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.
-
WebFind: Meet the Spook Squad – Adventures Too Scary for Boys!
Meet the Spook Squad – Adventures Too Scary for Boys – an irresistible concept that applies to animation, toys, games, books and a wealth of potential merchandising opportunities. And, perhaps, comics too? The action is led by four feisty girls… Read More ›
-
Jessica Martin’s “A Star Is Drawn” to launch at ICE Birmingham
Comic creator Jessica Martin’s latest book, A Star Is Drawn will be launching exclusively at ICE Birmingham 2017 next month (Saturday 9th September 2017). A collection of Jessica’s distinctive portraits and sketches, it features some of the brightest stars in entertainment… Read More ›
-
That Was the Comic Week That Was: Millarworld bought by Netflix, Dave Gibbons on tour, and is Darth Vader a cider drinker?
Here are some items you may have missed on our site and beyond. Have a great weekend! • Our most popular item this week was without doubt discussion about the new Scream & Misty Halloween Special, out in October from… Read More ›
-
Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An interview with Graphic Poet Mal Earl
The countdown has begun to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). We continue our “Kendal Calling” interviews with a chat to Mal Earl, who is a regular contributor to David Lloyd’s digital anthology Aces Weekly… Read More ›
-
Comics Take over Frome, Somerset this Weekend! (And watch out for Darth Vader, too…)
This weekend 12th – 13th August 2017 will see the second ever Frome Comic Con which I’m afraid I’ve missed news about completely so apologies to the organisers. Frome, in Somerset, is home to Disconnected Press, run by Conor and Lizzie… Read More ›
-
Crowdfunding Spotlight: Xasan Daahir Weedhsame’s “Catastrophe” poem poster featuring art by Bryan Talbot
Catastrophe is an electrifying poem by the Somali poet Xasan Daahir Weedhsame, a howl of anguish about the displacement of the Somali people, soon to be published as a dual-language poem-poster featuring a specially-commissioned illustration by the artist Bryan Talbot thanks… Read More ›
-
Comics-inspiring artist Paul Nash exhibition heads for Newcastle
Two key paintings from the 1930s by Paul Nash are currently part of a major survey of the artist at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich until 20th August 2017, before the exhibition, first shown to huge acclaim at… Read More ›
-
Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An Interview with comic artist and book illustrator John Martz
The countdown has begun to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). We continue our “Kendal Calling” interviews with a chat to Canadian master of the subtle, understated and bitter-sweet – comic artist and illustrator… Read More ›
-
Lifeboat Heroes and Deadly Snipers stalk the latest Commando comics – on sale now
Brand new Commando issues 5043-5046 are out today (Thursday 10th August) from DC Thomson, on sale in all good newsagents and via various digital platforms. Ready your guns for incoming Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine and Wehrmacht as heroes face air, sea and… Read More ›
-
Quake Champions, debuts, new Sherlock series “The Great Game” launches
Titan Comics debuted to new series today, on sale in all good comic shops. Quake: Champions ties directly into the brand-new Bethesda shoot-em-up videogame, while Sherlock‘s newest series – The Great Game – features a cover by Eisner-nominated Sana Takeda. Also… Read More ›
-
Out Today: The Lost Fleet: Corsair #3, featuring “Black Jack” Geary in comics for the first time
The latest issue of The Lost Fleet – Corsair (#3), which I’m editing for Titan Comics is out today, a series based on the best-selling Lost Fleet military SF series by John Hemry (writing as Jack Campbell). It’s been a… Read More ›
-
Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An Interview with Hellboy artist Duncan Fegredo
The countdown has begun to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). We continue our “Kendal Calling” interviews with Duncan Fegredo. Much more than “just” a Hellboy artist, Duncan is described by his peers as… Read More ›
-
Titan Comics new Elric collection hits bookshops today
Titan Comics fifth volume of the classic comic adaptation of Michael Moorcock‘s bestselling fantasy saga Elric – The Vanishing Tower – goes on sale in all good bookshops today. With his reluctant companion Moonglum in tow, the albino emperor embarks… Read More ›
-
Pitching Art Samples – A Comic Editor’s Notes
As regular downthetubes readers know, I’m currently editing a couple of comics projects for Titan Comics, (Lost Fleet – Corsair #3, a military SF title based on and written by the novelist John Hemry, as Jack Campbell, is on sale… Read More ›
-
In Review: Jeff Hawke Club Magazine Volume 10 Number Two
The latest issue of the Jeff Hawke Club magazine – Volume 10 Number Two – is on sale now, offering 86 pages celebrating work of Sydney Jordan, as well as offering features on space flight and insights into the background… Read More ›
-
First Isle of Wight Comic Con announced for November 2017
The first Isle of Wight Comic Con will take place at Northwood House & Park, Cowes on 4th & 5th November 2017. Comics guests announced so far include Lee Townsend, Dez Skinn and Colin MacNeil, along with a number of independent comic creators and… Read More ›
-
Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An Interview with Benoît Peeters, the UK’s Professor of Graphic Fiction and Comic Art
The countdown has begun to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). We continue our “Kendal Calling” interviews with Benoît Peeters, the UK’s Professor of Graphic Fiction and Comic Art (Lancaster University in association with… Read More ›
-
Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An Interview with Comics Laureate and Walking Dead artist Charlie Adlard
The countdown has begun to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). We continue our “Kendal Calling” interviews with Walking Dead artist and UK Comics Laureate 2017-2019 Charlie Adlard. Charlie has been a “veteran” of the… Read More ›
-
Scream Misty For Me – Cover Controversy over new “Hallowe’en Special” Continues
2000AD publisher Rebellion is publishing a Scream! & Misty Hallowe’en Special in October featuring all-new stories based on characters from the hugely-successful girls comic Misty, the short-lived by fondly-remembered Scream! and the equally short-lived boys comic Thunder – but this great news… Read More ›
-
TwoMorrows Jack Kirby tribute debuts this month
Marking the centennial of US comic artist Jack Kirby‘s birth, TwoMorrows Publishing and Jack Kirby Collector magazine will release KIRBY100 later this month, an incredible tribute to the influential artist and writer featuring articles by 100 top comic creators, including Britain’s… Read More ›