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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New Striker strip starts in The Sun on Monday, further collections on their way
Hot on the heels of the news of the sell-out success of the latest collected edition of football strip Striker, comes an update on the planned release dates for the next two volumes – and more about the future of… Read More ›
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Dare you take up Bryan Talbot’s Grandville Costume Challenge?
To celebrate the special pre-publication launch of Bryan Talbot‘s Grandville Force Majeure at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival 13 –15 October, the award-winning artist is inviting the series many fans to turn up at the free “Grandville – The Last… Read More ›
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Plan Hatched to celebrate 50 years of British Comic Zines – with an all-new fanzine, of course!
This month marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Phil Clarke and Steve Moore‘s KA-POW #1 – the first British comic fanzine (Although in Ireland Tony Roche got there first of course, with his Merry Marvel Fanzine). Now, a… Read More ›
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That Was the Comics Week That Was: Avengers, Thor, a splash of 2000AD artistry and girls comics, too!
It’s been a busy week! Here are some items you may have missed on our site and beyond. Have a great weekend! • Marvel Entertainment debuted a lot of concept art and new posters for upcoming movies over the weekend at San… Read More ›
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Iconic “Prince Valiant” art by Hal Foster sells at auction for over $70,000
One of the most famous Prince Valiant comic strips by the legendary Hal Foster was auctioned at Nate D. Sanders Auctions this week, and sold for a staggering $70,461. While interest in the strip is high in its 80th anniversary… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An interview with top Finnish comics artist Petteri Tikkanen, aka Black Peider
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 the amazing Finnish comic artist Petteri Tikkanen, who blew Festival guests away with his… Read More ›
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Girls in Print: Female Figures in British Comics Opens In Dundee
Girls in Print: Female Figures in British Comics is a new exhibition at the University of Dundee, running until October 2017. The way that female characters have been portrayed in comics has changed considerably over the years. In Britain, comics… Read More ›
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New comic art exhibition in Newcastle is an absolute delight for British comics fans
Regular downthetubes readers will recall our previous coverage of Comics: Explore and Create Comic Art at Seven Stories, the new exhibition at Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books in Newcastle – but now it’s opened, we can reveal… Read More ›
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Titan Comics Hook Jaw series – collection on sale now, Hook Jaw: Archive out in September
On sale from today in all good comic shops is Titan Comics collection of their recent Hook Jaw series, written by Si Spurrier with art by Conor Boyle, coloured by Giulia Brusco and lettered by Rob Steen – and a… Read More ›
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Sneak Beak: The Featherhood by Paul Goodenough and Fabio Guimarães
There will be lots to see and do in the Comic Zone at the London Film and Comic Con this coming weekend, but be sure to check out the free preview of The Featherhood, a new project from award-winning writer… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An Interview with comic artist Oliver East
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 comic artist Oliver East, who has previously been involved in numerous Festival-related projects. Oliver… Read More ›
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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 ›