The seventh issue of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival‘s Between the Lines magazine edited by John McShane is available now, and leads with an interview with award-winning comic creator Craig Thompson, talking about his recently-published graphic novel, Ginseng Roots, his career and future plans.
Plus: John McShane explores the history of comics in Scotland, both its publishers and creators; and Between the Lines also takes a look at the innovators in American comics, including Jim Steranko and 2026 LICAF guest Bill Sienkiewicz.
Also this issue, writer Robbie Morrison reveals his “Desert Island Comics”; and the team put Joe Simon and Jack Kirby’s Mainline company and the pitfalls they encountered in the spotlight.
Finn Miles also explores modern indie comics and the rise of Image, which give the world alternatives to the publications of Marvel and DC.
How did they manage to cram all that into one issue? Read on to find out!
• Between the Lines Issue 7 is available here on Issuu
• Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2026, Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th October 2026, Kendal | Discounted Early Bird tickets are available now from the new Festival website at licaf.co.uk/festival | Direct Ticket Sales Link on TryBooking
- About the Author
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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: Comics, Creating Comics, Digital Media, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Magazines, Other Worlds, US Comics
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