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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Happy Birthday to the Bash Street Kids, 65 years young!
The Bash Street Kids have been in Beano for 65 years, and this week’s issue of the brilliant humour comic offers an epic tale from Andy Fanton – and we’re delighted he had time for a quick chat about it –… Read More ›
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Cor!! Comic Holiday Specials are heading back to British newsagents!
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Commando Comics tease new series, “War Across Europe: REBEL!”
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Axa, Robot Archie, Sanjulian art and more up for auction
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IDW Publishing heads to Portsmouth to celebrate 20th Anniversary
2019 marks a milestone 20th anniversary for US publisher IDW Publishing, perhaps best known for its Transformers, Star Trek, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles titles and, more recently, its creator-owned imprint Black Crown. Part of the company’s celebrations will be taking place at… Read More ›
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Laydeez do Comics Prize for graphic novel work-in-progress announced
Laydeez do Comics has announced the longlist for the 2019 Award for a graphic novel in progress by a female identifying UK-based creator. Authors were invited to submit a 12 page extract from the opening of a longer graphic work… Read More ›
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King Features Syndicate plans ahead for Betty Boop at 90, seeks new IP
King Features Syndicate – distributors of newspaper strips such as The Amazing Spider-Man, Beetle Bailey, Betty Boop, Blondie, The Phantom and many more – is positioning itself for a year of growth in licensing, and is seeking new IP to… Read More ›
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“Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed!” gets second season on CBBC
Beano Studios have announced a 52-episode second series of the hit animated TV show Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! has been ordered for CBBC. The announcement follows the successful launch of the International Emmy nominated kid’s CGI show, which was the… Read More ›
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Awesome Comics Podcast – Convention and Creating Comics Bonanza!
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Avatar releases new edition of Alan Moore’s Writing for Comics
A new printing of Alan Moore’s Writing for Comics is released this week by Avatar Press. Older British comic fans may remember when Alan first shared his thoughts on how to deliver a top notch script. The main essay featured… Read More ›
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Just Ask for Mercy – the comiXology Originals collection is out soon!
Out next month from comiXology is Ask for Mercy: The Key to Forever by British creators Richard Starkings and Abigail Harding – the first collection of the creator-owned series launched last year on the digital comics platform. An action-packed and artistically stunning dark… Read More ›
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Will Doom Patrol feature on Netflix in the UK?
DC’s Doom Patrol TV series launches this week in the US, exclusively on on the DC Universe streaming service across the pond. Hopes are high the series will make it to Netflix here in the UK, which has also screened the… Read More ›
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Creator Spotlight: Eagle’s PC49 artist John Worsley
We’re used to thinking of John Worsley as the artist on the “The Adventures of PC 49” strip in the original Eagle comic, but of course he was a professional illustrator who worked in a number of different fields –… Read More ›
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Comic Creator Spotlight: Commando Cover Artist “Dalger” (Alfredo de la María)
Thanks to several Commando and comic art fans, we can reveal the real identity of the artist who provided the stunning cover to Commando 5202, “The Joker” a reprint of a story first published back in 1994 with interior art… Read More ›
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Thrill Power Overload! Complete 1977 – 2018 2000AD collection goes to auction
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Silvergate Media celebrates “Hilda” animation success at Annie Awards
Silvergate Media is celebrating a triumphant 2019 Annie Awards after securing a trio of wins for its hit Netflix animated adventure TYV series, Hilda., based on the graphic novel series created by Luke Pearson and published by NoBrow. Hilda was… Read More ›




