David Pugh's Slaine, Dan Dare art (and more) on sale for charity

Green for Danger, published in
New Eagle in 1990

(Updated) Following up on our recent post about a mystery Dan Dare page, which gave us chance to touch base with ace comics artist David Pugh, we can now report that he has begun auctioning off some of his old artwork to benefit migrant workers and refugees in India and Africa.

Bus Fare is a charity set up by David to help refugees and migrant workers visit their families, who have been separated by either political or economic necessity. It can also provide some pocket money to compensate for loss of wages, while they are travelling.

"The Tibetan people were the inspiration for setting up this trust, many of whom I count as good friends," says David.

Included in the art work sale are pages of Dan Dare, drawn for the New Eagle; and pages from the 2000AD story Slaine: Time Killer, including the first Slaine page David ever drew.

Although the site only features five pieces of artwork, there are links to many more pages on offer, which have been posted in a number of albums on Facebook as part of David's fan page.

The Slaine pages are selling for between £100 - £200. Many pages of full colour Dan Dare art from 1989-1994, including the Mekon's last appearance in the comic, are available from £65-£300.

David tells us two of the Dan Dare pages from the last story have been sold already, one for £250 one at £300, along with three Slaine Time killer pages. "Bus Fare is becoming a full time job but I'm very glad I have the time to work on it."

• If you are interested in any other pages not featured on the Web Store but which feature on Facebook, contact David direct via busfareATmail.com.

• David Pugh Art for sale - Bus Fare web store

Dan Dare Art on Facebook

• Dan Dare Art - 1989 - 1990
• Dan Dare: Destination X
• Dan Dare: Dog Star 
• Dan Dare: Murder Machine (1991)

• Dan Dare's last ever New Eagle story

Eagle Comic Art

• Joe Alien (1989)

M.A.S.K. Art on Facebook

• M.A.S.K. - Colossus (1988)
• M.A.S.K. - Funnsville and Double Cross (1988)

• M.A.S.K. - Mayhem's Mansion (1988)
• M.A.S.K. - Millionaire Mayhem (1988)
• M.A.S.K. - Project Imposter (1988)
• MA.S.K. - Kamikaze
• M.A.S.K. Maelstrom Mayhem

Slaine Art

• Slaine Art (Facebook album)

Teknophage Art


• Teknophage
• Teknophage Issue 2: A Show of Force (July 1996)
• Teknophage Issue 3: The Jaws Of The Trap August 1996
• Teknophage Issue 4: Death Arena! September 1996
• Teknophage Issue 5: The Dragon's Teeth October 1996
• Teknophage Issue 6: Sacrifice! November 1996

Wildcat Comic Art

• Loner 
• Loner (1989)
• Loner (Widcat Winter Special)

• Check out the Bus Fare site and find out more about the charity at http://busfare. webs.com

Talbot joins 'Space Nite' fund raising artists to help Bill Mantlo

A special fund-raiser show in aid of US comics writer Bill Mantlo includes this piece of art featuring 1980s fav ROM Spaceknight by Bryan Talbot along with more pieces from artists such as Mike Allred, Matt Timson, Jeffrey Brown, Michael DeForge, Tan Eng Huat, Ben Marra,  Luke Ramsey, Jon Schnepp and dozens more.

Bill, who wrote every issue of Marvel Comics toy-inspired title Rom, was the victim of a hit and run accident 15 years ago, spent several months in a coma. He's now paralysed and lives in a care home. The show and collection of art (to be published in 2011) will help his family pay the costs of his care.

The original artwork and one-off prints of each illo will also be auctioned on ebay.

This new show, which will be on display at Floating World Comics in Portland, Oregon next month, features work by artists and illustrators both inside and outside of the comics  industry which has led to a variety of styles and interpretations of  an iconic cult character.

Donations to the SPACENITE – BILL MANTLO FUND go directly to Bill’s brother and caregiver, Mike Mantlo. You can donate direct via a link in this blog post

• ROM Space Nite benefit art show for Bill Mantlo, Thursday 2nd December 6-10pm, Floating World Comics,  20 NW 5th Ave #101, Portland, OR 97209. Tel: 001 503 241 0227. Artwork on display until 2nd January 2011.

• View artwork from the exhibit here: http://romspacenite.blogspot.com/


• The 2007 show: http://www.floatingworldcomics.com/main/2007/11/13/spacenight-a-tribute-to-bill-mantlo-dec-6th/

Troops to get a boost from King Kong and Friends

This month Britain's Comic Book Alliance will be joining with the 'Support Our Soldiers' charity to send thousands of comic books and graphic novels to troops stationed around the world and many miles from home.

