Author Archives
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.
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Artist Graham Humphreys joins this year’s Weird Worcester lineup
Iconic artist Graham Humphreys has joined the lineup for Weird Worcester 2 in July
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Coming Soon: The Book of Jusko
A masterpiece of an art book in the works!
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Learn how to craft comics with David Hine
Comics are your world. Writing them shouldn’t feel like guesswork
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Doctor Who Magazine celebrates 30 years of the Eighth Doctor
Marking a major McGann-infused milestone!
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A Decade in the Making: The Ultimate Look at Doctor Who’s “The Daleks’ Master Plan”
Tim Keable’s striking cover for new book revealed
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Chinbeard Books announces plans for Eartha newspaper strip collection
Another collection of John M. Burns amazing work? Where do we sign?
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Creating Comics: An Interview with Dan Abnett
We catch up with one of comics’ most prolific writers
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Barrow-in-Furness Declared UK’s first Comic Book Town
Barrow provides a national blueprint, setting the model for other UK towns
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InQ, London’s Queer Comic Fair, returns in September
inQ! London’s Queer Comic Fair, is back in September
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Comics and Beer event in Brighton this month!
The next Comics and Beer event in Brighton is a “Horror Comics Spooktacular”
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London Film Fair this weekend
London’s longest running Film Fair returns to the Royal National Hotel on Sunday 12th April 2026
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Exclusive Sneak Peek! Action 50th Anniversary Special – Hookjaw Returns!
There’s a killer out to sea – and we have an exclusive look at Hookjaw’s latest adventure for you!
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Early Dan Dare original art going under the hammer in British Art and Design auction
Early Dan Dare artworks fly to auction
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New Roy of The Rovers book in the works, celebratory event in the works
New unofficial book will celebrate 50 years of the Roy of the Rovers comic
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Warlord leaps back into action in new Commando tale!
Is a traitor running a top secret intelligence group? Warlord’s in a race against time to discover the truth!
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“Silver” linings! New arc launches in 2000AD this week
Top thrill returns to the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic!
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Flash Gordon aplenty incoming from Mad Cave Studios!
“Flash Gordon’s alive!”
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Who Remembers Marvel UK’s Shadow Riders?
Only the writer of this article and co-writer Brian Williamson really remember Shadow Riders, but we’re darned if they’ll be forgotten!
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In Memoriam: Absurdist Cartoonist Glen Baxter
Farewell to the “Colonel”, creator of Unhinged Worlds
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Caption sets sail to tackle AI and creative wellbeing at upcoming Festival
The 2026 Caption Comics Festival, dedicated to independent and self-published sequential art, will be held in Oxford at Seacourt Hall on the weekend of the 8th-9th August. Caption is the UK’s longest running comics event that focuses on professional networking,… Read More ›