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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Two Days back with Doctor Who – A Guest’s Eye View of Capitol IV
Doctor Who may be a worldwide phenomenon unlike any other today, but back in the 1970s, its fandom was small, although growing, and one organisation, the Doctor Who Appreciation Society, was at the forefront of celebrating the BBC’s best-known science… Read More ›
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Airboy returns, crowdfunding continues to expand revival from Chuck Dixon and It’s Alive!
Thanks to a hugely successful crowdfunder by publisher It’s Alive!, Chuck Dixon is returning to write Airboy #51, joined by artists Brent McKee (on pencils and inks) and Jok (colour and letters), with a story that picks right up where… Read More ›
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Hellboy: The Board Game Launched worldwide
Mantic Games, in partnership with Dark Horse Comics, have just launched Hellboy: The Board Game, available now in stores worldwide
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Strong showing for British creators in Eisner Award nominees
The nominees for this year’s Eisner Awards have been revealed and include a number of terrific British creators, including John Allison, Jim Campbell, Alex de Campi, Al Ewing, Lee Garbett and Sean Phillips
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Glenrothes Comic Con adds Ian Kennedy to Guest List
Legendary Scottish comic artist Ian Kennedy will be attending Glenrothes Comic Con on Saturday 8th June 2019
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Animation brings family history to life in moving new film, “Irene’s Ghost”
An award-winning documentary featuring the animation expertise of a Northumbria University academic will make its North East debut next weekend. Irene’s Ghost uses animation mixed with filmed footage to tell the story of director Iain Cunningham’s mother Irene, who died when… Read More ›
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Original Cyberman head, Harry Potter set plans, Catweazle scripts up for auction next month
In addition to a massive amount of James Bond-related and rock and pop memorabilia in the upcoming Astons Entertainment & Memorabilia Auction in May, there are Doctor Who and Harry Potter lots that may be of interest – and some… Read More ›
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In Review: Space Ace Issue 12
The final issue of Space Ace Issue 12 – is available now, collecting four adventures of the space hero created by Ron Turner, the artist best known perhaps for his work on “The Daleks” for TV Century 21 – and… Read More ›
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Lazarus artist Michael Lark joins Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2019 line up
US comic artist Michael Lark has just been announced as a guest at this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival (www.comicartfestival.com – tickets on sale now) exclusively revealed during a quick interview yesterday with John Freeman for BBC Radio Lancashire… Read More ›
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eBay “SMASH Comic” item reveals rare insight into writers and artists working on British comics in the 1960s
Nestling among hundreds of comic lots currently on offer from online eBay auctioneer Phil Comics is a copy of SMASH Issue 8, cover dated 26th March 1966, that some collectors might turn their noses up, because each strip inside has… Read More ›
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ComicScene Issue Three – out now!
The third issue of the award-winning ComicScene is on sale now, in selected high street newsagents and all good comic shops (Thursday 25th April)
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A Bad Day for The Avengers in London… in 1993!
If you think Marvel’s The Avengers were in bad shape at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, you should have seen them at the end of the Lord Mayor’s Parade back in 1993! A chilly November winds cut through capes and skintights like lasers.
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IDW continues the Star Trek: Discovery story with “Aftermath”
Following the shocking events of the Season Two finale, the thrills of the wildly popular Star Trek: Discovery – broadcast on CBS in North America and Netflix across the rest of the globe – continue in a new three-issue comic book miniseries from IDW Publishing, Star Trek: Discovery – Aftermath
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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 ›