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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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 ›
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Fort William the location for Scotland’s newest comic event
Fort Con is to be the first Fort William Comic Con & Expo, set for the weekend of 22nd October 2016 and is set to draw pop culture fans and exhibitors from all over Scotland, the UK and beyond. Events and… Read More ›
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Dangerous Dilemmas in the new Doctor Who Adventures!
May Day! May Day! Spring is here and so is the new edition of Doctor Who Adventures, which comes with free monster kit. (The editor won’t tell us if this provides the means to make one or grow it in… Read More ›
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In Review: Star Trek: The Classic UK Comics Volume One
by Harry Lindfield, Jim Baikie, Mike Noble, et al Edited & Designed by Dean Mullaney. Introduction by Rich Handley Publisher: IDW (Library of American Comics imprint) 8.5″ x 11 hardcover-with-dustjacket, 244 pages Out: 28th April 2016 The Book: In 1969,… Read More ›
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New Wolfblood Motion Comic Continues CBBC saga
Fans of CBBC’s Wolfblood will be pleased to hear that a second motion comic based on the series is on the way, written by Rik Hoskin and illustrated by Tom Waterhouse. Set after the dramatic events of the show’s fourth season,… Read More ›
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Oh, Please, Please Let Shane Oakley draw Doomlord!
Many downthetubes readers will remember Doomlord, Servitor of Nox, who first appeared in a photo strip in the 1980s Eagle. But we’re betting you haven’t seen him recently, unless you lucky enough to pick up a copy of the recently-released… Read More ›
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Answers in Blood: An Interview with “Vikings” comic writer Cavan Scott
Cavan Scott counts himself lucky to work in the worlds that first sparked his imagination as a kid. He writes the Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor comic for Titan, is one of the writers of the Star Wars: Adventures in… Read More ›
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“Supremacy of the Cybermen” Doctor Who comic crossover launches in July
This summer’s special Doctor Who event comic from Titan Comics will feature the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Doctors from Titan’s four ongoing Who series – a spectacular five-part, bi-weekly adventure featuring one of the Doctor’s most iconic foes – the Cybermen. Penned… Read More ›
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Daredevil Cast Head For Wizard World Chicago in August
Wizard World Inc., producer of Comic Cons across North America, has announced that the cast of Netflix’s breakout hit series Marvel’s Daredevil will be on the scene at Wizard World Chicago (18th – 21st August), at the Donald E. Stephens… Read More ›
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Telos Publishing Re-Releases Doctor Who “The Target Book”
Chronicling the range of Doctor Who novelisations published by a variety of publishers, but always under the ‘Target’ brand, The Target Book by David J Howe, first published in 2007, was one of the most popular titles ever published by Telos Publishing,… Read More ›
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Roobarb and Custard Bounce Back With Complete Series Release (Roobarb & Custard, Too!)
De ner dener de ner dener de ner de ner de nere… More than 40 years after making their debut on British TV screens, and over a decade since their return, green dog and pink cat Roobarb & Custard are bounding… Read More ›
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Titan Comics “Vikings” by Cavan Scott and Staz Johnson – Sneak Peek at #1!
Titan Comics launches Vikings next week (Wednesday 27th April), based on the sensational MGM show which launched in 2013, and was recently renewed by the History channel for a fifth season of 20 episodes. An Irish-Canadian co-production, the hit Vikings TV… Read More ›
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Birmingham Bound: An Interview with Marvel Comics artist Luca Pizzari
Italian born artist Luca Pizzari has recently been producing a number of comics for Marvel USA, notably The Black Knight, a character that holds a special place in British fans hearts. Prior to him attending the convention for this year’s… Read More ›
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Cats Go Geek with CacaoFurniture’s Cat Houses
We all know cats love a cardboard box, right? Well, Bulgarian company CacaoFurniture has run with that in a big way and created a range of cardboard cat houses – some inspired by well known SF icons, including Doctor Who‘s… Read More ›
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New Comics Out Now – Shocks Galore in 2000AD and Cosplaying Canines! (w/c 18th April 2016)
As British talent invades the US (again – and yes, we’re aware only older readers might get this reference*), here’s our quick list of new comics on sale in newsagents and comic shops this week, skewed toward creators from the UK… Read More ›