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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Panelalia anthology expands digital release in aid of Refugee Action, new contributors sought
Comics creator and artist Dave Crane doesn’t consider himself a political cartoonist, but he’s increasingly concerned about the refugee crisis, and the scapegoating of immigrants in the UK and elsewhere. Now, with friends in the comics community, he’s put together… Read More ›
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Gordon Livingstone – An Appreciation by Calum Laird
Former Commando editor Calum Laird pays tribute to artist Gordon Livingstone, who died recently… When British comics lost Gordon Livingstone, they lost one of their finest servants. As I was lucky enough to work with him, on and off, for… Read More ›
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Lakes International Comic Art Festival gets four-year Arts Council funding deal
England’s Arts Council has just announced its National Portfolio Organisations for the next four years – and the Lakes International Comic Art Festival is one of them, securing long-term funding for its ambitious comic art development and promotion plans, which… Read More ›
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Heroes at War: new Commando comics out this week
Here’s the intel on the latest issues of DC Thomson‘s war comic Commando (Issues 5031-5034), on sale in all good newsagents across the UK and via various digital platforms from Thursday 29th June. The releases come at a sad time… Read More ›
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Dinosaur are Forever – TASCHEN’s new “Paleoart” book released
TASCHEN’s stunning-looking new book Paleoart: Visions of the Historic Past, featuring a wide range of gorgeous dinosaur and prehistoric animal-inspired visuals, has just been released. And yes, it’s not cheap at £75, but it looks absolutely gorgeous! It was 1830… Read More ›
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Sam Glanzman Forever! tribute project announced after veteran comic creator enters hospice care
Sue Glanzman, US comic artist Sam Glanzman‘s wife, has asked Drew Ford, who has successfully got some of his most critically-acclaimed work back into print, to inform his fans that the much-admired comic creator has entered the first stages of… Read More ›
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Snashing Frashing! Garth Ennis and Mauricet’s reimagining of Dastardly and Muttley gets launch date
Garth Ennis is reimagining Dastardly and Muttley of Wacky Races and Dastardly & Muttley in Their Flying Machines for DC’s teen-oriented Hanna-Barbera line. Written by Garth, the six-issue Dastardly & Muttley series, launching 6th September, will be drawn by Mauricet, whose own… Read More ›
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Beano named as theme for library-based 2018 Summer Reading Challenge
Beano Studios is continuing to ramp up activity surrounding the comic’s 80th anniversary next year, and Beano has been named the creative theme for the Summer Reading Challenge 2018. The Summer Reading Challenge, organised by the Reading Agency and run… Read More ›
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Redan launches “World of Dinosaur Roar!” Magazine
Media company Nurture Rights has partnered with Redan Publishing – publishers of titles such as Sparkle World and Peppa Pig – for the launch of a new magazine based on Dinosaur Roar, entitled World of Dinosaur Roar! The pre-school aimed magazine… Read More ›
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“I Just Love It” gift company launches personalised Thunderbirds comic collections
Gift company I Just Love It has launched a range of personalised hardback and softback Thunderbirds-inspired books utilising strips from several sources – and a Gerry Anderson Collector’s Edition that offers other strips, too. Seven new personalised books are now available, re-packaging… Read More ›
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Dreams are made of this: win a trip to Japan in annual “Manga Jiman” comic competition
The Embassy of Japan in the UK has just launched their annual comic-writing competition to find the best creators of comic short-stories, and this year the theme is “Dreams”. Manga Jiman 2017 has two categories; Yonkoma Manga, requiring a comic… Read More ›
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Dan Dare’s Number One Fan was … top Doctor Who artist Andrew Skilleter
Organised comics fandom in the UK is usually considered to have begun in the late 1960s when the first zines began to appear, starting with Tony Roche‘s Merry Marvel Fanzine and, later, Heroes Unlimited. But there was an earlier attempt… Read More ›
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Doctor Who Adventures goes on hiatus but may be back in 2018
Panini UK has announced Doctor Who Adventures has gone on hiatus, effective immediately, although we’re told it may be re-launched with the arrival of a new series lead in 2018. The company has published over 24 issues of the title,… Read More ›
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Creating Comics for Self Publishers: A Nuts and Bolts Guide, courtesy from Lancaster Comics Day
Here’s a “nuts and bolts” panel from this year’s Lancaster Comics Day, discussing ways comics – and books – are published outside the mainstream today, through self publishing, crowd funding and digital outlets. The panel was was recorded by the… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2017: Ivan Petrus Adriaenssens on the Draw of War…
Here’s the first of this year’s “Kendal Calling” interviews, highlighting the work of comic creators attending this years Lakes International Comic Art Festival (13th – 15th October 2017). Weekend Passes are on sale now Returning to the festival from Belgium… Read More ›
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Hammer Films and Titan Comics Captain Kronos #1 Covers Revealed
The covers from Hammer Films and Titan Comics new comic series, Captain Kronos have just been revealed – a title continuing the original 1974 cult movie, which debuts in all good comic shops this September. Captain Kronos will be the… Read More ›
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Harrier Comics revival continues at CEPG, 1980s strips revived for the 21st Century, tentative schedule revealed
Denver-based publisher CEPG is continuing to roll out new editions of some of the 1980s Harrier Comics titles that offered many now well-established creators one of their first entry points into publishing thanks to publisher Martin Lock. CEPG’s publisher Mike… Read More ›
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Raymond Briggs graphic novels among British children’s favourite book in new poll
Two graphic novels by Raymond Briggs are in the Top 15 of a list of 20th century children’s books which are still being read today, in a new poll commissioned by the CILIP Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Medals. Top honours… Read More ›
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New Beano collaborations planned as the British weekly humour comic ramps up for its 80th anniversary in 2018
Beantown is reeling after Minnie the Minx was elected school president – and you can just imagine the mayhem that ensues in this week’s edition of Beano – and in the real world, Beano Studios is promising lots more japery for… Read More ›
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“Dangerous Visions” returns to BBC Radio 4 with Kafka, Fahrenheit 451 and more
BBC Radio 4 has more Dangerous Visions for its listeners, starting next week, offering a fifth season of dramas and readings presenting uneasy reflections of the future, mixing sci-fi classics with brand new writing and a strong line-up of acting… Read More ›