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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Crowdfunding Spotlight: Kicking Ice, a Graphic Novel About Women’s Hockey
Ron Marz is, perhaps, better known as a comics writer, but he’s also an editor – and as Editor-in-Chief for Ominous Press, and one of the projects he’s currently editing is an original graphic novel called Kicking Ice. “I think… Read More ›
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Rare Horror Movie Posters offered this April by Heritage Auctions
Rare movie posters from classic American horror flicks, including the only-remaining Belgian poster for The Mummy (Universal, 1933) starring Boris Karloff, haunt Heritage Auctions’ Movie Posters event taking place 7th – 8th April in Dallas. Cinema’s classic monsters in the 600-lot auction… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: Hatch – The Next Day by Glenn B. Fleming
Hatch is a unique character, the brainchild of artist/writer Glenn B Fleming, who also brought us the wonderful Jack Kirby: A Personal Journey documentary through successful crowdfunding last year. Hatch the strip, is, simply, a visual experience, a wordless tale… Read More ›
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Exclusive: Pat Mills joins new ComicScene UK magazine line-up
Pat Mills, the creator and first editor of 2000AD and co-creator of characters such as Slaine and A.B.C. Warriors, is to write an exclusive regular monthly column for the new magazine Comic Scene UK. His ‘Last Word’ column is expected to… Read More ›
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Latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival podcast spotlights Awesome Comics Podcast and Macc-Pow
The fabulous Awesome Comics Podcast turned the spotlight on the Lakes International Comic Art Festival podcast recently, so it’s no surprise the Kendal-based audio adventurers have returned the favour! Interviewed for Episode 22 are artist and writer Vince Hunt, creator… Read More ›
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Myriad Editions set to celebrate women cartoonists and comic creators in Britain with “The Inking Woman”
Due for release in March, Myriad Editions The Inking Woman by Nicola Streeten and Cath Tate, will be published one week after a study of early female cartoonist, Marie Duval. Taking its name from the terrific The Inking Woman exhibition… Read More ›
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In Review: The Skylab Haynes Owners Workshop Manual
Since the first ‘proper’ Haynes Owners Workshop Manual, for the Austin Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite, was published in 1966, the publisher has covered the innards of many a vehicle – both factual and fictional, some of the covered here on downthetubes…. Read More ›
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British Comic Sales Figures, Winners and Losers (July – December 2017): Good news for Beano, bad for TOXIC
The latest sales figures for some comics and children’s magazines available on the UK news stand for the second half of 2017 have just been published by the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC). There are winners and losers as ever, as consumer… Read More ›
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Titan Comics follows up Thirteenth Doctor team news with Seventh Doctor Doctor Who mini series announcement
Hot on the heels of revealing the Thirteenth Doctor’s first adventures will be created by an all-female creative team, Titan Comics have announced a Seventh Doctor mini series written by former TV series script editor Andrew Cartmel and Ben Aaronovitch,… Read More ›
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Book Palace announces Illustrators magazine special devoted to Trigan Empire, Storm artist Don Lawrence
Book Palace Books is to publish a special issue of Illustrators magazine devoted to Trigan Empire and Storm artist Don Lawrence, offering a comprehensive look at this incredible comic artist’s career. Don, who died in 2003, is best known for his… Read More ›
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Latest ComPalcomics auction offers Beanos, Dandys galore – and Black Panther, Batman comics too!
The latest ComPalcomics auction (February/March 2018 catalogue) has just launched, and if you’re a fan of the Beano or Dandy, or after some classic US comics, then it’s well worth checking out. There’s some great art on offer too, including… Read More ›
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New PanelxPanel out now, celebrating the comics medium
The latest issue of PanelxPanel (Issue 8), a new digital magazine celebrating the medium of comics, is available now. The magazine features plenty of the best creators discussing craft and process, and articles taking deep dives into some of the… Read More ›
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“Rok of the Reds” collected – a Roy of the Rovers meets Doomlord styled SF adventure!
BHP Comics have announced a collection of the much-praised Rok of the Reds mini-series, written by 2000AD’s John Wagner and Alan Grant, drawn by Judge Dredd artist Dan Cornwell, withcolours by Abigail Bulmer. Due for release 16th April 2018, Rok… Read More ›
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Forking H***! Comic artists Boo Cook and Simon Davis go all (spookily) musical
We all know comic creators have many strings to their bows, and 2000AD artists Boo Cook and Simon Davis are no exception. They’ve just released an album via Bandcamp, Forktail, a love letter to all things folk horror/ Wicker Man and ancient… Read More ›
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DC Exhibition: Dawn of Super Heroes opens in London this month
Following a successful run in Paris, France, 2018 will see the London Premiere of DC Exhibition: Dawn of Super Heroes, a unique exhibition presented by with DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Consumer Products in collaboration with Art Ludique-Le Musée. Opening… Read More ›
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Comics Uncovered returns to Birmingham in July, a must for aspiring comic creators
Smallzone Events is ramping up publicity for Comics Uncovered 2018, which returns to Birmingham in July. Have you ever wanted to be a professional comics creator? Or are you a professional looking to take your career to the next level?… Read More ›
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In Review: 2000AD Prog 2068
Wrapped in a gripping cover by Nick Percival (oh, all right, I’ll leave the jokes for another time), this week’s 2000AD sees the end of Judge Dredd’s sojourn in Siberia – and what a trip that has been. Michael Carroll… Read More ›
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WebFind: Light and Shade by Vincent Desjardins
Vincent Desjardins is an illustrator hailing from Bloomington, Indiana in the United States and his blog, “Light and Shade” will take you down a wonderful memory lane, celebrating the very best in children’s book illustration. While the blog hasn’t… Read More ›
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“The Chronicles of Genghis Grimtoad”, with art by Angus McBride – an early version of the much-loved fantasy tale
Charting not one, but two incarnations of Alan Grant and John Wagner’s The Chronicles of Genghis Grimtoad…
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Latest 2000AD Thrill-Cast reveals what’s in store for 2018 for Galaxy’s Greatest Comic – and Treasury collections
From Charley’s War to Halo Jones, we’ve already revealed in two posts (here for 20000AD, here for Treasury of British Comics releases) that it’s going to be a busy year for Rebellion, with 34 new graphic novels due to be unleashed. From… Read More ›