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: Flintlock Book Three
Offering 64 pages of adventures in the 18th Century, Time Bomb Comics Kickstarter for Flintlock Book Three is running now and although the project was fully funded in just 12 hours, if you want to grab a copy of this… Read More ›
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Aces Weekly: Now We Are Volume 32
Aces Weekly Volume 32, published by David Lloyd, is now running. If you’re not yet a subscriber, you can join the digital anthology, as always, for this volume and all coming volumes, for just £1 per week in any currency…. Read More ›
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Death Duty: Renegade from 100% Biodegradable collection – On Sale Now!
The complete Death Duty: Renegade, an all-action SF adventure comic by John Freeman, Dave Hailwood, Brett Burbridge and Ken Reynolds is available now from DriveThru Comics, in print or digital download. Edited by Dave Hailwood, the Death Duty: Renegade collection… Read More ›
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Down the Rabbit Hole: Who were the Creators behind Pop Pic Library?
The British comics scene has always been quick to capitalise on popular culture trends, and this is clearly in evidence with the 1960s romance title Pop Pic Library. I came across a copy of No. 11 (“Whatcha Gonna Do About… Read More ›
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Comic Creator Spotlight: Martin Eden’s Zeros web comic project heads to print
Martin Eden, the creator of the much-praised British independent comic series O Men and Spandex, has a new comics project out now – Zeros, an all-ages comic about a world where everyone has a super-power. Everyone, it seems, except a class… Read More ›
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Black Panther movie special announced from Titan
Titan Publishing will release a Black Panther: The Official Movie Special later this month – celebrating the making of Marvel Studios’ hotly anticipated new movie, Black Panther. From exclusive cast interviews to concept art, this is fans’ all-in-one guide to… Read More ›
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WebFind: SenshiStock, free drawing references by artists, for artists
SenshiStock – a Creative Commons pose reference resource for artists – is a deviantART account full of non nude pictures of people. Published as a drawing and art creation resource, this is a great free resource for creating comics. The… Read More ›
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Redan Publishing launches new Fun to Learn title next month
Pippa Pigg publishers Redan Publishing is launching Fun To Learn Friends Art magazine next month, which will contain art and craft activities featuring favourite pre-school characters such as Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol and PJ Masks. FTL Friends Art is aimed… Read More ›
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First ever all-women creator issue of 2000AD announced, news prompts online debate
For the first time in four decades, legendary sci-fi action comic 2000AD is to publish an issue with an all-female creative line-up, including work by award-winner Tillie Walden, Tula Lotay, and Alex De Campi – and that’s not the only… Read More ›
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World War One saboteurs, bob sleighing Generals and more in new Commando comics!
The latest issues of DC Thomson’s war comic Commando (Issues 5095 – 5098) are on sale now in all good newsagents and via various digital platforms. Soldiers sabotage Jerry lines after the Somme during World War One, bobsleigh down mountains… Read More ›
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Garth Ennis and PJ Holden Deliver New Tank Combat Story
Eisner Award-winning comics legend Garth Ennis (Preacher, Punisher) and artist PJ Holden (Warhammer Monthly, Johnny Woo, 2000AD) once again take command for a new action-packed miniseries inspired by Wargaming’s massively popular online game World of Tanks. World of Tanks: Citadel from… Read More ›
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Al Ewing pens Marvel’s new You are Deadpool title
Remember The Warlock of Firetop Mountain? Diceman? Well, it seems Marvel has decided to take a leaf from those old dice roll-decided, choose your own path tales. Look out for a new Deadpool weekly mini series in comic shops, launching… Read More ›
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In Review: 2000AD 2067 (plus a look at Judge Dredd Megazine Issue 392, and more!)
“Savage” artist Patrick Goddard provides the cover to this week’s 2000AD, on sale now in all good comic shops and newsagents across the UK now – and ABC Warriors and R0-Busters boss and long-term bad guy Howard Quartz has never… Read More ›
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Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing exhibitions plans announced for 2019
If you’re a comic artist or illustrator seeking some inspiration, then you may be interested to learn that twelve galleries and museums across the UK are to launch simultaneous Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing exhibitions in February 2019, followed… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Comics on Comics with Stewart Lee and Josie Long
Comedians Stewart Lee and Josie Long discuss their appreciation of the medium and forays into creating strips in Panel Borders: Comics on Comics this week. Stewart Lee is an English stand-up comedian, writer and director who was one half of… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek and Review: Marie Duval, a new book spotlighting a pioneering female cartoonist
Myriad Editions have very kindly sent me an advance copy of their new title Marie Duval, a superb study of the pioneering but near-forgotten female artist behind the creation of the first “breakout” British comic characters, Ally Sloper. I can definitely recommend… Read More ›
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Shazam! filming gets underway
Production is underway on New Line Cinema’s Shazam! David F. Sandberg (Annabelle: Creation) directs the origin story, which stars Zachary Levi (TV’s Chuck) as the titular DC Super Hero, along with Asher Angel (TV’s Andi Mack) as Billy Batson, and Mark… Read More ›
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Bryan Talbot takes over Big Issue North!
The latest issue Big Issue North magazine (Issue 1221), on sale now from street vendors across the North West, features a cover by and interview with cmic creator Bryan Talbot, creator of the Grandville graphic novel series. Grandville: Force Majeure… Read More ›
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Britain’s ace indie comics spotlight event, Small Press Day, back in July
Small Press Day, a celebration of self-publishing, DIY culture, and grassroots comics across the UK and Ireland is back for a third outing on Saturday 7th July 2018. More information will be revealed soon. In 2016, an idea born on… Read More ›
