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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Crowdfunding Spotlight: The Slash Moron Limited Edition Graphic Novel
Seeking crowdfunding right now on Indiegogo is a limited edition release of Slash Moron, written, inked and lettered by Bambos Georgiou – a wonderful parody of a certain square-jawed all-action space hero of the 1930s… Bambos, who I’ve known since… Read More ›
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The Future Belongs to Cats! Ahoy Comics “Captain Ginger” collection released
US publisher Ahoy Comics have just released Captain Ginger – Survival Instinct, collection of their Captain Ginger title, an SF series set in the future where cats have inherited the Earth, brought to you by Deadpool the Duck writer Stuart… Read More ›
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“Infinite Stars: Dark Frontiers” features new SF by Jack Campbell, Becky Chambers and many more
Titan Books are releasing Infinite Stars: Dark Frontiers this autumn, a new SF anthology edited by Bryan Thomas Schmidt featuring 27 stories – 15 of them original to the book, including one by “Lost Fleet” author Jack Campbell, who I… Read More ›
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Japan House to host “Our Road to Recovery: An Anime Studio in Fukushima” event with Asao Yoshinori
London’s Japan House hosts an event on Tuesday 2nd July with producer, director and screenwriter Yoshinori Asao, focusing on novel initiatives to bring fresh life and vitality to Fukushima and the region of Tohoku, which was overcome by tragedy. There… Read More ›
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Bromyard’s Time Machine Museum set to close in September
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Dan Watters, Dani, bring “Coffin Bound” to Image in August
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WebFind: Chet Phillips’ Postcards from Britain – with added monsters!
American illustrator Chet Phillips is the creator of terrific art projects such as Dr Mew, the Monster Zen book, the Steampunk Monkey Colouring Book and the Steampunk Monkey Cigarette Cards – but here at downthetubes I have to say I… Read More ›
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Promoting Wham! comic in the 1960s – a rare retailer-targeted poster
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Pluck and Courage: Marvelman publisher L. Miller’s very short-lived story papers
Here’s something of a rarity for you to enjoy – some of the covers for Pluck and Courage, two monthly story papers launched in the 1950s by Marvelman publisher L. Miller & Son Ltd. Collector Peter Hansen, who kindly provided… Read More ›
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Out This Week: The Tammy and Jinty Special
Tammy and Jinty were two of Britain’s best-loved girls’ comics of the 1970s and ’80s – ground-breaking female-led comics that covered everything from science fiction and fantasy to romance and a whole lot of fun… and now they’re back, for… Read More ›
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Steaming to the news stand at high speed – new Commando comics on sale now!
Brand new Commando comics from DC Thomson issues #5239 – 5242 are out now in all good UK newsagents and via digital subscription. This set of releases includes “Steel Inferno“, written by Hailey Austin, whose work as a PhD student caught… Read More ›
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A British Comics Pioneer: “Korky the Cat” artist James Leuchars Crighton
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Out This Week: 2000AD Prog 2137
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Creating Comics: How to Draw Rocky of the Rovers by Lisa Henke
Roy of the Rovers artist Lisa Henke was asked by staff at St Maria Goretti Catholic Primary School if she could give some tips on drawing Roy’s younger sister, Rocky – and was happy to oblige. “My year 5’s are… Read More ›
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Space: 1999 Power Records cover art offered in auction
Heritage Auctions has some Space: 1999 art credited to Neal Adams and Dick Giordano on offer in its upcoming Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction in Dallas, taking place 1st – 3rd August 2019. Split over two lots, on offer… Read More ›
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Arts Foundation Futures Awards include Comics for 2020
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Inaugural Italian Coco Awards honour Ultimate Spider-Man artist Sara Pichelli and many more
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Mind boggling treats out now and coming soon from 2000AD publisher Rebellion!
This week sees the release of the first of two very special ‘Specials’ from Rebellion, alongside 2000AD Prog 2136 and Judge Dredd Megazine Issue 409 – the second following in just seven days. As well as the second terrific “Mind… Read More ›
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Did your favourite comic help shape your career?
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ComicScene Summer Special Issue 5 out this week
Comic fans can now pre-order the new 80-page ComicScene Summer Special (Issue 5) in print or digital, on sale this Thursday, 20th June, in selected newsagents, or from GetMyComics. The magazine includes six comic strips, expanding that aspect of the… Read More ›



