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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In Review: Edge of Extinction Issue 2
Written by Baden James Mellonie Art and Letters by Paul Peart-Smith Covers by Stephen Sampson (also known as Steve Sampson), David Millgate and Ryan Brown Published by Eighth Continent Publishing Note: Some strong language as zombies try to eat characters… Read More ›
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New academic comics study, Queer about Comics, released
A new publication Queer about Comics, has just been published by Duke University Press. Edited by Darieck Scott and Ramzi Fawaz, this special issue explores the intersection of queer theory and comics studies. The contributors provide new theories of how… Read More ›
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BOOM! Studios announces new Buffy the Vampire Slayer projects
BOOM! Studios has announced it has acquired the comic book and graphic novel publishing license to Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Previously published by Dark Horse Comics for 20 years (their final title, the trade paperback for their “Season Twelve”… Read More ›
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Unbox Studios reveals authorised Marshal Law figure
Unbox Studios are to release a Marshal Law figure approved by Pat Mills and Kevin O’Neill in October. It’s been a long time in development, but it’s definitely worth the wait. Available globally, this is just one of many great… Read More ›
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Shaken, not stirred – Win an original James Bond painting!
Back I n 1962, the film Dr No introduced cinema-goers to the world of James Bond starring Sean Connery as the British spy with a licence to kill. The film adapted one of Ian Fleming’s popular spy novels and struck a… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2018: Hunt Emerson
Every year, in the countdown to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, we bring you a series of interviews with guests at the event. This “Festival Focus” for 2018 is Hunt Emerson, who has drawn cartoons and comic strips since… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Jack Cunningham, Art Editor of Misty
The recent death of artist Jack Cunningham ended a long life that contributed to many British girls’ comics. Jack was one of IPC’s unsung heroes, and worked on a number of their women’s magazines and girls’ comics, including Mirabelle (1956-77),… Read More ›
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John Mollo’s original Star Wars designs go under the hammer at Bonhams
The personal notebooks and sketchbooks of world-renowned double Oscar-winning British costume designer, John Mollo, the concept artist behind the international Star Wars franchise, are to be offered at Bonhams in a stand-alone 62-lot sale, Designing an Empire: The John Mollo… Read More ›
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Silent Killer: 32 Kills by Mike Garley, Andy Clift, out now from Comichaus
32 Kills , a new project by Mike Garley and Andy Clift, published by Comichaus is getting its launch at Thought Bubble this weekend, and is available on the publisher’s digital comics platform, available to read now on the Comichaus app. Co-created… Read More ›
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Thought Bubble Festival 2018 is Here! Are You Ready?
It’s Thought Bubble Festival weekend in Leeds, and we hope everyone there has a great time! There are some great things lined up, bringing some of the best creators in the world to the city including Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan, Freakangels, Castlevania,… Read More ›
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Bog Eyed Books collects Tor Freeman’s “Welcome to Oddleigh”
Children’s publisher Bog Eyed Books have just published a fab collection of Tor Freeman‘s Welcome to Oddleigh, available now in all good book shops and through online retailers. Collecting stories from the eponymous webcomic, Welcome to Oddleigh, we’re introduced to Chief… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2018: Joe Kelly
Every year, in the countdown to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, we bring you a series of interviews with guests at the event. This “Festival Focus” for 2018 is Joe Kelly, a writer, producer, penciller and editor, and creator of… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2018: Corey Brotherson
Every year, in the countdown to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, we bring you a series of interviews with guests at the event. This “Festival Focus” for 2018 is Corey Brotherson, a writer and editor with over 15 years’ experience writing… Read More ›
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Bristol Comic and Zine Fair returns in October
The Bristol Comic and Zine Fair returns on Saturday 6th October 2018, celebrating the world of DIY and independent publishing. The fair brings together artists, writers, and publishers from across Bristol and further afield for a one-day market. Established in 2011… Read More ›
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BBC Radio 4 Extra re-broadcasts Danny Wallace’s Beano documentary, “Menace to Society”
Author and broadcaster Danny Wallace is a lifelong Beano fan who grew up in Dundee, the home of the comic – and The Dandy, too, and in a BBC Radio 4 Extra programme Menace to Society, first broadcast when the comic… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2018: Comic Artist and Writer Robert Deas, creator of “Trailblazers”
Every year, in the countdown to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, we bring you a series of interviews with guests at the event. This “Festival Focus” for 2018 is Robert Deas, an award-winning UK comic artist and the creator of children’s… Read More ›
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Kill Churchill! New Commando story offers daring U-Boat war raid on Westminster!
Brand new Commandos #5159-5162 are on sale this Thursday in all good newsagents and via various digital platforms. In the latest issues of the long-running war comic from DC Thomson, uncover a plot to assassinate Churchill, seek out Germans in… Read More ›
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In Review: Something Wicked 2018
If the nights are drawing in, and the air has a chill does that mean it is time for this year’s edition of Something Wicked from Futurequake Press? It surely does. The celebrated anthology returns for 2018 with 23 tales… Read More ›
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DC Super Heroes Corgi cars, Hornby Harry Potter trains back on track in new licensing deal
Model and collectables firm Hornby Hobbies has entered into a licensing agreement with Warner Bros Consumer Products that will see the company launch a series of model railways and slot car sets across numerous Warner and DC franchises, including Harry… Read More ›
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Power Pack of Ken Reid books must be won!
Earlier this year, after years of waiting, a crowdfunding campaign was launched to collect all of humour cartoonist Ken Reid‘s Odhams comic strips of the 1960s – featured in Wham!, Smash!, and Pow! – into a pair handsome official hardback collections. The limited collections are now on sale –… Read More ›