The CBA spoke to troops before Christmas and were told that one of the biggest problems facing service personnel was boredom when they are not deployed in the field. Comic books have always been a favourite with the troops because they are light, entertaining; easy to carry, share and read.

Passing on that information on to its members, the CBA were instantly inundated with offers from publishers and retailers wishing to help. "There were so many offers that it was impossible to arrange for shipments before Christmas," says CBA spokesperson and co-founder GM Jordan. "Plus, the CBA simply did not have the expertise to send out the parcels themselves.

"Thankfully the problem was solved when Support Our Soldiers, who have been sending goodwill parcels to members of the armed forces since 2003, agreed to take the donations to ensure they reached the people who needed them the most.'

With the S.O.S partnership in place there was a further complication: the donors were spread out across the UK. The comics needed to be collected and then delivered to a central point for distribution and with time running out; it looked like they were in danger of failing to meet their March deadline.

Luckily the Post Office was at hand and, thanks to their logistical skills, they were able to collect all the donations into a central depot in the South East before shipping them north to be delivered to S.O.S.

"We owe a great deal of thanks to the Post Office, when we explained the difficulties facing us the managers and staff understood the difficulties involved and found the right solution to help us. Without the Post Office we would have been in serious trouble," GM Jordan explained.

The CBA is especially grateful to help from independent comics publisher Markosia Enterprises and comics retail chain Forbidden Planet, who were amongst the first to pledge their support and been a great supporters of the CBA.

Titles distributed to the troops include Markosia's King Kong of Skull Island, Starship Troopers, Harker and the critically acclaimed Hope Falls by Tony Lee.

“Thank you for doing a great job on our behalf and we wish you well” said Harry Markos, head of Markosia, before adding, "If our small token goes any way towards cheering up the troops then we are all very happy."

The CBA was founded in 2009 to represent the comic book industry in the UK, working with retailers, publishers, creators, educators and fans to ensure a bright future for the industry.

Web Links

• Comic Book Alliance: www.comicbookalliance.org.uk
• Support Our Soldiers: www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk
• Markosia Enterprises: www.markosia.com
• Forbidden Planet: www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk

Foundry supports Haiti relief effort, comic creators wanted

London's The Foundry is running an evening to raise money for earthquake victims in Haiti on 27th January - and comic creators are invited to get involved.

The event is just part of a joint fund raising campaign by the Haitian arts group Ghetto Biennale, which is based in Port-Au-Prince, and the Foundry. A foundry/haiti fund to support the artists community www.atis-rezistans.com in Grand Rue, Port-au Prince has now been set up.

The evening will have entertainment, but funds will be raised by people bringing tables on which to sell their wares to those attending, the money from the sales of which are to be given to the fund. Jonathan, who runs the Foundry, has asked if Britain's small press community would be able to bring a table and sell some of their items to raise money for charity.

The Alternative Press have done two "Are You Zine Friendly" events there previously, but by chance all of them are out of the country at that time, so they can't bring a table for people to sell their stuff on.

"So we're asking if anyone is interested in bringing a table to the Foundry, for use by the small press community," Peter Lally told downthetubes, "so that they can sell their goodies and give the money to the Haiti fund.

If they can, they should contact me (peterlally@gmail.com) and we'll put the details up on our "Are You Zine Friendly" Blog so that anyone interested in selling their goods can get the information and contact you to arrange things."

"So for example, we can put on the blog 'Johnny from Johnny Zine is bringing a table down to the Foundry, he'll be there by 6pm, and if you're coming please email him at: ...co.uk' etc., etc."

Pete adds that you should also contact Jonathan of The Foundry to say you're bringing a table, his contact details are on the Foundry link below.

If you cannot attend but wish to donate some money to their Fund, there is a Paypal button on the Foundry page.

• The event takes place on Wednesday 27th January 6pm - 11pm, The Foundry, 84-86 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3JL (nearest station: Old Street) Web Link: http://www.foundry.tv/haiti/

Geek Syndicate Auctions All-Star Superman Art for Charity

Comics and scifi podcast site Geek Syndicate has launched a charity auction that will include some unique comic art and other collectables, to help an eight-year-girl after the sudden and untimely death of her father, a loyal supporter of the popular site.

The Ebay auction includes items donated by DJ and TV host Jonathan Ross, artist Frank Quietly, 2000AD, Doctor Who and Captain Britain writer Paul Cornell, and the cast and crew of BBC’s Merlin and more.

