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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“The Kirknewton Story” comes to comics, celebrating the history of a Scottish village
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“Brand is how we find each other” is a new guide to branding that could be ideal for comic creators
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Milo Manara art, with story by Hugo Pratt, livens bidding in this week’s Catawiki International Comic Art Auction
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Comic Art Europe announces “Living Together” Open Call 2022 winners
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Dark Horse announces Confabulation: An Anecdotal Autobiography by Dave Gibbons, to launch at Lakes Festival in October
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Time Bomb Comics announces new Gerry Anderson shows-inspired anthology, SPECTRUM
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Meet 2000AD artist Alan Langford this weekend – and many other great artists, too
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Comics Advertising from the Vaults: Scream
A 1984 ad for the then to be released ‘Scream’ weekly. It lasted 15 issues before an industrial dispute led to it being merged with Eagle comic. The ad features The Dracula Files with art by Eric Bradbury, collected by… Read More ›
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Vice Press offers stunning new Flash Gordon poster by Paul Mann
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Rare 1980s Marvel UK Superhero original cover and poster art offered by Heritage Auctions
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Fancy a pint? A bite to eat? And reading a British comic annual while you’re waiting? Leamington Spa’s The Drawing Board is up your street, then!
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Judge Mortis latest 2000AD figure release from Hiya Toys
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Pre-orders open for The Best of Cat Girl collection from Treasury of British Comics
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Beano, Dandy 2023 annual covers revealed, out in August
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The Perishers strip art, rare first issues of British comics on offer in latest Phil-Comics auction
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Panel Borders: Music, Comics, and Performance
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Roy Smiles’ award winning Tony Hancock play, “The Lad Himself”, revived
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Commando celebrates International Women’s Day with special issues


















