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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Little Nightmares moves from game, to comic, to TV series!
Little Nightmares – not only a critically-acclaimed game but also a two-issue comic series from Titan Comics with #1 on sale now – is to become a TV series. Hollywood Reporter first broke the story earlier this week, reporting Anthony… Read More ›
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More big comics action from Commando, the pocket-sized war comic!
Here’s the intel on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando (Issues 5027-5030), on sale from Thursday 15th June 2017. Commando is sold in all good UK newsagents – and available digitally on various platforms. Size doesn’t matter in this… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Adam West
We’re sorry to note the passing of Adam West, the actor who played Batman in the iconic eponymous TV show alongside Burt Ward as Robin, has died at the age of 88. West is best known for his role as Batman… Read More ›
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Dan Dare artist’s wildlife art on sale on eBay
Best known to downthetubes readers for his work on the original “Dan Dare” strip for Eagle, Desmond Eric Walduck was also a talented artist – and one of his woodland scenes is currently being auctioned on eBay. Offered for just… Read More ›
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New Life for “Superhero 2044” RPG?
Checker Book Publishing Group has announced that it has purchased the publishing rights to the classic super hero themed role playing game Superhero 2044 from Gamescience Publishing. Artists on board for the project include Simon Bisley, Val Mayverik, Rudy Nebres,… Read More ›
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Roy of the Rovers artist David Sque visits Lancaster for rare UK appearance this weekend
This weekend David Sque, former Roy of the Rovers artist and illustrator of Rise of the Invincibles graphic novel, arrives in Lancaster from his home in Spain for two events. On Saturday 10th June, he’ll be at Waterstones, King Street, Lancaster, signing… Read More ›
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First Doctor Who “Lost Dimension” Crossover Covers Revealed
Titan Comics has revealed covers for its an eight-book Doctor Who crossover event for 2017, a project spanning four series, launching on 30th August with the first two books in the Doctor Who: The Lost Dimension storyline: Doctor Who: The… Read More ›
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ITV announces live action “Cowboy Bebop” series
ITV Studios has announced a joint venture to produce a live-action TV adaptation of Japanese cult anime series Cowboy Bebop. The project springs from Los Angele-based Tomorrow ITV Studios, a joint venture agreement between American television producer Marty Adelstein (whose credits include Good Behavior and Prison Break) and ITV… Read More ›
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Dan Dare goes to the Seaside for new exhibition
Herne Bay’s Seaside Museum is currently host to a Dan Dare exhibition, supported by the Dan Dare Corporation who own the character, which runs until 1st July 2017. Included in the exhibition are an impressive number of Dan Dare merchandise… Read More ›
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“Charley’s War” auctioned art defies estimates, sells for over £1000
“Charley’s War” artwork does not come onto the market very often and Pat Mills stories of World War One’s Charley Bourne, brilliantly illustrated by Joe Colquhoun, first published in Battle Picture Weekly, have legions of admirers, so it’s no surprise… Read More ›
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US publisher Fantagraphics announces new anthology title, NOW
Fantagraphics Books Inc. has announced plans for a Now, a tri-annual anthology series with all new stories that highlights the diversity and talent of cartoonists all over the globe. The first issue is set to debut at the Small Press… Read More ›
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2000AD and Doctor Who comic creators headline this year’s Cardiff Independent Comic Expo
Cardiff’s original independent comic show returns on Saturday 8th July 2017 at the Cardiff Masonic Hall. The Cardiff Independent Comic Expo is a family friendly, not-for-profit annual show, dedicated to providing a platform for the very best in independent comic artists,… Read More ›
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Coming Soon: PanelxPanel, a new digital comic anthology
PanelxPanel, launching later this month, is a brand new digital magazine celebrating the medium we love: comics. Edited by Strip Panel Naked host, Hass Otsmane-Elhaou, it will features a rotating set of writers ranging from critics to professionals, fans and comic… Read More ›
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Edgar Rice Burroughs’ 100 Year Art Chronology Kickstarter smashes target in days
Easily reaching its target ahead of the closing date, an officially authorised Edgar Rice Burroughs’ 100 Year Art Chronology – project looks simply wonderful. Funding will see the publication of a four-volume collection of illustrations from Burroughs’ US publications, spanning some 1200 pages, including art… Read More ›
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New York Times bring city’s stories to life with comic tales
The New York Times Magazine has a new series featuring New York stories by a dozen outstanding comics artists, introduced by a marvellous tale from Kevin Huizenga. Other creators involved are Bill Bragg, Robert G. Fresson, Tillie Walden, Wesley Allsbrook,… Read More ›
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Rourke of the Radlands back in “Fool’s Gold” for 100% Biodegradable
Coming to Issue 17 of the digital anthology 100% Biodegradable is a brand new Rourke of the Radlands strip written by Dave Hailwood and me, John Freeman with art by Bill Storie and some rather glorious colours from Brett Burbridge. Originally… Read More ›
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In Review: The Phantom – Scarlet Sapphire
Regular readers of downthetubes will recall we reported back in March that Dublin-based independent comics publisher Lightning Strike Comics was to release a new Phantom comic, Scarlet Sapphire. Well, this stunning-looking comic gets its public launch tomorrow (Saturday 3rd June)… Read More ›
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Chip Zdarsky Gets Life! Life Model, that is – at this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival
Kendal’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival is famed for pushing the envelope when it comes to its events programme, but casting world-famous comic artist and illustrator Chip Zdarsky as a Life Model? That’s taking things into the stratosphere! Over the… Read More ›
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Fab 4000 comics project launches at Liverpool’s Cavern Club in style thanks to East of Eli, Chyler Leigh and many more
Regular readers will recall we recently spotlighted plans for bringing Supergirl star Chyler Leigh to Liverpool, a visit in support of THE FAB 4000, a brilliant new comics project developed by comics creator Tim Quinn, artist Jorge Pacheco – and the staff… Read More ›
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DC Legends game adds Wonder Woman film character
Just in time for Wonder Woman’s cinematic release this week, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has announced that DC Legends, the free-to-play strategy RPG mobile game featuring DC’s iconic Super Heroes and Super-Villains, is adding new content based on the highly anticipated… Read More ›