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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Judge Dredd Mega-City One TV Show – Countdown Comes with Recommended Reading!
With Rebellion’s just-announced Judge Dredd Mega-City One TV series two years away, 2000AD have some recommended reading for you, while you’re waiting for the series to debut, which may just hint at the direction of the show. Last week, Rebellion announced… Read More ›
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Applied Comics seeks comic writers and artists for new
Lydia Wysocki over at Applied Comics Etc has dropped us a line appealing for comic creators to work on a great new project with a Civil Rights theme. “We’re making a comic to give children age 8-14 some context about… Read More ›
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Andy Capp exhibition celebrates his creator and 60 years of the Daily Mirror cartoon star
The Daily Mirror’s Andy Capp celebrates 60 years of publication this year – and the occasion is being marked in the town his creator Reg Smythe lived and worked with a special exhibition at the Museum of Hartlepool. ‘60 years… Read More ›
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100% Biodegradable Issue 16 is out now on ComiXology
Issue 16 of the digital anthology 100% Biodegradable, which I’m delighted to be involved with, is out now on ComiXology. Recently awarded 8.3 out of 10 on FanboyNation, and described as “some of the best science fiction storytelling outside of… Read More ›
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Locus Award Finalists 2017 include MR Carey, Paul Cornell, Jo Walton
The Locus Science Fiction Foundation has announced the top ten finalists in each category of the 2017 Locus Awards. They include numerous British creators such as Stephen Baxter, MR Carey, Paul Cornell, Dermot Power, Alistair Reynolds, Charles Stross and Jo… Read More ›
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Red Rising: Sons of Ares out now from Dynamite Entertainment
On sale now from Dynamite Entertainment is a great-looking title penned by British author Rik Hoskin alongside the author of the books the series is based on, Pierce Brown – Red Rising: Sons of Ares. With art by Eli Powell (Yakuza Demon… Read More ›
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Bradford Literature Festival includes “BLF Comic Con” in events programme
This year’s Bradford Literature Festival includes the launch of a dedicated comics and manga weekend at the University of Bradford over the weekend of 1st – 2nd July. BLF Comic Con will combine the customary convention set up with unique and specially curated events,… Read More ›
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Birmingham Comics Festival has big plans for its Comic Art Show next month
Next month sees the debut of the Birmingham Comics Festival – a series of events that take place throughout the city which includes the Birmingham Comic Art Show at Birmingham City University, a free convention-style event which will take place on 24th… Read More ›
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Signature Publishing launches Transformers: Rescue Bots magazine next week
The official magazine for the animated TV series Transformers: Rescue Bots will launch next week in the UK (19th May 2017). Transformers: Rescue Bots is a toyline, story book series, and animated television series based on toy manufacturer Hasbro’s Transformers franchise,… Read More ›
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Dennis the Menace and Minnie the Minx take pride of place in revamped DC Thomson offices
Beano and Commando publisher DC Thomson is back in its original Meadowside home in Dundee, after a huge operation to move their publishing arm from the company’s Kingsway site that lasted several weeks – and Beano and Sunday Post comic art… Read More ›
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“Charley’s War” and “Timeslip” art, rare Beanos included in May ComPal British comics auction
The latest ComPal auction run by Comic Book Auctions Ltd is now live offering a wide selection of comic items – both British and US. As usual, our focus is on the British section, which includes some great art offerings… Read More ›
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2000AD Prog 2030: Dark Judges, Martians and Much More!
2000AD Prog 2030 is on sale in all good newsagents and comic shops across the UK from tomorrow (Wednesday 10th May 2017). Here’s a quick taster of the issue. It’s another smasher – although, to be frank, we’re still reeling… Read More ›
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Work in Progress – London Comics Gathering This Saturday
This Saturday sees a day-long gathering of W.I.P. Comics (aka Work In Progress Comics) at London’s Royal Festival Hall, a gathering of comic creators that aims to offer collaborative feedback on each other’s work. Originally known as Graphic Novels and… Read More ›
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Karl Kersch Robotech Covers Revealed
Robotech – the iconic 1980s Sci-Fi anime – returns to comics in July from Titan Comics with a set of special covers by Karl Kerschl – superstar artist of Gotham Academy and Isola. These five stunning Robotech character spotlight covers are available across… Read More ›
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ICE grips Brighton in June! (No, it’s not a weather report)
Some of the biggest stars from the world of comic art are coming to Brighton this June as part of ICE Brighton 2017 – an international celebration of the medium organised by Smallzone Events. As the summer sun beats down, a cool… Read More ›
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On Sale This Week: Ian Livingstone’s Freeway Fighter #1 (Sneak Peek)
Out this week from Titan Comics is the hotly-anticipated Ian Livingstone’s Freeway Fighter, written by Andi Ewington with art by Simon Coleby. Inspired by the classic Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks, if you’re a Mad Max fan then this book will surely resonate with you…. Read More ›
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Celebrate Free Comic Book Day with 2000AD, Doctor Who and more
Today is Free Comic Book Day, an industry-led annual promotion to encourage you to visit your local comic shop. Not only to pick up free comics, but to hopefully buy some from that shop too – and generally have fun… Read More ›
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Blazing Battle Action – the story of one of Britain’s best-loved war comics recounted
In 2003, David Bishop, co-author of the newly-updated Thrill-Power Overload (and more) wrote a behind the scenes account of how trail-blazing British war comic Battle was created and nurtured, as told by those who were there. Commissioned for the Judge Dredd Megazine… Read More ›
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Sector 13, new 2000AD fanzine launches
This Saturday Sector House 13 – The Pit Crew, a Belfast based 2000AD fan group will be debuting their fanzine, Sector 13 at the Enniskillen Comics Festival. The 24 page A4 zine, which will be on sale for £3 ,… Read More ›
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Production is Underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ Super Hero Action Adventure “Aquaman”
Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure Aquaman, helmed by James Wan (The Conjuring films, Furious 7). Jason Momoa stars in the title role, returning to the character he plays in this autumn’s Justice League. The film also… Read More ›