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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Rebellion Round Up: Counting down to The Day of Dredd!
The latest issue of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic, 2000AD Prog 2146, is on sale in all good newsagents and comic shops today, with a smashing Judge Dredd cover from Paul Williams, coloured by Chris Blythe – and the countdown continues… Read More ›
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The Future’s Beano!
Congratulations to Britain’s longest running comic, Beano, which has reached No. 4000 – on sale at retailers today (Wednesday 28th August). Offering a collectible cover featuring a specially designed, eye-catching red foil logo and an extended storyline set in the… Read More ›
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WebFind: Joe Pimentel and Rafael Silva’s Art Pin Up Book
It’s ace Brazilian artist Joe Pimentel‘s birthday today, so what better way to mark that than to mention his Art Book Pin Up Collection, created in partnership with fellow artist Rafael Schneider? Released last year, the collection features 45 artworks… Read More ›
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1980s “Dan Dare” Reprints – A Quick Update
As regular downthetubes readers know, I recently suggested it was perhaps time the 1980s Dan Dare stories, published in “New Eagle” were collected. Well, there’s a bit of good news on that front – but it requires some patience. Responding… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Comic Artist Massimo Mattioli
We’re sorry to report the passing of the award-winning Italian comics genius Massimo Mattioli, who died last Friday aged 75. Many comic readers may know him best for the violent funny animal strip “Squeak the Mouse“, a tale of a… Read More ›
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WebFind: Inside A Surrealist Doll’s House, at Philadelphia Museum of Art
From Joseph Cornell’s curious found-object boxes to Jess’s fantastical “paste-ups,” there’s still time to discover the seemingly limitless ways that modern and contemporary artists have mixed materials to create something entirely new and surprising at the Philadelphia Museum of Art… Read More ›
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Kieron Gillen, Dan Mora’s “Once & Future” goes monthly
BOOM! Studios has announced that Once & Future, the highly acclaimed original series from New York Times bestselling writer Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine, Star Wars), Russ Manning Award-winning artist Dan Mora (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Klaus), and… Read More ›
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Mottisfont’s “Beano Time Travellers Exhibition” attracts 45,000 visitors so far
Rocket Licensing, the UK and Ireland licensing agent for Beano, has highlighted the success of a summer-long partnership with the National Trust and its themed family event at Mottisfont in Hampshire, which includes a giant Beano comic drawn by Nigel… Read More ›
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“Braddock of the Bombers” revived for new Commando stories
Commando Comics has followed up its teasing of a revival of characters from the weekly boys’ comic Victor with an announcement that “Braddock” will be following in the footsteps of “Codename: Warlord” aka Lord Peter Flint and returning to comic… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Card Game Designer Rick Loomis
Rick Loomis, the hugely popular owner of Flying Buffalo Games and publisher of the Tunnels and Trolls RPG and Nuclear War card game, has passed away after a lengthy struggle with lymphatic cancer
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Beano reaches landmark 4000th issue
The Beano reaches its 4000th issue this Wednesday, on sale in all good newsagents and supermarkets, and already in the hands of loyal subscribers. (If you’ve never subscribed, we’ve discovered a nifty trick to get a discount at the Beano shop…)
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In Review: Psycho Gran Comic Capers Cavalcade #2
Psycho Gran Comic Capers Cavalcade marks the return to print of the cult cartoon character who made her first appearance in much-loved, and missed, kids comic, Oink! back in 1987. Please, please, please – at least one of you reading this, for buy a copy of the latest issue and tell her where you heard about it! I’ve been getting strange bits of meat through the mail, ever since I got my review copy, and I’m pretty sure there are less door to door salesmen on the street than there were last week…
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Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor Holiday Special #1 Covers Revealed
The covers for the Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor Holiday Special #1 have been revealed by Titan Comics, the first of a two issues series on sale 13th November 2019 – and we’ve learnt the regular series comics will resume… Read More ›
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Two weeks to NICE in Bedford, offering over 30 top comics guests
We’re only two weeks away from NICE, taking place in Bedford (7th – 8th September 2019), offering over 30 incredible guests and free autographs
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Latest Phil Comics eBay auction offers early 2000ADs and much more
A selection of 180 vintage comic auctions are up for grabs this week in the latest Phil Comics eBay auction, including 2000AD #1-10, Beano, Buster, Dandy, Giles Annuals, Oor Wullie, Smash #1-15, Joe 90, TV Century 21, Victor, Wildcat and more
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Lakes Festival Focus 2019: An Interview with Bryan and Mary Talbot
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 award-winning comic creators and Festival patrons Bryan… Read More ›
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DC Thomson teases new “The Victor Files” project
DC Thomson Media is clearly ramping up its “Heritage Brands” output, teasing an impending announcement for “The Victor Files” – a reference to one of the Dundee-based company’s most popular weekly boys adventure comic titles, published between 1961 and 1992
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Hemlock Books latest Fantastic Fifties magazine spotlights Hammer Horror
Quite by chance, the result of a chat with author and ComicSceneUK writer Martin Dallard, I came across The Fantastic Fifties magazine published by Hemlock Books, which has been going for a while now. A magazine for lovers of retro… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: Living With Cancer – Our Stories
It’s a shocking statistic, but half of us will be diagnosed with a cancer of some sort during our lifetimes. In response, the CHIP Collective have designed Living With Cancer: Our Stories – a comic to explain to us all what it’s like to get a diagnosis, and what effects that has on those around us – and, hopefully, encourage discussion
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Design Museum delights: Stanley Kubrick oddities, and the promise of your very own Mars mission
London’s Design Museum is currently hosting Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition, which includes some comic-related visuals inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey. running until 17th September. But the space age entertainment doesn’t stop there, because hot on the heels of this major exhibition, you’ll get the chance to travel to Mars without leaving London – in a multi-sensory adventure for all ages