roach, the passing of South African born illustrator Cecil Vieweg, who died earlier this month
https://downthetubes.net/in-memoriam-artist-cecil-vieweg/
https://downthetubes.net/in-memoriam-artist-cecil-vieweg/
Yor the Hunter, originally published in Argentina in the 1970s as Henga el cazador, is to get an English language collection, thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign by Antarctic Press
https://downthetubes.net/yor-the-hunter-from-the-future-to-get-english-release-at-last/
https://downthetubes.net/yor-the-hunter-from-the-future-to-get-english-release-at-last/
November 20, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Yor the Hunter, originally published in Argentina in the 1970s as Henga el cazador, is to get an English language collection, thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign by Antarctic Press
https://downthetubes.net/yor-the-hunter-from-the-future-to-get-english-release-at-last/
https://downthetubes.net/yor-the-hunter-from-the-future-to-get-english-release-at-last/
Reposted by John Freeman
Here’s our guide to the releases, and reviews of all four New issues of Commando, on sale this Thursday in all good newsagents, which include a new “ Cadman, The Fighting Coward” story from writer Andrew Knighton and artist Mike…
https://downthetubes.net/cadman-creeps-his-way-back-into-commando/
https://downthetubes.net/cadman-creeps-his-way-back-into-commando/
November 19, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Here’s our guide to the releases, and reviews of all four New issues of Commando, on sale this Thursday in all good newsagents, which include a new “ Cadman, The Fighting Coward” story from writer Andrew Knighton and artist Mike…
https://downthetubes.net/cadman-creeps-his-way-back-into-commando/
https://downthetubes.net/cadman-creeps-his-way-back-into-commando/
It's time for Christmas at Forbidden Planet - and they’re celebrating with a lush scene of pop culture festivity specially illustrated for the specialist comic and media chain by good friend (and…
https://downthetubes.net/forbidden-planet-ready-for-christmas-with-doctor-who-artist-kelly-yates/
https://downthetubes.net/forbidden-planet-ready-for-christmas-with-doctor-who-artist-kelly-yates/
November 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
It's time for Christmas at Forbidden Planet - and they’re celebrating with a lush scene of pop culture festivity specially illustrated for the specialist comic and media chain by good friend (and…
https://downthetubes.net/forbidden-planet-ready-for-christmas-with-doctor-who-artist-kelly-yates/
https://downthetubes.net/forbidden-planet-ready-for-christmas-with-doctor-who-artist-kelly-yates/
Reposted by John Freeman
'“Cadman: Born to Lead” is a gem of a story from Andrew Knighton and Mike Dorey, Commando’s equivalent of “Blackadder” for once finding himself sharing a trench with an even obnoxious, and more dangerous officer than he is.' - a ncie review of my latest Commando comic at Down the Tubes.
Here’s our guide to the releases, and reviews of all four New issues of Commando, on sale this Thursday in all good newsagents, which include a new “ Cadman, The Fighting Coward” story from writer Andrew Knighton and artist Mike…
https://downthetubes.net/cadman-creeps-his-way-back-into-commando/
https://downthetubes.net/cadman-creeps-his-way-back-into-commando/
November 19, 2025 at 9:10 AM
'“Cadman: Born to Lead” is a gem of a story from Andrew Knighton and Mike Dorey, Commando’s equivalent of “Blackadder” for once finding himself sharing a trench with an even obnoxious, and more dangerous officer than he is.' - a ncie review of my latest Commando comic at Down the Tubes.
