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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Doctor Who Blackpool Exhibition Winners
Last week, downthetubes announced ran a competition aimed primarily at North West residents to win entry to the opening of the new Madame Tussauds Blackpool Doctor Who exhibit later today. The competition, which closed at 12 noon on Wednesday 17th… Read More ›
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In Pictures: European Graphic Novels: Drawing Untold Stories at the British Library
Following up on their appearance at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, Czech artists Tomáš Kučerovský and Toy_Box, two of the authors of the collective project We’re Still at War, were joined at the British Library in London last night… Read More ›
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All-New 2000AD, a Scream and Misty Special and Classic British Comic Collections on sale This Week
Here’s your lowdown on this week’s Rebellion releases, including the latest 2000AD (Prog 2103), featuring a cover by Adam Brown. Plus, don’t miss the Scream & Misty Special 2018, also on sale now – reviewed here! 2000AD Prog 2103 JUDGE… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Report: “The Friday Sessions” – When Academia and Comics Collide!
Dr Mel Gibson reports on a day of comic study and discussion held as part of this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival… The expansion and transformation of the academic wing of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival continued in… Read More ›
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First Look: Doctor Who Magazine’s first Thirteenth Doctor comic
Doctor Who Magazine has teased its first Thirteenth Doctor comic adventure. “The Warmonger” by Scott Gray, who also penned the first Twelfth Doctor story for the title and John Ross (whose work on Who stretches back to the first issue… Read More ›
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In Review: Scream & Misty Special 2018
WRITERS Alec Worley, Kek-W, Guy Adams, Jordi Badia Romero, Rich McAuliffe, Lizzie Boyle and Smuzz ARTISTS Frazer Irving, John Stokes, Leigh Gallagher, Simon Coleby, Dani, Steve Mannion, Jordi Badia Romero,Smuzz and Yishan Li COLOURISTS Len O’Grady and Barbara Nosenzo LETTERERS Annie… Read More ›
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First Collected Volume of Webcomic ‘Captain Fishbeard’ released this week
This week brings the release of Captain Fishbeard – Volume One, the culmination of the first 26 comics, published on WebToons and via CaptainFishbeard.com by cartoonist, Tom Sparke. Captain Fishbeard features the adventures of the ocean’s silliest fish-man and his weekly oddness… Read More ›
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Criminals on the loose in latest Commando comics!
Brand new Commando comics from DC Thomson (Issues 5167 – 5170) are on sale from this Thursday in all good newsagents and via various digital platforms. Track down a vicious criminal in World War Two France, search the desert dunes… Read More ›
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Doctor Who is back in Blackpool!
Madame Tussauds Blackpool has launched an out of this world new Doctor Who area, including a wax figure replica of the Thirteenth Doctor. The Thirteenth Doctor and the TARDIS will set up home in an immersive new area at the… Read More ›
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Traces of the Great War tie-in education resource to get launch in Kendal
The Lakes international Comic Art Festival is launching a new learning resource that builds on its World War One-inspired anthology, “Traces of the Great War”
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Redan celebrates as Fun To Learn Favourites magazine turns 20
Children’s magazine specialist Redan Publishing Ltd is celebrating as its Fun To Learn Favourites magazine turns 20. The magazine has enjoyed a successful 20 years in the competitive pre-school magazine market, the Shrewsbury-based publisher offering its thousands of readers top… Read More ›
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Creating Comics: An Interview with Real Ghostbusters artist John Marshall
Joe O’Brien recently tracked down elusive The Real Ghostbusters artist John Marshall (John Williams)
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New “Eagle Times” continues to expand coverage of British comics
The latest issue of Eagle Times, the magazine of the Eagle Society (Volume 31 No.3 – Autumn 2018), is out now and includes a number of great features, including one by downthetubes contributor Jeremy Briggs on Eagle‘s extended family – Girl,… Read More ›
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From The Trenches and In Pictures: The Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2018
This year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival – the weekend-long event in Kendal, Cumbria, now in its sixth year – saw dedicated comics fans brave Storm Callum in their hundreds to enjoy a weekend of creator events, exhibitions (some still… Read More ›
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Vworp announces Day of the First Doctor event in Manchester
Vworp – an independent celebration of Doctor Who – is hosting Day of the First Doctor on Sunday 25th November 2018, at The Bread Shed in Manchester An entire day focused on the William Hartnell era of the show, expect… Read More ›
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50 years on, artist Cam Kennedy is reunited with his first ever Commando – and it isn’t the issue everyone thought
There was a surprise in store for comic artist Cam Kennedy at this weekend’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival, when downthetubes contributor Colin Noble reunited him with a comic he drew 50 years ago that set him out on his career… Read More ›
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Beano artist Laura Howell joins huge Malta Comic Con 2018 guest line-up
Wicked Comics have announced another wave of guests for Malta Comic Con 2018 next month, who work either with independent publishers or with renowned publishing houses from around the world, including the Beano‘s “Minnie the Minx” artist Laura Howell. Laura should… Read More ›
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British Library offers opportunity to study for a PhD in British Digital Comics
The British Library has opened its new round of applications for funded collaborative PhD studentships, and this year there is an opportunity to study for a PhD in British Digital Comics. Academics at UK universities are being invited to submit… Read More ›
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Hunt Emerson wins Sergio Aragonés International Award for Excellence in Comic Art
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announced Hunt Emerson as the winner of the Sergio Aragonés International Award for Excellence in Comic Art for 2018. Hunt, who is highly regarded internationally for his work as a graphic novelist, and as a… Read More ›
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Hannah Berry announced as new Comics Laureate at Lakes International Comic Art Festival
Award-winning author Hannah Berry, creator of the critically-acclaimed graphic novels Adamtine and Livestock, whose credits include work for New Statesman, was announced as the new Comics Laureate at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival earlier this evening, Saturday 13th October 2018. Current… Read More ›