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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A French Comics Affair revealed in London
Ahead of this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival, (11th – 13th October 2019) and in partnership with Lyon BD Festival, comics author and expert Paul Gravett will be interviewing six French comics creators on Thursday 10th October at the… Read More ›
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Myriad Editions’ Corinne Pearlman talks publishing, new First Graphic Novel Competition
The latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast leads with an interview with Corinne Pearlman, Creative Director at Myriad Editions, publishers of graphic novels such as Darryl Cunningham‘s upcoming Billionaires (launching 7th November), and the recently-released Sensible Footwear by Kate… Read More ›
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Junko Mizuno to open exhibition of work at University of Cumbria next week
Japanese manga artist Junko Mizuno – much admired for her unique gothic-cute artworks as well as a collaboration with Ikea – is visiting students at the University of Cumbria to share secrets of success, ahead of her appearance at the… Read More ›
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Titan Comics reveals art for new The Phantom of the Opera project, out next year
Titan Comics and the Really Useful Group have revealed some pages from the upcoming The Phantom of the Opera graphic novel, based on Andrew Lloyd Webber and Charles Hart’s multi award-winning musical, due in stores June 2020, adapted into comics… Read More ›
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In Review: Manu by Gustaffo Vargas
Manu is the latest project by Gustaffo Vargas, launching at Thought Bubble. It’s well worth a look…
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Lakes Festival Focus 2019: Comic Artist Joris Vermassen
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 Belgian comic artist Joris Vermassen, who started his… Read More ›
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Marvel teams with Games Workshop on new Warhammer comics
Marvel Entertainment and Games Workshop have announced a collaboration that will bring new Warhammer stories to comics and graphic novels, grabbing the license from Titan Comics, who have published a number of comics based on the gaming franchise
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: How to THINK when you WRITE BOOK by Robin Etherington
Robin Etherington’s How to THINK when you WRITE book has already smashed its target on Kickstarter, but if you haven’t already backed it, or got your hands on copies of his brother Lorenzo’s How to THINK when you DRAW books, this is your chance to do so
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Lakes Festival Focus 2019: Cartoonist, Jibé
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 Jean-Baptiste Pollien, aka Jibé, a French cartoonist,… Read More ›
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Portsmouth Comic Con announces new commercial partners for 2020
Portsmouth Comic Con has announced an impressive line up of both local and national sponsors for its third annual event in May 2020. Some you would not automatically connect with comics and other specialist media interests, indicating just how mainstream such hobbies are now considered.
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BBC’s first trailer for H.G. Wells “War Of The Worlds” released
The BBC has dropped its first trailer for its long awaited three-part War Of The Worlds drama, expected to head to BBC One at the end of October – although a transmission date has yet to be confirmed. Filmed last… Read More ›
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The Book Palace reveals two “Illustrator Specials” for 2020
London-based The Book Palace has revealed advance covers for two illustrators Specials for release next year – one focusing on the work of veteran 2000AD artist John M. Burns, the other to showcase some of the greatest pirate art ever… Read More ›
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Rebellion seeks out a British Comics Archivist
Rebellion, publishers of 2000AD, Judge Dredd Megazine and much more, possesses the largest archive of British comics and British popular culture publishing in the world, and any good archive needs an archivist – and that’s exactly what the company is looking for
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Lakes Festival Focus 2019: Graphic Novelist Fabien Toulmé
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 French graphic novelist Fabien Toulmé, a comic… Read More ›
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Bag of Holding Fundraiser under way to support games publisher Battlefield Press after arson attack
Bundle of Holding, a company that presents time-limited collections of tabletop roleplaying games, or books by RPG designers, as DRM-free ebooks, is running an offer to help support award-winning games publisher Jonathan Thompson, the owner of Battlefield Press after an… Read More ›
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New FANSCENE honours Stan Lee and Mike Noble
A mere matter of weeks after the publication of the last issue, artist David Hathaway-Price, keeper of the amazing online Classic UK Comics Zines Archive, has released a new issue of his brilliant FANSCENE, a free PDF format title dedicated to all things comic zine
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ComicScene announces plans for “Corker!” all ages comic supplement
ComicScene is to launch launch Corker! in November – an ‘all ages’ comic – as a pull out supplement in the magazine and the team behind the magazine looking to the ‘Legion of Comic Fans’ to support and spread the word…. Read More ›
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Adlard, McGarrys, Rockman and more wow with Lakes Festival Windows Trail comic art in Kendal
The seventh year of the Lakes International Comic Arts Festival brings with it the annual “Windows Trail”, now bringing Kendal alive with comics in the run up to the annual weekend of comic creator-led fun, over 11th – 13th October
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Spider-Man set to span two cinematic universes, Marvel film dates update
Good news for Spider-Man fans. Sony Pictures Entertainment and The Walt Disney Studios have jointly announced that Marvel Studios and its President Kevin Feige will produce the third film in the Spider-Man Homecoming starring Tom Holland. The film is scheduled… Read More ›
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Actress and Comic Creator Jessica Martin to star in new one woman play
Doctor Who writer Stephen Wyatt has written a one woman play specially for actress and comics creator Jessica Martin. Directed by Samuel Clemens, You Thought I Was Dead, Didn’t You? is inspired by the lost female film stars of British… Read More ›