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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Emirates FA Cup heroes get starring role in new limited edition Roy of the Rovers comic
The heroes of the Emirates FA Cup third round have been immortalised in a limited edition Roy of the Rovers comic released this week, which earned attention on local news media around the UK as free copies were given out… Read More ›
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Who remembers Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, a TV – and TV Comic – favourite?
Skippy the Bush Kangaroo is one of Australia’s all-time most successful cultural exports. The TV show had a global audience in the early 1970s of more than 300 million – and the character was a star that rivalled Doctor Who… Read More ›
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Comics on a Mission: Atomeka’s Dave Elliott’s thought-provoking projects for Zuiker Press
Dave Elliott and Garry Leach, the boys from AtomekArt, have been pretty busy over the last couple of years, and at downthetubes we were delighted to hear about their new series of thought-provoking graphic novels for Zuiker Press, tackling bullying… Read More ›
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Brighton’s Cartoon County delivers Lip Hook creators David Hine and Mark Stafford
Comic creators David Hine and Mark Stafford will be interviewed by Alex Fitch at the free Cartoon County in Brighton on Monday, discussing their brilliant recent graphic novel Lip Hook, published last year by SelfMadeHero, and their forthcoming book The Bad Bad Place, coming… Read More ›
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ComicScene Magazine Issue One out next month, pilot in stores now
ComicScene Magazine – British comic fans’ dedicated monthly magazine available through WHSmith, McColls and Eason (Ireland) stores. has a pilot issue in stores now and the magazine goes monthly with Issue One from 21st February 2019. As the comic convention… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Comics Clock Tower – Exhibitors Welcome!
Just a reminder that applications are being invited from exhibitors who would like to feature in the Comics Clock Tower at the 2019 Lakes International Comic Art Festival in Kendal, Cumbria – the seventh annual gathering of comics creators and… Read More ›
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Happy 21st Birthday Disney Princess Magazine!
Egmont Publishing has plenty to celebrate as its market-leading magazine, Disney Princess, has remained a top ten children’s title since launching in 1998 and has thrived in the changing and often challenging retail landscape of the past 21 years.
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2000AD 2115 – Cranking up the Action!
Wrapped in a fantastic cover by Cliff Robinson and Dylan Teague, here’s another cracking issue of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic 2000AD on sale now in all good newsagents, comic shops and via various digital platforms. The new Judge Dredd story… Read More ›
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Ramsey’s Raiders scream back into Commando, Ian Kennedy art book on way!
Tons of Motor Torpedo Boat action, a Gloster Gladiator duelling Messerschmitts, a risky attack on a U-boat base during an eclipse, and the triumphant return of Ramsey’s Raiders! There’s all this and more to enjoy in brand new Commando issues… Read More ›
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Applied Comics hints at big plans for 2019
2018 was a busy year was a busy year for inventive Newcastle upon Tyne-based comics provocateurs Applied Comics Etc. – and its driving force, Lydia Wysocki, has been hinting of major things to come this year
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Shrewsbury gets set to become UK comics capital with “Comics Salopia” in June
The biggest names in comic art will descend on Shrewsbury on the first weekend in June, for Comics Salopia, a new international comics festival, which organisers say is set to cement the town’s reputation as the unofficial home of the British comics industry – and got its official launch earlier today.
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“The Snowman” art auction raises over £10,000 for charity
Penguin Ventures and Penguin Random House have raised more than £10,000 for charity through its online The Snowman art auction, held in the run up to Christmas. As part of the 40th anniversary of Raymond Briggs‘ The Snowman, Penguin asked… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Children’s Illustrator John Burningham
John Burningham, who died earlier this month aged 82, was the creator of beloved picture books including Mr Gumpy’s Outing and Avocado Baby. He and his wife and fellow illustrator Helen Oxenbury were given a joint lifetime achievement award from… Read More ›
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Creator Spotlight: Peyo, Gifted Creator of The Smurfs
Pierre Culliford (known as Peyo) was born in Brussels in 1928. He was forced to work for a living from the age of 15, first as a projectionist in a cinema, followed by a stint in a cartoon studio. When the… Read More ›
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Doctor Who: The Clockwise War comic collection out in April
Artist David Roach has again provided the cover for the next Panini Doctor Who comics collection, The Clockwise War, a fantastic illustration to close off the Twelfth Doctor’s adventures in Doctor Who Magazine
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Amazing British comic annuals up for auction from Phil Comics
Phil Comics first vintage comic auction of 2019 is now live on eBay, and includes some terrific Beano, Dandy and Lion annuals in its lots, along with some British comics including free gifts, and some editions of the short-lived Tornado adventure comic.
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Final Doctor Who TV novelisations on way at last, but covers disappoint
Two long-awaited adaptations of Eric Saward’s Doctor Who stories Resurrection of the Daleks and Revelation of the Daleks are on their way at last from BBC Books, but the covers are, frankly, underwhelming.
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Special comic for V&A Dundee celebrates DC Thomson history
Beano publisher DC Thomson has produced a special 28-page comic exclusively for the new V&A Dundee, bringing together some of their most loved classic characters. Designed especially to accompany the opening of the museum’sScottish Design Galleries . exclusive comic, inspired… Read More ›
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Colleen Doran adapts second Neil Gaiman fairy tale story into comics
Neil Gaiman’s chilling retelling of the Snow White fairytale, Snow, Glass, Apples has been beautifully adapted by Colleen Doran, who previously adapted Gaiman’s award-winning short story Troll Bridge – and will be released by US publisher Dark Horse Comics later… Read More ›
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Al Ewing, Sean Phillips among creators honoured in 2019 Diamond Gem Awards
Diamond Comic Distributors has announced the winners of the 2018 Diamond Gem Awards, selected by comic book specialty retailers and celebrated within the comic book industry as an key annual award honouring largely US publisher sales success – but British… Read More ›