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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Hellboy artist Ben Stenbeck joins Comics Salopia line up
At Comics Salopia this June, join host Leonard Sultana as he interviews the guest who has travelled further than any other to join the event in Shrewsbury.
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MACC-POW! announces first guests for June
This year’s line-up for MACC-POW!, a one day celebration of comics and comic art, in the heart of Macclesfield, Cheshire in June, has just been announced. Observer comics prize winner Tor Freeman, Jacob Phillips and Lew Stringer return, joined this year by Comics Laureate Hannah Berry, New Zealand cartoonist Roger Langridge and Rachael Smith.
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University of East Anglia announces Master’s in Comic Art for 2020
The University of East Anglia, near Norwich, will launch a Master of Arts program in Comics Studies in September 2020 – the first in the world. “Comics have never been more popular, and never more important,” an announcement reads. “Our… Read More ›
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Judith Kerr talks “The Tiger Who Came to Tea” as UK stage tour begins
Direct from a smash hit West End season, Judith Kerr‘s The Tiger Who Came to Tea has returned to the stage, celebrating its tenth year as a spectacular kid’s play – and we’ve got a short interview with the book’s… Read More ›
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Batman Who Laughs #2 original art by Jock for sale
The opportunity to purchase Jock‘s original art to the popular Batman Who Laughs Issue 2 (and remaining pages of #1) is on offer over at comic art web site Splash Page Comic Art – which also offers art by a… Read More ›
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Merrick: The Sensational Elephantman is back… and in big trouble!
The next issue of indie hit and Kickstarter-funded Merrick: The Sensational Elephantman (#8), created by Tom Ward and Luke Parker (artist on the Halloween Eagle strip for Dark Horse appearing in Astro Hustle), lettered by Nic J. Shaw, is available to pre-order now!
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MEGO Batman and Robin Figures offered in latest Aston’s Auction
The next Toy & Model Railway Auction from Dudley-based Aston’s Auctioneers next Tuesday (26th March 2019) has a great assortment of items on offer including collectables that will appeal to Doctor Who, Star Trek and Superhero fans… and more. The… Read More ›
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Lost British Comic Projects: SCOOPS, a Newspaper Comic
David Slinn recalls a little-known and short-lived British newspaper project, SCOOPS, which featured strips by the likes of Sandy Clarke, Ron Smith and Brian Walker…
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Unearthed: Early Dan Dare designs by Frank Hampson inspired inspired by innovative 1950s inventions
A discovery of an auction item of Dan Dare-related art by Frank Hampson sheds welcome light on the artist and writer’s visionary design work, and how he not only drew on contemporary design but came up with all-new inventions for… Read More ›
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Comic Creator Spotlight: Comic Artist Emmanuel Lepage
Born in 1966, French comic artist and writer Emmanuel Lepage, whose work Springtime in Chernobyl is being re-published this June by IDW Publishing, began developing his talent as an artist at just 13, He worked hard, aided by careful guidance… Read More ›
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New Beano offers free copy of 2019 annual in limited distribution promotion
This week’s Beano (Issue 3977) is getting a limited distribution promotion, offering a bagged, free copy of the 2019 Beano Annual with purchase at participating WHSmith stores, which appear to be those at railway stations and airports. It got a… Read More ›
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Creating Comics: Artist Paul McCaffrey, artist on the new Joe 90 comic from Network
Following up on our news item about Volume 4 of Network‘s Joe 90 Blu-Ray collections, which features a brand-new comic featuring art from acclaimed comics artist Paul McCaffrey, we’ve pinned him up against BIG RAT to ask him about the project…. Read More ›
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Giant Guns and a Fighting Jazzman – all part of the Commando experience!
Commando Issues 5211-5214 are out this Thursday and on sale in all good newsagents and across various digital platforms from DC Thomson Media.
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Jump on Board: Latest 2000AD offers all-new Thrills
There’s a cracking issue of 2000AD on sale now in all good UK newsagents and comic shops – and digital platforms – with all-new stories starting throughout, offering a great chance to either start reading the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic, or… Read More ›
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Kids look forward to “Cities of the Future” in nationwide LEGOLAND Discovery Centre competition
Children from across the UK have been predicting how we will live in 200 years, and it’s safe to say the next generation has some imaginative – and refreshingly positive – ideas about how we will be living in the… Read More ›
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Final Joe 90 Blu-Ray features all-new comic!
Volume 4 of Network‘s Joe 90 Blu-Ray collections of the Gerry Anderson series features the final six episodes, beautifully remastered in HD, and a brand-new comic featuring art from acclaimed comics artist Paul McCaffrey. The special Blu-Ray also features a brand-new… Read More ›
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Tim Pilcher reveals more about Breakthrough project for new comic creators
On the latest episode of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast, editor and publisher Tim Pilcher talks about the new, recently launched Breakthrough project, aimed at encouraging new and upcoming comics talent. Tim is running Breakthrough for the Lakes… Read More ›
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Fearless and Fantastic! exhibition continues at London’s Orbital Comics
Running until the end of March, London’s Orbital Comics is hosting an exhibition of pages from publisher DK’s latest title Fearless and Fantastic! — a who’s-who of female Marvel superhero character profiles. This collection profiles dozens of aspirational female comic-book… Read More ›
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Latest BACK ISSUE magazine delves into comics’ Alternate Realities
Available now to order from Twomorrow Publishing: BACK ISSUE #111, the “Alternate Realities” issue, cover-featuring the 20th anniversary of Alex Ross and Jim Krueger’s Marvel Earth X. Also: star-loaded looks back at Marvel’s What If?, Bronze Age DC Imaginary Stories,… Read More ›
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Portsmouth Comic Con team hint at 2020 show in the works as second event nears
It’s only six weeks until the second Portsmouth Comic Con and its two content producers, Joel Meadows and Andrew Colman, have been talking about the upcoming event, and plans for the future… downthetubes: Were you surprised by the reaction to… Read More ›