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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Diamond Book Distributors Top 25 Best-Selling Graphic Novels – August 2017
Diamond Book Distributors has published its top 25 best-selling graphic novels from the publishers they distribute, based on sales data collected by Bookscan. In August, the Starfinder Core Rulebook from Paizo was the number one selling book, a science fiction… Read More ›
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Marvel UK “Real Ghostbusters” Art up for sale
British comic artist Phil Elliott has decided he can’t keep lugging all his artwork around and is selling everything and anything – including art for Marvel UK’s The Real Ghostbusters comic. There are, of course original artwork from his various… Read More ›
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Marvel UK Star Wars collection released
Marvel has just published Star Wars: The Marvel UK Collection – a gigantic hardcover book running to over 800 pages with a price tag of just over £70 in the UK ($100), featuring stories by, among others, Alan Moore, Steve… Read More ›
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Star Wars-inspired Stormtrooper Jerseys launched by cycle apparel firm Milltag
Originalstormtrooper.com is the website for Shepperton Design Studios – and the only website where you can purchase genuine Stormtrooper helmets and armour, created by the original maker Andrew Ainsworth from the original helmet moulds that were used in Star Wars: A New Hope…. Read More ›
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Award-winning graphic novelist Dominique Goblet to open new Women’s Writing event programme
The Centre for the Study of Contemporary Women’s Writing has launched a new initiative for the Contemporary Women’s Writing in French seminar in 2017-18 – a series of events on major women authors of French-language graphic novels. The first features Dominique… Read More ›
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Lancaster University announces free “Power of Graphic Novels” networking event
Lancaster University has announced “The Power of Graphic Novels/ Comics” – a free networking event in October for regional and UK schools (Heads/ Principals, Headmasters, Headteachers, Teachers, Trustees), libraries (librarians, event and education staff), and graphic novel and comic artists/authors/illustrators…. Read More ›
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Gerald Scarfe: Stage and Screen exhibition opens in London this week
A new exhibition of the work of celebrated political cartoonist Gerald Scarfe will open at the House of Illustration this week, providing a rare opportunity to explore extensive but little-known production designs with storyboards, costumes and props from Pink Floyd’s The Wall,… Read More ›
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In Praise Of… Comic Artist Giorgio Giorgetti, creator of “Cat Girl”
Giorgio Giorgetti (1920-1982) was, as his name suggests, Italian, but moved to London in 1950, later setting up a studio in Margate. During his long career he worked on a diverse range of titles including Eagle, June, June and School Friend, Mirabelle, Tammy, Valiant and others.
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Portsmouth to host International Festival of Comics in May 2018
The best in comic book and pop culture entertainment comes to Britain’s South Coast on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May 2018 with the debut of Portsmouth Comic Con. US comic creators Geof Darrow, Gene Ha and Russell Walks are among the guests… Read More ›
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Beano Cluedo heads to stores in October
Launching in mid-October is the latest in the Beano Games collection: Beano Cluedo, featuring art by Nigel Parkinson. Adapting the classic game in typical Beano style, in this version – and there have been many others – somone has pranked… Read More ›
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Thought Bubble back this month in Leeds
A quick reminder that Thought Bubble comic con is back on 23rd – 24th September as part of the week-long Thought Bubble Festival starting 18th September 2017 – with a brand new festival village in Leeds City Centre. The eleventh… Read More ›
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Peel the Power! Bananaman: The Musical launches in December
We’ve previously reported on plans and early “test runs” for Bananaman The Musical, but now producers Sightline Entertainment have just announced the show’s first full run at London’s Southwark Playhouse, opening in mid-December 2017. Created by Steve Bright and writer and… Read More ›
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British Comic Art heads to Poland for stunning new exhibition
An incredible selection of British comic art, including 2000AD pages, art from classic comics such as Eagle and Misty, form the Great British Comic Art Exhibition which opens in Łódź, Poland this weekend. Supported by the British Council in Poland,… Read More ›
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Bryan Talbot Grandville art exhibition and signing at Orbital Comics in November
Award-winning comics author and artist Bryan Talbot will be signing copies of Grandville: Force Majeure at the launch of an exhibition of art at Orbital Comics in London on Wednesday 15th November (5.30 to 7.30pm) Bryan Talbot’s graphic novel series… Read More ›
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Growing old disgracefully: DC comics’ Harley Quinn turns 25
Andrew Ross, Graduate Tutor and Lecturer in Film at Northumbria University, discusses how Harley Quinn is not just a side-kick to The Joker, but is now a multi-platform anti-hero…. The joke’s on Batman this year. Fans of the Caped Crusader… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Comics Editor and Writer Len Wein
I’m sorry to learn of the passing of legendary American comic editor and writer Len Wein, who has died shortly after hospitalisation for surgery. Among his many credits, Len was the creator of legendary DC Comics characters Swamp Thing (with… Read More ›
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Striker Volume Three – orders now open
The third Volume of Striker, the long-running football strip created by Pete Nash published by best-selling British tabloid newspaper The Sun, is now available to order. Announcing the news on Strikerworld, Pete says his team only plan to print to order,… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An Interview with Eisner Award-winning comic artist Jason
There’s not long to go now until this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). The downthetubes “Kendal Calling” interviews continue with a chat with award-winning Norwegian comic creator Jason, making his first-ever visit to the… Read More ›
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Comic Laureate and Walking Dead artist Charlie Adlard to deliver free talk in Lancaster
Comic Lareate Charlie Adlard‘s illustrations for The Walking Dead are recognised and celebrated throughout the world, along with his other work, and the artist will be giving a free talk about his career at the Grand Theatre, Lancaster, next month…. Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An Interview with MAD magazine artist Tom Richmond
There’s not long to go now until this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). The downthetubes “Kendal Calling” interviews continue with a chat with top MAD magazine cartoonist Tom Richmond… Caricaturist, cartoonist and humorous illustrator,… Read More ›