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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New Commando stories offer Ram Raiders and Flying Fleas!
Here’s the intel for DC Thomson’s Commando Issues 4939-4942 – on sale now in all good newsagents across the UK and via various digital platforms. Two issues are set in the Far Eastern grandeur of New Guinea’s truly impressive landscape,… Read More ›
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Comic-Con run turns sour, comic fans warned as similar events still being advertised
Comic fans and running enthusiasts are being warned to be on their guard after families donned fancy dress costumes and headed to Sutton Park for a “fan-freaking-tastic” Comic-Con Run – only to find that it wasn’t taking place. A number of similar events… Read More ›
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Coming Soon: the first-ever Worcester Comic Con
Taking place at the University of Worcester Arena on Sunday 21st August, with a promised one hundred traders of wonderful things, from comics to film and TV merchandise, the first ever Worcester Comic Con offers a great line up of comics creators as guests, plus appearances… Read More ›
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US Comics Grading Company CBCS Saves 2016 ICE Comic Convention from Cancellation
Running a non profit making comic convention to the high professional standard of The International Comics Expo in Birmingham must be challenging enough, but when the Arts Council pulled their third and final year of funding from the event last… Read More ›
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2000AD’s Dan Dare – in Spanish!
Hibernia Comics has posted another great Dan Dare find on their Facebook page. Featured here are Issue One and Two of the 1970s Spanish Dan Dare comic, reprinting the 2000AD stories. Both covers are by Spanish artist Josep Maria Miralles. Contents… Read More ›
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Awesome Comics Podcast Episode 58: Jamie Smart
The guest for the Awesome Comics Podcast Episode 58 is the man behind the mighty Moose Kid Comics, Jamie Smart. As we reported just recently, a new issue of the brilliant digital comic for kids (of all ages) is out now,… Read More ›
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Asterix: The Mansion of the Gods Finally Reaches British Cinemas
Asterix: The Mansion of the Gods, is finally released in English in UK cinemas on 19th August, in 3D and 2D. The first Asterix 3D motion picture, initially released in France in 2014, finds Asterix and friends still resisting Roman rule… Read More ›
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Striker heads back to The Sun, new projects also in the works
Striker – one of Britain’s longest running newspaper strips, mainly published in The Sun – is on its way back at last, “and probably very soon”, according to creator Pete Nash. Subject to any last minute hiccups, the strip will… Read More ›
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Injection Volume Two Out This Week, Warren Ellis hints at new Doctor Who inspiration for new story
Injection Volume Two by Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire is out from Image Comics on Wednesday (10th August 2016), on sale in all good comics shops and book shops, digital and physical. Once upon a time, there were five… Read More ›
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Dan Dare “Lost Film” eBay find, and Les Edwards’ unused Mekon design
Recently spotted on eBay by Hibernia Comics fan Paul Dowson was this advertisement cut carefully from an October 1975 issue of Variety for a never made Dan Dare film, a project from Phenomenal Film Productions, which owned both the film and… Read More ›
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The Bizarre World (but eye-catching advertising art) of British “Bile Beans”
Bile Beans? Really? Who on earth would buy such a product? Well, as it turns out, quite a lot of people, swayed it seems by canny advertising, despite the dubious and much challenged health claims… And you can still buy… Read More ›
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In Review: Treves – A Restless Night
Writer: Tom Ward Art: Luke Parker Letters: Nic J Shaw Editor: Clare Lenton Recommended for mature readers The Book: Set before the events in the brilliant Merrick: The Sensational Elephantman, A Restless Night is loosely based upon a true story… Read More ›
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DC Super Hero Girls licensing programme starts to rolls out in the UK
Warner Bros. Consumer Products is gearing up for the launch of its DC Super Hero Girls franchise, with a series of new retail promotions throughout the UK. The DC Super Hero Girls show, which airs on Boomerang, focuses on the… Read More ›
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Uncovered: Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon Comic Book Programme
In 1975, rock band Pink Floyd starred in a comic book, published to coincide with the band’s Dark Side of The Moon tour. Created by Storm Thorgerson’s Hipgnosis, the comic was a “Super, All-Action Official Music Programme for Boys and Girls”. The comic… Read More ›
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Concept Artist Peter Dobbin puts Mythical Monsters on the Map!
Top British Concept Artist Peter Dobbin has come up with a nifty way to keep track of those things that might be lurking under your bed – by putting them on a gorgeous Mythical Monster Map. The Mythical Monster Map… Read More ›
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2000AD and Thought Bubble Festival partner again for 2016 Talent Search
Calling all budding writers and artists – this November could be your big chance to break into comics, courtesy of 2000AD and the Thought Bubble Festival. During November’s Thought Bubble convention in Leeds, 2000AD will once again stage the only… Read More ›
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In Review: Torchwood #1
The first issue of Titan Comics new Torchwood is on sale from today in all good comic shops and co-writer John Barrowman, aka Captain Jack, is urging fans of the show to “Get your copy and come on our incredible… Read More ›
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Dublin’s “Comics Lab”, organised by Stray Lines is back Next Week
The Comics Lab is an informal space from Stray Lines (collective of Irish and Ireland-based comics artists dedicated to incubating and promoting innovative approaches to comics in Ireland), aiming to explore storytelling through text and image, taking place once a… Read More ›
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Something For The Weekend (w/c 1st August 2016): Torchwood, 2000AD and Lucky Luke!
It’s a busy week for Titan Comics, with the launch of NBA All-star legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar‘s debut comic book Mycroft Holmes – focused on the early, chaotic life of the elder Holmes brother – and their new Torchwood title, written by Captain… Read More ›
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New Dan Dare Strategy Game Announced
Newark-based Ergo Sum Games has announced the upcoming release of a Dan Dare: Adventures in Space strategy game. Due for release in October 2016, Dan Dare: Adventures in Space is a strategy game for 2-6 players, for ages 12 &… Read More ›