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.
-
Judge Dredd newspaper strips by Ron Smith and Mike Collins offered on eBay, bidding ending today
Some Judge Dredd rarities and more hit eBay
-
Power Comics: Lew Stringer’s Handy Guides to some of the best 1960s British weeklies
Nifty guides to WHAM!, SMASH!, POW!, FANTASTIC and TERRIFIC and early Marvel Comics reprints in the UK
-
“The Legend of King Arthur” stamps by Jaime Jones
No, not the Monty Python version
-
A Big Thank You: British Comics Archivist, Writer, Collector, and Friend Colin Noble, King of Picture Libraries
We hope you see this, sir.
-
Comic Creator Spotlight: Ian Kennedy
We make no apology for celebrating the work of a great British comic artist
-
“Radical Reading: Political Comic Books” online short course open now from the School for Social and Cultural Change
Check out this course run by comics writer Sean Michael Wilson
-
Crowdfunding Spotlight: 42: The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams – back it, before something weird happens to you
Now you know about this, don’t ignore it. Strange things are happening
-
Waitrose bans disposable plastic toys given away with children’s comics and magazines
A campaign to remove plastic gifts from comics and magazines aimed at children in the UK is gathering momentum
-
WebFind: Artist in the Spotlight – Mike Mahle
Mike delights in creating new takes on superheroes, classic movies, and his own thought-provoking creations
-
Sneak Peek: Markosia launches “Saving Manno”, casting a spotlight on chimpanzees in danger
Markosia spotlights the plight of endangered chimpanzees in a new graphic novel
-
Limited edition Black Hammer apparel range available now
If you’re a fan of this metafictional epic multi-book saga, check these out
-
Paris of the Future, by Moebius, print offered by the Book Palace
Moebius work continues to spark imaginations
-
“Feral & Foe” returns in this week’s 2000AD – plus, our latest Rebellion Releases 2021 checklist
Sorcery and screams ahead this week in the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic
-
Get Ready: Free Comic Book Day returns to comic shops this August – British Blade Runner, Judge Dredd titles included
Look out for some great free comics, coming soon, as FCBD returns
-
IDW’s John Buscema’s Marvel Heroes Artist’s Edition out in October
A bit of a treat for fans of this Avengers artist
-
Comic creator Brendan McCarthy among many guests at Virtual Animation Dingle next weekend
There’s a terrific line-up to this animation event next weekend
-
Meet comic creator G.E. Gallas – and the Plague Doctor, in latest Lakes Festival Podcast
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast team check out the latest project from G.E. Gallas
-
British Comics That Never Were – BBC Worldwide’s “ROBOT” Project – Part Two
A 1990s proposed BBC Worldwide comic magazine takes shape – but why didn’t it fly?
-
British Comics That Never Were – BBC Worldwide’s “ROBOT” Project – Part One
Many are the comics projects that don’t make it to publication – even one featuring an all-new Doctor Who…
-
Dan Dare faces more alien menace in latest Spaceship Away, on sale now
SF action aplenty ahead with Dan Dare, Jeff Hawke and more