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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London’s Orbital Comics hosts new DesPop exhibition in July
July sees the return of comic and pop artist Des Taylor to Orbital Comics in London with a new exhibition. Influenced by vintage fashion, pin-up art, romance and Bronze Age comic books, Des has put together a collection of limited… Read More ›
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“Charley’s War” Battle cover on offer on eBay
More “Charley’s War” art from the weekly war comic Battle – this time a striking cover by Joe Colquhoun for an issue published back in 1981 – is on offer on eBay. On offer is the original cover art to Battle… Read More ›
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Zoom Rockman mind probed for latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast!
Beano cartoonist and Lakes International Comic Art Festival patron Zoom Rockman is the guest of the organisation’s podcast this week. Zoom is a young creator who started producing comics from a young age, He appeared in the Beano at age… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Doctor Who’s Seventh Doctor returns to comics this week!
The Seventh Doctor and Ace – played by Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred on screen in Doctor Who in the 1980s – return to comics week, with the launch of the three-part mini series, Operation Volcano. Written by series script… Read More ›
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Alan Moore at London’s Royal Albert Hall tonight!
Join award-winning comedians and bibliophiles Robin Ince and Josie Long tonight in London, as they bring a special live version of the popular Book Shambles podcast to the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room as part of Festival of Science: Space…. Read More ›
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Comics Summit heads to Cheltenham in July
The Comics Summit, a brand-new event set up by creators, for creators has announced it will now take place across the weekend of 14 – 15th July in Cheltenham. The creating comics event, organised by Cheltenham-based Jon Lock of Big… Read More ›
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New Gerry Anderson UFO Collection released ahead of second SHADO Con
Ahead of the second SHADO Con dedicated to Gerry Anderson’s alien invaders series, ITV have quietly released a new complete UFO DVD sporting new cover artwork. The series – Anderson’s first ongoing live action TV show – was previously available… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: How Irmantas Povilaika hopes to bring some classic Ken Reid comics back into print
When we recently reported on a plan to bring some of artist Ken Reid’s humour comics back into print with a crowdfunding appeal – “Frankie Stein” and the “The Nervs” to name but two – British comic fans greeted the… Read More ›
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Creating Comics: Atomeka publisher Dave Elliott’s plan to save the US comics industry
Over the last few years, Atomeka Press publisher Dave Elliott has stood by and frustratingly watched as the US comic book industry continues to devour itself like the mythical Ouroboros, the snake that ate its own tail. Last week, he… Read More ›
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In Review: Bloke’s Progress by Kevin Jackson and Hunt Emerson
By Kevin Jackson (writer) and Hunt Emerson (Artist) Published by Knockabout Comics ISBN 9780861662715 £12.99 Published May 24th 2018 The Book: Darren Bloke is an ordinary, hard-working stiff until a lottery win changes – and ruins – his life. He… Read More ›
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Blitzkrieging Panzers! New Commando comics on sale on Thursday!
Brand new Commando (Issues 5127 – 5130) are on sale in all good newsagents from DC Thomson across the UK on Thursday. Evade Blitzkrieging Panzers in Belgium, lead a squad of Polish criminals straight against bloodthirsty Gestapo soldiers, dodge desert… Read More ›
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Oo-de-lally! What a set of Disney inspired goodies up for grabs in Graeme Neil Reid’s May Art Raffle
Not only will one person walk away with an original landscape scene based on a classic Disney animated film but a second winner will receive a watercolour original of that wicked evil fairy Maleficent in artist Graeme Neil Reid’s monthly raffle…. Read More ›
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Coverless Batman #1 sells for £8200 in UK comic auction
A coverless copy of Batman #1, estimated to sell for between £2000 – 2,500 (somewhat less than its US valuation) has just sold for an astonishing £8,200 in an online auction yesterday. Comic Book Auctions offered the rarity along with… Read More ›
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Comics Uncovered postponed, merged with ICE Birmingham in September
The comic creator-focused event Comics Uncovered, announced in February, will now be part of the ICE Birmingham line up in September and will not take place in July as previously announced. “Due to circumstances beyond my control I have had… Read More ›
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South London Comic and Zine Fair returns!
South London Comic and Zine Fair returns to Stanley Halls for a second year in July. The event, taking place Saturday 14th July 2018, will once again host a cornucopia of London’s most talented zine and alternative comic creators and throw a spotlight the capital’s most… Read More ›
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A Class Act: Martin Rowson’s graphic take on The Communist Manifesto
SelfMadeHero recently marked the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx’s birth with a graphic novel adaptation of The Communist Manifesto, created by Guardian cartoonist Martin Rowson – and the book has gone down a storm. Published in 1848, at a time… Read More ›
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Marvel UK Comics That Never Were: Rourke versus Wolverine, versus… Monark Starstalker?
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Doctor Who Panel to Panel Podcast reaches 100th episode
Episode 100 of Doctor Who: Panel to Panel, the podcast produced by Jeremy Bement about Doctor Who comics, is live, and I’m honoured to have been asked to take part in this landmark episode. Jeremy has racked up an impressive… Read More ›
