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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Sid “Swab” Burgon’s “Ivor Lott and Tony Broke” art from Buster up for sale
The London-based Illustration Art Gallery, publishers of the fantastic Illustrators magazine (Issue 19 is out now) have, this month, branched out into some very reasonably priced humour comic artwork by longtime British comics artist Sid Burgon, including a complete two-page… Read More ›
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Gareth Brookes talks comics – and beer! – with the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast
The latest Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast (Episode 11) is live and features an interview with award-winning comic creator Gareth Brookes. A man of many media, Gareth, one of this year’s Festival guests, is known for his unusual approach to materials,… Read More ›
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In Review: Comic Book Hero – Working with Britain’s Picture-Strip Legends
By Barrie Tomlinson Publisher: Pitch Publishing Out: Now The Book: In the 1960s, 70s and 80s, children’s comics were a massive part of a young person’s life. This book tells the story behind the production of comics such as Tiger,… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An interview with comic creator and Festival patron Emma Vieceli
The countdown has begun to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). The downthetubes “Kendal Calling” interviews continue with a chat with artist and Festival patron Emma Vieceli, just as the first print collection of the… Read More ›
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Doctor Who: Thirteenth Doctor Art Challenge – The Winner is…
Back in July, we announced our latest Doctor Who art challenge, after confirmation that actress Jodie Whittaker is to be Doctor Who‘s Thirteenth Doctor, and many artists raced to draw her. Several artists have shared their take of Jodie online, including cover artist Hal Laren (the… Read More ›
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Metaphrog receive funding from Creative Scotland for next fairy tale graphic novel adaptation
There’s good news for award-winning Franco-Scottish graphic novelists Sandra Marrs and John Chalmers, aka Metaphrog today, after Creative Scotland announced this month’s open project fund awards. They have been awarded £32,000 towards creating their next graphic novel. Mentioned in this recent… Read More ›
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In Review: Futurequake 2017 (The “Idea Space” Issue)
The Book: FutureQuake 2017 is back to brighten the boring, Inspire the indolent and render the jaded jubilant! Within the 100 page issue witness 18 possible futures including the latest instalment of the astounding epic, “Idea Space”. The Review: I’ve… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An Interview with Darryl Cunningham
The countdown has begun to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). The downthetubes “Kendal Calling” interviews continue with a chat with “graphic journalist” Darryl Cunningham, whose new work Graphic Science launches at this year’s weekend-long… Read More ›
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As FLOODS return, so does British charity comic project, strip appeal launched
In 2007, British comic creator Adam Grose initiated a project with writers and artists producing a comic eBook of one page cartoon strips exploring the theme of ‘Flood’, in reaction to the UK floods experienced in July 2007. Creators include Ben… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An interview with comic creator Gareth Brookes
The countdown has begun to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). The downthetubes “Kendal Calling” interviews continue with a chat with award-winning comic creator Gareth Brookes… A man of many media, Gareth is known… Read More ›
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Britain’s Coolest Comic Convention, ICE, Returns to Birmingham
With the summer convention season now in full swing, a reminder that it’s time for the spotlight to shine on England’s Second City once again as flocks of comics fans and cosplayers descend onto Birmingham City Centre for the annual… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2017: An interview with comic creator Hannah Berry
The countdown has begun to this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (13th – 15th). The downthetubes “Kendal Calling” interviews continue with a chat with comic creatrix extraordinaire, podcaster and satirist Hannah Berry… Hannah will have many guises at… Read More ›
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“Charley’s War” and Space:1999 art, rare 1950 promotional Eagle offered in latest ComPal comics auction
The latest ComPal comic auction catalogue and features “Charley’s War” art, a promotional Eagle rarity and much more among some 385 lots in total, including US comics. The last ComPal auction back in May achieved some record prices with £5600… Read More ›
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Peter Capaldi’s own art features in Doctor Who Appreciation Society charity auction
The Doctor Who Appreciation Society‘s latest charity auction is now open, and includes some great items donated by Peter Capaldi, including his own copy of the original readthrough script for ‘Listen’ (with annotations!). The Society also have some signed merchandise… Read More ›
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The Awesome Comics Podcast Catch Up: Jack Kirby, the best of indie comics and more
The Awesome Comics Podcast gang are at London Super Comic Con this weekend and have a wonderful poster promoting the work of dozens of small press creators on sale at their table, so grab a copy before they sell out! If… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Comic Artist Alphonso Azpiri
Comic creator, editor and publisher Dave Elliott pays tribute to the award-winning Spanish artist Alphonso Azpiri, who has died aged just 70. He’s best known for his adult comics work such as “Lorna” and “Bethlehem Steele”, but he was also… Read More ›
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London Super Comic Con This Weekend, massive comic creator line-up planned
London Super Comic Con is on now in our capital (25th – 27th August 2017), taking place at the the Business Design Centre in Islington and offering a fantastic line-up of comics guests. LSCC is the UK’s biggest and most exciting… Read More ›
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Preston Comic Con puts the “comic” back into “Comic Con”, adding three 2000AD artists to line-up
Three amazing comic guests have recently been added to the line-up for Preston Comic Con, taking place on Saturday 23rd September 2017 at the city’s Guild Hall. Joining a line-up that already included comic creators John Higgins and Lew Stringer,… Read More ›
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Lancaster Comics Day will return – in 2019
Lancaster Comics Day will be taking a break in 2018, returning to the city on Sunday 2nd June 2019. The decision has been taken in part in response to continued changes within Lancashire’s library services and to give the event’s… Read More ›
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Heroes and Foes event in Morecambe this Bank Holiday Monday
Geeks Comic-Cons, who organise events across the UK, are determined to bring some sunshine and laughter to the awesomely amazing seaside town of Morecambe this August Bank Holiday Monday when Heroes & Foes brings a fantastic Family Mini Comic-Con to… Read More ›