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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Dunkirk spirit aplenty in the new Commando comics
Diving into familiar territory, like the Dunkirk retreat, the latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando war comic (Issues 5039-5042) also feature many surprises like the air battles fought over the Burmese jungle, the battle torn streets of Madrid during the… Read More ›
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DC Thomson puts out call for Commando writers
Alongside publishing its submission guidelines for both writers and artists, the team at DC Thomson’s Commando have put out a time sensitive, specific call for specific pitches from authors. Here’s the appeal in full… Calling all Writers! We’re currently looking… Read More ›
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Doctor Who annual art, rare James Bond and Project SWORD toys and more up for auction this weekend in Bristol
Nestling among a huge number of Star Wars, Real Ghostbusters, Corgi and Dinky toys up for auction at East Bristol Auctions on Saturday 29th July 2017 are a number of items that we think will appeal to downthetubes readers, including… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Definitive “Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons: The Vault” book in the works, out in October
Following 2015’s hugely successful in-depth book Thunderbirds: The Vault by Marcus Hearn, author Chris Bentley has written Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons: The Vault, which will be published in October by Signum Books. Lavishly illustrated, judging from the teaser images released… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An Interview with 2000AD Comics Artist Mark Sexton
The countdown has begun to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). We’re delighted to continue our “Kendal Calling” interviews with 2000AD comic artist Mark Sexton, who’s coming to the event all the way from Australia… Read More ›
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Thunderbirds Are Go story-telling game app announced, due for release next year
ITV Studios Global Entertainment has teamed with Kuato Studios, producers of Code Warriors and Dino Tales, to develop a story-telling game app based on Thunderbirds Are Go. Scheduled for release in early 2018, the app will be available on iOS… Read More ›
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In Review: Combat Colin #1 by Lew Stringer
Out: Now 40 pages. Colour covers, black and white interiors. Suitable for 9+ readership. The Book: The first in a six issue series of comics collecting the classic Combat Colin strips that appeared in Marvel UK’s Action Force and Transformers… Read More ›
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New Eagle Times spotlights Dan Dare’s “Lion” days
The new Eagle Times – Summer 2017 issue (Volume 30, Part Two) – is out now. Features include “Life After Eagle“, about Dan Dare‘s brief run in Lion, the second part of downthetubes contributor Steve Winders article about Frank Bellamy’s “The… Read More ›
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Something old, something new … Rogue Trooper Redux “Comparison Trailer” released
Independent UK developer and 2000AD publisher Rebellion has released a new Rogue Trooper Redux trailer, comparing the game’s impressive visuals directly with those of the original 2006 game. The new trailer also reveals the game’s launch date of 17th October… Read More ›
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Good News! The Good News Bible from Breakdown Press collects the complete Deadline strips of Shaky Kane
“Read any GOOD BOOKS lately, punk?” For the first time ever, Good News Bible: The Complete Deadline Strips of Shaky Kane , out in August from Breakdown Press, collects Shaky Kane‘s complete comic strips and illustrations from the ground-breaking British counter-culture… Read More ›
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In Review: Women Who Kill, illustrated by Sarah Tanat-Jones
By Sarah Tanat-Jones Publisher: Cicada Books Out: Now The Book: There is nothing more shocking or fascinating than the story of a homicidal woman. We are told that violence is a man’s domain – that a woman is pre-programmed to nurture and… Read More ›
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Judge Dredd, Dark Judges badges released by yesterdays.co
Collectible enamel lapel badge (or pin, as they say across the pond) maker @yesterdays.co have just released some devilishly dangerous pin badges – featuring the fearsome foursome Dark Judges from 2000AD‘s Judge Dredd. They’ve also released a limited edition Dredd… Read More ›
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That Was The Week Comics Was – New Scream! and Misty, Doctor Who and a Lime Street Leopard!
It’s been a busy week! Here are some items you may have missed on our site and beyond. Have a great weekend! • Sales of the Oor Wullie Bucket Calendar have raised £3000 for Archie Foundation’s Tayside Children’s Hospital Appeal, Dundee’s… Read More ›
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Broken Frontier announce the publication of the 2017 Broken Frontier Small Press Yearbook
Comics culture site Broken Frontier has announced the publication of their 2017 Small Press Yearbook, an anthology celebration of the work of BF’s ‘Six Small Press Creators to Watch’ of 2016 – Rebecca Bagley, Kim Clements, Brigid Deacon, Emily… Read More ›
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Star Trek Discovery comics launch in October from IDW
IDW Publishing has announced it will launch its first Star Trek: Discovery on 25th October 2017, just a month after the series launches on CBS All Access in the United States and Canada, and on Netflix worldwide. Written by Mike Johnson… Read More ›
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Can Comics (and other arts) can keep you healthy?
The arts can help keep us well, aid our recovery and support longer lives better lived according to a new report presented to Britain’s House of Commons this week, which will get its full launch tomorrow in Manchester. Presumably, that… Read More ›
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hoopla digital brings Fantagraphics, Lion Forge and Titan Comics titles to North American public libraries
hoopla digital, the category-creating mobile and online service for North American public libraries, has announced content agreements with comic book publishers Fantagraphics, Lion Forge and Titan Comics. With the agreement, hoopla digital immediately adds thousands of popular comic book titles… Read More ›
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Classic “Scream!” and “Misty” comics unite for Hallowe’en Special!
(Updated 3/8/17, with confirmed on sale date) Rebellion, publisher of 2000AD, has begun soliciting orders for a Scream! & Misty Hallowe’en Special through comic shop distributor Diamond, promising new stories starring classic characters from two much-loved British comics published in… Read More ›
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IDW and Glénat announce Original Graphic Novel partnership
US company IDW Publishing and French publisher Glénat are launching a new joint initiative, “Original Graphic Novel”, focused on the creation of original comic books, to be published both in France and the United States. The partners say the main… Read More ›
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New James Bond tale, “Kill Chain”, launches this week
When a counterespionage operation in Rotterdam goes catastrophically wrong, James Bond finds himself in the crosshairs of a plot to smash NATO in Kill Chain. The latest secret agent tale from US publisher Dynamite Entertainment written by Andy Diggle, with art… Read More ›