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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Chris Weston’s The Prisoner comic cover revealed
Titan Comics has partnered with print and poster house Vice Press to create a Diamond UK exclusive cover for The Prisoner Issue #1. This first-ever Vice Press exclusive cover for The Prisoner Issue #1 – designed by 2000AD and Star… Read More ›
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First “My Neighbour” Podcast focuses on Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
The team behind the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast have launched a “sister” Podcast, My Neighbour, which will focus on a specific Studio Ghibli movie every episode. For those perhaps unaware, Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation film studio… Read More ›
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In Praise of… artist Joseph Clement Coll – a downthetubes journey
One of the things taught Marvel UK’s Editorial Director Paul Neary and others have taught me down the years is to look beyond the work of the current “hot” artist and realise that their influences can help shape others. Paul,… Read More ›
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Meet “The Last Of The Navel Navigators”, a fun fantasy for kids of all ages (well, 9 and up!)
The Last Of The Navel Navigators, a new project from David Hailwood (editor of 100% Biodegradable and my co-writer on “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”), is out now! Featuring a cover by Brett Burbridge, the children’s book – a comedy… Read More ›
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Charlotte Dumortier revealed as ELCAF 2018 artist in residence
Belgian illustrator Charlotte Dumortier has been announced as the East London Comic Art Festival’s artist in residence 2018. ELCAF – London’s biggest annual festival dedicated to showcasing the best in comics, illustration, sequential art, and storytelling – returns 22nd –… Read More ›
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The Editor’s Cut: Kirsten Murray reveals how the Commando war comic celebrated International Women’s Day
Earlier this month, DC Thomson released two very special issues of their war comic, Commando, which focused on female heroes. Published on International Women’s Day, the stories were commissioned by Heritage Brands Editor Kirsten Murray and marked something of an… Read More ›
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Beano Studios unveils 2019 Beano Annual cover, out in August
Over on Twitter, Beano Studios has revealed the covers of Beano Annual 2019, a title that usually goes on sale around August each year. After the news of problems at DC Thomson-owned Parragon Books earlier this month, it’s great to know this… Read More ›
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Latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast spotlights North American Conventions and more
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast does like to treat its many listeners, and with Episode 24 they’ve included two great interviews that turn the spotlight on the world of North American comic conventions. First, the team have a chat… Read More ›
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WebFind: Terry Posters, an incredible Czechoslovakian poster site
A project by Prague-based Kino Svetozor, the Terry Posters collection consists of over 20,000 posters from Czechoslovakia between 1930 and 1989, many offered for sale. There’s amazing art represented here by a huge range of influential talents,, including Karel Vaca,… Read More ›
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Marvel’s Incredible Hulk slams Blackpool tram! New exhibition opens next week at Madame Tussauds Blackpool
The Incredible Hulk stopped traffic in Blackpool today – literally – as the iconic green superhero was seen apparently stopping a tram, causing dramatic scenes on the seafront. The spectacular stunt was staged by Madame Tussauds Blackpool to mark the… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: Borough of Churches Graphic Novel by Amrit Birdi & Adam Cheal
Writer Adam Cheal (Redemption Heights, Toxic Storm) and best-selling artist Amrit Birdi (Joe Sugg’s Username:Evie, F2’s Galaxy of Football, Assassins Creed) have teamed up to deliver a great-looking new horror comic, Borough of Churches, which is fast approaching its initial funding target… Read More ›
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Beano characters go Pop! New artworks by Horace Panter revealed
A new collaboration between the Beano and The Specials’ bassist Horace Panter is about launch the likes of Dennis, Gnasher, Minnie the Minx and Billy Whizz into the worlds of Warhol, Lichtenstein and Hockney. After yesterday’s news that Dennis was… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: Nick Prolix’s Slang Pictorial
Offering 24 pages of classic cartooning set in 1960s London, featuring “The Sheep And The Wolves“, Slang Pictorial is a retro comic full of big dreams and bigger hair, and another great looking comics project from the talented Nick Prolix seeking… Read More ›
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On Sale Now: 2000AD 2072
Episodes include: Judge Dredd » Live Evil (part 4) Mega-City One, 2140 AD. Home to over 72 million citizens, this urban hell is situated along the east coast of post-apocalyptic North America. Unemployment is near total, boredom universal, and crime… Read More ›
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Out This Week: American Gods – My Ainsel #1 – Preview Pages
The comic book adaptation of American Gods, the Hugo, Bram Stoker, Locus, World Fantasy, and Nebula Award-winning novel and hit Starz television series by Neil Gaiman, returns with American Gods: My Ainsel #1, on sale from tomorrow in all good comic shops…. Read More ›
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In Review: Journey Planet 39 – Judge Dredd
Journey Planet is a occasional fanzine themed around – well, whatever takes the contributors’ fancy, basically, but Issue 39, just released, has a Judge Dredd theme, dedicated overall to co-creator Carlos Ezquerra. The editor for this free, 96 page monster… Read More ›
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House of Illustration hosts the first ever UK exhibition devoted to North Korean comics
London’s House of Illustration is hosting the UK’s first ever exhibition of graphic design from North Korea, revealing a style honed over decades in a closed society – and has announced a talk by comics expert Paul Gravett to discuss… Read More ›
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Beano’s Dennis builds his own Kelpies to celebrate anniversary of his first appearance
Beano Studios has partnered with the iconic Scottish monument The Kelpies to launch a new product range featuring exclusive Dennis and Gnasher comic strip artwork by Beano artist David Sutherland, which will also help mark the anniversary of the character’s appearance in… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Permanent Press by Luke Healy
Permanent Press by comic creator Luke Healy is now available for pre-order from Avery Hill Publishing and the book will debut at the Dublin Comic Arts Festival in April. Luke is depressed, afflicted by a severe case of metaphoritis and deadlines… Read More ›
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British comics galore and Frankie Stein art, too – in this month’s Phil Comics online auction
There’s some great lots in this latest batch of comics-related auction items from British online comic auctioneers Phil Comics – including a near full set of the 1970s TV-inspired title Countdown and TV ACTION and Frankie Stein art by Robert… Read More ›