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.

  • The BeONEo Show!

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    Thanks to iplayer, there’s still time to catch an appearance by Beano writer and artist Kev F. Sutherland on the BBC’s The One Show, which featured an item on the 70th birthday of the comic on Wednesday. With a mix… Read More ›

  • Space Raoul Heads Stateside

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    (via Blimey! It’s A Blog About Comics): Jamie Smart’s Space Raoul strip, which has featured in The Dandy, appears in its own comic this October in a new comic from US publisher Slave Labor Graphics. Part adventurer, part explorer, part… Read More ›

  • Digital Publisher Relaunches

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    US publisher Platinum Studios has announced the global relaunch of the ad-funded e-book distribution service WOWIO (www.WOWIO.com), which was recently acquired by the company that also runs the web comics portal DrunkDuck.com. WOWIO was founded with the vision of giving… Read More ›

  • Keeping up with The Wizard!

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    Worlds End Volume 1 Ashcan

    May 2008 was an important month for British comics artist Tim Perkins and his company, Wizards Keep. Making an appearance at their first major British comics convention, this year’s Bristol International Comics Expo, their stand caused quite a stir. Lots… Read More ›

  • Harrods Art Appeal

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    In his latest regular Lying in the Gutters column on Comic Book Resources Rich Johnston reports that the world famous London department store Harrods is running a comics exhibition in September, showcasing the best in British created comics artwork. “They’ve… Read More ›

  • New Online Kids Comic Launches

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    A Birmingham-based company has launched Taymai Comic+, a new online comic which its makers hope will enable which enable the owners of new and existing characters to build fan bases by using the internet. Described as the first ever internet… Read More ›

  • Online Comic Creator Tools

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    I posted this list of Online Comic Creator Tools on the ROK Comics Creator Forum some time ago, but I think it may well be of interest to folks here… I’ve been having a dig around on the Internet and… Read More ›

  • Respect The Authority!

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    Forbidden Planet London has just announced a one of a kind event by Ian Edginton, Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett and Simon Coleby, who will be signing comics from US publisher WildStorm’s World’s End mini series, including The Authority No 1… Read More ›

  • Rare Eagle Dummy Online

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    In Spring 2008, Cirencester-based Dominic Book Auctions offered ten volumes (1950-60) of Eagle and Girl of unknown provenance, which were bought by London’s Cartoon Museum in Little Russell Street. Unknown to the Museum (or the auctioneer) the lot also contained… Read More ›

  • Mama, We’re All Connected Now…

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    Good news for online comic creators comes via research from KenRadio.com (registration required) that nearly a quarter of the world’s population – roughly 1.4 billion people – will use the Internet on a regular basis in 2008. This number is… Read More ›