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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Out This Week: the 2000AD Sci-Fi Special 2018
This Wednesday (20th June) sees the release of the latest 2000AD Sci-Fi Special, crammed with new strips featuring Judge Anderson, Judge Dredd, Rogue Trooper and more. This edition is entirely created by women – from writers to artists, colourists to… Read More ›
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In Review: “Knocked out and Loaded” by Michael Jantze
By Michael Jantze Out: Now Includes a gallery of “Norm” inspired art by creators including Sergio Aragones, Jim Borgman, Chris Eliopoulos, Norman Feuti, Paul Gilligan, Rick Kirkman, Kelly McNutt, Joe Murray, Mark Parisi, Lincoln Peirce, Jerry Scott, and many more Young professionals include… Read More ›
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Look Alive, London! Here’s some rare dinosaur invasion art by Don Lawrence
Regular readers of downthetubes will recall we previously covered the short-lived replacement to Look and Learn, Look Alive, highlighting an early appearance of the Alan Grant penned story “The Chronicles of Genghis Grimtoad”, drawn for the title by Angus McBride,… Read More ›
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George Herriman’s “Krazy Kat”: First Appearances
George Herriman was an American cartoonist, best known for the influential comic strip “Krazy Kat” – but did you know its much appreciated characters sprang from an entirely different strip? Harriman established a name for himself as a much in… Read More ›
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Frank Bellamy featured in latest “Hot Lead” magazine
Justin Marriott publishes a series of terrific fanzines through Amazon’s Createspace service which are primarily dedicated to vintage paperbacks, but often cross over into comics material. The latest example of this is Hot Lead, which although mainly focused on vintage… Read More ›
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Matt Garvey chats about writing comics and more on latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival podcast
Comics writer Matt Garvey is the guest on the latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival podcast. He’s written a whole host of comics including The Either, Chunks, White Noir and The Devil in Disguise. Hosts Ian Loxam and Nikki Bates talk… Read More ›
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In Review: Murder Most Mundane
Writers: Ash Deadman and Matt Hardy Art: Clark Bint Colours: Edward Bentley Letters: Rob Jones Publisher: Mad Robot Comics The Book: Everyone loves a murder mystery… but how many murders are too many? Welcome to Fadfield – a tranquil, idyllic village where… Read More ›
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Cover Reveal: Posy Simmonds’ new graphic novel, Cassandra Drake, out in November
Here’s the cover of Posy Simmonds‘ much-anticipated new graphic novel, coming out from Jonathan Cape Graphic Novels on 1st November 2018, titled Cassandra Drake. Comics guru Paul Gravett tells us he’s been lucky enough to read the first half and… Read More ›
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Steve Pugh to draw Mariko Tamaki’s new DC story “Harley Quinn – Breaking Glass”
DC Entertainment’s plans for its new DC Zoom and DC Ink titles, announced this week, look promising for younger comic readers, with some great creators attached, including Harley Quinn – Breaking Glass, written by award-winning Canadian comics writer Mariko Tamaki… Read More ›
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New Editor on board at Commando comic!
Brand new Commando (issues 5131 – 5134) are on sale this Thursday in all good UK newsagents, and there’s also a new editor on board. Evade fate and fatalities with Captain Valentine as The Phantom returns, beat the Nazis at… Read More ›
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Hidden Messages part of new 2001: A Space Odyssey Isle of Man stamps
The Isle of Man post office is marking the 50th anniversary of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey in style with a set of eight stamps – which contain secret messages for fans of the classic science fiction film. The… Read More ›
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Aces Weekly Volume 34 launches, offering a feast of comics talent (and dragons!)
The fab digital anthology Aces Weekly Volume 34 is out now, offering a 150-page plus Summer volume of episodic comics – and it couldn’t be hotter. Just £1 per week, in any currency, gets you this volume, plus all following… Read More ›
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RetroFan magazine set to celebrate the Crazy Cool Culture You Grew Up With!
TwoMorrows Publishing debuts RetroFan #1, a new full-colour magazine celebrating the Crazy Cool Culture You Grew Up With next week. Do you remember when Saturday morning television was your domain, and yours alone? When tattoos came from bubble gum packs,… Read More ›
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In Review: Trujillø by Gustaffo Vargas
I’m hugely grateful to artist Russell Mark Olson for introducing me to artist, animator and designer Gustaffo Vargas, who then sent me a copy of his short but perfectly demented self-published SF adventure title Trujillø. Quite honestly, I wouldn’t be… Read More ›
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WebFind: Gene Colan: Visions of a Man Without Fear
If you’re a fan of artist Gene Colan like me, then this 48-page exhibition catalogue on offer from the San Francisco Cartoon Art Museum is a bit of a gem. Gene Colan: Visions of a Man Without Fear features high-quality… Read More ›
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Francesca Dare’s Penny Blackfeather returns as Sloth Comics launches latest collection
Penelope Blake is back thanks to Sloth Comics, along with the ghost of her pirate grandfather, a very special parrot and the enigmatic (if somewhat incompetent) adventurer she protects. Collecting further episode of the “regency punk” adventure web comic, set… Read More ›
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Development on 2000AD Tabletop Adventure Game gathering pace
Work appears to be cranking up on the long-awaited Judge Dredd & The Worlds of 2000AD Tabletop Adventure Game from EN Publishing, announced last year, with some tantalising recent additions to the official web site for the role playing project. While… Read More ›
