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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Blast from the Past: The Zambaquons
While scurrying through some old projects at the weekend, I came across this Zambaquons comic strip, based on characters I originally created for my first comics fanzine, SCAN, back in the 1980s. (The zine’s name, should not, by the way,… Read More ›
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A Double Dose of the Awesome Comics Podcast – in Full Colour from K. Michael Russell & Learn Comic Color.com!
Yes, yes, we got behind again on our Awesome Comics Podcast plugs, so Tony Esmond kicked me in the nadgers until I promised to get up to date. Ready? Here we go… Comic book stores are some of the best… Read More ›
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Our Most Read Stories in July 2016: Top Marks for Action and 2000AD!
Apart from the downthetubes home page, here are our Top Ten stories on the site for July 2016… • Rare “Banned” Action Comic reaches £1320 bid on eBay We have The Guardian to thank for this spike in interest in this… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: Gods of Men
Essex-based writer Michael Phoenix and his print line Mythic Press have just launched a Kickstarter for their new comic Gods Of Men. The artwork by Christian Paris is eye catching, to say the least, and teaser for the comic, sets up the concept… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: David Hine and Shaky Kane’s Cowboys and Insects
US independent publisher (and comic shop) Floating World Comics will release a one shot of David Hine and Shaky Kane‘s Cowboys and Insects in October, available to buy from all good comic shops. In Cowboys and Insects, first published in the digital comic… Read More ›
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Frank Bellamy Thunderbirds Art Prints Released, and do check out “True Brit”!
Last month, we plugged the fantastic Comics Unstripped exhibition at Kettering Museum and Art Gallery (and Colin Noble reviewed it here). The exhibition, which runs until 20th August 2016, features work by Frank Bellamy – who lived in the town – Doug Braithwaite, John… Read More ›
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Panel to Panel Goes Underground with Doctor Who comics writer Mark Wright
Episode 59 of Doctor Who: Panel to Panel is available for download, and interviewed this time out is Mark Wright, the new ongoing writer of the Doctor Who Magazine comic strip. A writer who frequently collaborates with Cavan Scott, he… Read More ›
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Three-mendous! New issue of Moose Kid Comics released
Moose Kid Comics, the free online children’s comic, is releasing its third annual instalment! Featuring 36 artists, spread across 36 full colours pages, it’s available to read online or download from www.moosekidcomics.com. In our third issue you’ll find the titular Moose… Read More ›
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Artist David Roach joins ICE 2016 Line-Up
Comic artist David Roach has joined the line up for this year’s ICE convention in Birmingham in September, joining the likes of Guy Adams, Charlie Adlard, Carl Potts, Declan Shalvey and many, many others on an impressive guest list. ICE,… Read More ›
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Sparkle World’s “Goblin Princess” strip Brought To Book
A few years ago Jenny O’Connor, Editorial Director at Redan Publishing (whose titles include the best-selling Peppa Pig) started writing a strip story for the company’s popular Sparkle World called The Goblin Princess – and now the strip has become… Read More ›
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Exploring the Secret History of Ben Day Dots in US Comic Books
Over on the terrific Legion of Andy web site the in part anonymous site runner has been publishing a series of articles on what might seem a pretty dry subject – the Ben-Day dots printing process, used to colour comics… Read More ›
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Caught Out By Moon Knight artist Greg Smallwood’s Artistic Genius!
You’d have thought that after seventeen years of editing downthetubes, plus mumble mumble years of working in the comics industry, I’d have learned not to totally rely on web image searches while sourcing artwork for articles by now, in addition to… Read More ›
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Don’t Miss Out on a Double Dose of David Lloyd’s Aces Weekly!
Not only is the terrific Week Three of the brilliant digital comic published by David Lloyd, Aces Weekly (Volume 23) on its way – out on Monday evening for subscribers – but Volume 13 is now available through ComiXology. David’s at London… Read More ›
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Sean Michael Wilson and Michiru Morikawa out to Challenge with “Breaking The Ten”
Out today from US publisher NBM in all good comic and books shops if Breaking the Ten, the first of a two-volume story by Sean Michael Wilson and Michiru Morikawa. In troubling times, some people find comfort in religion. But sometimes,… Read More ›
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Talking “Dream Gang” with Brendan McCarthy
Brendan McCarthy’s creator-owned psychedelic comics opus Dream Gang is out this week, published by Dark Horse Comics – and we caught up with this hugely talented creator for a quick chat about the project and what he’s currently working on…. Read More ›
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On Fire and Under Fire: New Commando comics on sale now!
The latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando (Issues 4935 – 4938) are on sale today in all good newsagents – and via a variety of digital platforms. This week’s batch includes all new stories – one by Colin Watson, drawn… Read More ›
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Tributes paid to US cartoonist Jack Davis
We’re sorry to report that legendary US cartoonist Jack Davis has died, aged 91 – one of the founders of MAD magazine and certainly one of the best-known and recognisable cartoonists in the world. “Our hearts are broken,” a spokesperson… Read More ›
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New This Week: Lion Guard Magazine from Panini
Panini’s new 36-page children’s magazine based on the popular new animated series The Lion Guard launches in the UK this week (Friday 28th July), aimed at kids aged five to seven. The animated series premiered in April, continuing the story of The Lion King… Read More ›
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In Review: FutureQuake Issue 29
The latest issue of FutureQuake – available online and on sale at various comics events across the UK at the publisher’s stand, see their blog for details – is another terrific anthology of stories from the cream of (mainly British) creators…. Read More ›
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Wonder Woman #3: Creator Secrets!
Wonder Woman #3 is out today in comic shops from DC Comics, written by Greg Rucka, drawn by Liam Sharp and coloured by Laura Martin. Liam posted the first five unlettered pages from the issue online, showcasing Laura Martin’s glorious… Read More ›