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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Comic Creator Spotlight: Roland Davies and “Come On, Steve!”
Here’s a few examples of the wonderful “Come on, Steve” strip, and a tribute to the strip’s creator, Roland Davies. Davies drew for the strip for both the Sunday Express and the Sunday Dispatch and I loved reading the stories… Read More ›
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BBC release new Doctor Who portraits by Jeremy Enecio
BBC America unveiled new character portraits of the Doctors from Doctor Who at this year’s San Diego Comic Con – all 14 of them, including John Hurt’s War Doctor – illustrated by Jeremy Enecio. All the images are based on… Read More ›
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Apollo 11 at 50: Returning Home
It was actually 21st July that the return to Earth began. Armstrong and Aldrin spent less than three hours walking on the Moon and lifted off in the Lunar Module’s ascent stage less than 22 hours after they had touched… Read More ›
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Marvel UK in Print: Captain Britain, Death’s Head, Doctor Who and more – A Quick Guide
Marvel UK fans often comment on the lack of Marvel UK’s “Genesis 1992” related collections, but as we have reported down the years, at least some Marvel stories created in the UK have been reprinted, by Marvel US and Panini…. Read More ›
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Apollo 11 at 50: The First Moon Landing, illustrated by Frank Bellamy
Americans would have us believe that Neil Armstrong stepped onto the surface of the Moon on 20 July 1969 because they saw it happen in their late evening. However, 50 years ago today, British audiences saw it happen in the… Read More ›
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Phil Comics offers TV21, Tornado and “Curly Wee” rarities in latest eBay auction
Who remembers Curly Wee (no tittering, now!)
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Apollo 11 at 50: The Eagle Has Landed
50 years ago today, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin boarded the Lunar Module, Eagle, and undocked from the Command Service Module, Columbia. Leaving Mike Collins alone in the CSM in lunar orbit, they descended towards the Moon’s surface where Eagle… Read More ›
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Rare, classic BEM #1 zine added to British Comic Zines digital archive
Comics artist and archivist David Hathaway-Price has just added BEM #1, a rare item of 1970’s British comics fandom to his fantastic digital archive, Classic UK Comic Zines
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Marvel UK Mysteries: Who Remembers “Blood-Cede” and “Graviton”?
Which titles did Marvel Comics registered as trademarks in Britain? Some interesting “Roads Not Taken” unearthed…
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Dan Dare: The Evil One collection released this September
The next Titan Comics collection of classic Dan Dare stories, The Evil One, will be published in September 2019. This brand new, 160-page volume continues the adventures of Dan Dare, Pilot of the Future! First published in classic British comic,… Read More ›
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Honorary degree for actor Andy Serkis
Actor Andy Serkis has received an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters from Lancaster University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark E. Smith at this year’s graduation ceremonies. A world-renowned actor, director and producer, Andy Serkis has taken leading roles in some of… Read More ›
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Apollo 11 at 50: Dangers of the Mission
50 years ago today, the crew of Apollo 11 were almost at the Moon with their mission progressing smoothly. But what might have gone wrong? 10 years ago on downthetubes, Jeremy Briggs wrote a 40th anniversary day-by-day celebration series of… Read More ›
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#HelpKyoAniHeal appeal raises over a million dollars so far after tragic attack on studio
A crowdfunding campaign, #HelpKyoAniHeal, to support those impacted by the tragic attack on award-winning Kyōto Animation in Uji, Japan, has raised over one million dollars in support so far
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‘Patronus on a Postcard’ BookTrust charity art auction closes at 6.00pm today!
Bloomsbury has joined forces with BookTrust to mark a very significant date for all Harry Potter fans – 20 years of JK Rowling‘s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – and a special celebratory charity art auction has just… Read More ›
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DC Thomson launches “Slime Factory”
If your little one loves all things slime, then they’ll love Slime Factory magazine, a brand-new magazine from DC Thomson Media, which includes a two-page “Goo Crew” strip by current Minnie the Minx artist Laura Howell. It’s oozing with easy-peasy… Read More ›
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2019 – 2020 Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide e-editions released
The desktop versions of the brand new 2019-20, 49th edition of the electronic Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide are now available for immediate download. Compatible with Mac and PC, this fully searchable electronic version of the Guide is available exclusively… Read More ›
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Doctor Who t-shirts designed by John Ross released by Hero Collector
Hero Collector have released an all-new Doctor Who t-shirt range to help you regenerate your wardrobe and have the adventure of a lifetime – without travelling back in time. Designed by artist John Ross, best known for his work on… Read More ›
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Apollo 11 at 50: Half Way to the Moon
50 years ago today, Apollo 11 and its crew were at the half way stage in their journey from Earth orbit to lunar orbit in their Command Service Module, Columbia. 10 years ago on downthetubes, Jeremy Briggs wrote a 40th… Read More ›
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Specialist “Moke” car kit will catch the eye of “The Prisoner” fans!
If you’re a fan of model car kits, you may be interested in this new 1:24 Moke Mk.1 item from specialist modellers Motobitz, and if you’re a fan of The Prisoner, I’m sure it will catch your eye, too!
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Rebellion confirms ownership of the “TV21” brand
2000AD publisher Rebellion has confirmed to downthetubes that they own the TV21 brand, which suggests they also own TV Tornado and Solo – and, possibly, rights to some non-TV strips published by City Editions in the 1960s. The information comes as a result of Rebellion’s extensive work establishing the fine detail of property rights following its purchase of the Fleetway titles from both Egmont and TI Media in recent years.