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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Broken Frontier Publishes First Small Press Yearbook
Following hot of the heels of the release of its brilliant Broken Frontier Anthology, the comic book and graphic novel news site has just released another great publication – the Broken Frontier Small Press Year Book 2016. Launched on Friday 29th… Read More ›
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Titan Comics “Assassin’s Creed” Free Comic Book Day – Full Details
Titan Comics are releasing a new Assassin’s Creed one-shot featuring two original short stories from the popular Assassin’s and Templar series this weekend (Saturday 7th May), as part of this year’s Free Comic Book Day. Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book specialty shops around… Read More ›
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Something For The Weekend: This Week’s New – and Free! – Comics (w/c 2nd May 2016)
Heading to your local comic shop this weekend? Of course you are – it’s Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, and no-one’s going to pass up the chance of free comics, are they? Especially when your local comic shop –… Read More ›
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Top Spanish comic artists Jordi Bernet and Paco Roca join Lakes Festival Line-Up
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has just announced appearances by two top Spanish comic creators at this year’s Festival (14th-16th October) – Torpedo and Jonah Hex artist Jordi Bernet and Paco Roca, best known for his award-winning graphic novel Wrinkles…. Read More ›
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Artist Emma Vieceli Mind Probed for Doctor Who: Panel to Panel
Better late than never, in the latest episode of Jeremy Bement’s terrific Doctor Who: Panel to Panel, he covers a lot of Doctor Who comic news, reviews “Shock Horror” from Doctor Who Adventures Issue 13 (Danger! Spoilers!), praising Tommy Donbavand’s script… Read More ›
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Awesome Comics Podcast Episode 44 – Comics Writer Luke Halsall
Writer Luke Halsall takes a moment out of being a new dad to join the Awesome Pod this week to talk about his work in the Avery Hill Publishing anthology Reads, Out of Time (a Time Travelling Adventure published by Luke and… Read More ›
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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 ›