The auction is in aid of the daughter of Eric Martin, died of a massive heart attack on last month during his sleep, aged only 36. "Eric was a great supporter of Geek Syndicate back when the podcast first started and came on a few episodes and stayed in touch with me and David Montieth," explains Geek Syndicate host Barry Nugent. "He went on to start up a few podcasts of his own – Comic Playground (A look at all ages comics) and DC Noise.

"He was a huge supporter of the Comic Podcasting community who loved comics and all things geek."

Now, Eric's brother Mike has now set up a donation fund for Eric's eight year old daughter, Gracie and Barry and Dave decided to organize an auction to raise money for the donation fund by asking some the people they have met doing the podcast to contribute something to the auction.

The auction will take place on ebay and kick off on Monday 14th December and run until Friday 18th December.
Items are still being sorted out for the auction but at the moment the list is the following.

• Radio and TV host Jonathan Ross will be donating a piece of original comic art from his collection.

• Frank Quitely (Batman and Robin, We3, All Star Superman, The Authority) will be donating an original page from his run on All Star Superman.

• Tommy Lee Edwards (Batman, Daredevil, Hellboy, Star Wars) will be donating a piece of his own art.

• 2000AD will be donating a Greg Staples signed sketch, Books of Invasions Vol. 1, 2 and 3 signed both by Pat Mills and Clint Langley (with a quick sketch in each by Clint) and a signed copy of Pat Mills’ Requiem Book One.

• Paul Cornell (Doctor Who, Primeval, Captain Britain and MI:13) will be donating a signed initial pitch document for Captain Britain and MI-13 that no one has ever seen.

• Geek Syndicate will be donating a copy of The League of Extraordinary Gentleman: Century 1910 signed by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill

• Titan Books will be donating a Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia and a Watchmen Film Companion signed by Dave Gibbons.

• Shine, the team behind BBC’s Merlin, have kindly offered Series 1 Volume 1 and Series 1 Volume 2 DVD's signed by the cast (Bradley James, Colin Morgan, Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath and Anthony Head).

Barry and Dave would like to thank all of the folks who have so kindly offered to contribute something to the auction. Details can be found at www.geeksyndicate.co.uk

Arts for Hearts Auction Site

(with thanks to Ian Stacey): A new blog has been set up to promote the upcoming week-long Arts for Hearts auction on eBay in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital, starting on 2nd November.

The blog features samples of the pieces to be auctioned, which are are all either original paintings or signed prints, all the work of professional children's illustrators including Frances Cony (above) Korky Paul (Winnie the Witch), An Vrombaut (64 Zoo Lane) and Lynne Chapman (Class Two at the Zoo).

Proceeds from the auction, which will run for a week from 2nd November, will all go to fund research done by the transplant team at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

• For more details on the pieces involved in the auction people can visit the blog: http://art-for-hearts.blogspot.com

Original Comics Art Auction To Benefit Philippines Flood Victims

(via Forbidden Planet International and Gerry Alanguilan): Following the terrible floods in the Philippines, which have caused a huge number of deaths and damage to homes and infrastructure, some of comics professionals based there - many of whom have been contributors to the success of comics publishers in both the UK and the US down the years - have lost homes or had them badly damaged in Manila, where the storm hit particularly hard.

Artists known to be affected so far are Carlo Vergara, Gilbert Monsanto, Jay David Ramos, Rico Rival, Danny Acuña, Jun Lofamia, Clem Rivera, and Noly Zamora. Steve Gan also had his printing press submerged under flood waters.

Comics artist Gerry Alanguilan - a major force in promoting comics art in the Philippines - was unscathed by the disaster, but has now launched an original Comics Art Auction to benefit Ondoy Flood Victims. The first piece on offer is a tribute to the late, great Will Eisner, drawn by Gerry for Comic Book Artist Magazine #6 back in November 2005, pictured above. The artwork is illustrated with pen and ink on 11"x16" vellum paper.

"With the help of other comics professionals, I’ve begun an Ebay auction of original comics artwork which would benefit victims of the flooding brought on my Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana)," he says. "Initial recipients will be Komikeros who have lost or damaged homes and property, and the rest will be donated to the Philippine Red Cross.'

To view the auction go to:
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZkomikeroQQhtZ-1

More pieces to the auction will be added soon.

Gerry is also currently collecting pieces to auction from other comics pros. Pieces that have International interest (like original art from Marvel, DC, Image and other international comics publications) will be sold on Ebay Worldwide. Other pieces will be sold at the Philippines 5th Komikon event on 18th October.

