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.
-
Big Issue North offers special “Kids Take Over” issue!
This week, Manchester-based Big Issue North – the magazine sold by street vendors in the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber – have released a Kids Take Over Issue, with the help of children from Manchester’s Unity Primary School… Read More ›
-
V&A Dundee webcomics project launched
V&A Dundee is currently publishing a number of webcomics by a group of up and coming creators encompassing a range of genres
-
Webfind: Midnight Surfer, a 2000AD-inspired Chopper game
Here’s some test footage for Midnight Surfer, a Co-Op Racing Game set within the universe of Judge Dredd developed by Masters Students at Abertay University as part of their studies
-
Visual Aids’ Open Call for Artists: Comics and HIV/AIDS
Visual AIDS – which utilises art to fight AIDS by provoking dialogue, supporting HIV+ artists, and preserving a legacy – is inviting artists to submit proposals for new comics to be included in their Summer 2020 exhibition with proposals required… Read More ›
-
Heritage Auctions offers Tarzan comic art and much more in January
Leading auctioneer Heritage Auctions has an incredible auction of Tarzan comic art and more coming up in January, from the collection of the late Derek Peter Ogden, a British fan of the jungle hero and longtime publisher of the Erbania… Read More ›
-
“The Life of Charlie ‘Chas’ Grigg” biography released in time for Christmas
Charlie “Chas” Grigg was a cartoonist who drew Desperate Dan, Korky the Cat and many other characters for the DC Thomson’s comics – Dandy, Beano, Topper and Judy, from the 1960s to 1980s. Now a new book about his life and work has just been published – and his family are dedicating half the proceeds The Alzheimer’s Society and Dudley-based dementia support group, Me, Myself & I.
His much-admired work will also be celebrated at a special event at the Wolverhampton Literature Festival next year. -
Hachette Partworks road tests “Asterix: The Ultimate Collection”
Hachette Partworks recently trialled a proposed Asterix: The Ultimate Collection part work, with a test web site and four-issue regional trial – but at present it’s too early to say if the project will go into full production. Here’s hoping!… Read More ›
-
Sniper Elite Board Game gets US preview at PAX Unplugged this weekend
2000 AD publisher Rebellion, one of Europe’s largest independent creative studios, announced its brand new board game division, Rebellion Unplugged, last month – and an early version of the first game from the new offshoot, Sniper Elite the Board Game,… Read More ›
-
ComicScene goes Stateside, 30,000 vote in first ComicScene Awards
British comic magazine ComicScene is now on sale in the United States through Barnes & Noble, starting from Issue 9. Fans of British comics and more can pick up or order it in most of their stores. Launched on newsstands… Read More ›
-
People First Merseyside Comic Art Charity Auction launched
The charity People First Merseyside is running a fund-raising, comic art-inspired charity auction – and there are some terrific items on offer on eBay right now, including work by by 2000AD art droids such as Charlie Adlard, Mark Buckingham, D’Israeli,… Read More ›
-
Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast – Thoughts on Thought Bubble 2019
In the latest episode of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast, the Ian Loxam and Nikki Bates report back on their recent trek to Harrogate for this year’s Thought Bubble Festival, now in a new town
-
Titan Comics Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor “Season 2” #1 Preview
Titan Comics have released a preview of the first issue of Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor “Season 2”, by Eisner Award-nominated writer Jody Houser and Witchblade artist Roberta Ingranata, who return for a brand new story. Described as a reimagining… Read More ›
-
Finnish Institute seeks partners for 2020 Tom Of Finland exhibitions
2020 celebrates the 100th birthday of the graphic artist Touko Laaksonen, better known as Tom Of Finland, who had a great impact on popular culture, for instance fashion, photography and music. The Finnish Institute are now looking for artistic and… Read More ›
-
Iron Maiden and Revell release “Aces High” inspired Spitfire Mk.II model kit
Revell has detailed its latest collaboration with the heavy metal rockers, Iron Maiden, a Spitfire Mk.II model kit with the iconic “Eddie” as its pilot, in celebration of the band’s iconic single, “Aces High“, featured on the band’s fifth studio… Read More ›
-
Rubber Chickens take over Beano Studios Fleet Street Christmas Window!
Beano has continued its rubber chicken Christmas tradition with a brand new window display, unveiled earlier this week at their Fleet Street office. Passers-by were surprised with a unique insight into the rubber chicken’s home life as the flock took… Read More ›
-
Coming Up: An Evening Of Creepy Comics at London’s Cartoon Museum
The nights are getting longer, there’s a chill in the air, it’s the time of year when we all feel strangely drawn together. So why not draw together around the Cartoon Museum fire* in London, to talk about the ghostly,… Read More ›
-
Latest “Film Stories” tracks down the 2000AD Movies That Never Were
The current issue of Film Stories magazine, Issue 11, on sale now in WHSmith and other UK high street retailers, includes a huge feature on all the 2000AD movies that never were
-
Blade Runner 2019 Blog Tour: Read An Extract!
Recently released by Titan Comics, we’re delighted to be of part of their Blade Runner “Blog Tour”, delivering an extract to promote the graphic novel of their fantastic Blade Runner comic series Blade Runner 2019. Written by Blade Runner 2049… Read More ›
-
Commando Comics Sixth Swap-Meet – first 2020 date announced
The date of the sixth Commando and British Comics Swap-Meet has just been announced for March 2020
-
Oh No! It’s the Pathetic Sharks! (Original art, that is…)
If you’re a VIZ fan, or know someone who is, there’s an opportunity to buy a piece of original Pathetic Sharks art by top cartoonist Lew Stringer on eBay right now