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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John Charles and Barry May’s Technofreak Goes to the Movies!
It’s a comic movie – sort of – shot in Guildford! Really!
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Scratch Comics’ Dracula The Return adapted into new Game Boy release
A British comic leaps into the world of games
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Patrick Troughton celebrated in new book, “When I Say Run, Run”
New book charts early rocky years for the long-running SF TV drama
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Titan Books publisher celebrates Pulitzer Prize win for author Daniel Kraus
Horror novel award success for Chicago-based author
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Private equity firm Modella begins restructuring TG Jones, 150 stores reportedly at closure risk
Closure plans revealed
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UK creators of comics struggling despite a thriving industry
Worrying times for aspiring British comic creators?
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Valiant Stormers ride into Commando, one last time!
Latest Commando set includes another trip back to the Napoleonic Wars
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In Review: The Wreck by Lizzy Stewart
A glorious meld of prose, illustration and the sequential
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Safaa Odah and Jimmy “Spire” Ssentongoa announced as winners of the 2026 Kofi Annan Courage in Cartooning Award
The award pays tribute to the talent and courage of cartoonists working in challenging environments.
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Just Out: The Art of Star Trek: Lower Decks by Megan Treviño
This isn’t just an art book: for fans, it’s a warp-speed journey into the heart of Starfleet’s funniest, most fearless crew…
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Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew heads to the big screen ahead of Netflix launch
The Magician’s Nephew will get a big screen outing in early 2027
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Judge Dredd Case Files Hit 50! Thrills galore from 2000AD, so don’t need more!
Thrill suckers beware! Alongside the latest instalments of “Brink“, “Helium” and “Silver“, all of which continue to bring Thrill-Power to our lives, 2000AD Prog 2481, on sale from Wednesday 6th May 2026 features the second part of the three-part 3riller… Read More ›
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More British comic art gems set to go under the hammer from the Peter Hansen collection
Another incredible array of original British comic art, rare issues and more heads to auction this week
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Panel Borders: Drawing (on) Strong Women with Katriona Chapman and Terry Moore
Two fantastic comic creators interviewed on Britain’s only over air radio show
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Lawless Bound: David Broughton
Richard Sheaf chats with artist and writer David Broughton about his appearance at Lawless 2026
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In Pictures: Paolo Ongaro: The Poet of Adventure”, an Exhibition
This weekend saw the Italian cultural association Venezia Comics host an exhibition at its Festival by Commando comics artist Paolo Ongaro, largely focused on his work in his home country, particularly Spazio Chiama Atlantide. Paolo has kindly sent us some photographs of the exhibition, held in… Read More ›
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Lawless Bound: Andrw Sawyers
Richard Sheaf catches up with The77 artist
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Eagle Picture Library: A Guide
A look at a short-lived picture library digest comic title
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On This Day in 1974: Farewell to the Third Doctor
The end of an era for Doctor Who, back in 1974…
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Modella Capital TG Jones store closures ahead
Bad news for the high street, and the availability of comics and magazines