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.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek 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.
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
Borderline Issue 16
The first pay issue of online comics Borderline Magazine has just been published. The magazine includes interviews with Marvels’ editor-in-chief Joe Quesada and Oni’s boss Jamie Rich, plus much more. Since August 2001 Borderline has been bringing comics fansa professionally… Read More ›
-
downtheubes Archive News: October 2002
SCOOBY DOOBY THREE! 15/10/02: Hollywood Reporter (subscription required for full story) has revealed that with a sequel to Warner Bros. Pictures’ Scooby-Doo on the fast track, the studio is already moving forward on a third instalment, hiring scribes Dan Forman… Read More ›
-
Unofficial Doctor Who Television Companion Republished
The acclaimed Doctor Who reference book The Television Companion is being reissued next year by Telos Publishing. Rather than being a straight reprint authors David J Howe and Stephen James Walker intend to rework some of the material from the… Read More ›
-
Timberwolf Press signs Seven Book Deal with Bill Baldwin
US audio book publisher Timberwolf Press and author Bill Baldwin have reached an agreement to re-launch the best-selling military Science Fiction Helmsman saga. The first six books in the series, The Helmsman, Galactic Convoy, The Trophy, The Mercenaries, The Defenders, and The Siege will be re-released… Read More ›