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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Archie Comics Nancy Silberkleit’s “Kindness Works” project challenges perceptions about autism
With a new school year for all around the globe, we thought it would be a good idea to spotlight Kindness Works again
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Junko Mizuno exhibition heads to the University of Cumbria in Carlisle
A free exhibition of art by Junko Mizuno, including paintings, drawings and sculptures, goes on display at the University of Cumbria‘s Brampton Road Campus in Carlisle, Cumbria in October – and the artist herself will make an appearance 10th October…. Read More ›
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Malta Comic Con announces ace ticket packages as more guests join line up
Malta Comic Con organisers Wicked Comics have announced a number of new British guests for this year’s event in November – and the launch of both super discounted Sonic Saver Tickets and the debut of a new admission offer for… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2019: Comic Artist Kristina Ricken
Every year, in the countdown to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October, we bring you a series of interviews with guests at the event. This “Festival Focus” for 2019 is with Kristina Ricken, a Danish artist perhaps best… Read More ›
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Former Tharg David Bishop gets two book historical crime fiction deal at Pan Macmillan
For years, comics editor, writer, author and writing tutor David Bishop – perhaps best known to many downthetubes readers as a former editor of both 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine and author of Thrill-Power Overload – has been threatening to write a series of historical mystery novels set in Renaissance Florence. Well, now he’s done it – and the results will be published by Pan Macmillan starting in February 2021
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ComicScene Podcast spotlights Great War Dundee Comic
A short bonus extra episode of the ComicScene Podcast takes a look at the new, free, Great War Dundee Comic, which launches tomorrow at the V&A Dundee
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Lakes Festival Focus 2019: Comic Artist Joonas Sildre
Every year, in the countdown to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October, we bring you a series of interviews with guests at the event. This “Festival Focus” for 2019 is with Estonian artist Joonas Sildre. Currently living in… Read More ›
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Duncan Fegredo’s Hellboy Exhibition opens this Saturday, in Kendal
The stage is set! From the Depths, a celebration of the acclaimed Hellboy artwork of Duncan Fegredo opens this Saturday (21st September) in Kendal, ahead of this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival next month. As we previously reported, the… Read More ›
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Beano backs Climate Change Strike School Kids
Beano has today issued an open letter from Beano Studios CEO Emma Scott, backing tens of thousands of school kids around the world ahead of the planned youth climate change strike this Friday 20th September 2019. downthetubes notes Beano is… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: The Tide Volume Two by Adam Lumb
Independent Sheffield creator and comics publisher Adam Lumb is currently seeking crowdfunding for Volume Two of his dark fantasy thriller series The Tide on Kickstarter
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Century 21 Films readies FAB Thunderbirds Days 2019 Celebration
30th September 2019 marks 54 years since Thunderbirds debuted on TV screens in the UK – and the world has never been the same since. To celebrate Thunderbirds Day 2019, Century 21 Films have prepared a FAB feast for Thunderbirds… Read More ›
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Full speed ahead for revamp of Harry Potter trains and toys
Hornby Hobbies and the Corgi brand have re-released a line of Harry Potter die-cast products, tapping into the current resurgence for the Wizarding World brand. Last year, the British toy model and hobby specialist teamed up with Warner Bros. Consumer… Read More ›
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Dark Horse Comics announces Alien vs. Predator: Thicker Than Blood
Starting this December, a terrifying new series will once again pit the iconic Aliens and Predators against each other. From Dark Horse Comics comes Alien vs. Predator: Thicker Than Blood, written by Jeremy Barlow (Star Wars: Darth Maul, Kult), illustrated… Read More ›
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A Nigerian Comics Mystery: Ron Smith’s “Sister Mercy” (and more)
Nigeria is currently enjoying a growing comics industry of its own, with numerous publishers creating both print and digital titles, such as Comic Republic, Vortex Comics and YouNeek Studios– and Lagos Comic Con, taking place this weekend, is proving increasingly… Read More ›
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In Pictures: Graffiti artist “Sleek” delivers standout street art at London’s Beano Studios
Beano Studios have just unveiled a unique and bespoke piece of street art in the window of their London Fleet Street offices created by one of their licensees; the mysterious and anonymous graffiti artist known as Sleek. The Scottish based… Read More ›
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Marvel Museum signing announced at London Forbidden Planet Megastore
Author and editor Ned Hartley will be signing copies of the new Studio Press book Marvel Museum at the Forbidden Planet Megastore in London on Wednesday 16th October 2019
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Codename Warlord – back for a second Commando adventure!
Here’s the intel on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s war comic Commando (Issues 5263 – 5266) available on Thursday from all good newsagents and as digital editions. The releases include the second new Lord Peter Flint adventure, a Cam… Read More ›
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Global Bat-Signal celebration planned for this year’s Batman Day – including London!
Batman Day is almost here and to celebrate the Dark Knight’s 80 years as the World’s Greatest Detective, DC and Warner Bros. are lighting up the night skies by projecting the iconic Bat-Signal, as well as producing fan celebrations, in… Read More ›
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Joel Meadows’ “Masters Of Comics” gets a boost from the Society of Illustrators
The Society of Illustrators is to host a special event by Tripwire magazine editor-in-chief Joel Meadows and a host of great comic artists next month to highlight the new book, Masters of Comics. Joel has spent the last three decades covering the best… Read More ›
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Vault Comics announces two “black bag” covers for new “Money Shot” title
US publisher Vault Comics has announced two new Black Bag variants for Money Shot #1, each containing hilariously sexy covers designed for readers aged 18+. The first Black Bag variant is drawn by series writer and co-creator Tim Seeley (Revival,… Read More ›