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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Writer James Peaty reveals more about “The Road to the Thirteenth Doctor” on latest Doctor Who: Panel to Panel
Episode 98 of Jeremy Bement‘s excellent podcast Doctor Who: Panel to Panel is live and is well worth a download for its interview with writer James Peaty, who was just announced as the writer of the three-issue series The Road… Read More ›
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Cover Reveal: The Road To The Thirteenth Doctor from Titan Comics
Titan Comics and BBC Studios recently announced The Road To The Thirteenth Doctor – a three-part comic event beginning this July and leading into Titan’s all-new Thirteenth Doctor ongoing comic series launching this autumn. The Road To The Thirteenth Doctor features… Read More ›
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Bradford LitFest backs comic creators with Comico 2018
Comico 2018 is Bradford’s first dedicated comics and manga weekend and will be held at University of Bradford, alongside the annual Bradford Literature Festival (29th June – 8th July 2018). Comico will combine a traditional convention setup with specially curated… Read More ›
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If only comics publishers had the marketing budget of Avengers: Infinity War…
ComicBookMovie is reporting that the US marketing spend for Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War, on general release 26th April in the UK, is likely to be around $150 million, the spend boosted by licensed TV promotions from companies such as Coca-Cola,… Read More ›
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How I Got Used to digital comics “Guided View” – and it’s all down to Shang Chi, Master of Kung Fu!
I was away on a long course for a full week recently, so began reading quite a lot of comics digitally again. US publisher Marvel had a large and outrageously priced sale recently and I picked up loads of old… Read More ›
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Digital Comics at the British Library – more “Digital Conversations” event details revealed
Ian Cooke, Head of Contemporary British Publications at the British Library, has outlined a little more about the “Digital Conversations” event downthetubes has partnered with at the Library on Wednesday 18th April 2018. A panel on archiving digital comics will… Read More ›
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2000AD and Rick and Morty and indie comic creators head to Leamington Comic Convention
The fourth annual Leamington Comic Convention is fast approaching, taking place on Saturday 14th April at All Saints Parish Chuch, Leamington Spa. This is a convention that makes comics its central focus and there’s a huge line up of guests… Read More ›
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Etherington Brothers latest project is the most successful British comics crowdfunder, ever!
Lorenzo Etherington just dropped us a line at downthetubes this morning, to share the exciting news that his latest crowdfunder – the chance to grab a copy of their new book, How to Think When You Draw – has achieved the… Read More ›
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Charley’s War art offered on eBay, bids reach over £600
A smashing item of “Charley’s War” art by Joe Colquhoun, created for the cover of a 1980 issue of weekly war comic Battle is being offered on eBay. Bidding, which closes this evening, is currently at £650. “Charley’s War”, created by… Read More ›
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In Review: 2000AD Prog 2075
After its recent “Jump On Board” issue, well received by many regular readers from the look of the letters page, the action hots up in 2000AD Prog 2075, on sale now in UK newsagents and digital platforms, fronted by a… Read More ›
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First impressions of the first issue of new comics magazine, ComicScene UK
ComicScene UK, the new subscription only title, launches 1st May 2018 in print and digital format – and publisher Tony Foster is hoping to fund comic workshops for young people with part of the profits. I really hope you’ll give this… Read More ›
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In Review: Spaceship Away 44
The first issue of Spaceship Away for 2018 has been out for a few weeks now but this is the first chance I’ve had to give it a plug. Wrapped in a smashing new piece of Dan Dare related art… Read More ›
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Korky the Cat artist Charlie Grigg’s life work celebrated in new exhibition
A long-planned special exhibition celebrating the work of Sandwell-born cartoon artist Charlie ‘Chas’ Grigg as an illustrator for The Beano and The Dandy opens today in Wednesbury in the Black Country. The exhibition at Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery highlights… Read More ›
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Dust ups in the desert and archaeological adventures in new Commando comics!
Brawling in desert dust ups, U-Boats under attack!
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Top graphic novelist Reinhard Kleist heads to London to promote new Nick Cave art book
Award-winning, Berlin-based comic book artist Reinhard Kleist is coming to London to promote his latest book Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: An Art Book on 13th and 14th April 2018. The new book – published by SelfMadeHero – is a lavish, vinyl-cover sized… Read More ›
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Incredibuilds new wooden Star Trek models to feature supplements by Dayton Ward
Some new wooden Star Trek DIY models from Incredibuilds are on their way to stores later this year – and look terrific. The IncrediBuilds collection, which also includes animals, famous buildings, Star Wars items and Marvel Superheroes, features do-it-yourself, customizable,… Read More ›
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Carlisle Comic Con focus for latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast team took a trip up to Carlisle Comic Con recently and the latest podcast features interviews with some of the comic creators featured there. These include Emma Vieceli, featuring on the show for… Read More ›
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Nottingham Does Comics offers its first Comic-Making workshop
The next Nottingham Does Comics event takes place at Nottingham Writers’ Studio on Tuesday 10th April at 7.30pm. This session brings Nat Titman and Gareth Howell from Nottingham Hackspace, who will be presenting NDC’s first comic-making workshop. So, for a… Read More ›
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Comics and comedy collide in May at Kendal’s Freerange Comedy Festival
Comics will be mashing with some top comedy in Kendal in May, coming together for this year’s Freerange Comedy Festival. Barney Farmer of VIZ fame, co-creator of the darkly hilarious “Drunken Bakers”, will be rubbing shoulders with top touring comics… Read More ›
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First Manchester Comic and Reading Festival announced for August 2018
The first Manchester Comic and Reading Festival (MCR for short) will take place on 18th August 2018, Taking place at Manchester Central Library, right in the heart of Manchester, with a bee mascot designed by Joe Matthews, this will be… Read More ›