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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October release for MediEvil game remake, tie-in comic revealed
Tying in with the release of Sony Playstation’s upcoming remake of MediEvil, comic artist and writer Jay Gunn has officially revealed that he’s been secretly working on a MediEvil comic. Jay should need no introduction to longtime downthetubes readers as… Read More ›
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Roads Not Taken: How Marvel UK’s Motormouth might have looked
During the development of the “Genesis 1992” Marvel UK universe in the early 1990s, Editorial Director Paul Neary explored different paths for its core characters, developing the look of them over at least a year with numerous artists before settling… Read More ›
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Fred Hembeck draws Captain Britain
American cartoonist Fred Hembeck has been parodying superheroes for years – snd now you can own one of his original creations at a bargain price
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Flashback: The Dawn of Marvel UK’s “Genesis 1992” Project with Liam Sharp, Bryan Hitch and more
Before Marvel UK’s “Genesis 1992” characters first spread their wings in their first US format books and weekly British comic Overkill, Editorial Director Paul Neary and I put together a promotional booklet promoting the characters, printed on the office photocopiers,… Read More ›
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Aces Weekly: Publisher David Lloyd determined to “Keep it Digital”
Aces Weekly Volume 39, the latest delivery of the long-running digital anthology, is mid-run right now. In the run up to his appearance at Ottawa Comiccon this coming weekend, publisher David Lloyd has been reaffirming his longtime belief in digital… Read More ›
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Dark Horse, Netflix ink first look IP deal
Netflix has closed a first look deal with US publisher Dark Horse Entertainment, who will give the international streaming service a first look at its IP for both film and TV and has started exploring future projects.
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VIZ writer Barney Farmer on stage across the UK
If you’re in the Lancaster area next Friday, then you’re in for a treat, because VIZ writer Barney Farmer, co-creator of the acclaimed “Drunken Bakers” for VIZ with artist Lee Healey takes to the boards at the local “Spotlight” writing… Read More ›
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Inside View: Titan Comics’ Avengers: Endgame Movie Special
Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame – The Official Movie Special is available now in hardcover and in news stand variants from Titan Comics in the UK – and Titan have provided some interior images of the title, on sale in the… Read More ›
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A Marvel Fan’s Best Sleepover?
Dreams really can come true for Marvel fans this summer; to celebrate National Sleepover Day, which falls today, Thursday 9th May, Madame Tussauds Blackpool is offering one lucky super-hero super-fan the chance to host the ultimate sleepover with the stars… Read More ›
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Rebellion launches Roy of the Rovers Comics App
Roy of the Rovers, Britain’s greatest footballer of all time, is back in new comics and books, with a brand new look and a scintillating new story for the 21st century – and now you can keep up to date… Read More ›
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HBO releases WATCHMEN Official Tease
US channel HBO has released its first a teaser trailer for a new series based on Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons seminal 12-part comic series Watchmen. Set in an alternate history where “superheroes” are treated as outlaws, this drama series… Read More ›
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Full Lakes International Comic Art Festival Comics Clock Tower line-up revealed
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2019 has announced a whole host of comic creators, publishers and more are lined up to take over the Comics Clock Tower at this year’s Festival in October. Among the Comics Clock Tower creator… Read More ›
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2000AD-inspired zine Sector 13 Issue 5 to get Enniskillen Comic Fest Launch
The fifth issue of the 2000AD-inspired zine Sector 13, offering a great mix of strips, will get its launch at Enniskillen Comic Fest this weekend. At over 40 pages, this is the biggest issue of the anthology not-for-profit zine yet,… Read More ›
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WebFind: Typical Errors in English offers a guide to British Comics
Typical Errors in English is a web site and book, a collection of English language mistakes (usually) made by students studying English as a second language, and even by the occasional native speaker – but author and cartoonist Roger Hartopp,… Read More ›
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‘Tis “But A Dream”… of the 1990s, in comics!
Ready to take a trip back to the 1990s, a decade when The Detectives was riding high in the TV ratings, Tony Blair was the new Prime Minister, Virgin Megastores were on every high street, and Bruce Willis was shaking… Read More ›
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Comics, Waffles and Beer – oh my! Belgian guests join Lakes International Comic Art Festival line-up
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2019 has announced nine Belgian comic creators are part of the line-up for this year’s weekend-long event in Kendal in October – an event that will also offer a fine blend of Belgian culture… Read More ›
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New Beano-inspired toys, artworks and meal boxes on their way
UK licensing agency Rocket Licensing, who also represent brands as diverse as Ghostbusters, Horrible Histories and Vikings, have secured a number of new Beano-related licensing deals, which will see the release of new toys, meal boxes and classic high-end art… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: Martian Comics Volume One: Moon To Moon
Martian Comics Vol. 1: Moon to Moon, is a beautiful 240-page book collecting 13 stories, written by Julian Darius with work by 15 different artists and colorists. The stories span 18,000 years (about 10,000 Martian years) of Martian civilisation, from their moon landing to our own. It’s being offered on Kickstarter now, both in digital and as an oversized paperback, and you should really check it out…
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Upcoming Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction offers Frazetta, Gibbons, Kirby and more
There are some amazing items of original comic art and illustration in the next Heritage Auctions Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction taking place in Chicago (16th – 18th May), including work by Carl Barks, Brian Bolland, Alan Davis and… Read More ›
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Storm in a Coffee Cup: Some of the Funniest Responses to that Game of Thrones gaffe
Eagle-eyed Game of Thrones viewers spotted a rogue disposable coffee cup that somehow made it into the final cut of Season Eight, Episode Four, “The Last of the Starks” on Sunday, for all of two seconds, prompting some hilarious and… Read More ›