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.
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›
-
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 ›