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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All-new Cat Girl debuts in this summer’s Tammy & Jinty Special
A new Tammy & Jinty Special is out this summer with a beautiful cover by top magazine and comic illustrator, Marguerite Sauvage, featuring an all-new Cat Girl!
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Launch date soon for Barry Windsor-Smith’s “Monsters”?
Are we about due for a concrete publication date for Monsters by Barry Windsor-Smith?
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International guests at British comic and SF conventions under threat from government visa plans?
Concerns are being raised that government visa plans will severely impact on musicians and other artists, including comic creators, visiting the UK
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Australia Burns, a comic anthology, out this March, pays tribute to heroic firefighters and volunteers
Australia Burns is a fantastic-looking charity fundraising anthology book of art and stories in tribute to many heroic firefighters and volunteers
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Doctor Who – Tales from the TARDIS vworps back into newsagents, but we missed it!
Titan Comics recently relaunched their British news stand title Doctor Who – Tales from the TARDIS title – but it seems finding copies is a problem for some…
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43 Years Young, 2000AD cracks on with action, adventure and, of course mayhem!
2000AD celebrates its 43rd birthday this week – no mean achievement in today’s difficult marketplace! Plus check out our latest listing of upcoming Books and Specials from Rebellion
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Marvel’s new British super team writer Paul Grist among Invasion 2020 line-up next weekend
Paul Grist is just one of several great comic creators at Invasion 2020 in Taunton next weekend…
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Coming Soon: A pulp fiction-inspired dieselpunk audio drama, “Filthy ’47”
If you’re fan of old pulp fiction, then an upcoming four-part dieselpunk audio drama Filthy ’47 by Danvers Nettlefold may well be your cup of tea.
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WebFind: Krazy Kat, the animation
Here’s a wonderful Krazy Kat stop-motion animation that was directed by Derek Mogford back in 1996
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Terror on World War Two’s Eastern Front! All-new Commandos out this week
From the desert dunes to Soviet snow, with a shortcut through the Ardennes! Brand-new Commando from DC Thomson Media, Issues 5307 – 5310, are on sale this week in good newsagents and via digital platforms
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Candy Jar Books announces “Kklak!: The Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos”
Candy Jar Books has announced a limited edition release of Kklak!: The Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos
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Etch Up, True Believers! Stan Lee Limited Edition “Etch A Sketch” announced
Spin Master, the makers of Etch A Sketch, is celebrating the 60th birthday of the world-famous drawing toy in style with the release of a number of limited editions, including one that features the signature image and catchphrases of comic book legend Stan Lee
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Vault Comics announces Reemsborko as global agent for Natasha Alterici’s Heathen
US comics publisher Vault Comics has appointed Reemsborko Ltd as the global agent for Heathen, the critically acclaimed and best-selling comic and graphic novel series.
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The77 anthology secrets revealed in new Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast
Mike Williams catches up with The77 anthology team member Ben K Sy for the latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast, editor of the new retro anthology
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“Odd Job Daleks” trundle to eBay in new comic art sale from Lew Stringer
Beano and Doctor Who cartoonist Lew Stringer is selling off some of his original art, including one of his “Daft Dimension” strips for Doctor Who Magazine
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Fancy a free Comic Art Masterclass from Ian Kennedy and Tom Foster? Read on…
Comic artists Ian Kennedy and Tom Foster join forces for a free Comic Art Masterclass next month at Paisley Central Library, on Saturday 7th March 2020, as part of Renfrewshire Libraries celebrations for Will Eisner Week
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British Comic Sales Figures, Winners and Losers (July – December 2019) – Good News, at least, for Beano, again
The latest reported ABC Magazine Sales Figures, which include news stand sales of British comics and young people’s magazines, probably don’t make for great reading for many publishers…
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: A Chat with ‘Findlay Macbeth’ creator Kev F. Sutherland
Comic artist, writer, tutor and creator of the hilarious Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre, Kev F. Sutherland has launched a modest crowdfunder for Findlay Macbeth re-writing Shakespeare’s tragedy
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Lost TV organisation Kaleidoscope launches “Reading Room” sessions for archivists
Kaleidoscope, the Birmingham-based organisation which specialises in locating previously missing, believed lost, television footage has announced a series of special, experimental Reading Room sessions
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Happy Birthday, Bananaman! Co-Creator Steve Bright Celebrates 40 Years of the hapless superhero
Writer and artist Steve Bright recalls the origins of Bananaman, a splendiferous and silly superhero created for Nutty with David Donaldson and artist John Geering