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.
-
Rebellion “Charley’s War” Definitive Collection covers revealed, out next year
Here’s some details about three bumper collections of the critically acclaimed “Charley’s War” that are in the works for next year, to be published by rights holder Rebellion. The 20000AD publisher acquired ownership of Battle Picture Weekly, where “Charley’s War”… Read More ›
-
Memories of the 9th Malta Comic Convention – by comic artist by Phil Elliott
Malta Comic Con was back earlier this month, with a star-studded line-up of comic creators from across the globe in attendance, including Illegal Alien, Tupelo, Tales from Gimbley and Real Ghostbusters artist Phil Elliott – his first major appearance in… Read More ›
-
Who’s World War Two’s toughest postman? Find out in the latest Commando comics!
Brand new Commando (Issues 5079 – 5082) hit newsagents across the UK tomorrow (Thursday 14th December). Expect fraternal face-offs, firefighting infernos in Sicily and Kuwait – and the toughest postie fighting in France in DC Thomson’s latest war comics! This… Read More ›
-
All is Not Well, a comics project that lifts the lid of the reality of care givers, launched
Last year, comic creator Jonathan Clode let us know about All is Not Well, a comic web project he was working on with Cardiff University about carers. After some delays, it recently just launched – and like Parables of Care,… Read More ›
-
Team Girl Collective draws to a close
The TGC Collective – the team behind That Girl Comic – is coming to an end this year. After eight years working together to showcase women comic artists in Scotland, the group have decided it’s time to move on to… Read More ›
-
In Memoriam: Eagle artist Gerald Palmer
We’re sorry to belatedly report the passing of comic artist and illustrator Gerald Palmer, who passed away peacefully at his Jersey home on Wednesday, 16th August, 2017, aged 82. Born in 1935 in Jersey, Gerald was encouraged toward an artistic career… Read More ›
-
Bid on some signed Walking Dead comic rarities and support a good cause!
There’s a rare chance on eBay right now to bid on some signed copies of The Walking Dead‘s Here’s Negan CGC signature series – and support a good cause. Offered by Northampton-based comic shop Close Encounters, the comics are all… Read More ›
-
Rachael Smith’s “Wired Up Wrong” among Pipedream Comics nominations for Best Indie and Small Press Comic of 2017
I haven’t backed many Kickstarter projects this year although I have highlighted a fair few on downthetubes, but one I did was the Deluxe Edition of Wired Up Wrong by Rachael Smith – and now it’s deservedly been nominated as Best… Read More ›
-
Opening this week: Bananaman – The Musical!
Never mind Star Wars: The Last Jedi. the premiere of the month has to be the much-anticipated Bananaman – The Musical, which opens at London’s Southwark Playhouse this Friday (15th December 2017). We’ve covered the show’s production path on downthetubes,… Read More ›
-
Sneak Peek: Breaking the 10 Volume Two by Sean Michael Wilson and Michiru Morikawa
The second volume of Breaking the 10 by Sean Michael Wilson and Michiru Morikawa debuts in February 2018, published by NBM. When David loses his wife and child in a tragic car accident he decides to turn against God. He… Read More ›
-
Nun-nuh-Nineteen! New 100% Biodegradable comic out now (warning, contains Zombie Mods and Rockers)
Issue 19 of of the digital anthology 100% Biodegradable is out now on Drivethru and Comicsy, wrapped within the confines of a crab-tastic wrap around cover by Łukasz Kowalczuk. Inside issue 19 of 100% Biodegradable: • A seaside clash between… Read More ›
-
Netflix opens doors to viewers requests for classic shows
Streaming service Netflix has recently launched the means for users to makes requests for shows they want to see on the platform. we’re sure there are a lot of shows currently on rival services like Amazon Prime that will be… Read More ›
-
Northern Ireland’s newsagents put some of England’s to shame when it comes to Comics Retailing
Back in 2015, Oink! Blog creator Phil Boyce wrote a post in the early days of December encouraging readers to go and explore the comics shelves of their local shops, whether they were newsagents, supermarkets, comic stores or local corner… Read More ›
-
Edinburgh Comic Con opens this year’s Yancy Street Awards nominations
Nominations for the 2018 short lists have opened for the Yancy Street Awards at Edinburgh Comic Con. The categories for these Awards, inspired by the infamous Yancy Street from Marvel’s Fantastic Four, include Best International Writer, Best International Artist, Best… Read More ›
-
Final Call for Papers Singularities: Where the Old Rules no longer apply
A Final Call for Papers has just been issued for “Singularities: Where the old rules no longer apply“, a one-day symposium on Sci-Fi fan events in critical event, tourism and leisure studies that will take place on Monday 11th June 2018 at the… Read More ›
-
WebFind: Various Artists – Comics about the Music that inspires us
I’ve just come across Various Artists, a great web site packed with music inspired comics, the brainchild of artist Tim Bird, whose books include Grey Area, Reads and the forthcoming The Great North Wood from Avery Hill Publishing. Rock & Pop started… Read More ›
-
Comics Galore, and more, in Catford this weekend!
This weekend (Sunday 10th December) sees the Catford Comic & Zine Fair at Blythe Hill Tavern, organised by Henry and Stanley Miller. Together the pair run the “Miller Town” web site and publish their own comics (check out the site, because… Read More ›
-
S.M.A.S.H. a comic, graphic, and novel talkfest in London announced
The London Graphic Novel Network have just announced S.M.A.S.H. a comic, graphic, and novel talkfest, taking place on 20th January 2018 at the Artizan Street Library & Community Centre. Getting philosophical about the art of comics the event, which has a… Read More ›
-
Get Inside the Mind of Jamie Hewlett! New Book from TASCHEN launches in London tonight
From the legendary Tank Girl to live-action animations with Gorillaz, a Chinese contemporary opera to an exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, artist Jamie Hewlett – whose new book from TASCHEN launches tonight in London – is one of the most… Read More ›
-
Inaugural Charity Auction of Original Comic Strip art raises Thousands for Hurricane Relief
The specialty charity auction of original comic strip art by 34 of the world’s top cartoonists we featured here on downthetubes last month raised $53,384 for victims of deadly hurricanes. A signed Bill Watterson Calvin and Hobbes print, one of… Read More ›