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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“Free Bundle” digital magazine offers new comics and more from Cabrera Brothers
Independent video game company Cabrera Brothers has recently released a digital webcomic strip featuring their upcoming comic book character, Dogeron “DOG” Kenan. “Dogeron ‘DOG’ Kenan” will be published online, with each new bi-monthly issue of the new and impressive-looking The Free Bundle digital… Read More ›
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Super spy Velicity Jones heads back to Aces Weekly!
Aces Weekly Volume 37 begins today – and super spy Velicity Jones from Lee Robson, Bryan Coyle and Bolt-01 is back in action! Last of the year, but first in class, Aces Weekly leaves 2018 with the same mix of content this… Read More ›
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Moebius “Fauna of Mars” prints offered by the Illustration Art Gallery
The Illustration Art Gallery is offering nine newly-available “Fauna of Mars” prints by the legendary French artist Moebius, a small selection of the hundreds of imaginary creatures Moebius designed for his book La Faune de Mars which is getting a re-release from… Read More ›
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Dan Dare Abroad: The Story of “Dan Dair” in France
downthetubes contributor Richard Sheaf has written features on Eagle‘s Dan Dare excursions beyond the UK, which include appearances in an Australian version of Eagle, as “Daan Durf” in the Netherlands, an all-new take on the character in Spain, Diego Valor,… Read More ›
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Little Heroes Comics in the spotlight in latest Lakes Festival Podcast
It’s Christmas – and the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast has a very special guest – Aaron Rackley, the founder of Little Heroes Comics, a charity comic bringing joy through sending comic kits to children in hospitals. Aaron, who is… Read More ›
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In Praise of… comic artist and illustrator Jean-Claude Mézières
Award-winning French comics artist and illustrator Jean-Claude Mézières is the co-creator of Valérian and Laureline with Pierre Christin, the popular, long-running science fiction comics series published in English by Cinebook that has influenced many science fiction and fantasy films, including… Read More ›
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Comics That Never Were: Bob Lubbers “Kemi of Ancient Egypt”
Here’s an incredible “what might have been” item from American newspaper strip history. This is the original art by the brilliant artist Bob Lubbers, for a tryout Sunday comic strip, “Kemi of Ancient Egypt”, recently offered by Heritage Auctions. Designed… Read More ›
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Ron Embleton Illustrators Special out soon
Following up on our news of an exhibition of the art of TV Century 21 Ron Embleton at Messum’s Gallery in London next year, more details of the Book Palace Illustrators Special focusing on the artist have now been released…. Read More ›
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New Commando comics on sale now
Brand new Commando (issues 5183-5186) from DC Thomson are on sale now in all good newsagents, featuring Lancaster raids over Germany, coward pilots on the Russian front, a chilly reception in the Falklands, and the mystery of a British traitor!… Read More ›
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Artist Simon Bisley joins 2019 Medway Comic & Screen Festival line up
Medway Comic & Screen Festival has announced that British comic legend Simon Bisley will be at their next event on 30th March 2019
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NCSFest Artists Alley ready to get down on Main Street, Huntington Beach next May!
Coming to Huntington Beach, California in May 2019, the first-ever NCSFest is now shaping up to be the biggest free comic arts festival in North America, with a guest list that already includes Sergio Aragonés, Pénélope Bagieu, Ed Brubaker, Daniel Clowes, Gilbert… Read More ›
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Christmas Countdown 2018: 2000AD Prog 2111 – a Festive Review!
Christmas is almost upon us – no, really, it is, I’ve already started or receiving or seeing eCards! and of course, the festive season wouldn’t be what it is with out the 2000AD Special, featuring a terrific cover by John… Read More ›
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Rare British comics free gifts, tie-in merchandise on offer in Phil Comics auction
Online British comics auction house Phil Comics has just launched its December 2018 offering, which includes a huge range of bundled comics from the 1960s through to the 1990s, and rare issues of titles complete with free gifts including a… Read More ›
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Rare Mighty World of Marvel poster offered by Heritage Auctions
Currently in auction at Heritage Auctions is an original poster created for Marvel UK in 1972 – drawn by John Buscema (and, possibly, inked by Frank Giacoia).
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Cooking Up a Storm – Comics-Inspired Recipes and Books
Comics that may make you hungry..l
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Chris Ryall returns to IDW as President, Publisher and Chief Creative Officer
IDW Publishing has announced that its former Chief Creative Officer and Editor-In-Chief, Chris Ryall, is returning to the company as President, Publisher and Chief Creative Officer, just as the US publisher gears up for its twentieth anniversary celebrations next year… Read More ›
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Master in Comics: An Interview with Beano artist David Sutherland
Check out this fantastic interview with a BEANO legend
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British Museum announces major Manga exhibition, tie-in MANGA book
The British Museum is to host a major exhibition dedicated to the history of Manga in the New Year, opening in May, along with a tie-in book titled, simply, MANGA. The exhibition, which will run until August, will explore the… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Whizzer & Chips, Dandy cartoonist Terry Bave
We’re very sorry to report of the passing of another great of British humour comics, cartoonist Terry Bave, who has died after a short illness, aged 87. His many credits since the 1950s included work for Wham!, Cor!, Whizzer and… Read More ›
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New Paragon annual out now!
Inside the new, elephantine-sized Paragon annual from writer and publisher Davey Candlish, there’s a host of fun strips from some great independent comics talents