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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Is the 2000AD Regened 2020 project laying the ground for a new all-ages title?
2000 AD’s all-ages special issue, 2000 AD Regened, is returning in 2020 – but this time there’s even more…
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McFarlane Toys strikes distribution deal with Bandai UK
Bandai UK has secured the distribution of the McFarlane Toys product range for the UK and Republic of Ireland markets, widened the reach of a huge range of collector action figures beyond specialist stores.
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Daily Mirror “Jane” greetings cards surface on eBay
Recently sold on eBay by Violet Antiques, these rare greetings cards featuring the Daily Mirror heroine Jane are the work of, and signed by, her creator Norman Pett
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Vice Press extends Wallace and Gromit print range with art from Arno Kiss
On sale now is the first Vice Press release by artist Arno Kiss, who has created a new and exclusive, officially licensed Wallace and Gromit art print
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Spaceship Away nears its half century edition
The latest issue of Spaceship Away, Part 49, brings the Eagle-inspired comic zine closer to an impressive half century of issues, with a dramatic image of the “Dan Dare” villain, Xel, on its cover by Keith Watson
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New Commando comics delivers Legion of the Damned and much more
Roman Legions of the damned, the walking dead in France, murders in the dawn light, and a great escape from a prisoner of war camp in North Africa… there’s all this and more in new issues of DC Thomson Media’s Commando (5283 – 5286) – out this week
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Dan Dare returns to BBC Radio this Christmas!
BBC Radio and BBC Sounds have announced their on-air and on-demand highlights for the Christmas period – which include broadcasts of some B7 Media-produced Dan Dare Audio Adventures – and a tie-in documentary
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Wonder at Ken Reid’s World-Wide Weirdies!
Out this week from Rebellion Publishing is the latest issue of 2000 AD, with a great “Tharg” cover by Rob Davis, plus two new comic collections, including Ken Reid’s wonderful, spectacularly bonkers World-Wide Weirdies
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Doctor Who Appreciation Society’s Celestial Toyroom reaches landmark 500th issue
Doctor Who is 56 today, and Celestial Toyroom, the magazine of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society – and longest running Doctor Who magazine – has reached 500 issues.
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First “Axa” strip art sells for over $6000
We’re used to some of the gob-smacking prices some comic art sells for on top auction site Heritage Auctions, but it seems the prices of lesser known work sometimes, too…
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Robert Nixon, Dudley Watkins art offered in latest Phil Comics auction
There are 165 vintage comic listings in the latest auction from Phil-Comics on eBay this week – all ending Tuesday 26th November 2019. Lots include original artwork from Dudley Watkins and Robert Nixon, 1940s and later Beano and Dandy comics
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To the Batcave, comic feature-writing chums! A Call for Contributions
David Hathaway-Price, publisher and editor of the not-for-profit FANSCENE, is gearing up to publish a Batman-focused issue of his terrific zine
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In Memoriam: Tributes paid to top Spanish Comic Artist Purita Campos
Comic artist David Roach has informed us of the death of award-winning Spanish comic artist Purita Campos, best known in Britain for the strip “Patty’s World“, which ran in Princess Tina. She was 82. “Purita was absolutely the top girls… Read More ›
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WebFind: Russian Fat Cat Conquers the Worlds of Fine Art… and Game of Thrones
Back in 2011, Russian artist Svetlana Petrova decided fine art simply didn’t have enough cats in it – so she’s added her own. Literally, her own, because Zarathustra, is her cat, and clearly very fond of art, so Svetlana decided to entertain her big ginger feline’s interests by adding him to some classic portraits and masterpieces…
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Journey to the Surface of the Earth – with Fraser Geesin!
Brighton-based comedian and cartoonist Fraser Geesin has just released a new anthology, Journey to the Surface of the Earth
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Awesome Comics Podcast looks back at Thought Bubble
This week the Awesome Comics Podcast gang – Dan Butcher, Tony Esmond and Vince Hunt – talk about their Thought Bubble Festival 2019 experience and have a raft of interviews to showcase their adventure over the weekend
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Rare Tintin art on more offered in this week’s Christie’s Paris auction
An auction of art at Christie’s Paris on Wednesday 20th November offers over 300 European pieces, including work by Hergé, Jacques Martin, Hugo Pratt, Moebius, Jacques Tardi and many more.
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Call for Contributions: Comics and Art History
A Call for Contributions for a collected volume on Comics and Art History was recently announced by editors Ian Horton and Maggie Gray, who are currently in discussions with a major academic publisher about this project
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Eco Kids Planet’s ‘Britain’s Amazing Islands’ issue out now
The seaweed-eating sheep of North Ronaldsay! The car crash-causing wallabies of the Isle of Man! Just two topics writer JD Savage has covered for Eco Kids Planet’s ‘Britain’s Amazing Islands’ issue.
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New Jurassic Park-inspired posters and more now on sale from Vice Press
Vice Press have followed up the news of the release of limited edition Shaun of the Dead, Silent Running, Thundercats and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles posters with some more terrific, limited edition, film-inspired releases. On offer now from Vice Press… Read More ›