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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A Short History of Female Judges in Judge Dredd from 1979 to 1982 by “Judge Anon”
I’ve just come across this excellent Tumblr offering some great pieces on the world of Judge Dredd and 2000AD. The creator – “Judge Anon” – is publishing a series of articles on the history of female Judges in the comic… Read More ›
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Awesome Comics Podcast Episode 41: Webcomic Creator Sian Jefferson
This week web comic creator Sian Jefferson joins Dan Butcher, Tony Esmond and Vince Hunt on the Awesome Comics Podcast, to talk about the fabulous The Book of Fey, her influences, the task of writing fantasy comics and her own journey into making… Read More ›
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Students invited to Reimagine the Art of Beatrix Potter
This year is the 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter – a literary and artistic icon who is synonymous with the English Lake District. Her books have sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and have been translated into over 35 languages. Beatrix… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Comics Writer Scott Goodall MBE
A tribute to the comics writer best known for his work on titles such as Battle and Buster
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Doctor Who Adventures #13 Out Now – Unlucky for Some, Perhaps?
The latest issue of Doctor Who Adventures, edited by Jason Quinn, is on sale now (#13) in all good newsagents featuring “Shock Horror” a fun strip involving zombies written by Tommy Donbavand, drawn by Russ Leach – check out how… Read More ›
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Retired Edinburgh teacher’s secret life as a 70’s Jackie model – Edinburgh Evening News
The Edinburgh News has a piece by Liam Rudden on one of the models for the 1970s editions of Jackie, who went on to be a teacher and is now retried. The item comes with Jackie: The Musical now on… Read More ›
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Paul Cornell on Tour for Who Killed Sherlock Holmes? novel launch
Top comics writer and author Paul Cornell – now also writing the TV show Elementary – will be on tour next month around the UK to mark the launch of his latest novel, Who Killed Sherlock Holmes? Tuesday 19th May sees… Read More ›
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Top Cartoonists Steve and Luke McGarry Lined Up for October’s Lakes Comics Festival
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has just announced the upcoming appearance of two top British, California-based comic creators at this year’s Festival, who will be bringing their unique cartooning talents to bear on a host of activities throughout the weekend. Steve… Read More ›
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Awesome Comics Podcast Episode 40: Kris Carter and Bruce Outback
This week on a great show all about creating comics the Awesome Comics Podcast gang are joined by the talented Kris Carter, a comics creator it’s been a huge privilege to have worked with myself in the past. Kris is the… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Titan Comics new ongoing “Ninth Doctor” Doctor Who Comic
Next week (Wednesday 13th April) sees the return of the Ninth Doctor – as played by Christopher Eccleston – in a brand-new ongoing Doctor Who series from Titan Comics – and we have a sneak peek at the covers and some… Read More ›
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British Creators On Board for New Images Comics
Image Comics kicked-off Emerald City Comicon with Image Expo yesterday, announcing a number of exciting creator-owned announcements that include new work by a number of British creators – including Sean Phillips, Alison Sampson, John Watkiss and Jim Campbell as well as those international… Read More ›
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Sneak Preview: Black Dog – The Dreams of Paul Nash by Dave McKean
As we’ve previously reported, Cumbria will host a world premiere performance and the launch of a unique graphic novel – Black Dog – The Dreams of Paul Nash by Dave McKean – as part of 14-18 NOW, the UK’s official arts… Read More ›
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2000AD Exclusive! What Is The Secret of Prog 1977?
This rather enigmatic message about 2000AD Prog 1977 on top of a fantastic new image by Carlos Ezquerra has just reached the downthetubes team. The number, of course, coincides with the year 2000AD was founded, so The Mighty One himself… Read More ›
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Nottingham Does Comics!
Nottingham Does Comics launches this month – and the organisers of the new bi-monthly discussion forum have invited comic creator Jonathan Clode, co-editor of the brilliant To End All Wars anthology to talk at their first event. “There’s some really… Read More ›
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The Famous Five At 75: New Merchandise in the Works
Bulldog Licensing, which represents the estate of children’s author Enid Blyton, has announced a range of nostalgia products will launch next year to celebrate 75 years of her much-loved The Famous Five. The Famous Five are among Enid Blyton’s best-loved creations and… Read More ›
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New Comics On Sale This Week: Goldtiger, Burning Bright for 2000AD and Giant Days Delight
Here’s my pick of this week’s list of British creator and British publisher-skewed new comics, including new comics on sale in UK newsagents. This feature covers all titles released from Monday 4th April onwards with most new US comics released… Read More ›
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Convict Commandos Blast Back Into Action in, er, Commando!
Here’s the intel on the latest issues of Commando (Issues 4903-4906) from DC Thomson, on sale now in all good newsagents and assorted digital platforms (detailed below). This release sees the welcome return of the Convict Commandos in a new… Read More ›
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Celebrating 10 Amazing Years of Doctor Who Adventures
Doctor Who Adventures was launched on the back of the amazing success of the revived series the previous year, and over on LowCulture, Paul Lang recalls how he first got wind of the Magazine when he saw some top-secret early… Read More ›
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Live Long and Sparkle: MAC Star Trek Make-Up In the Works
Celebrating Star Trek’s upcoming 50th anniversary, MAC Cosmetics has unveiled its new makeup line inspired by the franchise, promoting it with some cool futuristic but sadly uncredited graphics. Set for release this summer, the line has been inspired by characters Deanna… Read More ›
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Crouch End Comic Art Festival Returns in June
The third Crouch End Comic Art Festival (CECAF) will take place at the Earl Haig Hall, Crouch End, London on 18th June 2016, hosting the best and brightest cartoonists and independent publishers currently active in the UK comic scene. “The… Read More ›