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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DC Thomson hosts The Broons Awards to celebrate Scotland’s Families
Helping celebrate 80 years of the popular newspaper strip, The Broons Awards took place at a star-studded event at The Grand Central Hotel last night in Glasgow, hosted by Lorraine Kelly. The evening celebrated families and individuals who share and… Read More ›
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Atomic Comic Interviews Top British Comics Artist Tom Paterson
After many ups, downs and false starts The Atomic Comic – a smashing-looking ‘zine edited by New Zealand-based British humour comics aficionado George Shiers – is back, and includes a first-ever interview with Scottish comics artist Tom Paterson. Tom’s talent as a cartoonist… Read More ›
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Something For the Weekend – Bone China, Doctor Who and Unmentionables!
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 7th March onwards with most new US comics released… Read More ›
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New Tales from the TARDIS (#4) On Sale Now in UK Newsagents
Doctor Who: Tales from the TARDIS #4 is on sale now in all good UK newsagents and some comic shops, re-presenting several stories first released in the US as separate titles by Titan Comics. As we previously reported stories from… Read More ›
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Enjoy a Great Escape With Latest Commandos, On Sale Today!
Here’s the lowdown on this week’s Commando releases (Issues 4895 – 4898) from DC Thomson, on sale today (10th March 2016) in all good newsagents and digitally from online outlets. Don’t forget downthetubes has an exclusive discount on a subscription to Commando comic, simply by ordering through… Read More ›
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Dave McKean’s Black Dog: Artwork Sneak Peek, Kendal premiere tickets selling fast
A selection of previously unseen artwork and the names of international musical collaborators have been announced in advance of the world premiere performance of Black Dog – the Dreams of Paul Nash by Dave McKean in May. Co-commissioned by the… Read More ›
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Cam Kennedy helps launch new comic course at University of Dundee
Legendary Judge Dredd and Star Wars artist Cam Kennedy will help launch a new postgraduate programme for aspiring comics artists, writers and scholars at the University of Dundee later today. The new MLitt/MDes Comics and Graphic Novels course will be… Read More ›
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DC’s Super Hero High TV special air date announced, expanding new DC Super Hero Girls brand
Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment have announced the air date for Super Hero High, a one hour tie-in TV special to launch its DC Super Hero Girls brand to a TV audience. Airing on 19th March 2016 on Boomerang, the show is… Read More ›
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Call For Papers: Trans- States: The art of crossing over
A Call For Papers has gone out for a conference titled Trans- States: The art of crossing over, which will take place at the University of Northampton, 9 – 10th September, 2016 – and whose speakers will include Alan Moore…. Read More ›
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Fifth Beatle Graphic Novel Optioned for TV
Sonar Entertainment has optioned the rights to Vivek J. Tiwary novel The Fifth Beatle: The Story of Brian Epstein, to develop as a multi-part event series with Tiwary serving as executive producer. News site Deadline (among others) reports Sonar Entertainment has optioned the rights to the best-selling… Read More ›
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2000AD artist Mick McMahon announced as first UK guest for Lakes International Comic Art Festival
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announced its first major British guest for the 2016 Festival weekend is Mick McMahon, who, while perhaps best known for his work for the top weekly SF comic 2000AD, also drew The Last American and Batman Black and… Read More ›
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Cartoon Museum Doctor Who Target Book Cover Art Exhibition Announced
A selection of over 50 pieces of original artwork from the WH Allen / Target Books range from the 1970s and 80s goes on display for the first time together at the Cartoon Museum in London next month. The exhibition… Read More ›
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Doctor Who Adventures Secrets Revealed on the Tellybox Today!
Have you ever wondered what the wacky folk behind Doctor Who Adventures magazine get up to when they are not busy baking cakes? Now the BBC cameras reveal all! Tune into CBBC today (Tuesday 8th March) morning at 10.45am to watch All… Read More ›
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Panel Borders delves into Action – The Story of a Violent Comic
Panel Borders, the only regular monthly look at comic books, graphic novels and sequential art steam* broadcast in the UK over the airwaves, delves into the story behind one of the country’s most controversial comics tonight. Guest presenter Professor Martin… Read More ›
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Awesome Comics Podcast Episode 36: Pat Mills
It’s an epic show this week, as Vince Hunt, Dan Butcher and Tony Esmond are joined by British comics titan Pat Mills on the Awesome Comics Podcast – and boy, do they all have one hell of a time. The… Read More ›
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Art Rookie Announces Debut Exhibition
Art Rookie – an online sales platform for UK artists and designers, supporting British creatives on their road to commercial success – is hosting its debut exhibition ‘Best of British’ in collaboration with theprintspace in London later this month. The organisation is showcasing an… Read More ›
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Tonight on Gotham on Channel 5: “A Bitter Pill to Swallow”
In “A Bitter Pill to Swallow”, tonight’s episode of Gotham airing on Channel 5 in the UK (7th March), Gordon runs into a hitman known as Eduardo Flamingo; Penguin and Nygma have another encounter. Here’s some teaser pics… Gotham stars Ben McKenzie as James Gordon, David… Read More ›
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Steampunk Robots and Demon Mice? Count me in for “Cognition”
Ken Reynolds, editor of the terrific anthology Spliced Quarterly and ace letterer of many British indie comics, is seeking backing to print his latest project Cognition #0 – a supernatural-noir-adventure drawn by Sam Bentley about a steam-powered automaton inhabited by a… Read More ›
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Embassy of Japan “Manga Jiman 2015: The Winners” Exhibition Opens Soon
This year’s Manga Jiman Exhibition – Manga Jiman 2015: The Winners – opens at the Embassy of Japan on 21st March 2016. Manga Jiman is a comic-writing competition organized by the Embassy of Japan to uncover the brightest talent in the country. For the ninth edition of the… Read More ›
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Transformers and Mad Hatter Chronicles Simon Furman Heads for Oswestry Lit Fest
Ace comic creator and animation writer Simon Furman (Transformers, Kung Fu Panda, Dragons: Riders of Berk) will be at the Oswestry Lit Fest on 19th March, where he’ll be presenting two talks aimed at slightly different age-groups, but really suitable… Read More ›