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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Catching Up with Old Friends
Dropped in Lancaster’s John O’Gaunt on Market Street for lunch. They do something called a “late breakfast”. How late can a late breakfast be? Whatever. One of Lancaster’s few remaining decent pubs — it’s not tied to any brewery and… Read More ›
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Space Dogs Exhibition in Lancaster
There’s a bizarre exhibition at the Storey Institute Lancaster at present — giant inflatable dogs created by the Space Cadets. As you sit there these giant white amorphous blobs are suddenly pumped full of air to become giant dogs. You… Read More ›
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RAF Magazine and other things
Today has been a busy day. I’m working on a new RAF Magazine for Titan which feels strange because a) I’m not a member of the RAF and b) given my past membership of various ‘leftie’ organisations and opposition to… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Comic Artist Art Wetherell
We’re sorry to report that talented artist Art Wetherell died on Christmas Day 2003, of a perforated stomach ulcer. He had many friends in the UK comic fraternity, and beyond, and will be much missed. Art’s credits include The Searchers… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Don Lawrence
Just days after receiving word of an appeal for original The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire art comes the sad announcement of the death of its creator, Don Lawrence. His official web site reports the talented comics artist… Read More ›
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Convention Report: Raptus, Norway, 2003
Here’s a quick report on my trip to Raptus 2003 in Bergen, Norway. This feature is an overview of the Norwegian comics scene itself rather than a report on the Festival itself which was great fun and included UK comics… Read More ›
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Paramount Heads for Rama?
Paramount Pictures will decide whether or not to make Morgan Freeman’s long-percolating Rendezvous With Rama, a proposed film adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke’s 1973 SF novel, Variety (subscription required) has reported. Freeman and producing partner Lori McCreary, through their Revelations Entertainment… Read More ›
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Ripper still Go?
Anthony Stewart Head, who plays Giles on UPN’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer, told SCI FI Wire that plans are still in the works for a British spinoff series based on his character, despite reports that the show was on hold…. Read More ›
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Not Just A Bunch of Pretty Faces!
Comicraft founders Richard Starkings and John ‘JG’ Roshell have announced the forthcoming publication of a full colour, 64-page book which provides an insight into the processes and inspirations behind the curtain of the award winning studio. If you’re not… Read More ›
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Pantheon Books to publish “Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross”
Pantheon Books, a division of the Knopf Publishing group, is proud to announce plans to publish a coffee table book showcasing Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Justice League, and other DC Comics icons as envisioned by Alex Ross, who at… Read More ›
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Ridley Scott Calls T.I.M.E.
Variety (subscription required) reports that film making brothers Ridley and Tony Scott, better known for directing such big-screen movies as Gladiator and Top Gun, respectively, are developing three drama projects for CBS — one of them a SF project. Under… Read More ›
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Conan the Barbarian cones to Dark Horse
Dark Horse Comics have today announced a new publishing program featuring the legendary adventures of Conan the Barbarian. The monthly ongoing series — which will launch in mid-2003 — will include all new stories based on the classic Robert E…. Read More ›
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Doctor Smith is Dead
We’re sorry to report Lost in Space legend Doctor Zachary Smith — actor Jonathan Harris — is dead. The 87-year old actor died on Sunday of a blood clot. He was a veteran of hundreds of films and TV shows, including… Read More ›
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Walt Simonson signs Exclusive with DC
Walt Simonson, one of comics’ most acclaimed and accomplished writer/artists, has signed a one-year exclusive with DC Comics. “For the past four or five years I’ve worked primarily for DC,” says Simonson. “Partly, it’s because I enjoy the company of… Read More ›
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Smallville Sets US Ratings Records
ICV2.com reports (29/10/02) that Warner Bros. has announced that Smallville is setting new ratings records in its target demographic groups. Two weeks ago, the show delivered 8.9 million viewers and the highest ratings ever for The WB in adults 18-34. It… Read More ›