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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Asterix returns in an all-new adventure this October, Dogmatix TV series in the works
60 years after he first appeared in the pages of the French comic magazine Pilote, Asterix, the creation of René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, returns in an all-new album this October – and a new animated TV series, Dogmatix and the Indomitables, is also in the works, although the details of this remain scant so far
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Game Changer: GetMyComics offers new way to get new comics
Can’t get to a comic shop? Tired of missing your favourite comic books or the comics featured in ComicScene Magazine? Want a reliable solution to your monthly reading? Subscribe to titles, crossovers, and follow your favourite creators – and leave… Read More ›
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Scottish Independent Comic Book Alliance Awards Entry Deadline this week
If you’re a Scottish comics creator, there’s still time to enter your work into the Scottish Independent Comic Book Alliance Awards for this year – but you’ll have to hurry, as the deadline is this Thursday, 25th April 2019. Sponsored… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: Michael Mantlo, brother of Rocket Racoon co-creator Bill Mantlo, needs your help
Michael Mantlo is in major need of help after supporting his permanently disabled brother, Rocket Racoon creator Bill Mantlo, for almost 30 years – care that has crippled him financially
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Happy Birthday, Javier Hernandez, creator of El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie!
Happy birthday today to Javier Hernandez, the American comic book creator, comic book instructor and radio host, perhaps best known for El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie, a unique blend of Mexican and Chicano folklore, Aztec mythology and mysticism, and comic book pop culture
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Limited Edition Alex Nino art book in the works
The extraordinary comic artist Alex Nino has announced the impending release of a second art book.
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Art of Luis Garcia Mozos book in the works
Artist and author David Roach has revealed he’s about to start work on a book devoted to the life and career of Spanish painter and comics artist Luis Garcia Mozos, perhaps best known to downthetubes readers for his work for… Read More ›
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Enniskillen ComicFest returns next month
Enniskillen ComicFest returns for its fourth year next month, on 10th and 11th May, bringing the world of comicbooks and superheroes to the town to celebrate sequential art and storytelling
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In Review: Mancunian #1
Published by Volcano Comics Created and Edited by Brian M. Clarke and John JJ Jackson Art by John JJ Jackson, Colour by David Robinson, Spot Art by Nick H. Jackson, Back Cover by John Royle Out: Now – available from… Read More ›
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Petition calls for arts funding support for British Comics on a par with Opera
The UK has a long tradition of making good comic books. Yet since the 1980s, sales of comics in newsagents, while still stronger than some magazine sectors, have declined drastically. Comic creator Sean Michael Wilson – author of the upcoming graphic novel The Many Not the Few with artist Robert Brown, introduced by Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, is calling for better funding support for comic art projects to encourage creators.
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Giles “Grandma” and family head to the stage in a new musical
Are you a fan of the cartoons of Carl Giles, best known for his work for the Daily and Sunday Express? Then you might like to know his characters – yes, including his often terrifying Grandma – are being brought to life in in a new musical, opening at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich next week
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Vice Press launch E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial limited edition posters “timed sale”
Vice Press have just announced a new partnership with ISH, Bottleneck Gallery, Andrea Alvin and the John Alvin Estate that will see the release of some classic film poster reproductions originally created by a John Alvin, starting with a classic – E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial
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Flash Gordon 40th Anniversary movie figures in the works from BIG Chief Studios
BIG Chief Studios Ltd – the company also behind some smashing Doctor Who and Thunderbirds figures – has announced a licensing deal with Hearst Holdings, King Features Syndicate Division, via Allsorts Licensing, to produce a range of high-end collectables based… Read More ›
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Murderers in the desert stalk latest Commando Comics!
Brand new issues of DC Thomson’s Commando (Issues 5219 – 5222) are out this Thursday – and together with the wider release of The Art of Ian Kennedy book, fans of the comic have some treats in store! Previously offered… Read More ›
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Official Film Chart: Aquaman makes a splash as the week’s biggest superhero film on UK home release
Aquaman makes a splash at Number One in its first week on the British Official Film Chart, documenting the best-selling films on DVD, Blu-ray, 4K and digital download. Outselling the rest of the Top Five combined, the film (reviewed here… Read More ›
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Lost Dan Dare: “Return to Terra Nova” by John Ridgway and Nick Spender
We’re currently running a series of articles by Jeremy Briggs on attempts down the decades to either relaunch Eagle, or create a comic on similar lines. In that spirit, here’s a couple of pages from a lost Dan Dare project,… Read More ›
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Thunderbirds “Parker” joins BIG Chief Studios collectable International Rescue figures line up
By popular demand, BIG Chief Studios Parker figure, from Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s 1960s smash hit Supermarionation show Thunderbirds, will soon be available to order via the company’s Launch Pad platform and specially selected exclusive retail partners. Available as an… Read More ›
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“Nothing But Trouble” Limited Edition Prints by Sleek celebrate Beano, Oor Wullie
Sleek is a young, classically trained artist who found his distinctive style by connecting street art together with pop art, creating a fresh new fusion genre – and has just released a range of limited edition Beano and Oor Wullie-inspired prints
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Out Today! The all-new Cor!! and Buster Humour Special
Today’s the day! The all-new Cor!! and Buster Humour Special is on sale today in all good newsagents and British comic shops!
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Artist Keith Page commemorates Notre-Dame cathedral after devastating fire
Commando and Eagle comic artist Keith Page has posted a poignant artwork featuring his crime fighting heroine Charlotte Corday, marking the devastating fire that tore through Notre Dame cathedral in Paris yesterday