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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Remembering Gil Page: A Personal Tribute by David Hunt
Former comics editor David Hunt pays tribute to one of the great, and largely unsung force behind the success of British comics over several decades – Gil Page, who died earlier this week. I last saw my dear friend Gil Page… Read More ›
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Partners in Crime: Andy Diggle and Angela Cruickshank take “Control” in June
1st June 2016 sees the launch of a new six-part miniseries, Control, written by Andy Diggle (The Losers, Thief of Theives) and partner Angela Cruickshank, with art from Andrea Mutti (Le Syndrome de Caïn, Iron Man, Noir) and Vladmir Popov (Darklight, Steed and Mrs Peel), published by US publisher Dynamite Entertainment. In Control,… Read More ›
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New Commando Title includes a tribute to artist Ken Barr
Here’s the intel on the latest issues of Commando (Issues 4911-4914) from DC Thomson, on sale now in all good newsagents and assorted digital platforms (detailed below). This batch of the ace war comic includes “Rogue Pilot”, featuring a cover by the… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: IPC Managing Editor Gil Page
We’re sorry to report the passing of Gil Page, an editorial stalwart of Amalgamated Press, Fleetway, IPC and latterly Egmont, as that company’s Managing Editor. He passed away peacefully in his sleep earlier in the week, aged 79. “Gil was… Read More ›
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IDW To Publish M.A.S.K. Comic Book in November – but will reprints of UK series follow?
Hasbro’s Mobile Armored Strike Kommand (M.A.S.K.) is returning in a new ongoing comic. Joining other recent Hasbro additions to the IDW Publishing slate, ROM and Micronauts, M.A.S.K. will become the latest property to receive its own comic series. Mobile • Armored • Strike • Kommand… Read More ›
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Preston’s Talk Nerdy to Me III offers “Science of Tatooine” talk and more
Talk Nerdy to Me – a free annual convention celebrating all types of nerdiness and fun will be held at Preston’s Harris Library, Museum and Art Gallery on Friday 13th May, from 5.00 to 10.00pm. The Talk Nerdy to Me III… Read More ›
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Will You Be Spellbound by this British Comics Auction?
An auction of the lifetime collection of artist Alan Hunter, featuring science fiction and comic ephemera owned by the late and great fanzine artist goes under the hammer on Saturday – and includes a number of lots of British comics,… Read More ›
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Lancaster Comics Day Back in June
Lancaster Comics Day is back next month, taking place in Lancaster Library on Sunday 5th June. Organised by the Friends of Lancaster Library, the event has a varied line up of guests, many of them creators known for their Doctor… Read More ›
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Enniskillen ComicFest Charity Art Revealed
The first ever Enniskillen ComicFest has published some of the art that will be in its charity auction next weekend, to raise money for the Horizon West Children’s Hospice over the two days of the event. Art has been donated to… Read More ›
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Mœbius illustrations help celebrate work of Paulo Coelho
The work of Brazilian author Paulo Coelho was celebrated at the current Salon du Livre in Geneva, Switzerland. (Albeit very briefly, if my limited French is correct). The exhibition includes all 35 watercolour illustrations by the late, great Mœbius for The Illustrated… Read More ›
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The Rotten State of Newsagents – Is it any Wonder Publishers Are Pushing Digital?
When it comes to declining newspaper, comic and magazine sales, one major issue seems to get scant attention in any of the publishing trade journals I read – the way publishers product is treated at point of sale by newsagents…. Read More ›
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Something For The Weekend: This Week’s New Comics (w/c 25th April 2016)
There’s a cracking new story, “Brink”, in this week’s 2000AD Prog 1978 from Dan Abnett and INJ Culbard, which sits very nicely in an all-round thrill-drenched issue of the weekly SF comic, with the mystery of Judge Dredd’s current fat ever… Read More ›
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Birmingham Hosts UK film premiere with an Indie Comics touch in May
Is it a comic?Is it a film? Is it — yes… it’s both! Independent British comics publisher Geeky Comics are about to publish a brand new graphic novel called Rabbit. It’s a project driven by a new comedy film called In… Read More ›
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Eaglemoss Road Tests new Star Trek Graphic Novel Collection
Part work publisher Eaglemoss – whose other titles include Comic Heroes, the Marvel Fact Files, the Doctor Who Collection, Game of Thrones and Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection – are currently road testing the Star Trek Graphic Novel Collection… Read More ›
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WebFind: Comic Creators Project UK profiles “Spider” artist Reg Bunn
A great guide profile of the “Lion” artist
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In Memoriam: Illustrator and Comic Artist Shirley Bellwood
The very welcome reveal of 2000AD‘s cover of their first Misty collection – featuring art from a 1980 Misty Special – came tinged with the sad news of the passing of the much-admired artist who painted it, Shirley Bellwood, who had… Read More ›
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Cover Reveal: A New Look for Misty
A classic horror comic from the 1970s that was aimed at young girls is seeing the light of day once again thanks to 2000AD publisher Rebellion – and the publisher has just revealed the cover for the collection of strips from Misty…. Read More ›
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Awesome Comics Podcast Episode 43 – Kate Ashwin and Widdershins!
Kate Ashwin, creator of the popular webcomic Widdershins joins the Awesome Comics Podcast gang this week to talk about her brilliant book series. They talk about how the strip came to be, her path to becoming a full time webcomic… Read More ›
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European Space Agency Calls Out for Space Artists for new art&science@ESA residency
The European Space Agency, in partnership with Ars Electronica, has announcing art&science@ESA, a new art residency to explore the fertile ground between art and space science. Here’s the full details about the project which I think will appeal to a lot… Read More ›
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Comics Medicine Dundee Conference Details Revealed, Lynda Barry, Al Davison on Guest List
The 7th International Comics & Medicine Conference: Stages & Pages will take place in Dundee in July 2016. Keynote Speakers are Lynda Barry, Al Davison, Elisabeth El Rafaie with a special workshop run by Lynda Barry & Dan Chaon. Organised… Read More ›