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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Bid to become a Beano character – and support the NSPCC
Could you (or your child) be the next Dennis the Menace or Minnie the Minx – and support the NSPCC? Beano Studios is offering the comic’s thousands of fans a once in a lifetime opportunity to star in the world’s… Read More ›
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Creators at 2000AD Forty Years of Thrills Festival revealed!
Rebellion has revealed the massive creator line up for its 2000AD Forty Years of Thrills Festival, a one day event taking place Saturday 11th February 2017, just outside London. Marking 40 years and over 2000 issues of thrill power, the… Read More ›
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Quentin Blake’s Roald Dahl “Portrait” Exhibition opens at British Library, Harry Potter news
Marking the phizz-whizzing anniversary of Ronald Dahl’s birth earlier this year, artist Sir Quentin Blake has drawn special portraits of some of the author’s most celebrated characters from Dahl’s stories, now on display at the British Library. Find out which… Read More ›
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Al Ewing’s U.S. Avengers #1 storms into UK in January with Captain Britain cover
Al Ewing will be signing the first issue of U.S. Avengers #1 at the Forbidden Planet London Megastore on 4th January 2017 at 6.00pm – the day of the new Marvel title’s release worldwide. In a world beset by danger,… Read More ›
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Frank Hampson’s Ladybird Books art for sale
Following up on our item on Ladybird Books exhibitions, Peter Hampson – son of Dan Dare co-creator and Ladybird Books artist Frank Hampson – has let us know he’s added a number of items from the books he illustrated to… Read More ›
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MASK (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand) Returns Today!
M.A.S.K. is back thanks to IDW, written by Brandon Easton, with art by Tony Vargas and cover artist Tommy Lee Edwards Launching from the events of IDW’s REVOLUTION! five-issue mini series, which concludes this week, the M.A.S.K. team streaks into a dangerous, unstable… Read More ›
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“Beau Peep” blows his last post at the Daily Star, nearly 40 years after first appearance
Veteran strip writer Roger Kettle has announced the sad news that the Daily Star has made dropped its longest-running comic strip, Beau Peep, which had been running in the newspaper since the first issue in 1978. Beau Peep will end sometime… Read More ›
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It’s Time For… the Awesome Comics Podcast Catch Up!
I’m not quite sure why the wonderful woolly mammoth that is Awesome Podcast and downthetubes contributor Tony Esmond doesn’t plug said ACP here himself (perhaps he’s too shy, or just busy with his night job as a Steven Seagal impersonator), but… Read More ›
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Ladybird Books Exhibition News
We’ve had news of a number of exhibtions featuring art published by Ladybird Books from the publisher who, in addition to expanding their Ladybird Books for Grown Ups range, have also produced A Ladybird Book: ABC and A Ladybird Book:… Read More ›
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Something For The Weekend: the Doctor battles the Master! – New Comics On Sale (w/c 28th November 2016)
Here’s this week’s round up of new comics in British newsagents and comic shops skewed, as ever to highlighting British creators and publishers. This is a bit of a quick round up owing to various circumstances, some work related, but… Read More ›
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Gillen, Walker announced for Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Forbidden Planet signing
Writer Kieron Gillen and artist Kev Walker will be signing the first issue of Star Wars: Doctor Aphra at the Forbidden Planet London Megastore on Wednesday 7th December 2016 at 6.00pm. In Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, following her time in… Read More ›
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Geeky Monkey magazine goes Rogue (Rogue One, that is)
Geeky Monkey magazine Issue 15 is on sale now from selected Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, WHSmith and independent newsagents. Felicity Jones from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story os on the cover and there’s an interview with the latest Star Wars star… Read More ›
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Celebrating 40 Years of 2000AD: Anniversary cover by Carlos Ezquerra revealed
Carlos Ezquerra’s cover for the 40th Anniversary Edition of 2000AD has been revealed, with the artist wryly commenting online “It’s been hard, but I managed to survive…” The cover features two of his best-known characters: Judge Dredd and Johnny Alpha,… Read More ›
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Resurrecting the Doctor Who Target Book That Never Was
As part of an audience with writer Eric Saward, there will be a reading of Chapter One of the Target Book that never was – an adaptation of the Fifth Doctor story Resurrection of the Daleks – at Manchester’s Fab Cafe… Read More ›
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New Eaglemoss Marvel Fact Files features Death’s Head, Steve Dillon tribute in New Year
The next issue of Eaglemoss’ Marvel Fact Files (Issue 195, published here in the UK on the 8th December 2016 features a stunning original Death’s Head schematic gatefold, the work of Simon Furman and Kev Hopgood. For the first time,… Read More ›
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Go Bananas at Bedtime with Bananaman! Plus, Musical News…
Move over, Superman! The Beano‘s Bananaman is chasing you for cult status and a place in every fans living space, with new Bananaman bedding and cushions now available through Asda. Produced by Bravado, we’re sure this comic development will be of interest to downthetubes… Read More ›
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VECTIS massive Star Wars toys auction includes early play set building magazine collection
On Black Friday – a day of commercial discounting and special offers that originated with Amazon, it’s perhaps worth remembering that once, a long time ago in decades far, far away there were times when toys were expensive and often only bought… Read More ›


