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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Egmont gets set to launch a new Teletubbies magazine
Egmont will launch a new Teletubbies magazine next month, building on the popularity of the rebooted pre-school programme, which airs on BBC’s CBeebies channel at 7.00am daily. Teletubbies first hit screens in 1997, and the show follows the four colourful main… Read More ›
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Dark Horse announces new “Angel” series, launches in January 2017
Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s first love will receive a solo series and a “re-vamped” creative team in the twelve issue series Angel Season 11 from Dark Horse Comics. Corinna Bechko (Lara Croft, Star Wars: Legacy II) writes Season 11 while Geraldo… Read More ›
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Malta Comic Con 2016 December dates announced
As autumn begins to bite and scientists involved in analysing upper atmosphere activity start comparing its current status with last year’s and suggest we could be in for a grim and cold winter, what better time to have news of… Read More ›
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Comics Crowdfunding Spotlight: Nottingham Comic Con Anthology: Forest Tales
Nottingham Comic Con has launched a modest Kickstarter to fund its first tie-in anthology – a collection of short stories from some of the best comic book creators in the British small press and leading professionals. The Nottingham Comic Con… Read More ›
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Artist Dave Crane announces new Electricomic anthology project, appeals for strips
Comic artist and illustrator Dave Crane is one of the guests at this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October (14th – 16th), with an exhibition, a workshop for grown-ups and Family Zone activities. The official Electricomics team will be… Read More ›
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The Beano launches major revamp, physical and digital, new TV show in the works?
DC Thomson has just launched its revamp of The Beano, across all aspects of the title including the comic – still sold in all good newsagents- and digital world. Here’s the details in full from Beano Studios… however, there’s no information… Read More ›
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Soaring Penguin Press announces “A Small Revolution”…
Soaring Penguin Press has agreed to publish the English edition of A Small Revolution by Boum, the pen name of Samantha Leriche-Gionet. A story of dictatorship and revolution as seen through the eyes of a child, A Small Revolution was… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Warhammer 40,000 Will of Iron #1
Titan Comics have revealed a new, phenomenal variant for Warhammer 40,000: Will of Iron #1 by Pasquale Qualano and Marco Lesko – a special cover exclusively designed for the annual Local Comic Shop Day, which takes place in participating comic stores on… Read More ›
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Dan Dare Audio Adventures “Lobby Cards” released, second “film poster” revealed
These “lobby cards” are just one of several promotional activities to encourage interest in the new Dan Dare Audio Adventures from B7 Media – launching via Big Finish in December. Lobby cards – used to promote films in cinemas in… Read More ›
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True Believers Comic Festival returns to Cheltenham in February
Following up on its success of with previous events, which saw the True Believers Comic Festival voted amongst the Top Five comic cons in the UK, the event is returning to Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday 4th February 2017 for a… Read More ›
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Beatrix Potter artwork reimagined by award-winning comic artists for 150th anniversary
Marking the 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter, award-winning comic artists have given their time and talents to reimagine her characters and artwork, with stunning results. Contributors to the project, organised by the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, include Walking Dead… Read More ›
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London’s Cartoon Museum gets set to celebrate 40 years of 2000AD
We’ve heard from downthetubes contributor Richard Sheaf that London’s Cartoon Museum is to host an exhibition to celebrate 2017 being the 40th anniversary of 2000AD. The exhibition will occupy the main gallery space and contain 70+ pieces of artwork. The… Read More ›
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Pirate Wars, a Bermuda Triangle mystery and more in new Commando comics
Here’s the intel on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando (Issues 4951 – 4954), on sale from today, 22nd September 2016, in all good newsagents and via various digital platforms. If you’re a comic professional interested in editing Commando… Read More ›
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Vice Press release stunning new Rogue Trooper poster by Florian Bertmer
Vice Press have just released a brand new, officially licensed 2000AD screen print; Rogue Trooper by Florian Bertmer, a huge fan of the comic who has brought Nu-Earth to life through insanely detailed art. Florian Bertmer is a German-born artist… Read More ›
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Zombies, SF action adventure and more in latest 100% Biodegradable
The latest issue of the digital anthology comic 100% Biodegradable (Issue 14) is on sale now, wrapped in an awesome cover by Brett Burbridge. Here’s the full rundown, and yes, I’ll admit to some bias for this marvellous title, given… Read More ›
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DC Thomson advertises “Heritage Brands” editor, could classic collections be in the works?
Dundee-based comics publisher, whose current titles include The Beano but has a massive comics archive encompassing boys and girls comics dating back to the 1920s, has re-advertised the role of a “Heritage Brands” editor, which includes editing Commando, a post has… Read More ›
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Awesome Comics Podcast Episode 64 – Shaky Kane, Chris Baker and Last Driver
The Awesome Comics Podcast gang go apocalyptic and off the rails this week, as they talk Last Driver with Chris Baker and Brit comics legend Shaky Kane. There’s chat about the inspiration for Frank Sudden and his road trip adventure,… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Titan Comics Hook Jaw #1 by Si Spurrier and Conor Boyle
Titan Comics have revealed the final covers for Hook Jaw #1, which include work by series artist Conor Boyle, John McCrea and Marc Laming. Hitting stores in December, the five issue mini-series is written by comics fire-cracker Si Spurrier (Cry Havoc,… Read More ›
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Creating Comics: British web comic “The Putto” gets print publication – in Czech!
Given the unfortunate lack of outlets when it comes to original comics on the news stand here in the UK, it’s hardly surprising to hear that many comic creators are enjoying publishing success outside this country. Creators such as Pat… Read More ›
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Craig Thompson, Bryan Talbot, Emma Vieceli and other top creators to draw OCD Action charity comic at Lakes Festival
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announced this year’s special 24 Hour Marathon Comic project as part of this year’s weekend-long event in October, featuring a stellar line up of talent that aims to raise awareness of the medical condition OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Written… Read More ›