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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Classic UK Comic Zines Site adds rare 1970s conventions booklets to growing archive
British comics archivist, and former Fine Art and Graphic Design teacher David Hathaway-Price has been busy adding some gems of British comic fan history to his incredible Classic UK Comic Zines site, which is now located here. Two additions feature… Read More ›
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Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok trailer becomes Disney’s most watched in 24 hours
The trailer for the superhero threequel Thor: Ragnarok has raked in over 136 million views since its debut on Monday. And no, despite what he say on Twitter, we don’t think Marvel writer and former 2000AD editor Andy Diggle can… Read More ›
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New Asterix album title revealed as the Gauls head for Italy!
Asterix and the Race through Italy – yes, the title of the 37th album recounting the adventures of our friends from Gaul created by two comic book geniuses – Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny – has finally been revealed, due for… Read More ›
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Dan Abnett and Jack Campbell among writers for “Cosmic Powers” SF anthology edited by John Joseph Adams
Those of you who are looking forward to Titan Comics Lost Fleet: Corsair mini series (out in June 2017), written by Lost Fleet creator Jack Campbell, or are fans of 2000AD writer Dan Abnett‘s work might want to check out… Read More ›
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New graphic novel from Markosia, “Hunter, Hunted”, set to debut at Edinburgh Comic Con
On sale next week from Markosia is Hunter, Hunted by GM Jordan and Mick Trimble, and it’s already getting attention and praise in the run up to its launch at Edinburgh Comic Con this coming weekend. In this new graphic novel,… Read More ›
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Moomins on the Move in new official app, launched this month at Kew Gardens
Moomin Characters has teamed up with Finnish game studio RealityXpander to launch the app in various locations throughout the year. The beloved Finnish fantasy characters the Moomins – stars of both books and comics, who will have a big presence at… Read More ›
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London’s House of Illustration lands “Anime Architecture: Backgrounds of Japan” Exhibition
London’s House of Illustration is to host Anime Architecture: Backgrounds of Japan, the first UK exhibition of illustrations for classic SF anime films, including the recently re-released Ghost in the Shell anime later this year. Shown in Berlin last year, this is the… Read More ›
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The Phoenix launches “Star in a Comic” competition for kids
Do you know an awesome kid who has what it takes to create the star of a new comic story? Perhaps it could even be them? If so, then you should let them know Britain’s The Phoenix comic is running a new… Read More ›
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Creating Comics: Cartoon Cliches Exposed
Beano comic creator Nigel Auchterlounie has pointed me in the direction of an edition of New Yorker cartoon editor Bob Mankoff‘s “Cartoon Lounge” podcast entitled “Trop de Tropes“, webcast last year, in which he looks at the history of the… Read More ›
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V for Vendetta art exhibition in New York this month
If you’re travelling to New York this month, you may want to check out the fabulous-looking V for Vendetta art exhibition featuring the amazing work of David Lloyd. The exhibition runs until 29th April 2017 at the Museum of Illustration… Read More ›
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Bryan and Mary Talbot nominated for National Cartoonists Society Reuben Award
Bryan Talbot and Mary Talbot are among the 2016 NCS Divisional Award nominees for the 71st Annual US National Cartoonists Society Reuben Awards. Bryan and Mary are nominated for their project The Red Virgin and the Vision of Utopia, alongside… Read More ›
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Hibernia offers limited second edition of “The Tower King” from Eagle
On sale now from Hibernia Comics, celebrating the recent 35th anniversary of new Eagle 35th anniversary is a new edition of their fantastic collection of the classic story, The Tower King, written by Alan Hebden (Commando, Meltdown Man) and illustrated by José Ortiz (13th… Read More ›
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Fighting Fantasy Fest Returns to London in September
Fighting Fantasy Fest returns to Ealing for the largest dedicated Fighting Fantasy convention yet in September 2017, featuring Guests of Honour Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, as well as a host of other guests. Fighting Fantasy Fest 2 will feature talks, gaming sessions, comics,… Read More ›
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TItan Comics releases TEKKEN Issue #1 Extended Preview
Titan Comics have just released an extended art preview of TEKKEN Issue #1 – a brand-new TEKKEN comic hitting comic stores on 3rd May 2017 that leads directly into the upcoming TEKKEN 7 videogame – available on PS4, Xbox One… Read More ›
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New 100% Biodegradable revives “Rourke of the Radlands”, co-created by Wonder Woman artist Liam Sharp
The latest issue of the ace British digital anthology 100% Biodegradable (Issue 16) is on sale now and of course I’m delighted to report it includes a very special re-presentation of “Rourke of the Radlands – The Wand” – a tale… Read More ›
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Sci-Fi London Film Festival announces ambitious programme for 2017, six world premieres revealed
The Sci-Fi London Film Festival has launched its astronomical 17th annual programme, which will run from the 27th April until the 6th May 2017 across London with ten days of amazing film, live music, immersive experiences and more. The UK’s… Read More ›
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A Death’s Head versus X-Men encounter You May Have Missed
A Twitter exchange between Dublin artist Nick Roche and writer Chad Bowers alerted me to a Death’s Head appearance some Marvel UK fans may have missed. Nick posted this great image of Deadpool and Death’s Head by him and Transformers colourist… Read More ›
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UK’s Comics Laureate Charlie Adlard showcases power of comics to promote literacy at libraries event
Comic artist Charlie Adlard, whose credits include 2000AD and The Walking Dead, made his first public appearance as the UK’s Comics Laureate in Birmingham late last month. Two ‘Love Comics, Love Literacy’ events aimed to encourage both primary and secondary school teachers and… Read More ›
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Marvel Heroes Omega Announced for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
Gazillion, a leading video game developer and publisher, has announced Marvel Heroes Omega, launching for the PlayStation4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One this spring. Inspired in part by popular action-RPGs, modern Marvel video games, and massively multiplayer online games, we’re… Read More ›
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Last few days to back a bumper comics collection from Madius Comics, collecting “Papercuts and Inkstains” – in colour
There are just a few more days to go to back the Kickstarter appeal for Paperbacks and Inkstains – The Collected Papercuts and Inkstains from Madius Comics, a 200 page-plus book of strips we’ve enthused about here on downthetubes –… Read More ›