• To make a general donation to help disaster victims there is a list of places to donate here

Tube Surfing, 11 July 2009: Starblazer Sculptures, Moon Landings and an Oxfam ComicFest

• Dundee-based artist Trevor Gordon has been in touch, to let you us of a collaborative art project going ahead in Dundee at the Mills Observatory. "I am working with archival material from DC Thomsons and creating sculptural pieces influenced by the work," he reveals. "There will a number of original Starblazer works on display and a number of strange sculptural pieces in a range of mediums.
"[DC Thomson staffer and former Starblazer editor] Bill McLoughlin has been extremely friendly and supportive throughout the process and it has been a joy to get my hands on these cherished images," Trevor reveals, " and [artist] Enrique Alcatena has also been a delight and there will be a wee note on his thoughts on Starblazer also." More details as soon as we get them: meanwhle, check out Trevor's work at www.trevoragordon.com

• Jeremy Briggs has completed a series of Moon Landing Anniversary posts for downthetubes, which will be published daily starting on Wednesday (15th July). The posts feature art and comics work published during or after the first Moon Landing. Meanwhile, our Comics Celebration of the 40th Anniversary gathers pace, with our album of art now featuring work by Adam Grose, Martin Baines, Ian Duerden and others. The album can be embedded on any web site to help celebrate this major endeavour of human exploration. Further art - illustration, strip, cartoons is welcome: If you don't want to join our forum and upload art but would like to join in with the celebrations, simply send your work to johnfreeman6-moonlandinganniversaryart@yahoo.co.uk. Please ensure images are no larger than 2MB in size.

• Talking of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, we spotted a reprint of the Daily Mirror for 21 July or thereabouts in WH Smiths today, complete with DVD of footage of the Apollo landing: it will be interesting to see what Garth was up to (and The Perishers!) on that momentous day in 1969...

• The British Film Institute's "One Giant Leap" season in London continues this coming week with screenings of the films 2001: A Space Odyssey, Countdown and Moonwalk One, the premiere of newly remastered Director's Cut in high definition of Theo Kamecke's film, commissioned by NASA to cover their historic Apollo 11 moonshot. With an atmospheric original score by Charles Morrow and a moody narration by Laurence Luckinbill, Kamecke's documentary has been described as perhaps the most significant time-capsule record of Apollo 11 ever made.

• Our thanks to comic creator Emma Vieceli, who kindly gave downthtubes a positive plug on her blog (despite Jeremy Briggs saying that she looked like a Manga character...) - view her comments here. Emma was recently interviewed for BBC Blast, revealing How To Get Creative!

• Graeme Neil Reid has announced he will be joining a huge number of comic creators at the Thought Bubble in Leeds at the end of November, so if you are thinking of going to any comic cons this year that would be one to consider.

• Talking of events, Insomnia Publications will be part of the line up at the Oxfam Comics Fest on 18th July at Macdonald Road, Edinburgh from 12 noon to 3.00pm. We've given this a plug recently, but Oxfam has been in touch with an update, reporting there will be discussion panels on Comics In Scotland and The Ups And Downs Of Small Press Publishing, featuring writers Ferg Handley (Marvel Heroes, Commando) and David Bishop (2000AD, Doctor Who) and other guests.
"We'll be holding a silent auction of some great comic book related merchandise, including a piece of original artwork from Spectacular Spider-Man," reveals organiser James McConnell, "signed by the artist, presented with a page of the script, signed by the writer, and other excellent items.
"There will also be an exclusive sneak peek at some never before seen pages from the upcoming Burke & Hare graphic novel from Insomnia Publications, and a stall selling comics and graphic novels."
•Tickets are £3.00 at all Oxfam Bookshops in Edinburgh, on sale now!

Comics In Scotland: 2000AD And More

As part of the first national Oxfam Bookfest, which runs from 4 to 18 July 2009, the British charity will be holding a comics event in Edinburgh. With the Dundee Literary Festival Comics Day in June and the Edinburgh International Book Festival with its anticipated comics talks in August, central Scotland was already well served for comics events this summer so this is an extra bonus.

To be held between Noon and 3pm on Saturday 18 July in Edinburgh's McDonald Road Library located at the corner of McDonald Road and Leith Walk, the event is being advertised as a comics workshop covering 2000AD and More. Currently Commando and Spectacular Spiderman writer Ferg Handley is scheduled to appear with more guests due to be announced and attendees will also get the chance to bid on donated items during an auction.

