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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Australian western publisher Cleveland set to sell off its original Cover Art Library
Cleveland Publishing, Australia’s pre-eminent publisher of genre pulp fiction novels, is closing its doors – to the dismay of avid fans of westerns and other action genre who have been buying their books for decades. Now, the company, its closure the result of increased production costs, is selling its collection of cover art, including illustrations by the likes of acclaimed Australian artists Walter Stackpool and Stanley Pitt.
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Spoiling for a Brawl(er)! An interview with Time Bomb Comics publisher Steve Tanner
Brawler is a great looking new comics project from Time Bomb Comics – and a Kickstarter campaign for pre-orders that launched just last week has already hit target. downthetubes caught up with publisher Steve Tanner to talk to him about… Read More ›
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FQP puts out urgent call for scripts its not-for-profit 2000AD-inspired comics zines
Independent British comic publisher FutureQuake Press has put out a call for more Script’s to consider for its 2000AD-inspired not for profit comic strip zines, Dogbreath and Zarjaz. FQP have been bringing you the very finest small press talent they… Read More ›
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Eagle Times springs into 2019 with looks at Look-In, New Eagle cutaways
The first edition of the Eagle Society’s Eagle Times for 2019 is out now, and offers an exclusive interview with cutaway and comic artist Peter Sarson, plus features on the The New Eagle cutaways – and the long-running weekly comic, Look-In.
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Glenn B. Fleming’s “Eight Seconds” brings life to a World War Two mission in new illustrated novel
Out in May is Eight Seconds – a new war story written and illustrated by British author Glenn B Fleming which will surely appeal to fans of Commando comics. In the early hours of 6 June 1944, the British 6th… Read More ›
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Travel Oregon offers second simply stunning anime-inspired “Slightly Exaggerated” film to encourage visitors
Whether you’re planning a trip to Oregon or not, you really, really need to check out this simply beautiful, anime-inspired promotional video from Travel Oregon, because it’s simply gorgeous
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Doctor Who’s “Seeds of Doom” location up for sale… for £7.5 million!
If you’re into cosplay and recreating your favourite SF Adventures in live action, and incredibly rich, then you may be interested to know Athelhampton House, the main location for the Doctor Who story The Seeds of Doom, is on the market… for £7.5 million
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WebFind: Rub-Down Transfers Revived!
Anyone of a certain age, who probably grew up in the 1960s and 70s any way, will remember Letraset’s “Action Transfers” (and similar products), offering the opportunity to create your own Doctor Who, Joe 90, Star Wars and Tarzan adventures with “rub-down” figures applied to “blank canvas” backgrounds. But until this morning, I had no idea they were still being made.
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Next weekend’s Cosmic Rebels Con offers 2000AD creators among guest line up
Cosmic Rebels Con returns to Enniscorthy, Ireland, next weekend (Sunday 14th April), and there are a number of comic creators from 2000AD on the guest list, including writer Michael Carroll and artists Steven Austin, Eoin Coveney and Tom Foster.
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Rare Dandy Monster Comic annual offered at auction, expected to sell for over £1000
A rare copy of the first Dandy annual, titled the Dandy Monster Comic, published just before World War two, is to be sold at auction as part of a Two Day Book & Ephemera Sale by Keys Fine Art Auctioneers… Read More ›
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Authenticity of Frank Hampson art in upcoming Italian auction confirmed
Last month, we reported that Italian auction house Urania is hosting a sale of original comic art and illustration in Parma on 11th May 2019 – and it includes a number of items by British artists including a Dan Dare-inspired… Read More ›
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Heritage Auctions offers Star Trek, Modesty Blaise art in upcoming aution
Modesty Blaise art by John M. Burns and Greg Hildebrandt’s stunning original cover art for this month’s debut issue of Star Trek: Year Five #1 comic book series are among the highlights of dozens of SF, adventure and horror masterpiece paintings… Read More ›
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Phoenix artist Zak Simmonds part of Story Museum’s “Easter Story Makers” Line-Up
While builders are busy on-site transforming Oxford’s The Story Museum into an even more inspiring and surprising place, events continue – and this April, their Easter Story Makers sessions offer the opportunity to enjoy a day of building stories with… Read More ›
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Newcastle Writing Conference returns in May to foster new writers
The biennial Newcastle Writing Conference returns this spring, bringing together new and emerging writers across the North with publishing industry experts, inspiring authors and creative writing tutors. There isn’t anything specific to writing comics in the programme as far as… Read More ›
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Commando’s new issues: meet Lady Death … and a Suicide Squad!
From the Soviet Union to World War One France, and from Italy to Crete, join Commando for brand new Issues 5215 – 5218 out this Thursday in all good newsagents from DC Thomson – and various digital platforms. Commando 5215:… Read More ›
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Nickelodeon “Top Wing” announced as Showcase special by Egmont
Egmont Publishing has announced that it will be publishing a special edition of its umbrella title, Showcase, dedicated to the Nickelodeon pre-school property, Top Wing. Egmont currently publish magazines on two further Nickelodeon pre-school properties, Shimmer & Shine and pre-school… Read More ›
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Spider-Man Into The Spider-Verse exclusive for Official Film Chart Show
This week’s Official Film Chart online show features a UK exclusive behind-the-scenes featurette of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The animated superhero film follows teenager Miles Morales, the Spider-Man of his world, who crosses paths with five counterparts from other dimensions… Read More ›
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Silver Age Marvel Masterwork Pin-Ups collection announced
With Marvel celebrating 80 years in publishing in 2019, it’s great to hear IDW Publishing and Yoe Books have announced plans for a series of large-format hardcover collections from Marvel Comics, beginning with Marvel Masterwork Pin-Ups. To be released in… Read More ›
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Talking Brazilian Comics: Rafael Coutinho’s Panel at the Embassy of Brazil
The Embassy of Brazil in London recently hosted a fascinating discussion about the rich world of independent Brazilian comics with artist, writer and Festival organiser Rafael Coutinho, interviewed by Dr Edward King from the University of Bristol, author of Posthumanism… Read More ›
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Out Today: 2000AD Prog 2125 – Sov Killers on the loose in Judge Dredd!
Wrapped in a great cover by “Grey Area”: artist Mark Harrison (more on that here), 2000AD Prog 2125 is on sale now in all good UK newsagents, comics shops and digital platforms. Right from the get go, this is a… Read More ›