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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“Rok of the Reds” collected – a Roy of the Rovers meets Doomlord styled SF adventure!
BHP Comics have announced a collection of the much-praised Rok of the Reds mini-series, written by 2000AD’s John Wagner and Alan Grant, drawn by Judge Dredd artist Dan Cornwell, withcolours by Abigail Bulmer. Due for release 16th April 2018, Rok… Read More ›
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Forking H***! Comic artists Boo Cook and Simon Davis go all (spookily) musical
We all know comic creators have many strings to their bows, and 2000AD artists Boo Cook and Simon Davis are no exception. They’ve just released an album via Bandcamp, Forktail, a love letter to all things folk horror/ Wicker Man and ancient… Read More ›
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DC Exhibition: Dawn of Super Heroes opens in London this month
Following a successful run in Paris, France, 2018 will see the London Premiere of DC Exhibition: Dawn of Super Heroes, a unique exhibition presented by with DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Consumer Products in collaboration with Art Ludique-Le Musée. Opening… Read More ›
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Comics Uncovered returns to Birmingham in July, a must for aspiring comic creators
Smallzone Events is ramping up publicity for Comics Uncovered 2018, which returns to Birmingham in July. Have you ever wanted to be a professional comics creator? Or are you a professional looking to take your career to the next level?… Read More ›
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In Review: 2000AD Prog 2068
Wrapped in a gripping cover by Nick Percival (oh, all right, I’ll leave the jokes for another time), this week’s 2000AD sees the end of Judge Dredd’s sojourn in Siberia – and what a trip that has been. Michael Carroll… Read More ›
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WebFind: Light and Shade by Vincent Desjardins
Vincent Desjardins is an illustrator hailing from Bloomington, Indiana in the United States and his blog, “Light and Shade” will take you down a wonderful memory lane, celebrating the very best in children’s book illustration. While the blog hasn’t… Read More ›
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“The Chronicles of Genghis Grimtoad”, with art by Angus McBride – an early version of the much-loved fantasy tale
Charting not one, but two incarnations of Alan Grant and John Wagner’s The Chronicles of Genghis Grimtoad…
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Latest 2000AD Thrill-Cast reveals what’s in store for 2018 for Galaxy’s Greatest Comic – and Treasury collections
From Charley’s War to Halo Jones, we’ve already revealed in two posts (here for 20000AD, here for Treasury of British Comics releases) that it’s going to be a busy year for Rebellion, with 34 new graphic novels due to be unleashed. From… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: Flintlock Book Three
Offering 64 pages of adventures in the 18th Century, Time Bomb Comics Kickstarter for Flintlock Book Three is running now and although the project was fully funded in just 12 hours, if you want to grab a copy of this… Read More ›
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Aces Weekly: Now We Are Volume 32
Aces Weekly Volume 32, published by David Lloyd, is now running. If you’re not yet a subscriber, you can join the digital anthology, as always, for this volume and all coming volumes, for just £1 per week in any currency…. Read More ›
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Death Duty: Renegade from 100% Biodegradable collection – On Sale Now!
The complete Death Duty: Renegade, an all-action SF adventure comic by John Freeman, Dave Hailwood, Brett Burbridge and Ken Reynolds is available now from DriveThru Comics, in print or digital download. Edited by Dave Hailwood, the Death Duty: Renegade collection… Read More ›
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Down the Rabbit Hole: Who were the Creators behind Pop Pic Library?
The British comics scene has always been quick to capitalise on popular culture trends, and this is clearly in evidence with the 1960s romance title Pop Pic Library. I came across a copy of No. 11 (“Whatcha Gonna Do About… Read More ›
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Comic Creator Spotlight: Martin Eden’s Zeros web comic project heads to print
Martin Eden, the creator of the much-praised British independent comic series O Men and Spandex, has a new comics project out now – Zeros, an all-ages comic about a world where everyone has a super-power. Everyone, it seems, except a class… Read More ›
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Original Cover Art for The Amazing Spider-Man #100 May Bring $300,000 at Heritage Auctions
The original cover art from Marvel Comics The Amazing Spider-Man #100 – considered one of the most iconic covers of the 1970s and an auction item we highlighted ourselves recently – could sell for as much as $300,000 in Heritage Auctions’… Read More ›
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Black Panther movie special announced from Titan
Titan Publishing will release a Black Panther: The Official Movie Special later this month – celebrating the making of Marvel Studios’ hotly anticipated new movie, Black Panther. From exclusive cast interviews to concept art, this is fans’ all-in-one guide to… Read More ›
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WebFind: SenshiStock, free drawing references by artists, for artists
SenshiStock – a Creative Commons pose reference resource for artists – is a deviantART account full of non nude pictures of people. Published as a drawing and art creation resource, this is a great free resource for creating comics. The… Read More ›
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Redan Publishing launches new Fun to Learn title next month
Pippa Pigg publishers Redan Publishing is launching Fun To Learn Friends Art magazine next month, which will contain art and craft activities featuring favourite pre-school characters such as Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol and PJ Masks. FTL Friends Art is aimed… Read More ›
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First ever all-women creator issue of 2000AD announced, news prompts online debate
For the first time in four decades, legendary sci-fi action comic 2000AD is to publish an issue with an all-female creative line-up, including work by award-winner Tillie Walden, Tula Lotay, and Alex De Campi – and that’s not the only… Read More ›
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World War One saboteurs, bob sleighing Generals and more in new Commando comics!
The latest issues of DC Thomson’s war comic Commando (Issues 5095 – 5098) are on sale now in all good newsagents and via various digital platforms. Soldiers sabotage Jerry lines after the Somme during World War One, bobsleigh down mountains… Read More ›
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Garth Ennis and PJ Holden Deliver New Tank Combat Story
Eisner Award-winning comics legend Garth Ennis (Preacher, Punisher) and artist PJ Holden (Warhammer Monthly, Johnny Woo, 2000AD) once again take command for a new action-packed miniseries inspired by Wargaming’s massively popular online game World of Tanks. World of Tanks: Citadel from… Read More ›