This is only one of a number of book related events happening around the country in July organised by Oxfam which is the UK's largest retailer of second hand books. As yet there are no details of ticket prices or further guests .

• More details of the Oxfam Comics In Scotland event can be found on the Oxfam UK website.

• The locations of Oxfam Bookshops can be found using the Oxfam Shop Locator.

Signed Star Trek Klingons Art on eBay

One of my 'day' jobs is reviewing Star Trek comics for Titan's Star Trek Magazine - and I was recently thrilled to see US artist JK Woodward's work grace the latest IDW-published Star Trek: Klingons title.

I first came across his stunning art via the independent title Crazy Mary, written by Michael Colbert, which I adapted for mobile and is distributed on ROK Comics: but most people reading this will be more familiar with his work on X-Men and other US titles.

Anyway, if you enjoy his work as much as me, there's now a chance to owning a piece of very cool Star Trek art from the new book. Michael Colbert's wife - who sadly lost her grandmother to cancer very recently - is involved with the American Cancer Society's ”Relay for Life” project, dedicated to raising money for cancer research.

JK has donated an original page from the Klingons book for auction on E-Bay. "This thing has Klingon war ships, the Enterprise B, Kang and all done by JK’s brilliant hand," Michael enthuses. "The page will be signed by JK and every dime will go to the charity goal."

"This is a win win for everybody and it would be great if folk bid on it."

While we're mainly about British comics here on downthetubes I'm more than happy to help a friend promote and support a very good cause.

• The e-bay link is: ebay KLINGONS!

City of Heroes Sketchbook Auctioned

Draw the World Together, an organisation created to unite arts communities in providing possibilities for children who live in communities where they do not have the opportunity for basic healthcare and education, is auctioning a limited edition City of Heroes sketchbook on eBay to raise funds.

This latest item - #4 of 10 - is again signed by several artists: Dave Gibbons (who provided the cover), Doug Braithwaite, Misako Rocks, Mark Buckingham, Andie Tong, Phil Winslade, Jon Haward, Mike Collins, Bryan Talbot, Simon Williams, Andrew Wildman, Neil Edwards, Al (Astral Gypsy) Davidson and Boo Cook.

If you don't want to make a bid yourselves you can help out by posting a link to the auction on any forums or blogs that you are active in.

Visit Draw the World Together at: http://drawtheworldtogether.ning.com

• Sketchbook Auction on Ebay

Draw the World Together gets a Makeover

Draw the World Together, an organisation of creatives who have been raising huge amounts of money for street children around the world for the past four years, aiding the work done by the UK based charity EveryChild, has a new group where supporters, publishers and involved creators can meet and discuss plans for its future.

"Some amazing people in the world of comics have donated their time and talent to help the project," says artist Andrew Wildman, "and we have held events in the UK, Denmark, Greece and the USA. Much of our work was made possible by the generous hep of computer games company NCSoft.

"That was then, but this is NOW. DtWT has changed and has now been restructured for the convenience of all the people who are interested in playing a part. We have created a Ning network group to make it easier for Artist, Events organisers and Fans to play a part in it.

"Many artists have expressed an interest in helping out but it was often not convenient for them to be at our events as it clashed with their other responsibilities," Andrew continues. "The new structure enables artists to help out completely on their own terms and in whatever way works for them.

"Check out the DtWTning group and register," Andrew urges. "When you're in, join whichever of the three groups is relevant to you. DtWT-artist (for artists), DtWT-news (for editors, press and events organisers) or DtWT-public (for fans, readers and anyone else who enjoys comics). After that, start inviting other people!

"News will follow very soon about how you can make a massive difference to the lives of some of the poorest children around the world by simply doing what you already do."

• Join now and be at the start of making a massive difference:
drawtheworldtogether.ning.com

Run With Dennis in 2009

So Christmas is over and the New Year celebrations are a vague memory, even if they only were last night. Your 2009 Dennis The Menace calendar is set to January, the Beano and Dennis annuals are both read and you have started the excellent History Of Beano book whilst wearing your Christmas presents of Dennis and Gnasher socks and sipping your warming coffee from your Beano mug and the New Year is stretching out in front of you. Feel like doing something a little more active this year?



Mencap, the British learning disability charity, have used DC Thomson's Dennis The Menace character for some years to promote their activities and continue the theme in 2009 by entering Team Menace in various marathons and shorter runs around the UK and further afield. They will be at the Flora London Marathon, the Bupa Great Manchester Run, the Bupa Great North Run in Tyneside and are even planning to field a team in the ING New York Marathon. Mencap entrants for these events receive a Dennis The Menace team vest as well as training advice and guaranteed entry to the runs.

