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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Panel Borders: Music and Comics
In a pair of interviews recorded in front of a live audience, Panel Borders investigates the work of a trio of creators who have an interest in combining music and comic book art. At Thought Bubble Festival, Alex Fitch talks… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Comic Artist Jim Baikie
We’re sorry to report the passing of Eisner Award-winning Scottish comic artist Jim Baikie, perhaps best known to many downthetubes readers as co-creator of 2000AD’s alien-on-the-run, Skizz. He enjoyed a career in comics that began with work for girls titles in the 1960s that would go on to encompass “Charlie’s Angels” and “Terrahawks” for Look-In, 2000AD and superhero work in the United States. He was also a much in demand artist beyond the comics medium
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Happy New Year from Score ‘n’ Roar star “Nipper”, who lives on – in Croatia! (and football comics are on the ‘keepy up’, too)
2018 has begun with a a reminder from 2000AD publisher Rebellion that Roy of the Rovers, one of the major British comic characters they now own, is returning (as we reported last September). But Roy isn’t the only football comic… Read More ›
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“Lost” Doctor Who strip materialises
This Doctor Who story was victim to the cancellation of Doctor Who Adventures
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McClane or Cross? Win a festive painting in Graeme Neil Reid’s December Art Raffle!
Doctor Who artist Graeme Neil Reid is in the festive spirit this month and has a little bit of festive movie magic for his art raffle this month. He’s offering art inspired by two films from 1988 that have become… Read More ›
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New artist joins Commando ranks for final 2017 releases
Brand new Commando comics from DC Thomson (Issues 5083-5086) are on sale in newsagents and various digital platforms this Thursday, 28th December. It’s the final set for 2017, featuring the debut of another artist new to the veteran title, Paolo… Read More ›
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Rare Dan Dare concept art unearthed from classic story “Reign of the Robots”
Eagle co-creator Frank Hampson’s son Peter Hampson recently dropped us a line to tell us about some recently-discovered Dan Dare concept sketches, now online on the artist’s official web site. The art, designs for the story “Reign of the Robots”, was… Read More ›
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2000AD’s Dark Judges stalk into New Scientist – the strangest crossover yet?
You cannot kill what doesss not liiiive – but how will the future cope with the four alternative horsemen of the apocalypse? For a darkly gothic Christmas treat, Britain’s biggest comic – 2000AD – has teamed up with New Scientist,… Read More ›
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First Awesome Comics Podcast anthology in the works, to launch at True Believers in February
The Awesome Comics Anthology – the work of the team who bring you the Awesome Comics Podcast dedicated to British independent comics – is making its debut at True Believers Comic Festival on Saturday February 3rd 2018 and the book is… Read More ›
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Tissues may be required: Cats Protection animation “Kozal’s Christmas” pulls at the heart strings
“Kozal’s Christmas” is a smashing little animation in aid of Cats Protection with art by Rus Hudda, telling the true life story of Kozal, a 16-year-old ginger cat, who arrived at Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre in Sussex and… Read More ›
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2000AD’s Dan Abnett part of festive University Challenge
2000AD writer Dan Abnett appears on an “alumni” episode of University Challenge on BBC2 over Christmas, representing his old Oxford college. “A couple of weeks ago, in a moment of what can only be described as a ‘definite case of… Read More ›
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AXA: Battle for the Serpent Gate – movie promotional activity ramps up
Los Angeles-based Saturn Harvest is ramping up work on its Axa movie project, AXA: Battle for the Serpent Gate, based on the newspaper strip first published in the British newspaper The Sun from 1978 to 1986, written by the late… Read More ›
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Durham Red returns to 2000AD in 2018, with a new take on the character from Alec Worley and Ben Willsher
Created by John Wagner, Alan Grant and Carlos Ezquerra for the legendary 2000AD strip “Strontium Dog”, Durham Red returns in a brand new solo series “Born Bad” by writer Alec Worley (Star Wars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and artist Ben… Read More ›
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2000AD’s D.R. & Quinch return in “2000AD Regened”, Rebellion’s Free Comic Book Day 2018 all-ages giveaway!
2000AD has just announced 2000 AD Regened, its brand new all-ages title, for Free Comic Book Day 2018! 2000 AD Regened is a riotous new comic featuring original, full-colour strips packed with thrill-power for Earthlets of all inception dates and with FCBD… Read More ›
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Collectors Gazette features a look back at British comics in latest issue
While a lot of us happily communicate online to talk about American or British comics, many older British fans – and those not particularly into technology – used to in the rely on printed magazines about British comics, many now… Read More ›
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Titan reveals Sea of Thieves comic based on Rare’s new adventure game, and tie-in art book
Titan Comics has announce brand-new Sea of Thieves comics, based on the hotly anticipated shared-world adventure video game from Rare! Writer Jeremy Whitley (Princeless, Thor Vs. Hulk) and artist Rhoald Marcellius (The Incredible Hulks, Warren Ellis’ Supergod) are setting sail… Read More ›
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Beano’s “Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed!” head Down Under
Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! will air on ABC ME in Australia, the first International sale of Beano Studios hit new series based on the Beano characters. The sale follows a successful UK launch, securing the most watched spot on CBBC… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Atlas & Axis #1 by Pau
Titan Comics and Statix Press have released a preview of their English-language edition of creator Pau’s Prix Du FIBD Angoulême award-nominated comic La Saga d’Atlas – Atlas & Axis – and not only does it look totally wonderful, it reads like a dream, too… In the… Read More ›
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Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast Episode 18 – It’s The Etherington Brothers!
The latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast features a great interview with The Etherington Brothers, Robin and Lorenzo, who create some amazing children’s comics as well as bringing the creation process to life for children in their stage show… Read More ›
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Dark Horse to Debut “Lone Wolf and Cub Gallery Edition”
Kazuo Koike’s samurai epic Lone Wolf and Cub has long been considered a masterpiece of graphic fiction, a title I enjoyed reading in English back when First Comics began to publish the story in the 1980s. Well, good news –… Read More ›