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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Tove Jansson-inspired “Archipelagogo” exhibition first salvo in countdown to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival
Archipelagogo is an amazing-looking exhibition by Felt Mistress and Jonathan Edwards with an Andy Votel soundtrack. There’s a preview evening this Saturday (30th September) at the Wildman Gallery in Kendal in the run up to this year’s Lakes International Comic… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An Interview with Comic Artist, Writer and Festival Patron Bryan Talbot
There’s not long to go now 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 artist, writer and Festival patron Bryan Talbot, who will… Read More ›
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Celebrate Your Local Library!
Discover something new during Libraries Week, a national week-long celebration of libraries from Monday 9th October to Saturday 14th October 2017. Libraries across the country will take the opportunity during Libraries Week to demonstrate the services and activities they offer, including showcasing their… Read More ›
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Upcoming British Comic Conventions – A Quick List for the rest of 2017 and into 2018
2017 has seen no shortage of comics events great and small across the UK, and there are a few more to come this year, so I thought I’d run a quick listing, which, I hasten to point out, is not… Read More ›
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London’s GOSH Comics to host Bog-Eyed Books Launch, Orbital Comics to host Big Comic Draw
The exciting new kids comics publisher Bog Eyed Books will be at London’s GOSH Comics store on Thursday 5th October to officially launch themselves, with appearances by the whole talented team – Gary Northfield, Nicky Evans, Jim Medway, Alexander Matthews… Read More ›
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Malta Comic Con returns in December
Malta Comic Con – one of the friendliest comic conventions it’s ever been my pleasure to attend – is back in December, the ninth edition to be held on Saturday 2nd (10am-6pm) and Sunday 3rd December (11am-7pm) 2017 at the Mediterranean… Read More ›
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In Review: How Comics Work by Dave Gibbons & Tim Pilcher
How Comics Work By Dave Gibbons, Tim Pilcher Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group – Wellfleet Press The Book: This “How It’s Done” series reveals insider hints, tips, and tricks from one of the world’s greatest comic creators in his own words…. Read More ›
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The Ballad of Halo Jones 2000AD: The Ultimate Collection edition on sale now
The second issue of Hatchette Publishing’s 2000AD: The Ultimate Collection is on sale now in all good newsagents – reprinting of The Ballad of Halo Jones by Alan Moore and Ian Gibson. First appearing in 1984, Halo Jones was an… Read More ›
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TimeUK up for sale, but does that include its massive comics and comic character library?
Reuters reported on Friday that US Magazine publisher Time Inc says its is looking to sell several assets, including Time Inc UK, Time Customer Service and a majority stake in the Essence magazine. The sale processes – in response to… Read More ›
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Pale Orc or Waltzing Partners? You could win a painting simply by supporting artist Graeme Neil Reid!
Two new paintings for one lucky winner to pick from this month in artist Graeme Neil Reid’s September Art Raffle. One a cruel monster from a blockbuster film and the other a glimpse of the beauty found in horrific moments… Read More ›
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Were Communists air brushed out of British comics in the 1950s?
Here’s an interesting item about comics as propaganda from the 1950s – with Captain America a possible victim of British publisher (and government) manipulation that some downthetubes readers may be able to shed further light on. “Are you now, or… Read More ›
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Happy Comic Book Day!
Today, Monday 25th September 2017, is Comic Book Day – a celebration that started in the United States, but an event noting the work not only of American creators who pioneered the art form, but international creators, too. Celebrated today,… Read More ›
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It’s Even Bigger on the Inside! Ace Howett and Quinn Who book re-released
Remember when you used to laugh in the 1980s and Nineties? Well, now you can relive those happy moments as every Doctor Who comic strip Tim Quinn and Dicky Howett produced for Marvel UK during that period is collected together in… Read More ›
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P M Buchan’s HANGOVER at Thought Bubble 2017
If you’re at Thought Bubble this weekend, then look out for P M Buchan’s HANGOVER – a new anthology of horror and horror-comedy comic strips created by Buchan and a range of some of the world’s brightest emerging comic creators,… Read More ›
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Dan Dare “mini-documentary” to feature on BBC “Inside Out” magazine show
A Dan Dare mini-documentary will screen as part of an upcoming edition of Inside Out BBC North West on Monday 2nd October at 7.30pm. The mini-documentary will tell creator Frank Hampson’s story, celebrating Dan Dare and Eagle, and bringing the story… Read More ›
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Al Davison and Yen Quach partner on “Future Echoes”, launching Liminal Comics
When a former editor from DC/Vertigo reaches out to you out of the blue and tells you she wants to do something with you “like comics, or something awesome,” it is an easy yes. Alisa Kwitney – who worked on… Read More ›
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In Review: Super Robot Mayhem #1 Sample Art
Creative Team Created by Jeremy Biggs, Adrian Mursec Writer: Jeremy Biggs Artwork: Javier Bordon Design: Paul Nicholson Colours: Javier Bordon, Yel Zamor, Jeremy Biggs Letters: Jon Scrivens Publisher: Subversive Comics The Book: Have you ever wondered what would have happened… Read More ›
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Zero in on latest Commando comics!
Brand new Commando comics from DC Thomson (Issues 5055-5058) are on sale now in all good newsagents and various digital platforms. Expect Wildcats, Catalinas and Zeroes as heroes dodge Panzers in ruined villages in France, navigate hostile tropical islands, and… Read More ›
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Page 45 comic shop co-owner Stephen L. Holland probed in latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival podacast
Stephen L. Holland, co-owner of the superb Nottingham-based comic shop Page 45 and Lakes International Comic Art Festival patron talks about the store, the comics industry and the festival in the latest podcast from the fast upcoming event’s team. Stephen… Read More ›
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Bryan and Mary Talbot announce RAIN, their latest graphic novel project
Bryan and Mary Talbot have announced they have gained funding from the Arts Council for another project together – RAIN, a 150 page graphic novel tackling environmental issues to be published by Jonathan Cape, probably in late 2019. “In a… Read More ›