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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As Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 5 reaches the UK, will it be show’s last hurrah?
Season Five of Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. is well underway on ABC in the US – and it gets its UK debut next week on E4, launching Sunday 4th March at 9.00pm – but will it be the last as… Read More ›
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From Stage to Screen – Art & Hue’s Stylish Pop Art inspired by Film Adaptations of Stage Plays!
Art & Hue treads the boards for the new collection of stylish pop art inspired by plays adapted into films, released recently. From the glitzy showbiz of musicals to the provocative black comedy of Joe Orton, Art & Hue has… Read More ›
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Artist Pete Wallbank delivers Six Million Dollar Man for upcoming INFINITY magazine
Artist Pete Wallbank has been delighting fans of many classic cult TV shows with his stunning covers for INFINITY magazine – but his latest, for Issue 9, on sale soon, featuring the Six Million Dollar Man was clearly a delight… Read More ›
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Moniaive Comic Festival back in June
Moniaive Comic Festival is back, coming to the Dumfries and Galloway town 2nd – 3rd June 2018. It might seem a small, out of the way place to some, but alongside the two hotels, a Post Office and a chocolate… Read More ›
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In Pictures: DC Exhibition – Dawn of Super Heroes opens in London
We trailed its opening a couple of weeks back, but the DC Exhibition: Dawn of Super Heroes has now opened at the O2 in London – and looks really good, Tripwire magazine’s Joel Meadows was at the launch and has kindly… Read More ›
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Remembering Robert Sutherland: An Appreciation by Jenny O’Connor
Former Marvel UK staff and the present team at Redan Publishing were all saddened by the news of the death of Robert Sutherland, whose passing was announced last week. Here, Redan’s Editorial Director Jenny O’Connor, who knew Robert for almost… Read More ›
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Original Cover Art for The Amazing Spider-Man #100 Sets $478,000 World Record at Heritage Auctions
The original art for The Amazing Spider-Man #100 sold for $478,000, at Heritage Auctions on Friday, setting a world record for the most expensive Marvel Comics Silver or Bronze Age cover ever sold at public auction. It also is the… Read More ›
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SF author Robert Silverberg reveals life-long love of comics as Humanoids new Downward to the Earth debuts
Jud Meyers has interviewed Robert Silverberg about the graphic novel adaptation of Downward to the Earth, now available from Humanoids, a chat that offers a fascinating insight into the work and background of the acclaimed SF author. American author and… Read More ›
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Titan Comics reveals more from its new “The Prisoner” title
Titan Comics announced some fantastic new projects at the annual ComicsPRO retailer event held in Portland in the United States on Friday, including more about the company’s eagerly.anticipated new comic based on The Prisoner TV series. The brand-new comic series set… Read More ›
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Set phasers to stun! You could win a Star Trek Discovery original painting
Star Trek has returned to the small screen with the highly different (for Trek, anyway) series – Star Trek Discovery. Set before the original 1960s show, this series, screening on Netflix in the UK, has an awful lot going on… Read More ›
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Maggie Gray’s new Alan Moore study to get launch at one day “Original Writer” conference
Out next month is Alan Moore, Out from the Underground by Maggie Gray and the book gets its launch on Saturday 17th March at the University of London. The launch is part of the conference taking place that day, The… Read More ›
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Leah Moore and John Reppion back on the case with Sherlock Holmes: The Vanishing Man
Nine years after Leah Moore and John Reppion‘s first Sherlock Holmes series arrived on comic shop shelves, the dynamic writing duo are back at US publisher Dynamite Entertainment, writing a brand new mystery –Sherlock Holmes: The Vanishing Man. Dynamite continue… Read More ›
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Sizzling Summer Reads! Titan Comics Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer hits stores in June
Celebrating the centenary year of Mickey Spillane, Titan Comics has announced Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer, a brand-new Hard Case Crime comic book series, based on a story originally written by Mickey Spillane and adapted by Max Allan Collins (Road To… Read More ›
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Sonic the Hedgehog returns to comics, but what are the chances of a British title, too?
With the news that SEGA of America and Paramount have dated the release of the first Sonic the Hedgehog feature film for November 2019, we’re wondering if we might see the character return to British comics. The character once enjoyed a… Read More ›
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Rian Hughes talks “Logo-a-Gogo” at Gosh! next month, takes time out to create new Doctor Who logo concept
Comics artist and designer Rian Hughes will be at Gosh! in London on Thursday 15th March 2018 for a talk and Q&A to celebrate the launch of his new book on pop culture branding, Logo-a-Gogo. Rian embodies the word prolific. Since… Read More ›
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Embassy of Japan Manga Jiman Competition Winners Announced
The winners of the 2017 edition of the Embassy of Japan‘s Manga Jiman competition were revealed at a reception hosted at the embassy earlier this month. The contest, now in its 11th year, continues to go from strength to strength,… Read More ›
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Starlord editor Kelvin Gosnell de-cloaks for latest The 2000 AD Thrill-Cast!
In the mid-1970s, a sub-editor at British comics publisher IPC read an Evening Standard newspaper article about a forthcoming movie called Star Wars. Spotting a potential gap in the market and encouraged by fellow IPC employee Pat Mills, he penned a… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: Merrick: The Sensational Elephantman & Doctor Crowe #1
We’re betting many of you are already fans of Tom Ward and Luke Parker‘s brilliant Merrick: The Sensational Elephantman, which has deservedly enjoyed huge success and acclaim, a project made possible through crowdfunding via Kickstarter. Well, now, Tom and team… Read More ›
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In Review: 2000AD 2069 (and a quick, enthusiastic plug for Judge Dredd Megazine 393!)
Believe it or not, I’ve actually had a short break away and I’m now playing a bit of catch up, so this week’s 2000AD review is a bit brief. Wrapped behind a striking cover by Clint Langley, one of the… Read More ›
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All-change at Commando as editor moves on, but the action continues
The details of the latest issues of Commando (Issues 5099 – 5102) come with news that the title’s current editor, Kirsten Murray, is moving on from DC Thomson. we wish her every success in her future endeavours, wherever that may… Read More ›