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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Junko Mizuno interviewed in latest Comic Art Festival Podcast
Artist Junko Mizuno created the standout poster image for the 2019 Lakes International Comic Art Festival and the event’s official podcast has a chat with her as part of their latest episode. Junko was originally born in Tokyo and her… Read More ›
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Dutch comic magazine EPPO gets Asterix exclusive
Dutch comic magazine EPPO has landed an Asterix exclusive – a special preview of the upcoming album, Asterix and the Chieftain’s Daughter, in its latest issue, on sale now in Holland. The launch of a new Asterix book is usually… Read More ›
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Holiday Specials galore, and more, in latest Phil-Comics eBay auction
There’s a host of British comic goodies on offer in the latest Phil-Comics eBay auction, including a terrific number of Holiday Specials from the 1970s, Beano, Dandy, TV21 comics, annuals – and rarities such as promotional flyers and more
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David Leach, Darryl Cunningham, McGarrys, join Lakes Festival Guest List
There’s only four months to go until his year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October… are you ready? Tickets bought? Accommodation booked? The Festival has just revealed a number of further guests: Darryl Cunningham, ahead of the release of his… Read More ›
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Creating Comics: A Video Interview with artist Howard Cruse
Gay Love, the first European solo art show of the work of Howard Cruse, is currently running in Brussels at the Galerie Comic Art Factory until 6th July 2019 – and the gallery has released a thought-provoking video interview with… Read More ›
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Britain’s Forgotten Space Heroes: Space Commander Kerry
With Dan Dare enjoying huge success in Eagle, it’s no surprise that the British news stand was awash with space heroes in the 1950s. Some are better known than others. Swift Morgan, published by Boardman and visualised by Denis McLoughlin… Read More ›
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Japan House London hosts Helen McCarthy’s free talk on Urasawa Naoki next week
Heading to London’s Japan House to see their This is Manga – the Art of Urasawa Naoki exhibition? Why not combine your visit with a free evening lecture on the artist by leading UK anime and manga writer Helen McCarthy… Read More ›
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Ramsey’s Raiders blast back into Commando!
Brand new Commando issues 5235 – 5258 are out now in all good newsagents and via various digital platforms from DC Thomson. From secret messages to Douglas Boston bombers, from Nazi rail guns to a booby-trapped Lee Enfield – these issues have it all… including a new Ramsey’s Raiders story from Ferg Handley and Keith Page!
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Cannon Busters heads to Netflix, licensing campaign launched
Anime distribution company Manga Entertainment have appointed Reemsborko Ltd. as the worldwide agent for Cannon Busters, a new 12-part anime that will launch later this year exclusively as a Netflix global original series
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System1 teams up with Beano artist Lew Stringer to create a unique Cannes Lions giveaway
Effectiveness prediction agency System1 has teamed up with comics creator Lew Stringer to showcase its recent work on classic advertising characters as a unique cartoon strip. Lew, who has drawn strips for the Beano, VIZ and Marvel UK, and has… Read More ›
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WebFind: “Why Are There No Women Cartoonists?” by Cinders McLeod
Cinders McLeod – writer, satirist, artist, doublebassist and creator of the Moneybunnies series, financial literary for kids – drew a cartoon in 1991 in response to the oft-asked question “why are there no women cartoonists?” 20 year later, in 2011,… Read More ›
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Saturday Evening Post artist Joe de Mers profiled in latest Illustration magazine
The latest issue of the US Illustration magazine (#64) features the work of American artist Joe de Mers, best known for his many slick magazine illustrations for the Saturday Evening Post and others
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Captain America de-iced on Blackpool seafront, thanks to Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds Blackpool celebrated “Peace in our time” yesterday, as it welcomed its latest figure, Captain America, to the town by turning back the clock and transforming its iconic promenade into a striking 1940s scene. Making a movie-worthy entrance, Madame… Read More ›
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Mira Falardeau’s A History of Women Cartoonists launches later this month
Out later this month from Canadian publisher Mosaic Press is A History of Women Cartoonists by Mira Falardeau, which looks at the work of great women artists and their experiences in the industry to reveal advice and positive encouragement for… Read More ›
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New book, Masters of Comics, exploring the workspaces of comic creators, gets Gosh Comics launch
Celebrating the release of Joel Meadows’ new book Masters of Comics, London’s Gosh! Comics will be hosting a signing with three of the incredible artists profiled in the book, Laurence Campbell, Posy Simmonds and Sean Phillips, along with Joel this… Read More ›
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Free Marie Duval lunchtime talk at British Museum tomorrow
The British Museum will host a free lunchtime lecture tomorrow (Thursday 13th June 2019) by Roger Sabin, author of Comics, Comix & Graphic Novels: A History of Comic Art, talking about the Victorian cartoonist Marie Duval, the often overlooked creator of Ally Sloper
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Lost in Space comics around the world
Following up on a recent post about an unusual link between Lost in Space and Doctor Who, comics archivist Norman Scott Robinson kindly sent us some covers of Lost in Space / Space Family Robinson comics published around the world…. Read More ›
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Aardman Animation “Armature Kit” launched to aid stop motion animation students and fans
Stop motion armature specialist Animation Toolkit has partnered with Aardman to design and create a bespoke armature kit to help stop motion animation students and enthusiasts with the puppet making process. The Aardman Animation Kit includes eight easy to assemble… Read More ›
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Striker – The Final Comic Edition Special, “Psycops” collection release dates revealed
Fans were understandably disappointed with Striker creator Pete Nash‘s announcement last week that the football story is to end as a comic and Sun newspaper strip after an amazing 34 years – but if you think the game’s all over,… Read More ›
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Beano’s Britain’s Funniest Class Revealed after nationwide joke challenge
Foxes class from Castlewood Primary in Horsham, West Sussex have today been revealed as the winners of Beano’s Britain’s Funniest Class national joke competition. Their joke, “At the bank a lady asked me to check her balance, so I pushed… Read More ›