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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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 ›
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2000AD and Roy of the Rovers writer Rob Williams chats with Festival Podcast
On the latest episode of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast (Episode 49), hosts Ian Loxam and Nikki Bates chat to comics writer and 2019 Festival guest Rob Williams. Rob is a comics writer whose comics works include Suicide… Read More ›
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Batman comics in Britain – a brief guide, and an appeal for information
Batman has been named as the first inductee into San Diego Comic-Con Museum’s Character Hall of Fame, part of the celebrations surrounding the Caped Crusader’s 80th anniversary, also marked by the release of Detective Comics #1000 by DC Comics, prompting… Read More ›
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2000AD pokes a hole in Trump’s wall with latest “Grey Area” cover by Mark Harrison
Continuing a long and proud history of acerbic political satire within its pages, 2000AD has taken a pointed swipe at President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall with its latest cover by Mark Harrison. The comic’s latest cover gracing Prog 2125,… Read More ›
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V&A’s Videogames: Design/Play/Disrupt exhibition moves to Dundee
Videogames: Design/Play/Disrupt, a V&A exhibition exploring the contemporary world of gaming, looking at how they are designed, how they captivate players, and the social and ethical issues surrounding them, is moving to V&A Dundee later this month. Dundee is, of… Read More ›
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Not a Hoax! Not an Imaginary Superhero Story! Meet… The Zebra!
When I caught a tweet from the Comics in the Golden Age Podcast about a US costumed hero called The Zebra, I had to admit I was a bit sceptical. Was this some bizarre April Fool’s Day prank to try to convince us a US comics publisher had finally jumped the shark when it came to silly superhero names and even crazier origin stories? But no – this wannabe 1940s Batman wannabe is quite legit, although he hasn’t had an adventure for decades…
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Battle Picture Weekly related art items offers on eBay
Two Battle Picture Weekly related artworks are being offered on eBay by seller d.g100, spotted on eBay by downthetubes contributor Richard Sheaf.
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Comic Creator Steve Moore celebrated with “Endymion’s Dream” event
The life of the brilliant comics creator Steve Moore is to finally get the celebration he deserves with the launch of a his final, posthumous book at “Endymion’s Dream” – an event taking place in Brompton Cemetery Chapel on 4th May 2019.