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 His Own Words: The Comics Career of Misty and Tammy artist John Armstrong
Comics artist John Armstrong died this week, He’s best known for his work on the girls comics titles Bunty, Misty and Tammy, and for co-creating the long-running “Bella at the Bar” strip for the latter – but made very few… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Misty and Tammy artist John Armstrong
We’re sorry to announce the passing of British girls comics artist John Armstrong, co-creator of “Bella at the Bar” for Tammy and “Moonchild” for Misty, who died peacefully yesterday. He was 94. As John himself related back in 2003, although… Read More ›
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Gnasher goes missing again, in this week’s Beano (but it’s in a good cause)
One of Beano’s most loved and cheeky characters, Gnasher, disappears in the latest issue of the iconic British humour comic. It’s not the first time this has happened, of course – but this time, it’s all in a good cause!… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: Can you help get ComicScene UK into WHSmith and other newsagents?
The new ComicScene UK magazine has launched a crowdfunder to get the magazine into over 600 shops across the UK on a monthly basis. They need to raise £5000 plus for the upfront cost to do this. Declaration of interest… Read More ›
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In Review: 2000AD Prog 2096
Featuring a striking The Order-inspired cover by Neil Roberts, the latest issue of weekly SF comic 2000AD is on sale now in all good comic shops and newsagents across the UK, and various digital platforms. Gordon Rennie and Emma Beeby clearly having… Read More ›
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2018 Ignatz Awards shortlist announced
The 2018 Ignatz Awards shortlist was announced this week, and the full list of nominees reflects a huge range of diverse comics talent. Congratulations to everyone nominated. Launched in 1997, the Ignatz Awards – the name inspired by the brick-throwing… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2018: Orijit Sen, creator of India’s first graphic novel, River of Stories
Every year, in the countdown to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, we bring you a series of interviews with guests at the event. Over 70 are attending in 2018 in October (and that’s not including creators you’ll find in… Read More ›
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Doctor Who – The Thirteenth Doctor Launch Covers revealed
Heralding a new era for Titan’s Doctor Who line, Titan Comics and BBC Studios have revealed launch details for Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor #1, featuring variants from leading artists including Babs Tarr (Batgirl, Motor Crush), Sarah Graley (Rick and… Read More ›
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Creating a football comics graphic novel: publisher Michael Barrett set to share some secrets
Michael Barrett, writer and publisher of Preston North End – The Rise of the Invincibles, will be at the Preston’s Harris Museum & Library on Wednesday 12th September, giving an illustrated talk about the story behind the project featuring the work… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: Cadavers – World Gone to Hell, a post-apocalyptic anthology from Mad Robot Comics
Inventive independent British comics publisher Mad Robot Comics have sailed past their crowdfunding target for their latest anthology project, Cadavers: World Gone to Hell – but there’s still time to back the title on Kickstarter. Created by Edward Bentley and Matt… Read More ›
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Comic Creator Spotlight: “Working Class Heroes” – The Comics of Jaques Tardi, by Keith Page
Artist and writer Keith Page shines a light on the work of the award-winning French artist Jacques Tardi… Jacques Tardi spent his early years in post-war Germany, his father a career soldier. The atrocities of the 1914-18 war, retold him… Read More ›
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That Day Dan Dare met wrestler “Big Daddy”: the new Eagle launch, 1982
From the launch of new Eagle in March 1982, here’s a great press photo of Dan Dare, played by artists’ agent Tony Kelleher from the Temple Art Agency, wrestler Big Daddy and the Mekon. Shirley Crabtree Jr., who died in… Read More ›
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A tribute to Doctor Syntax, the first 19th century British comics brand
Doctor Syntax – not to be confused with the hip hop rapper – was a hybrid character of caricature and comic verse, and one of the first illustrated characters to have his own merchandise in England, the work of political… Read More ›
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Get your stinking paws on an original Planet of the Apes painting!
We’re marking two celebrations this month with this coverage of artist Graeme Neil Reid’s latest art raffle. Not only is this the 24th monthly art raffle, making it two full years of Graeme giving away art to his supporters – but it is also the 50th anniversary for the film that inspired this month’s themed painting – Planet of the Apes.
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In Review: Sniper Elite: Resistance #1
Writer: Keith Richardson Art: Patrick Goddard Colour: Quinton Winter Letters: Jim Campbell Out: 29th August 2018 in comic shops and UK newsagents, digital platforms The first issue will have two variant covers by Patrick Goddard and Sniper Elite game artist… Read More ›
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Daily Mirror comic star Garth adventures continue in latest Comics Revue magazine
The August 2018 issue of Comics Revue is on sale now, with a cover by Jeremy MacPherson featuring Flash Gordon. This issue includes another Garth story by Modesty Blaise creator Peter O’Donnell, “Garth in Hollywood”, drawn by Steve Dowling and… Read More ›
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Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Novel announced for October release
The English language edition of Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Novel, out this October from Viking, an imprint of Penguin Books, is the first official graphic adaptation of Anne Frank’s diary adapted by the duo behind the Oscar-nominated Israeli animated war… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2018: Killjoy creator Robert Brown
Every year, in the countdown to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, we bring you a series of interviews with guests at the event. Over 70 are attending in 2018 in October (and that’s not including creators you’ll find in… Read More ›
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Hibernia Comics teases upcoming British comic Collection plan, New Comic Archive
Work is continuing on Hibernia Comics new releases, following up on the independent publisher’s terrific The Fleetway Files book. David McDonald has announced their next release will be another collection, then another Comic Archive. “I’m also very excited to be… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2018: Skank Magazine and Scotland Yardie author Bobby Joseph
Every year, in the countdown to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival we bring you a series of interviews with guests at the event. Over 70 are attending in 2018 in October (and that’s not including creators you’ll find in… Read More ›