More details of the runs that Mencap will be participating in in 2009 are available on the Mencap website.

Hinton Memorial Anthology Released

Shelf Life, the tribute anthology dedicated to Doctor Who author Craig Hinton, who sadly died two years ago, is now available.

The memorial anthology, edited by Factor Fiction's Jay Eales, David McIntee and Adrian Middleton is an unofficial collection of illustrated fiction inspired by the Doctor Who fiction of Craig Hinton, who passed away suddenly in 2006 and is dedicated to his memory. All profits will be donated to the British Heart Foundation.

Craig, who passed away on 3rd December 2006, was best known for his Doctor Who spin-off works, which included the novels The Crystal Bucephalus, Millennial Rites, GodEngine, The Quantum Archangel and Synthespians, as well as the Excelis Decays audio play.

Such was the love and affection felt for Craig in the world of Doctor Who that many of his friends and fans felt the need to do something special to remember him by. The result of that need has now been realised in the form of Shelf Life, which contains stories and illustrations from people all around the world, writers and ordinary fans alike.

The list of contributors is enormous, featuring stories by a huge number of SF and Who authors, and includes illustrations by several British comics creators such as D’Israeli, Vince Danks, Jay Eales, Garen Ewing, Laura Howell, Tim Keable, Lee O’Connor, Graeme Neil Reid, Dave Windett and others.

With so many contributions, and so many breakthrough writers, and with each story accompanied by full-page artwork, the editorial team explain it has taken the best part of two years to bring this project to fruition. With slipping deadlines fluctuating between his birthdays and the anniversaries of his death, they're finally in a position to make our tribute available.

Shelf Life is currently available in the following formats via the project's web site:

• A low resolution .PDF file (9.19MB) available by email (The Shelf Life team are not currently able to provide this in downloadable form). Price £5. Please ensure that your email host has the capacity to receive files of this size.
• A high resolution electronic .PDF file (49.8MB) burned onto CD. Price £5 + £1.50 post & packaging. Please note high resolution .PDFs cannot be despatched until after Christmas.
• A 624-page hardback book. Price £18 + £4.40 post & packaging.

To buy any version of the book or for overseas see rates visit the Shelf Life web site: shelflife.wetpaint.com

• Parents of younger Doctor Who fans should note that while none of the content in Shelf Life could be considered offensive, this anthology is aimed at an older readership, and as such may not be suitable for younger readers. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at jptales@gmail.com.

Cartoonists join Stars on Canvas Fund Raiser

The Willow Foundation, the only British charity of its kind providing special days for 16 to 40 year olds with life-threatening conditionshas teamed up with respected British artist Julie-Anne Gilburt to hold Stars on Canvas, a colourful and imaginative art exhibition guaranteed to inspire debate and festive fun this Christmas.

290 small canvases have been drawn by well-known names from the worlds of sport, design, art, music and entertainment including contributions from politicians, sports people and cartoonists such as Neil Bennett (above), Stan McMurtry and Andy Davey, along with artists such as Dan Baldwin, Rosie Birtwhistle and Peter Blake, and actors such as Steve Coogan, Catherine Tate, John Hurt and many others.

Also included are contributions from Dennis the Menace and Basil Brush and David McKee's Mister Ben canvas is sure to sell for a tidy sum.

Some demonstrate the individual’s artistic flair, others their personality or alter ego and the remaining a mix of interests, ideas or lateral thinking.

All the canvases are being auctioned online now and runs until 6th December. You can browse all the canvases (in alphabetical order) or see a summary of the canvases on the Willow Foundation web site.

• A public exhibition of all the canvases is being held at London's SW1 Gallery from December 2 to 6. There will be a preview event on 3rd December. To purchase tickets please contact the fundraising team by email or on 01707 259777.

Former Arsenal and Scotland goalkeeper and TV presenter Bob Wilson and his wife Megs founded the Willow Foundation in 1999 in memory of their daughter, Anna who died of cancer aged 31. The charity's name, Willow, stems from Anna's nickname and its aim is to replicate the positive impact special days had on both Anna and her family during her treatment.

• More information at: www.willowfoundation.org.uk

Doctor Who Behind the Scenes Contest Launched

(Via the BBC): Fans of Doctor Who, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures are being offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go behind the scenes at the studios where the shows are filmed.