If you're a fan of artist Ron Turner ("The Daleks" from TV Century 21, and more) you may enjoy this small collection of his covers from "Practical Mechanics" and other titles from the 1950s and 60s: flic.kr/s/aHsiN4VdKn
November 19, 2025 at 9:30 AM
If you're a fan of artist Ron Turner ("The Daleks" from TV Century 21, and more) you may enjoy this small collection of his covers from "Practical Mechanics" and other titles from the 1950s and 60s: flic.kr/s/aHsiN4VdKn
The new take on The Running Man is, at the very least, Tim Robins suggests, an entertaining way to keep warm for a few hours – adverts included – on a winter's day…
https://downthetubes.net/in-review-the-running-man-2/
https://downthetubes.net/in-review-the-running-man-2/
November 19, 2025 at 8:52 AM
The new take on The Running Man is, at the very least, Tim Robins suggests, an entertaining way to keep warm for a few hours – adverts included – on a winter's day…
https://downthetubes.net/in-review-the-running-man-2/
https://downthetubes.net/in-review-the-running-man-2/
Here’s our guide to the releases, and reviews of all four New issues of Commando, on sale this Thursday in all good newsagents, which include a new “ Cadman, The Fighting Coward” story from writer Andrew Knighton and artist Mike…
https://downthetubes.net/cadman-creeps-his-way-back-into-commando/
https://downthetubes.net/cadman-creeps-his-way-back-into-commando/
November 19, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Here’s our guide to the releases, and reviews of all four New issues of Commando, on sale this Thursday in all good newsagents, which include a new “ Cadman, The Fighting Coward” story from writer Andrew Knighton and artist Mike…
https://downthetubes.net/cadman-creeps-his-way-back-into-commando/
https://downthetubes.net/cadman-creeps-his-way-back-into-commando/
Please support independent shops
November 18, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Please support independent shops
My business partner has been predicting the collapse of this house of cards for months.
WSJ: “.. If the AI market blows up, the blast radius would be wide, hitting not only Wall Street firms, but also pensions, mutual and exchange-traded funds and individual investors, because of how debt is often sliced and resold across the financial landscape.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/finance/inve...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/finance/inve...
November 18, 2025 at 1:40 PM
My business partner has been predicting the collapse of this house of cards for months.
Slingsby Bros. Ink! appeals for help with new newspaper strip collections
Slingsby Bros. Ink! appeals for help with new newspaper strip collections
Do you have copies of Empire News in your comics collection?
downthetubes.net
November 18, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Slingsby Bros. Ink! appeals for help with new newspaper strip collections
Matt Simmons @sherifffreak.bsky.social of Lancaster’s Zine Freak went to @thoughtbubbleuk.bsky.social and has had a bit of a restock l downthetubes profile downthetubes.net/british-comi...
November 18, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Matt Simmons @sherifffreak.bsky.social of Lancaster’s Zine Freak went to @thoughtbubbleuk.bsky.social and has had a bit of a restock l downthetubes profile downthetubes.net/british-comi...
Do you ever wonder how British comic characters might appear in another language? German, for example? Well, wonder no more about "Pedantic Stan, The Comics Fan", the creation of myself, John Freeman,…
https://downthetubes.net/pedantic-stan-the-comics-fan-hops-over-the-english-channel-to-germany/
https://downthetubes.net/pedantic-stan-the-comics-fan-hops-over-the-english-channel-to-germany/
November 18, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Do you ever wonder how British comic characters might appear in another language? German, for example? Well, wonder no more about "Pedantic Stan, The Comics Fan", the creation of myself, John Freeman,…
https://downthetubes.net/pedantic-stan-the-comics-fan-hops-over-the-english-channel-to-germany/
https://downthetubes.net/pedantic-stan-the-comics-fan-hops-over-the-english-channel-to-germany/
Worms!! Judge Dredd has definitely had about enough of them, and so has Mega-City One. But worms are what he has to deal with in this week’s 2000AD…
https://downthetubes.net/worms-void-runners-and-a-messerschmitt-oh-my/
https://downthetubes.net/worms-void-runners-and-a-messerschmitt-oh-my/
November 18, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Worms!! Judge Dredd has definitely had about enough of them, and so has Mega-City One. But worms are what he has to deal with in this week’s 2000AD…
https://downthetubes.net/worms-void-runners-and-a-messerschmitt-oh-my/
https://downthetubes.net/worms-void-runners-and-a-messerschmitt-oh-my/
A treasure trove of Gerry Anderson-related comic strips under the spotlight in months to come!
Right then. Let me tell you all how I'm going to tackle David Motton's 25 Fireball XL5, Stingray, Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet scripts on Sequential 21.
It'll be next year's big focus for the blog. Lots of amazing treasures to uncover!
sequential21.net/2025/11/16/t...
It'll be next year's big focus for the blog. Lots of amazing treasures to uncover!
sequential21.net/2025/11/16/t...
The Motton Masterplan
Ever since acquiring a sizeable variety of scripts for Gerry Anderson comic strips and short stories from the archive of prolific comics writer David Motton, I’ve been wracking my brain tryin…
sequential21.net
November 17, 2025 at 3:48 PM
A treasure trove of Gerry Anderson-related comic strips under the spotlight in months to come!