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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Beano artist Dudley D. Watkins early artwork surfaces on eBay
An early artwork by “Oor Wullie” and Beano artist Dudley D. Watkins is currently up for sale on eBay. Picturing two Elizabethan gentlemen, bidding starts at £250 and the auctions runs until lunchtime next Thursday (15th August 2019). The art… Read More ›
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New Doctor Who Magazine Special celebrates Target Books
Those of you interested in Doctor Who art may want to pick up the latest Doctor Who Magazine Special (Issue 53), dedicated to Target Books, on sale now in all good newsagents, featuring a cover by Chris Achilleos. Considered a… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Pete Wallbank’s “Pyramids of Mars” Doctor Who cover for INFINITY
Artist Pete Wallbank, who cut his teeth in the world of professional illustration on Doctor Who Magazine, has returned to the Time Lord’s adventures with a stunning cover for an upcoming issue of Infinity magazine, delivering a stunning montage focusing… Read More ›
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Early “Prince Valiant” art by Hal Foster sells for over £33,000
The “Prince Valiant” newspaper made its debut on 13th February 1937, an epic adventure and romantic fantasy created by Hal Foster for 35 years. Earlier this month, the tenth episode sold for $40,800 (just over £33,500) on Heritage Auctions. Realistic… Read More ›
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Sanctioned “Scarfolk Annual” on its way
As some know, but perhaps wish they didn’t, Scarfolk is a lost town in North West England that did not progress beyond 1979. Instead, the entire decade of the 1970s loops ad infinitum. It is a national mystery whose artefacts, occasionally uncovered and reported online, are often both horrifying but at the same time, dangerously fascinating – and now a facsimile of one of them, a Scarfolk Annual, is about to be released…
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Rare vintage Fairylite Thunderbirds figures feature in latest Aston’s auction
Nestling among the almost 500 lots of toy cars and model railways in the latest Aston’s Auctioneers Toy and Model Railway Auction, taking place next Tuesday, are a couple of vintage Thunderbirds rarities produced by Fairylite that might just catch… Read More ›
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South Africa’s Supa Strikas comic and animated show set for global boost?
Football comics have a long and proud tradition around the world, not just here in the UK where we’ve enjoyed Roy of the Rovers for over 65 years. Artist Steve McGarry documented many of them in the brilliant Playing for… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2019: An Interview with artist Darren Cullen
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 first “Festival Focus” for 2019 is with satirical artist, illustrator and writer Darren… Read More ›
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First Look: “Ragtime Soldier”, a new World War One comic from Pat Mills
Pat Mills, creator of 2000AD and co-creator and writer of the classic World War One strip “Charley’s War” for Battle, has revealed the first page of his new anti-war story, “Ragtime Soldier“, featuring art by Gary Welsh and Phil Vaughan…. Read More ›
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Latest Eagle Times travels well with Dan Dare, Marco Polo, Pogo and more
The latest issue of the Eagle Society magazine Eagle Times (Volume 32 No. 2 -Summer 2019) is now available and offers another great mix of articles on both Eagle and other comics, not only offering further insight into the Eagle… Read More ›
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Danger Mouse goes Pop! New Funko “Classic” range announced for 2020
Boat Rocker Studios, the content, distribution and brands arm of global entertainment company Boat Rocker Media, has announced a worldwide partnership deal with Funko that will see the launch of a new range of Danger Mouse classic collectibles, set to… Read More ›
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Creating Comics: Wally Wood’s “Panels That Always Work”
Tips from a master of the Ninth Art on how to make the VP best of comic storytelling
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Commando Comics Calendar 2020 On Sale Now
The new Commando Comics Calendar 2020 is on sale now, featuring great art by Ian Kennedy utilising some of his stunning cover art for the long-running war comic, all chosen by readers. Commando Comics has brought its readers thrilling tales… Read More ›
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Mysterious activities of Britain’s “Department of the Peculiar” revealed in new two-part comic
Information has emerged from Whitehall about the latest activities of the highly secretive Department of the Peculiar, whose activities can only, for now, be documented through the visual medium known as “comics”.
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WebFind: Closer Than We Think – a tribute to the visionary artist Arthur Radebaugh
Somehow, the amazing work of Arthur Radebaugh, the visionary artist behind the late 1950s and early 60s US newspaper feature “Closer Than We Think!“, surely deserving of collection, has completely passed me by until last week, when I not only… Read More ›
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Spot the TARDIS: Police Boxes recreated in “Ghost Monuments” project
Photographer and Doctor Who fan Paul Dykes has started a new photography project he’s calling “Ghost Monuments” – photo composites using a 3D model of a Gilbert MacKenzie Trench police box, rematerialising them in their former locations across London
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Doctor Who comics editor Jonathan Stevenson exits, interview on Panel to Panel
Episode #112 of Doctor Who: Panel to Panel podcast, devoted to all things Doctor Who comics related, is live
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Codename Warlord returns, new adventure announced for upcoming Commando
“Codename Warlord” – the lead strip of classic war comic Warlord – returns to comics later this month, in the pages of DC Thomson Media’s Commando comic… and the Dundee-based publisher is trailing the revival with online announcements – and… Read More ›
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Portsmouth Comic Con 2020 Super Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now
Following the second stonking year of a major comics event in Portsmouth, the city’s The Guildhall Trust has opened ticket sales for next year’s Portsmouth Comic Con, taking place on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May 2020, with a Super… Read More ›
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Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed! The Musical – First Tour Dates Announced
The first tour dates for the new Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed! The Musical have been revealed, opening in Aylesbury in January, at the Waterside Theatre, with dates also announced in Birmingham, Glasgow London, Manchester and more. A production from Selladoor… Read More ›