On Saturday and Sunday, 8 and 9 November, the BBC will be opening the studio doors just outside Cardiff to 100 lucky competition winners and their friends and families.

The money-can't-buy-experience is being run to help raise money for this year's BBC Children in Need appeal.

Doctor Who: Backstage will take fans to the heart of the action at the BBC Wales studios.

Visitors will tour the closely-guarded sets, come face-to-face with some of the Doctor's mortal enemies, and meet the behind-the-scenes teams who make it all happen – including the set designers, costumiers and make-up artists.

"This is so exciting," says Doctor Who producer Russell T Davies "giving fans the opportunity to take a behind the scenes look at where we film Doctor Who, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures is just brilliant.

"It'll be the perfect opportunity for the whole family to experience something unique and truly extraordinary. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience – and the best thing is that all the money raised will go towards BBC Children in Need."

To be in with a chance of winning a place on the tour, all people have to do is answer one multiple-choice question which will be announced on Friday 26 September, live on the Chris Moyles show on BBC Radio 1 and on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru.

It will also be available on the Doctor Who website – bbc.co.uk/doctorwho – along with the full terms and conditions.

The competition phone lines will be open from 8am on Friday 26 September 2008. Callers must be over 16 and have the bill-payers' permission. Each winner will be able to bring up to three guests who must all be aged five or over.

The tour is taking place during a brief gap in the production schedule.

Doctor Who will return to BBC One this Christmas in The Next Doctor and filming resumes early in 2009 on a number of specials, followed by season five.

BBC Children in Need's aim is to positively change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

The 2008 BBC Children in Need television show is on Friday 14 November.

• This year's fundraising theme is "Do Something Different" and in the weeks and months leading up to the televised appeal people are being encouraged to get creative and take up the challenge. For inspiration there are lots of fantastic ideas in the new fundraising pack – go to bbc.co.uk/pudsey or call 0345 607 3333.

Pratchett Fights On

The Times reports on an interview on BBC Breakfast today, revealing how the onset of Alzheimer's disease has started to affect the writing of Terry Pratchett's best-selling fantasy Discworld series.

The author vowed to carry on writing despite having the disease diagnosed last year but revealed that his spelling had become erratic and his typing was no longer as fast - but he says he is trying to be philosophical and remains hopeful that researchers could come up with a means of combating the disease.

“I used to touch type as fast as any journalist does and my spelling was pretty good. Now I hunt and peg and my spelling is erratic," he said.

In March Pratchett gave half a million pounds to the Alzheimer's Research Trust to help to find a cure for the disease. Pratchett's donation inspired an internet campaign where fans hope to 'Match it for Pratchett', by raising an equal sum or more for research.

"I have had Alzheimer’s now for the past two years plus," he states on their web site. "It’s a nasty disease, surrounded by shadows and small, largely unseen tragedies. There's nearly as many of us as there are cancer sufferers, and it looks as if the number of people with the disease will double within a generation. It's a shock and a shame to find out that funding for research is three per cent of that which goes to find cancer cures."

In April, the BBC began working with him to make a documentary series based on his illness.

• Read the full story on The Times web site

• Match It For Pratchett web site

• A signed "Monquee" figurine is being auctioned off by Forbidden Planet to raise money for Alzheimer's Research as part of the "Match it for Pratchett" campaign: forbiddenplanet.com/promo/monqee/

Gene Colan gravely ill

American writer Clifford Meth has put out an urgent plea to help raise money for the family of one of America's greatest comic artists Gene Colan, who is gravely ill. The funds are needed to cover medical expenses, as they don't have comprehensive Medical Insurance, so they are arranging an auction.

Gene's one of the greats, whose work at Marvel included Silver Surfer, Iron Man, Sub-Mariner, Captain America and Doctor Strange. Especially notable were his long runs on Tomb of Dracula (with Marv Wolfman) and Daredevil -- and his incredible collaboration with Steve Gerber on Howard the Duck. He's worked in just about every genre comics have ever touched on: romance, war, crime/detective, western, sci-fi, horror, humour, and of course superheroes.

This regularly updated post on Clifford's blog will give you up to the minute details of the fund raising, but already, numerous artists and writers will be contributing drawings and/or signed books to help Gene and Adrienne Colan with their mounting medical costs. Items will be auctioned by ComicLink.com.

