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.
-
Warhammer Adventures novels launch this month
Games Workshop launches Warhammer Adventures, its new imprint of children’s books aimed at eight to twelve-year-olds this month, joining its extensive, multimedia stable of gaming products and novel ranges. Announced last year, the lines are produced by Black Library, the Games… Read More ›
-
Tracing the Great War: comics-inspired World War One teaching resource launches
A new World War One teaching resource has just been launched for 11 – 15 year-old students, based on the ambitious comic anthology Traces of the Great War. The online learning resources offer teachers of English, History and Humanities a… Read More ›
-
Another landmark issue for Commando, as Issue 5200 released
The longest-running British war comic reaches its 5200th issue as Commando releases brand new issues 5199 – 5202, on sale this Thursday in all good newsagents and via various digital platforms from DC Thomson. Check out the mysteries of Pyu… Read More ›
-
Jaegir is back! New 2000AD out today
With a stark cover from Raid71 firmly announcing the return of “Jaegir“, 2000AD Prog 2117 drops into British newsagents today – and on various digital platforms. This Prog is a mix of continuing trails laid and set up chapters, in… Read More ›
-
Creating Comics: A Classic Interview with Jack Kirby and Carmine Infantino
Continuing his much appreciated digital archiving of British comics fandom, David Hathaway-Price has added Fantasy Advertiser #48 to his invaluable ClassicUKComicsZines site, which includes an interview with with legendary American artists Jack Kirby and Carmine Infantino. First published in 1965,… Read More ›
-
Digital Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide available now
An electronic version of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide – a resource widely recognized as the premier authority on comics collecting is now available exclusively through Heritage Auctions
-
Dave Gibbons first Watchmen cover among latest Heritage Auctions art offerings
There’s a host of art by British artists featured in the upcoming Heritage Auctions Comic Art Signature Auction, taking place over 21st – 23rd February 2019 in Dallas – and a number of covers created for early Marvel UK comics… Read More ›
-
DC Ink and DC Zoom imprints set to offer graphic novels for young readers
US comics publisher DC Entertainment have released more details of the world-class roster of bestselling authors who’ve created original graphic novels that aim to bring the company’s iconic super heroes to a whole new generation of young readers. DC Ink… Read More ›
-
Crowdfunding Spotlight: Beyond Milford Green
Samuel George London has just launched his Kickstarter for the sequel to his hugely-popular Milford Green graphic novel – and the Beyond Milford Green campaign looks on course to be as successful as the first, with over £2000 of the £4000… Read More ›
-
Mick Austin’s “Marvelman” Warrior cover on offer at Heritage Auctions
Mick Austin‘s Marvelman cover for Warrior Issue 16 – published back in 1983 – is up for auction on Heritage Auctions, with the lead bid currently at over $2,200 – but that might prove a fraction of what it finally sells for, given… Read More ›
-
Lakes Festival Podcast goes “Around the Block” with comic creator Nick Prolix!
Episode 45 of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast features a chat with comic creator Nick Prolix, creator of the brilliant independent comic Slang Pictorial. A writer, artist and cartoonist living in the Fens, Slang Pictorial – available to buy online here… Read More ›
-
David Leach’s “Psycho Gran” heads to Belle Vue! (the pub, of course…)
An exhibition of art from Psycho Gran opens at the Belle Vue Pub in High Wycombe on Wednesday (6th February 2019), running for six weeks, with creator David Leach attending the opening night. Psycho Gran – recently seen within the… Read More ›
-
Crowdfunding Spotlight: Rodney – The Premonition by Eddie Campbell and Phil Elliott
Behind the pseudonym, Charlie Trumper, Eddie Campbell and Phil Elliott created over 100 comic strips between 1984 and 1985 for the weekly music paper, Sounds… and now a collection of Rodney – The Premonition is in the works, seeking funding on Kickstarter
-
Which British school will write themselves into Roy of the Rovers history?
To celebrate the return of the classic Roy of the Rovers comic, the National Literacy Trust and publisher Rebellion are inviting pupils aged 8 to 12 to get creative and write a club motto for Roy Race’s iconic football team, Melchester Rovers
-
Animated “The Tiger Who Came to Tea” heads to Channel 4
Lupus Films has announced that Channel 4 has commissioned the new hand-drawn animated special they are co-producing with HarperCollins Children’s Books UK, of Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea, which will air this Christmas.
-
Rebellion’s Keith Richardson talks “Treasury of British Comics” plans, return of “The Vigilant”
There are exciting times ahead for fans of classic British comics as 2000AD publisher Rebellion expands its “Treasury of British Comics” line in 2019, taking full advantage of the huge range of characters and comic titles it now owns, from… Read More ›
-
Who’s Who on the Cover of the Cor! & Buster Special
News of Rebellion’s Cor! & Buster Special (out 17th April) has gone down well with downthetubes readers and artist Neil Googe‘s cover brings the classic British comics humour characters bang up to date. But for those of you might be… Read More ›
-
Rare “Bella at the Bar” artworks by John Armstrong offered on eBay
Hot on the heels of the launch of a community group celebrating the life and work of Misty artist John Armstrong comes the auction of a comics rarity – some of his original artwork featuring “Bella at the Bar” from… Read More ›
-
Beano launches National Jokes Competition for Schools
The Beano has launched a new national joke competition to find Britain’s funniest primary school class. Pupils and teachers (on behalf of pupils) across the UK will be able submit their primary school classes’ top three jokes at www.beano.com/jokes from… Read More ›
-
Ken Reid Creepy Creations T-Shirts in the works – vote for your favourite now!
Fans of Frankie Stein and Faceache creator Ken Reid have been clamouring for them, and now Rebellion are delivering t-shirts based on his brilliant “Creepy Creations” – but which design is best?