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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Are you ready for “The Spine Chillers”? (I doubt it…)
Renegade Arts Entertainment has released a collection of Ben Clark‘s utterly bonkers – and wonderfully funny – The Spine Chillers later this month, a series inspired by the company’s audio books line. The collection features guest strips from William Simpson,… Read More ›
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Max Allan Collins & Terry Beatty’s “Ms. Tree” gets new collection
Titan Comics‘ Hard Case Crime imprint continues to release sharp, stylish crime thrillers, and 2019 is no exception. The legendary detective Ms Tree – created by Mystery Writers of America 2017 Grand Master ‘Edgar’ winner Max Allan Collins, and inker… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Essential Guide to Captain Marvel from Panini UK
Panini Comics UK releases a smashing Essential Guide to Captain Marvel bookazine next week, just ahead of the Marvel movie release on Friday 8th March – although some downthetubes readers have already bought copies. From ace pilot to one of… Read More ›
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Gosh! Comics and Broken Frontier Drink and Draw back for February Fun!
The second Gosh! Comics and Broken Frontier Drink and Draw of 2019 takes place this Wednesday (27th February), offering a cracking line-up of small press artists at this latest regular monthly meet-up, sponsored by Cass Art. Co-hosts for the night are Broken Frontier‘s… Read More ›
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ComicScene’s first monthly issue on sale now, Sainsbury’s take copies too
The first monthly issue of ComicScene Magazine, featuring a classic Roy of the Rovers cover, is on sale now. The title is available from comic shops, all good newsagents by order, WHSmith, McColls and Easons (in Ireland) and 400 selected Sainsbury’s supermarkets – and I’m honoured to be part of it.
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Crowdfunding Spotlight and Sneak Peek: Cthulhu Kids #2
Imagine what a school for the offspring of the creatures of the Cthulhu Mythos would be like… well, actually, you dont have to, because that’s exactly what small-press comic creators Peter Duncan and Andrew Pawley have done. Their wonderful Cthulhu Kids comic is the result, and a second Issue is in the pipeline, crowdfunding permitting.
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Build Your Own Saturn V!
Prepare for the launch of your very own Apollo 11, months before the anniversary launch and moon landing date! Designed and made in Denmark, Plus-Plus is a building brick toy that lets you create 3D masterpieces, models can be as… Read More ›
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Justice League Dark artist Andres Guinaldo confirmed for Titan Comics “Blade Runner 2019” title
Titan Comics and Alcon Media Group have announced that the year’s most hotly-awaited comic series will be officially titled Blade Runner 2019. Launching this summer, Titan Comics’ new series will be set during the exact timeframe of the original Blade… Read More ›
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Game of Thrones artist joins Portsmouth Comic Con line-up
William ‘Will’ Simpson, the lead storyboard artist behind the TV adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s fantasy epic, Game of Thrones, is the latest guest to be announced in a stellar line up for this year’s Portsmouth Comic Con –… Read More ›
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Beano heads to Comics Salopia in June
Dundee-based comics publisher DC Thomson and Beano Studios are adept at promoting Beano in the national media, the result a steady growth in sale over the past few years. They’ve run some high profile promotional events too, at the… Read More ›
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Tea-Time Rendezvous: Thought Bubble moves from Leeds to Harrogate for 2019
Thought Bubble has announced major changes for its Festival later this year, moving the event from Leeds to Harrogate – a Yorkshire spa town famous for Betty’s Tea Rooms, RHS Harlow Carr Gardens and renovated Royal Baths development – and announcing… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival’s Breakthrough project aims to find the future of comics
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has launched its ambitious Breakthrough project, which aims to give under-represented individuals a chance to express themselves through the medium of comics. Breakthrough is an 18-month mentoring initiative co-ordinated by writer, publisher and editor… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: “The Hammer” by Simon and Kieran Squires
Comic creator Kieran Squires gave downthetubes a heads up on his new project, The Hammer – an action-packed slams fantasy tale, reinventing Norse mythology with a savagely British sense of adventure and humour. The modest Kickstarter has just gone live and… Read More ›
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Missing Doctor Who episode “Mission to the Unknown” recreated – in Preston!
“Mission to the Unknown”, a lost Doctor Who episode from 1965 has been authentically recreated by students, graduates and staff from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Preston.
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British Comic Artist and Inker Cam Smith among this year’s Inkwell Award nominees
We’re delighted to report British comic book artist and inker Cam Smith – known for his work at Marvel UK, 2000AD and for US publishers – has been nominated for an Inkwell Award – and there are other British nominees, too. The… Read More ›
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British Comic Sales Figures, Winners and Losers (July – December 2018): Beano continues to shine
The latest sales figures for some comics and children’s magazines available on the UK news stand for the second half of 2018 have been published by the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) – and there’s good news in particular for the Beano… Read More ›
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Space hero Jet Ace Logan returns in new limited edition collection
Book Palace Books are working in partnership with Rebellion to publish a number of limited edition “Fleetway Picture Library Classics” comic collections, bringing strips such as “Jet Ace Logan” back into the limelight.
These collections are in addition to their ongoing Illustrators magazine, which will highlight work of artists such as 2000AD’s John Michael Burns and others. -
Will Munch Cats! lead the way and bring an end to polybagged comics on the news stand?
For those of you fed up with magazines for your kids wrapped in plastic, complete with plastic tat toy, a new magazine launched for 5-10 year olds called Munch Cats! might just be what you’re looking for.
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Rebellion to release “Battle Presents: Operation Overlord” war story as direct sales title
Rebellion’s Battle imprint is to bring stories of the beaches of Normandy in 1944 to the direct comics market with Operation: Overlord #1. The international best-selling graphic novel series by writers Michael Le Galli and Bruna Falba, with stunning art by Star… Read More ›
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“War Across Europe” launches in new Commando comic!
Brand new issues of DC Thomson’s Commando (5203 – 5206) are out this Thursday, on sale in all good newsagents across the UK – and on digital platforms. Get ready for revenge in the desert, a train heist in Nazi-occupied… Read More ›