This list will be updated regularly. So far, it includes (in alpha-order): Neal Adams, Norm Breyfogle, Randy Bowen, Ed Brubaker, Adam-Troy Castro, Paty Cockrum, Peter David, Tom DeFalco, J.M. deMatteis, Pat DiNizio, Harlan Ellison, Mark Evanier, Neil Gaiman, Sam Keith, Joe Kubert, Erik Larsen, Bob Layton, Jim Lee, Stan Lee, Leah Moore, Albert Moy, Michael Netzer, Josh Olsen, Tom Palmer, Mike Pascale, Jim Salicrup, Bob Shreck, Dave Simmons, Gail Simone, Walter and Louise Simonson, Jim Starlin, Juan Torres, Marv Wolfman and Ash Wood.

NY ComicCon, Harris Publishing, IDW Publishing, PaperCutz, and Aardwolf Publishing have also stepped up. Will Marvel, who hired Gene for so many years to work on Daredevil and so much more be joining them?

I'm hoping any creators or collectors reading this will want to contribute, be it a piece of art for the auction, a signed script, or book.

• Even if you aren't a creator, you can help right this minute: Order Meth, Colan & Other Theologians -- the full proceeds will go directly and immediately to Gene. For details, click here.

• Clifford, pictured above with Gene, is also overseeing the sale of artist Dave Cockrum's collection and file copies for his Estate. Sales directly benefit Dave's widow. Interested? Click here.

Red Cross Charity Comic Launched

Available now from lulu.com is a downloadable book, Floods, created to raise funds for the Red Cross. Initiated by Adam R. Grose, publisher of Clown Press, and with the help of John Freeman, a wide selection of writers and artists have come together to create this book.

Creators include Ben Womack, Simon Spurrier, Simon Mackie, David Hailwood, Tom Millsom, Nick Miller and others, and features a special drabble -- a 100 word story -- by Doctor Who writer Paul Cornell.

It was Adam who came up with the project last year after parts of Britain were hit by disastrous bad weather. Since then, of course, many places across the globe have suffered devastation from floods and other terrible weather, including Bangladesh, southern Africa and, only this month, Burma.

Adam was moved to try and inspire the comics community to create a collection of one page strips and raise funds for flood relief.

"The UK experienced some of the most horrendous weather, with a month's worth of rain falling in 24 hours," Adam explains. "During this time, many of our fellow citizens experienced flooding, unknown to many of us.

"I decided to put together a comic to help raise awareness of our changing world, the environment and the increasing floods and disasters, that seem ever increasing since the turn of the millennium.

"The book will help raise money for the Red Cross and victims of the floods. Hopefully, this will be available the world over and help to bring more awareness to our world community."

Some of the strips have also been adapted for the ROK Comics mobile format, as a means of promoting the project, with profits from sales going to the Floods cause. (John Freeman has kindly agreed to do the adaptation work for any creators who would like to see their "Floods" strip in this format. (Contact him if you'd like to do a mobile "Floods" strip, but basically you need to come up with a ten frame strip, each frame 480 x 480 pixel in size, 18 point lettering with a "floods" theme or link).

Adam hopes to add to the existing book with more strips so if you would like to contribute a strip to an expanded edition of the book -- which may eventually see real world publication -- get in touch with him via the Clown Press web site.

• The ROK "Floods" comics can be viewed at www.rokcomics.com/floods.php
• Buy the Floods book from lulu.com

Fat Man Previewed

(Warning: this post contains links to what may be perceived by some as 'adult' content): Thomas Cochrane and Alan Tanner's's The Fat Man graphic novel project has a brand new web site which features a massive 50 page preview of the forthcoming book, due for release in November. Check it out at www.the-fat-man.co.uk

The Fat Man, which is also being previewed via comics to mobile service ROK Comics, centres on a British MI5 undercover agent approached by himself with proof of the existence of a notorious World War 2 Nazi secret weapon: a time machine, discounted many years previously as German propaganda.

The Fat Man is Scottish writer Thomas Cochrane's first graphic novel. He says he is inspired by such diverse sources as Tin Tin, The Avengers (the TV show) and a fascination with the concept of time travel.

Artist Alan Tanner is a veteran illustrator and designer, who has worked on covers for Time Out and the infamous Oz magazine and what he describes as "various other hippy publications"). He has also created many illustrations for the Radio Times, and worked for CBS and Island on record covers. You can see how the Fat Man "Art Process" has developed over on Flickr.

25 per cent of the profits from this fabulous book will be going to a mental health charity and Thomas told downtheubes he is only 900 orders away from breaking even. "Not bad, considering there has been almost no publicity and it doesn't come out for another eight months!"