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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Phil Comics eBay auction offers Robert Nixon Buster art and more
The latest Phil-Comics on eBay auction features around 465 vintage comic related items, including original artwork from Beano and Buster artist Robert Nixon, a wide array of comics, annuals, holiday specials, books, batches and a few CGC graded comics to… Read More ›
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May The Toys Be With You… Palitoy returns to Coalville in new exhibition
Action Man, Pippa, Tressy, Tiny Tears, Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, the stars of Star Wars and many more have returned to Coalville, Leicestershire – once home to toy maker Palitoy, as part of the free The Many Faces of Palitoy exhibition, part of a much wider project celebrating the heritage of the fondly-remembered British toy company
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Brussels Comic Art Factory to host Keith Burns exhibition
If you’re a fan of the art of Keith Burns, then you might want to head to the Comic Art Factory in Brussels, which is hosting an exhibition of his work from 25th October until 9th November 2019 – and the popular gallery is also offering original pages for sale on its website
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Charlie Adlard chooses LIFE over Walking Dead
LIFE is a new hardcover by Charlie Adlard, a collection of art from Charlie attending life art evenings at Hive Shrewsbury using various techniques
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Legendary Comics stakes a claim on Bram Stoker’s Dracula
US publisher Legendary Comics has partnered with the Lugosi Estate and Kerry Gammill and announced a new Bram Stoker’s Dracula graphic novel starring the iconic film and stage star, Bela Lugosi. Set for release in late 2020, featuring art by El Garing
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Is DCT Heritage Comics reviving “Spellbound”?
DC Thomson Media launched social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook for its DCT Heritage Comics imprint at the beginning of the month – and one classic comic getting attention on both services is the fondly-remembered 1970s girls title Spellbound.
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Star Trek: Discovery Season Two out on Blu-Ray and DVD next month
Star Trek: Discovery Season Two arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on 18th November from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment
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Boxpark Shoreditch to host Original Stormtrooper Pop Up Next Week
Science fiction and Stormtrooper fans on the on the hunt for Halloween costumes or exclusive Stormtrooper themed gifts have been given the countdown to invade Boxpark Shoreditch next week – for the launch of an Original Stormtrooper pop-up store. Hosted by… Read More ›
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Destination Star Trek returns to Birmingham
Destination Star Trek returns to Birmingham for another spectacular weekend celebrating the world of Star Trek at the end of this month, over 25th – 27th October 2019 at NECBirmingham
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This Week’s UK News Stand Snapshot: “The Thirteenth Floor” is Back!
New British news stand comics / magazine on sale this week include 2000AD Prog 2153, Judge Dredd: The Megazine Issue 413 – and the smashing Scream and Misty presents The Thirteenth Floor: Home Sweet Home, all on sale today; plus the latest Beano, Commando, The Phoenix and more.
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Commando Comics – back with a bang!
Brand new issues of DC Thomson Media’s Commando (Issues 5271 – 5274) are on sale tomorrow, Thursday 17th October in all good newsagents and via digital platforms — out soon! This batch see the debut of Tom Foster as a… Read More ›
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Malta Comics Con adds More Guests to 2019 Line-Up
Malta Comic Con organisers Wicked Comics have announced more guests for their 2019 event, taking place place between Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd November, including Mike Collins, John Higgins, Sally Jane Hurst and John Layman. Mike Collins is perhaps most… Read More ›
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That Was the Lakes That Was! First Podcast Creator Interviews Bonanza available now
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2019 has been and gone, flying past in a speed of light, but their brilliant Podcast team, led by Ian Loxam and Nikki Bates, have loads to report – and gathered some smashing comic… Read More ›
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The Conversation: Why it Matters when the Media invoke Judge Dredd
The character of Judge Dredd was designed to be satirical, depicting the ultimate draconian cop. Supplied, CC BY-ND Justin Matthews, Auckland University of Technology According to a recent study, the sixth leading cause of death for young men in the… Read More ›
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New Eagle Times highlights Tintin’s lunar adventure and rare British custom comic, The Shell
The latest edition of EAGLE Times, the magazine of the Eagle Society, devoted to Eagle comic and its many creators, is out now
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From the Trenches and in Pictures: The Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2019
Heading to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2019, the event the culmination a year of publicity work for me, and others, and endless hours of hard work and organisation by the dedicated team based largely in Kendal, I couldn’t… Read More ›
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“The 77” comics anthology line-up revealed
The line-up of creators contributing to the upcoming The 77 anthology – offering a fast and furious mix of old school strips and shocks – has been revealed
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Look out for free Marvel Comics on the Underground… and elsewhere around the UK!
Marvel Comics has been a cultural phenomenon for 80 years. As part of their anniversary celebrations the US comic publisher have been working with the Books on the Underground initiative (temporarily renamed ‘Comic Books on the Underground‘ and part of… Read More ›
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Katie Kirby’s “Hurrah for Gin” gets licensing deal
Licensing agency Riverside Brands has just added the popular online parenting series, Hurrah for Gin, to its portfolio, a comedic pastiche of modern day parenthood survival by Katie Kirby
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Coming Soon, a new comics anthology for younger readers: Hotchpotch
Biomekazoik Press, the British independent comics publisher behind the digital comics anthology 100% Biodegradable, are working on a brand new quarterly comic anthology for younger readers, Hotchpotch, launching from before the end of the year. Edited by David Hailwood, Hotchpotch… Read More ›