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.
-
Coming Soon: The Vigilant, featuring … Adam Eterno (and more)!
Hot on the heels of my post wondering what Rebellion had planned for time travelling hero Adam Eterno, writer Stephen Jewell and artist Lew Stringer drew my attention tweets by Simon Furman about a little project he’s working on for… Read More ›
-
Calling Adam Eterno… Where are Rebellion hiding you?
Given the increased pace of Rebellion’s Treasury of British Comics collections, it’s perhaps no surprise the clamour for the return of even more heroes from yesteryear is growing… and one character that keeps getting mentioned is the time travelling immortal,… Read More ›
-
Wythenshawe Comic Con launches in June
A new comic convention for South Manchester, Wythenshawe Comic Con will take place at Wythenshawe Forum on Saturday 9th June 2018. The event is a joint venture between the Wow Comix comic shops and The Wythenshawe Forum, with support from… Read More ›
-
More Frank Hampson Ladybird Book art for sale, Southport anniversary exhibition announced
The official Frank Hampson web site run by the Dan Dare creator’s son, Peter, has a lot of his art for sale, and some new Ladybird Books art boards ohave just been added. Hampson was first commissioned by Ladybird Books… Read More ›
-
In Praise of… Comic Artist Alfonso Font
If you caught yesterday’s news about the impending release of a collection of the 1970s strip “Black Max” as part of Rebellion’s Treasury of British Comics, the signature of the incredible artist Alfonso Font on the cover of the Collection just… Read More ›
-
Dan Dare inspired British firm gets Boeing backing
Boeing has announced its investment in Reaction Engines Limited, a leader in advanced propulsion systems based in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. Reaction Engines’ technology will contribute to the next generation of hypersonic flight and space access vehicles. Reaction Engines is known… Read More ›
-
Cover Reveal: The Latest Treasury of British Comics collections, including new Misty, Black Max
The covers for Rebellion’s Treasury of British Comics new collections this autumn and winter have been revealed – Misty Volume Three, The Thirteenth Floor, Black Max, El Mestizo, and Ken Reid’s Creepy Creations. All these collections can be ordered from… Read More ›
-
In Review: 2000AD Prog 2076
This week’s 2000AD (available from all good newsagents and UK comic shops now, and various digital platforms) sees the start of a new “Judge Dredd” story from Michael Carroll and Staz Johnson, pitting the lawman against media machinations and the… Read More ›
-
Dark Horse bags “Criminy”, new Original Graphic Novel from Roger Langridge and Ryan Ferrier
US publisher Dark Horse has announce Criminy, a new graphic novel from Roger Langridge, the Eisner and Harvey award-winning creator of SNARKED, and Ryan Ferrier, the critically acclaimed writer of Kennel Block Blues. Roger and Ryan unite to co-create this… Read More ›
-
Portsmouth Comic Con – one month to go, Doctor Who comics panel details
There’s just one month to go until Portsmouth welcomes its first Comic Con to the Guildhall (5th – 6th May 2018), and the stellar line-up of guests and the range of family activities are not to be missed. Organised in… Read More ›
-
Sea Hero Quest game that helps battle dementia shortlisted for BAFTA award
Sea Hero Quest, an innovative virtual reality game co-designed by an architect at Northumbria University which aims to help the fight against dementia has been shortlisted for a BAFTA award. The winners of the British Academy Games Awards will be… Read More ›
-
Dead Popular: Jonathan Ross and Charlie Adlard talk “The Walking Dead”
Charlie Adlard, artist on The Walking Dead and and co-creator of many of the major characters that have been used in AMC’s hit TV show of the same name was at Waterstones in Tottenham Court Road, London on Monday, in… Read More ›
-
William Hartnell’s “An Unearthly Child” Doctor Who script goes under the hammer
Dudley-based Aston’s Auctioneers is offering incredibly exciting star lot for their 3rd May Film & Music Memorabilia Auction – William Hartnell‘s original copy of the script for the first ever episode of Doctor Who. Thrown out by the actor who… Read More ›
-
In Review: The Tide by Adam Lumb
By Adam Lumb Publisher: Rich and Strange Press ISBN 9781999957704 The Book: There are monsters in the lake. War is coming. Spies are everywhere. This is witness protection… in hell. The Tide is female led heroic fantasy horror-thriller, and oversized… Read More ›
-
Subaquatic Steampunk surfaces in Gosport in September
Gosport’s Royal Navy Submarine Museum has announced a Subaquatic Steampunk Weekend this September. Offering six outstanding performers and the best steampunk artists artwork on display to amaze and inspire, the event also includes a steampunk market areas to peruse and… Read More ›
-
British Podcast Awards open – vote for your favourite in the Listeners’s Choice category
Got a favourite British comics Podcast? The 2000AD Thrillcast perhaps, or the Awesome Comics Podcast? Panel Borders? Newcomers like the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast? There are a huge range of of great podcasts out there produced here in… Read More ›
-
Cardiff Indie Comic Expo Line-Up Announced
The Cardiff Indie Comic Expo – Cardiff’s original independent comic show – is back on Saturday 2nd June 2018, 2018 and it returns to its original venue of the Mercure Holland House Hotel on Newport Road. CICE is an annual… Read More ›
-
Create the Break, a British professional development course for emerging comic artists, announced
Well, there’s no end of great comic-related news today. After months of planning behind the scenes, the launch of ‘Create the Break’ has been announced – a professional development course for emerging comic artists based in the West Midlands. Marvel… Read More ›
-
The Simpsons co-creator David Silverman joins Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2018 line-up
The Simpsons co-creator and cartoonist David Silverman will be joining the line-up at this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival weekend in Kendal (12th – 14th October 2018). David will be on stage during the weekend chatting with cartoonist and fellow animator Steve… Read More ›
-
Why news of the Adventures of The Three Musketeers collection is – hopefully – great news for classic British comic fans
The Book Palace is to publish a limited edition of Adventures of The Three Musketeers, collecting the work of the brilliant Chilean comic artist Arturo Del Castillo, first published in Film Fun and Lion in the 1960s. Collected in a… Read More ›