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.
-
Aces Weekly: Now We Are Five!
This week marks the beginning of David Lloyd‘s magnificent Aces Weekly‘s sixth year – and sees the launch of Volume 30 of the digital anthology comic, sent to subscribers screens in seven super parts every Monday, with all further volumes rolling… Read More ›
-
Spelling Mistakes Cost Lives – Darren Cullen exhibits at The Other Art Show
Artist Darren Cullen – the creator behind the Spelling Mistakes Cost Lives web site – is showing a large selection of his work, including a brand new sculpture (and the above slightly older one) at The Other Art Fair in London (5th… Read More ›
-
Marney the Fox: after Buster, a “Sunny” star, thanks to Bernard Long
The beautiful Marney the Fox collection, gathered from the pages of weekly comic Buster is out this week, but who remembers an incarnation published in the nursery title Sunny in the 1980s? The “Marney the Fox” comic strip – the story of a… Read More ›
-
#Inktober is here: how about some Doctor Who art?
It’s #Inktober, so over at the Facebook Doctor Who Comics: A Voyage, we’re looking for your Doctor Who-inspired #Inktober art. (You’ll need to join the group to contribute). Inktober takes place every October with the aim of getting more of… Read More ›
-
Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An Interview with comics creator and author Paula Knight
With the Lakes International Comic Art Festival just two weeks away, downthetubes catches up with freelance illustrator, comics creator and author Paula Knight. Based in Bristol, Paula’s first graphic memoir, The Facts of Life, was published by Myriad Editions in… Read More ›
-
Misty and Scream Halloween Special Variant Cover Released
When Rebellion first announced its upcoming Halloween special featuring some classic comics from Misty, Scream and Thunder, there were accusations Misty – once considered the girls comic equivalent of 2000AD and a title that by all accounts once outsold it… Read More ›
-
Roy of the Rovers rebooted, new stories start in 2018
BBC News Oxford has reported Roy of the Rovers is to be rebooted in new adventures thanks to new owners 2000AD publisher Rebellion. The new stories will chart the start of Roy Race’s career at the fictional Melchester Rovers, in… Read More ›
-
2000AD New York Comic Con plans include sale Steve Dillon Memorial Charity Sketchbook
Jock (Batman, The Losers), Lee Garbett (Loki), Rob Williams (Suicide Squad), Alex De Campi (DREDD, Mayday) and Arthur Wyatt (DREDD) head 2000AD’s creator line-up at New York Comic Con next week: and a special Steve Dillon Memorial Sketchbook will be on… Read More ›
-
Titan Comics NYCC 2017 schedule revealed
This New York Comic-Con (5th – 8th October 2017), Titan Comics is bringing its largest-ever offering of thrilling debuts, NYCC variants and special appearances from a host of creators including the creator behind The Death of Stalin which inspired the upcoming… Read More ›
-
Dan Whitehead and David Hitchcock’s Frankenstein comic heads for new heights
Independent gothic western graphic novel Frankenstein, Texas has reached its Kickstarter goal in just five days, and is now raising funds towards additional content, including an all-star gallery of bonus pin-ups from established comic stars. Created by writer Dan Whitehead… Read More ›
-
Creating Comics: A Turn of the Millennium Interview with Alan Moore, Part One
First published on the Engine Comics web site way back in 2002, this wide-ranging interview with Alan Moore specifically about writing comics with Daniel Whiston is a fascinating read, and we’re delighted to have permission to re-publish it here on… Read More ›
-
Gateway, the SF novels that inspired Marvel UK’s “Warheads”, comes to TV
The NBCUniversal-owned cable network owned Syfy has announced it is developing Frederik Pohl‘s award-winning best-seller Gateway as a series, novels that once inspired comic creator Paul Neary while he was developing Marvel UK’s Warheads back in the 1990s. First announced… Read More ›
-
Out Now: Beano 3904 – The One where Minnie the Minx does Strictly!
Inside this week’s Beano (No. 3904) Minnie the Minx does Strictly Come Dancing! Behind a smashing cover by Nigel Parkinson, Minnie finds herself in the spotlight this week at Strictly Beanotown’s Got Talented Ballroom Dancers! Plus: shiver me timbers! Roger… Read More ›
-
DC Thomson is launching “This Is”, a monthly children’s magazine series
(UPDATED 29th September): Launching in October and featuring different content each month, This Is is a series of magazines designed to cover topics that are trending and popular with kids right now. Maria Welch, Head of Publishing for Magazines at DC Thomson… Read More ›
-
Who will win the first ever Sergio Aragonés International Award for Excellence in Comic Art?
As we’ve previously reported, Sergio Aragonés, the world’s fastest cartoonist, will be making a rare appearance as part of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival (13th – 15th October in Kendal, Cumbria). One of the most famous and influential living… Read More ›
-
Vault Comics issues rallying cry in defence of comic creators under attack from “fans”
US publisher Vault Comics has issued a statement condemning harassment and intimidation of comic creators – and have called on larger publishers to follow suit. The statement highlights attacks on creators who identify with one or more minority group, describing some… Read More ›
-
Neil Gaiman’s American Gods returns
Last year at New York Comic Con, Dark Horse announced the comic adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods. Ahead of this year’s New York Comic Con, Dark Horse has just revealed more details about the next nine-issue story, American Gods:… Read More ›
-
Crowdfunding Spotlight: My Comic Shop Country, a new documentary about US comic shops
My Comic Shop Country is a feature-length documentary from Anthony Desiato, who runs a podcast of the same name, exploring comic shops across the United States. He previously directed a feature about now-closed New York comic shop Alternate Realities, My Comic… Read More ›
-
Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An Interview with Comics Writer and Festival Patron, Mary M. Talbot
With just over two weeks to go to 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 comics writer and Festival patron Mary M. Talbot…… Read More ›
-
Out Now: Pierce Brown’s Red Rising – Son of Ares #5
Pierce Brown’s Red Rising continues with Sons of Ares, written by Rik Hoskin. in #5, the penultimate issue of the series on sale now from US publisher Dynamite, featuring a lead cover by Toby Cypress and interiors by Eli Powell, Fitchner’s quest to… Read More ›