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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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
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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
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Cooking Up a Storm – Comics-Inspired Recipes and Books
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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
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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!
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Lucille Clerc’s take on Jungle Book offered as new print
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In Review: Illegal by Eoin Colfer & Andrew Donkin, with art by Giovanni Rigano
Writers: Eoin Colfer & Andrew Donkin Art: Giovanni Rigano Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books Out: Now Review by Jonathan Rigby of Page 45, Nottingham The Book: This is an award-winning powerful and timely story about one boy’s epic journey across Africa… Read More ›
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Doctor Who writer Ed Hime part of ITV’s “Sapphire and Steel” reboot
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Liam Sharp, JM De Matteis join Portsmouth Comic Con line up
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“Unseen Art of Ron Embleton” exhibition announced
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Thunderbirds art sells for £4550 in latest ComPal auction
The Bob Monkhouse Archive featuring his collection of original artwork produced some record-breaking results in the latest auction at Comic Book Auctions – with a Frank Bellamy double page artwork for TV Century 21 breaking the record for any Thunderbirds piece sold… Read More ›
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London Cartoon Museum move to Wells Street gets underway
After 12 years at 35 Little Russell Street, London’s Cartoon Museum is moving to brand new premises at 63 Wells Street, London WC1 – very near Oxford Circus. We previously reported on the reasons behind the move, which include a… Read More ›




