Author Archives
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan - his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War" and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of "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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Back From The Depths Presents Hallowscream! 2009
It’s finally here! The 2009 Back From The Depths Hallowe’en Special is an anthology horror comic that’s not for the nervous, inspired in part by the short-lived Scream! title published in the 1980s. The comic, which includes contributions from creators… Read More ›
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November Commandos Revealed
Internet spooks delayed the arrival of DC Thomson’s latest information on its new issues of war digest Commando, but thanks to a bit of counter espionage from downthetubes and the Dundee offices of the monthly magazine, we’re finally able to… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: Comics Good for You, Superhero Homage in 2000AD… and Moore
Yes, we know we haven’t done one of these for a while: juggling work for ROK Comics and Titan Books as well as a few other things is proving a welcome but all-consuming challenge most days of the week… •… Read More ›
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Frank Bellamy Art Auctioned
The Winter 2009 auction at British auction site Compalcomics is now open and includes a mix of gems, including rare Frank Bellamy artwork from Eagle and more. Issues of Beano, Dandy and Wizard from the war years are again on… Read More ›
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Daleks: Animated!
Inspired by Big Finish’s Dalek Empire audio series, here’s an animated version of the opening scenes from the first story, animated using Carrara 6, Daz studio and Crazytalk 6. After centuries of peace, the galaxy is invaded by the… Read More ›
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Orang Utan’s Alpha Gods’ now on Android, iPhone
British independent comics publisher Orang Utan Comics have extended their presence on mobile phones with the arrival of its Alpha Gods title on Android, iPhone and iTouch via Robot Comics. Written by Ian Sharman with art by Ezequiel Pineda, Alpha… Read More ›
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Johnny Red’s Real History Revealed in BBC Shows
Comics commentator Michael Crouch reports that Radio 4’s excellent From Our Own Correspondent show has just aired an item on the Night Witches – the all-women squadrons that fought for Russia during World War 2 and who featured in the… Read More ›
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Century 21 Strip Collection Details Revealed!
Trailed here back in July, publishers Reynolds & Hearn have kindly given downthetubes the lowdown on the strips that will feature in their third volume of Gerry Anderson comic strips, most taken from the brilliant 1960s comic TV Century 21,… Read More ›
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All New UK Comic for Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Upcoming issues of Titan Magazines Star Wars: The Clone Wars Comic are to include all-new comic strip stories specially created for the title. The new-look 32-page comic, on sale from 12th November, will include a self-contained eight-page mini-story in every… Read More ›
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Comic Artist Refused Permission to Attend own Book Launch
Comic artist Nikhil Singh, illustrator of the acclaimed Salem Brownstone: All Along the Watchtowers recently published by Walker Books, has now been held in South Africa for five months, unable to return to the UK even to attend his own… Read More ›