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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Bloomsbury publishes Twilight Zone in the UK
Due for release from Bloomsbury next month are the first four graphic novels in a series adapting episodes of Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The work of artists from the Savannah College of… Read More ›
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ZineFest Focuses on Comics
Zine Fest, which takes place this Saturday in London, will include a new exhibition of women zinester’s comics, curated by Melanie Maddison, editor of the Leeds-based ‘zine Colouring Outside the Lines, which features interviews with contemporary female artists and illuminates… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: 20 January 2009
• On the eve of Barack Obama’s inauguration as 44th president of the United States, surely only a warped mind like The Guardian‘s Steve Bell could come up with a cartoon like this, published in yesterday’s paper. Well, it made… Read More ›
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Sleeze Brothers Owes Much to Archie Goodwin
Over on his Elephantmen blog, Active Images’ Richard Starkings has posted a fascinating insight into the history of Marvel UK’s early attempts to publish US-style comics, which led to publication of titles such as Dragon’s Claws and the about-to-be-remastered The… Read More ›
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Marvel UK Book Author seekes final imagery
Author Rob Kirby, who has been working on a history of Marvel UK since, well, the company folded back in the 1990s if not earlier (all right, I’m probably exaggerating but that’s how it feels!), is on the hunt for… Read More ›
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Bristol Comics Expo News
Michael Allwood, organiser of the Bristol Comics Expo, has been in touch to update downthetubes on this year’s event, which takes place at the Ramada Plaza Hotel on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May 2009. The event, which features the… Read More ›
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The Sleeze Brothers Return!
The Sleeze Brothers are back! Those anarchic, lunatic and downright shady PIs, the creation of John Carnell and Andy Lanning back in the 1980s, are being given a brush up (and probably, a good spanking) just in time for their… Read More ›
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Grant Talks Church of Hell
It seems to have been a day for demons and devilry, because just as we plug Cy Dethan’s Falk project (see news story), Alan Grant pops up, talking about his new comic Church of Hell, which is on sale this… Read More ›
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Good News on Comic Sales?
While this report primarily concerns US comics, news that the US comic book industry, boosted by the success of films such as The Dark Knight has helped maintain growth for graphic novel sales is welcome with 2009 looking otherwise gloomy…. Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: 16 January 2009
• The Cybermen have taken over and ‘upgraded’ Doctor Who Adventures. Issue 98, out now in newsagents, features an extra-tall cover, a free set of Cyberman figures and the second part of a double-sided poster. There’s plenty more Cyber-stuff inside,… Read More ›