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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The First Female “Doctor Who” Appeared in Comics back in 1989 – Sort Of!
While the news of the latest Doctor Who casting of Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor, Britain’s national media went a bit crazy, fans were divided – while some Marvel UK comic fans simply shrugged, because they’d seen it coming… Read More ›
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In Review: The Leopard from Lime Street – Book One
Written by Tom Tully Art by Mike Western, Eric Bradbury Publisher: Rebellion Graphic Novels (British Treasury of Comics) Out: Now The Book: Billy Farmer lives with his Aunt Joan and Uncle Charlie in the sleepy town of Selbridge. Visiting the… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Artist Rian Hughes’ I Am a Number
When everyone has a number, everyone knows their place. Lower numbers are better, higher numbers are less important, and that’s just the way it is. But what if that number could change? You might try to buck the system and… Read More ›
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Character Options renews its Doctor Who figure license after Thirteenth Doctor casting announced
Toy firm Character Options, who have held the master toy licence for Doctor Who since the show’s 2005 relaunch has renewed its deal with BBC Worldwide as UK master toy licensee for long-running SF TV series, following the announcement that… Read More ›
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Doctor Who: Enter our Thirteenth Doctor Comic Art Competition!
With the confirmation that actress Jodie Whittaker is to be Doctor Who‘s Thirteenth Doctor, we’re sure some of you will be racing to draw her. Several artists have shared their take of Jodie online already, including cover artist Hal Laren… Read More ›
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High Five! Unlikely MP to meet Controversial Cartoonist at fifth Herne Bay Cartoon Festival
The fifth annual Herne Bay Cartoon Festival has announced that Martin Rowson – “the UK’s most controversial cartoonist” – is now coming to the event next month to meet Britain’s most unexpected MP. There are also several great cartoon exhibitions… Read More ›
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Revealed – Untold Dalek History, in… DALEK! (What else could you call it?)
Comics author Cavan Scott (Doctor Who, Vikings) has revealed some details about DALEK, an untold history of the Doctor’s greatest foes, due for release from BBC Books later this year, co-written with George Mann and Justin Richards. “The book is… Read More ›
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Titan Comics San Diego Comic-Con plans revealed – new Doctor Who tales, Robotech special and more
British publisher Titan Comics has announced it will be bringing its biggest ever offering of exciting debuts to this year’s sell-out San Diego Comic-Con (20th – 23rd July 2017), SDCC variants, limited editions and special appearances from a host of… Read More ›
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All-out action from cover to cover in 100% Biodegradable – Issue 17!
100% Biodegradable Issue 17 is on sale now, crammed with digital comics goodness – available from all the usual electronic outlets. Here’s the line-up and yes, of course I’m just a teeny bit biased about this title for obvious reasons… Read More ›
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That’s Novel! Turn your house into a vintage library for a snip, thanks to Décor Books
Décor Books is a brand new website offering a collection of high quality modern and vintage books for interiors – sold by the metre from just £29. The site is the brainchild of Lauren Giles, who has a long-standing love… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Comic Artist and Writer Sam Glanzman
The team here at downthetubes were very sad to learn of the passing of the influential comics American comic creator Sam Glanzman, whose work we have highlighted on several occasions. Here, his son Thom Glanzman pays tribute to his father…… Read More ›
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The Awesome Comics Podcast Catch Up: Creating Comics with Al Ewing, Jon Lock, Sarah Millman and more
It’s time for an Awesome Comics Podcast catch Up! (Let’s hope the boys didn’t mean what they said about cattle prods and anchovies if I got behind again, eh?) Dan Butcher, Vince Hunt and Tony Esmond have been chatting with… Read More ›
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Saigon Stories and a Nazi called Groot? New Commandos on sale now!
On sale now are the latest issues of DC Thomson’s war stories comic Commando (Issues 5035 – 5038), available in all good newsagents and various digital platforms. In the latest issues, there’s fighting through the streets of Saigon, Middle Eastern… Read More ›
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A Caravan of Comics heads to the Lakes Festival in October – from Australia!
Kendal’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announced several Australian comic creators have joined this year’s line-up of both British and international guests for its weekend-long event, taking place 13th – 15th October 2017 – including 2000AD artist Mark Sexton. The Caravan of… Read More ›
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Observer/ Cape/ Comica Graphic Short Story 2017 Competition Launches
Are you an aspiring graphic novelist? Do you have an original story to tell? Jonathan Cape Graphic Novels and Comica have again got together with the Observer newspaper to offer you the chance to see your work in print and win £1,000…. Read More ›
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Coming Soon: Corbyn Comics! from SelfMadeHero
Yes, you read that headline right. Corbyn comics are needed from artists up and down the UK and beyond – and they’re needed fast – by 9th August 2017. No, not Kirby comics – Corbyn comics, as in Labour Party… Read More ›
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Artist Spotlight: Peter Dobbin’s role in re-imagining the classic game, Cluedo, as a new critically-acclaimed mobile app
Last year, we reported on top British Concept Artist Peter Dobbin‘s stunning Mythical Monster Map – a nifty way to keep track of those things that might be lurking under your bed. Well, Peter’s currently working on another beautiful-looking project… Read More ›
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A New Doctor for “Doctor Who” – and a New Doctor Who Magazine editor
Panini UK have just announced longtime Doctor Who Magazine, editor Tom Spilsbury is stepping down from the role – but a name familiar to the title’s thousands of readers worldwide is stepping into his place. Doctor Who Magazine, first published in… Read More ›
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British Library launches new project to preserve British digital comics
The British Library have begun a new project focusing on digital comics publishing in the UK, and the challenges of preservation and access in the long term. Since April 2013, the British Library has been able to collect material published… Read More ›
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Latest Spaceship Away Reveals A Long Forgotten Dan Dare Stage Play
It was long thought that the only time that Eagle’s Dan Dare officially trod the boards of a British theatre was in the 2003’s Dan Dare: The Musical at the Customs House in South Shields. However another, much earlier, play has recently… Read More ›