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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ITV’s 1960s spy show “The Champions” set for the big screen
The Champions, the super-powered secret agents of the Sixties, are to return, this time to the big screen
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Tripwire Magazine announces its own Comic Con heading to Bristol in 2022
There’s a new convention on the block, coming to Bristol next September
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When is Australia’s “Ginger Meggs” just “Ginger”? A comic strip mystery… now solved!
A strange “homage” to Australia most popular newspaper strip… or was it “nicked”?
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Creating Comics: Celebrating the life and work of Misty and Tammy artist Jaume Rumeu Perera
Celebrating the release this week of “The Jaume Rumeu Collection”, here’s a look back at the amazing artist’s long career…
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Remembrance Day marked with special Commando story this week
Tally-ho! There are some exciting reads in this week’s Commando comics from DC Thomson Media (Issues 5487-5490), plus not one but two covers by the legendary Ian Kennedy are on offer! The title also marks this week’s Remembrance Day with… Read More ›
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This week’s BEANO celebrates “The Art of Breaking Rules”
The BEANO goes arty? Nah… not quite!
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Hawk the Slayer returns – with Garth Ennis and Henry Flint at the helm
Hawk the Slayer is back, as a comic – with Garth Ennis at the helm!
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Snowman Winter Windows announced ahead of release of a new retelling of Raymond Briggs’ classic picture story
Snowman Enterprises is to launch its The Snowman Winter Windows initiative later this month
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Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast relives some 2021 gathering highlights with new creator interviews
Ian Loxam and Nikki Bates relive the jam packed Festival weekend!
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Don’t miss your chance to enter this year’s Jonathan Cape/Observer/Comica Graphic Short Story challenge
There’s still time enter the Jonathan Cape/Observer/Comica Graphic Short Story Prize 2021
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Invincible Books offers Sir Tom Finney print, supporting the work of the Rosemere Cancer Foundation
If you’re a Preston North End fan, then you may be interested in this tip o’ the hat to Sir Tom Finney
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Never a Dull Story? A look at the SF books of Panther Books publisher Hamilton & Co. – and a “Garth” connection, too!
Philip Harbottle explores the origins of SF publisher Panther Books
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ComPalComics celebrates 30 years of auctions with bumper rare art offer, early Commando comics and more
A treasure trove of comic art on offer, and some smashing vintage comics, too
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: “Pilcuyo” by Gustaffo Vargas
There’s still time to support this stunning-looking Cyberpunk comic from an extraordinarily talented comic creator
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“The Most Important Comic Book on Earth” hits top of bookseller lists
It may not have the catchiest of titles, but this vital comic anthology addressing climate change has certainly captured hearts.
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: “A Trick of the Light” by Aly Fell
Check out this simply stunning standalone, one-off story inspired by British girls’ comics of the 1960s and 70s from Aly Fell
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“Serge Micheli: Facets of the World” exhibition opens in Paris
An exhibition dedicated to the Corsican painter and comic artist Serge Micheli has just opened in Paris
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“Children’s Paper” among latest additions to “Free to View Pages” on the British Newspaper Archive
New additions to the British Newspaper Archive offer different snapshots of life in 1920s Britain
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Edward Taylor releases new book, “Godzilla Tries To Get Out”
Edward Taylor’s eccentric take on Godzilla is back on the prowl…
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Unpublished British newspaper strip rarities offered on eBay, by “Tiger” artist Graham Coton and “Yachting World” cartoonist Mike Peyton
Two unpublished British newspaper strip rarities, offered by the same seller on eBay, have attracted the attention of fans and collectors