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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Comics Zine Crikey! makes an unexpected comeback
If you’re a fan of the new ComicScene UK magazine, then as a fan of British comics you’ll know there were a number of magazines down the years in a similar vein – Fantasy Advertiser, INFINITY, Speakeasy, for example, and… Read More ›
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Dan Dare Radio Show – the 1950s radio show, the station, the cast and more
downthetubes has just added a new “guide page” to The Adventures of Dan Dare radio show, which aired on Radio Luxembourg in the 1950s, which includes cast details, information on surviving episodes, the music and more. Aired on Radio Luxembourg between July 1951… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: Collected Tragic Tales of Horrere
For the very first time the team behind horror comic project Tragic Tales of Horrere are combining issues One and Two, the Halloween special and the Horrere Presents one-shot Laudanum into one stunning trade paperback collection. This brand-new book is a… Read More ›
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Beano Studios to Launch New Kids’ Consultancy Beano for Brands
Beano Studios is launching Beano for Brands, a kid-first consultancy for brands wanting to engage with older kids, Generation Alpha and their parents. Utilising the same kind of research employed to keep Beano comic lively for its target audience, Beano… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: How To Make Comics With Springworth
Help Springworth, robot butler to the world’s superhero elite, and learn how to make comics along the way! That’s the premise for How To Make Comics With Springworth, a new brilliant-looking title from Fair Spark Books written by Tony Esmond… Read More ›
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Commando’s Ramsey’s Raiders are back – in full colour!
It’s Commando’s Ramsey’s Raiders as you’ve never seen them before! They’re fully-loaded, fully-coloured, and ready to rumble in their first-ever graphic novel – Ramsey’s Raiders Classic Stories.
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Missing Believed Wiped – 25th Birthday Bonanza at London’s BFI
The BFI will celebrate Missing Believed Wiped’s 25th birthday on 15th December at BFI Southbank, London, with a treasure of television riches that includes the premiere of a new Doctor Who animated “missing episode” and a Basil Brush rarity, too. Reflecting on… Read More ›
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Graphic novel “Illegal” nominated for Carnegie Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal
Nominations have just been published for the country’s oldest children’s book awards, the Carnegie Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal – and both lists include nominations for Illegal, the graphic novel written by former Irish Children’s Laureate Eoin Colfer and children’s author… Read More ›
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Animate Europe 2019 comics competition launched, asking what are the benefits of the EU?
What does the European Union mean to you? What are its benefits? In these turbulent times, the latest Animate Europe competition is challenging comic creators worldwide to come up with a comic addressing the value of the EU – and four finalists… Read More ›
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“Constant Scale” offers artist Roy Cross “Dogfight Doubles” guide
The latest issue of the Airfix Collectors’ Club magazine Constant Scale is out with an updated version of downthetubes contributor Jeremy Briggs article on Eagle/Swift artist Roy Cross’ Airfix “Dogfight Doubles” kit series getting the cover. The article originally featured… Read More ›
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TV’s “The Avengers” wish you a Happy Christmas, thanks to Art & Hue!
Send friends & loved ones stylish greeting cards this Christmas with some festive collection by Art & Hue – including cheery well wishes from TV’s The Avengers! Featuring actresses in a yule mood, Art & Hue’s Christmas cards are ideal… Read More ›
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November’s Judge Dredd Megazine to honour Carlos Ezquerra with bagged collection
The next issue of Judge Dredd Megazine – Issue 402 – will pay tribute to late co-creator of Judge Dredd and Strontium Dog, Carlos Ezquerra, with collection of stories from across his 40-year career with the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic, 2000AD…. Read More ›
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“Miss Potato Head And Friends” comics exhibition opens in Lancaster
An award- winning comics project helping young people to improve their literacy is being celebrated with an exhibition in Lancaster – and will then go on tour around Lancashire. The Comic Literacy Project is part of The Dukes Cultural Partnership… Read More ›
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Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin’s stunning graphic novel “Illegal” on Red Dot Awards Short List
Illegal, the brilliant graphic novel written by former Irish Children’s Laureate Eoin Colfer and children’s author and graphic novelist Andrew Donkin, illustrated by Italian artist, Giovanni Rigano, is among the short-listed books in this year’s Red Dot student choice book awards, an… Read More ›
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Batmobile Cutaways: Batman Classic TV Series released – complete with die-cast model
Hero Collector has just released a one of a kind custom cutaway book of every vehicle from the original Batman TV series, packaged with a die-cast model of the iconic 1966 Batmobile, written by Richard Jackson, Alan Cowsill and James Hill… Read More ›
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Fair Spark Books announces new book series featuring John Celestri’s “Snuffy and Zoey”
Fair Spark Books has announced a new all-ages book series, launching next February – Snuffy and Zoey, by John Celestri, a series originally developed as a possible mobile game and also feature on the veteran animator’s YouTube Channel. You may think… Read More ›
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In Review: Doctor Who: Thirteenth Doctor #1 – A New Beginning
Doctor Who: Thirteenth Doctor #1 Writer: Jody Houser Artists: Rachael Stott, Enrica Eren Angiolini Publisher: Titan Comics FC, $3.99, 32pp, On sale: 7th November 2018 With 13 Variant Covers – full details here The Book: Experience mind-blowing challenges and dynamic… Read More ›
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Latest Lakes Festival Podcast comes crammed with creator interviews!
The latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast comes brimming with interviews from the annual Lakes International Comic Art Festival in Kendal, conducted by co-hosts Ian Loxam and Nikki Bates. “We chat about how the show was for us, what we… Read More ›
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In Review: Dogbreath 35
Wrapped in a stunning cover from Stewart Davies and Darren Stephens, Dogbreath 35 – the latest issue of the longest-running 2000AD fanzine – is available now from Futurequake Press (as is Zarjaz 32, which I’ll try and review later this week… Read More ›
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Third season of Castlevania on its way to Netflix, scripted by Warren Ellis
Hot on the heels of Season Two, a third, 10 episode, season of animated medieval fantasy Castlevania is on its way to Netflix, again scripted by Warren Ellis. The Castlevania anime, based on the Konami video game, pits a grief-crazed Dracula (voiced by Graham McTavish)… Read More ›