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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Incognegro: Renaissance hardcover out in October by Mat Johnson and Warren Pleece
The hardcover edition of Incognegro: Renaissance by Mat Johnson (Loving Day, Pym) and Warren Pleece (The Invisibles, Life Sucks) is now available for preorder. Published by Dark Horse, this new novel is a perfect companion and prequel to the tenth-anniversary edition… Read More ›
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Oldham Sounds from the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast!
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast took a trip out to Oldham Comic Con 2018 last weekend and landed plenty of conversations with some terrific comic creators. “We had a great time and it really was a well ran… Read More ›
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In Preview: Apollo, a stunning new graphic novel about the first Moon landing, touches down in stores next month
Out next month from SelfMadeHero is the eagerly- anticipated Apollo, written Dead Canary Comics founders Chris Baker and Matt Fitch with art by Mike Collins – and this story of the first moon landing is looking absolutely stunning. Apollo is… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding campaign on the way to bring Ken Reid’s Frankie Stein, The Nervs and more back to print
After years of waiting, fans of the brilliant cartoonist Ken Reid will be delighted to hear that an official collection of his contributions to Odhams comics of the 1960s –Wham!, Smash!, and Pow! – look set to be collected in two handsome official hardback books. The… Read More ›
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Jack & Lucy, a free comic by Rachael Smith and Jacob Phillips, tackles teen mental health issues
Jack & Lucy is a 16-page free mini comic written by Rachael Smith, illustrated by Jacob Phillips (editor of The Mancunian Way, a small-press magazine celebrating all things Manc through illustration, writing, design and photography), edited by Tim Pilcher, and designed… Read More ›
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Royal Wedding plans changed in secret, venue moves to Beanotown — and chaos ensues!
Ahead of the much-anticipated wedding of HRH Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, this week’s issue of Beano comic pays homage to the Royal couple in a satire strip – and Royalists heading to Windsor this weekend will be disappointed to… Read More ›
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Beano storms the V&A, but did they create a “farting statue”?
The Beano has stormed London’s Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, and is holding out there until August, poking fun at anyone who dares moan about the idea, until August. Unless you’ve been sleeping under a rock, you’ll already know 2018… Read More ›
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Markosia gets set to launch “The Cosplay Journal”
We’re delighted to report the imminent launch of The Cosplay Journal,from independent publisher Markoisa – a great looking guide to the hobby, edited by Holly Rose Swinyard, who has written some great articles for us here at downthetubes. Launching next… Read More ›
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Roy of the Rovers new Melchester Club Crest revealed – and relegation woes revealed!
Following up on news on the new Roy of the Rovers creative team, publishers Rebellion have unveiled the brand new Melchester Rovers club crest – and a hint of dark times for the famous fictional football club. Featuring a modern,… Read More ›
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Nanits, another digital platform for independent creators launched
Last month Nanits Universe, a crowdfunded-backed project, launched its new digital comics via a new mobile app, Nanits Reader 2.0, with a way for indie comic book artists to create and distribute their digital comics, the Nanits Composer, soon to… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: new Thunderbirds are Go toy line in the works, Joy of the Rovers and Deadpool (2)!
A quick snapshot of some comics-related news from across the web… • ITV launched season three of Thunderbirds Are Go on CITV and ITV earlier this year, and the launch weekend saw really strong ratings. Steve Green, EVP Kids Content… Read More ›
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Titan Books new Marvel fiction line launched with Dan Abnett-penned Avengers tale
Titan Books recently launched its new publishing programme in collaboration with Marvel of original fiction books. Titan Comics, a sister imprint of Titan Entertainment Group, has had a long, proud history of producing magazine products to support some of Marvel’s… Read More ›
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Watchmen rarity on offer from comic creator Tim Pilcher in bid to attend San Diego Comic Con
Author, comics writer and editor Tim Pilcher has not one but two books nominated for an Eisner Awards this year – How Comics Work, co-written with comic artist and writer Dave Gibbons, which we really liked, and Deconstructing The Incal,… Read More ›
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FutureQuake 2018 Now on Sale
FutureQuake is back to brighten the boring, Inspire the indolent and render the jaded jubilant! Within the latest incredible issue witness a titanic 20 possible futures including the return of the one and only Neroy Sphinx. Wrapped within a… Read More ›
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Frank Frazetta painting sale for $1.79 million sets all-time auction record for any piece of comic art
Run by Heritage Auctions, Chicago’s largest public auction dedicated to vintage comic books and original comic art fetched $12,201,974 – setting the world record for the most valuable sale of its kind. The top lot claimed its own record when… Read More ›
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Sonic the Comic, 25 Years On – celebratory gathering in Manchester in June
Sonic the Comic is celebrating being 25 years young this year with a one-day convention / gathering in Manchester on the 3rd June 2018, organised by the team behind much-loved title’s unofficial continuation online. STC (as it’s usually known) was… Read More ›
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Not a Number, a Patrick McGoohan retrospective, on next month
For any of you interested in the cult tv series The Prisoner or enjoying Titan Comics new series, there’s a Patrick McGoohan retrospective even taking place at Elstree next month. Organised by The Unmutual, a The Prisoner fan web site,… Read More ›
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First issues of Batman and Commando on offer in latest Compal auction
There’s a treasure trove of comics and comic art on offer in the latest ComPal auction, including a coverless Batman #1, a first issue of DC Thomson’s long-running Commando comic, “Charley’s War” art by Joe Colquhoun and Dan Dare art… Read More ›
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Just Another Day: A Comic About Brexit offers practical tips to minimise its effects on families
Continuing a mission to use comics as one way to both highlight and share information, writer Ernesto Priego has just announced the debut of Just Another Day: A Comic About Brexit, in both English and Spanish language versions. Created with the help… Read More ›
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Call for Papers: Graphic Brighton 2018, mashing music with comics!
Music and comics have had a connection right from the start, with the title of the seminal newspaper strip Hogan’s Alley taken from a popular song by Edward Harrigan. As the 20th Century progressed, these two media flirted with each… Read More ›