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.
-
WebFind: A Guide to NFTs – and why Artists may want to take note
A way of offering unique digital content is causing concern from publishers
-
Latest 1950s British Science Fiction videocast offers rare interview with SF author E.C. Tubb, and a look at the “British Tarzans”
Philip Harbottle offers some great new videocasts, revealing some 1950s law suits along the way!
-
Garth Ennis, Liam Sharp, together for first time on upcoming “Batman – Reptilian” project for DC
A great pairing on an all-new Batman project
-
10 Years to Save the World – Comics Creators announced for international British Council-backed comics project
Comic creators from the UK and the Philippines join new climate action project
-
British Comics Flashback: Looking back at the launch of Marvel UK’s “The Real Ghostbusters”
Philip Boyce began his utterly awesome OINK! Blog as a site charting history of the much-loved and fondly-remembered British humour comic, but the project has grown to encompass other titles. Today will see him reviewing the very first issue of… Read More ›
-
Crowdfunding Spotlight: ComicScene History of Comics Books 5 to 8
ComicScene’s ambitious 10-year part work project continues
-
YouTuber, TV star and comics creator Joe Sugg guest edits Beano celebrating 70 years of Dennis (the Menace)
TV star and comics creator Joe Sugg has helped deliver a very special issue of the Beano
-
Falcon and Winter Soldier Bookazine out from Panini Comics UK today
The latest superhero stuffed Special from Panini Comics UK is on sale today
-
Panini Comics UK reveals new Marvel launches, Batman title – and plans for a new Captain Britain Omnibus
Panini Comics UK blast back onto British news stands with four new titles soon
-
The Spider heads to Spain, and Steel Claw too!
Spanish comics publisher Dolmen Editorial has announced a new line in reprints of British comic strips under the imprint Albión – the name chosen because it evoked the island of Great Britain in ancient times, as a tribute to the… Read More ›
-
“Paddy Payne”, “Modesty Blaise” and Ron Embleton art on offer in latest Catawiki International Comic Art auction
A range of British comic art from the European auction site go under the hammer tomorrow
-
Vice Press launch “The Mummy” posters by Paul Mann
Stunning new posters available now
-
British comic creator Karrie Fransman among the winners of first Comic Art Europe “Open Call” for “Visions of Tomorrow”
Five European comic creators have been chosen to create their “Visions of Tomorrow”
-
Crowdfunding Spotlight: Cosmic Summer – A Sci-Fi Vacation Anthology
Check out this independent comics anthology project from the Rat Pack Collective
-
Fast and furious bidding on 1951 Beano featuring first “Dennis the Menace”
The latest British comics-focused EBay comic from auction house Phil-Comics is up and running, with close to 400 vintage comic listings, with the vast majority starting at 99p with no reserve. The auction includes the March 1951 first appearance of… Read More ›
-
25th Anniversary edition of Alan Moore’s first novel, “Voice of the Fire”, out in May
Check out John Coulthart’s beautiful cover for this new edition
-
New Thunderbirds Models are Go, from Bachmann Europe
Check out this new line of models inspired by the classic TV show
-
Fumettomania Factory’s Anthropocene project aims to highlight climate emergency issues, seeks comics by international creators and Sicilian school children
Sicily’s cultural association Fumettomania Factory, active locally, regionally and nationally in Italy since 1991 is looking for more comic creators from across the globe to take part in its long term project, Anthropocene, aka We Could Save our Planet, which… Read More ›
-
Rebellion announces “Brian Bolland: The Apex Edition” seeks original art
Can you help 2000AD in their Brian Bolland artwork quest?
-
Oxford Comics Network publishes free guide to Comic Studies
A handy primer for anyone wanting to teach about the comics form