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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POWs and Cricket Bats! New Commandos Have them Both…
Here’s the intel on the latest issues of Commando (Issues 4907-4910) from DC Thomson, on sale now in all good newsagents and assorted digital platforms (detailed below). This release includes two smashing covers from Ian Kennedy, who returns to the Birmingham Comics… Read More ›
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Great British Graphic Novel Exhibition opens at London’s Cartoon Museum
An exhibition at London’s Cartoon Museum looking at the rise of the British Graphic novel has just opened, featuring works by Kate Charlesworth, Rob Davis, Dave Gibbons, William Hogarth, Gary Spencer Millidge, the Pleece Brothers, Martin Rowson, Posy Simmonds, Bryan and Mary Talbot… Read More ›
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Delight For Brits nominated for Eisner Awards
The list of nominees for this year’s Eisner Awards has been announced and includes a number of British creators – and a nomination for the anthology 24 By 7, edited by Dan Berry and published by Fanfare, featuring strips created during… Read More ›
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Bad Company: First Casualties Signing at Gosh! in June
London’s Gosh! will be hosting a signing with the stellar line-up of Peter Milligan, Rufus Dayglo and Jim McCarthy for the latest installment in the Bad Company series. The signing will be from 1-2.00pm on Saturday 4th June 2016. Bad Company was originally created by Peter Milligan, Brett Ewins and… Read More ›
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ELCAF 2016 Tickets Go On Sale, This Year’s Artist-in-Residence Announced
Ace publishers Nobrow have just announced their plans for ELCAF 2016 in June, the East London Comics & Arts Festival, now in its fifth year and it includes some terrific international artists as well as additional events in the run… Read More ›
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Dennis the Menace, Celebrated at 65 with New Official Screenprints of First Ever Strip
To celebrate The Beano‘s Dennis the Menace‘s 65th birthday, print maker John Patrick Reynolds has produced an edition of officially-licensed screenprints featuring the very first strip, published in the issue dated 17th March, 1951. Dennis doesn’t yet have his trademark red and… Read More ›
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Awesome Comics Podcast Episode 42: An Interview with Comics Writer Jon Laight
Jon Laight, the writer behind the epic super powered revenge tale Brethren Born joins the Awesome Comics Podcast gang officially for the first time as a guest! He talks about his influences, how the brilliant idea came to be and his process… Read More ›
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Comics Unlimited probes the world of Modesty Blaise, interviews artist Romero
The latest issue of Comics Unlimited – a monthly online, 80-page, full colour magazine about comics, comic art and comic creators from all over the world – is on sale now and features some great interviews, including one with Modesty… Read More ›
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Comic Industry Secrets Revealed in new autobiographies from Tim Quinn and Dicky Howett
Miwk Publishing have announced the forthcoming publication of Argh!, the autobiography of comics writer and editor Tim Quinn in May, alongside Drawing Breath, the autobiography of cartoonist Dicky Howett, who worked with Tim on various strips for over 20 years. Tim’s work will be known to comic readers everywhere, especially… Read More ›
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Flintworks Joins Lancaster Comics Day
Lancaster-based comic creator Flintworks – whose work includes the eponymous Flintworks and Aquabats, on sale via BigCartel – has published this comment on library closures featuring a couple of well-known comic characters. Flintworks will have a table at Lancaster Comics Day. Follow Flintworks on Twitter @flintworks or on Instagram. The guest… Read More ›
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Edinburgh Film Festival Goes (sort of) Comics Crazy in June
In June, POW!!! Live Action Comic Strip Adaptations: The First Generation will offer 2016 Edinburgh Film Festival-goers the chance to explore the cinematic roots of the current tidal wave of superhero blockbusters such as Batman versus Superman and The Avengers:… Read More ›
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In Review: Rivers Of London – Night Witch #2
Rivers Of London: Night Witch #2 Writers: Ben Aaronovitch & Andrew Cartmel Artist: Lee Sullivan Colorist: Luis Guerrero The Book: Following a disastrous attempt to ‘recruit’ the witch, Vavara, a Russian oligarch turns his sights on Peter Grant and Thomas… Read More ›
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Robert Crumb “Art & Beauty” Exhibition Opens at David Zwirner Gallery in London
The David Zwirner Gallery, located in London’s Mayfair, held a launch for its R. Crumb Art & Beauty exhibition which features drawings from the latest edition of Robert Crumb’s Art & Beauty Magazine and runs until 2nd June 2016. Tripwire was lucky… Read More ›
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New Comics On Sale Now (Comic Shops and Newsagents) – No Hit or Mything! (w/c 11th Aril 2016)
It’s a busy week here in the downthetubes dungeon, so apologies for a shorter than usual round up of new comics! I’m busy plugging away at behind the scenes work to promote both the upcoming Lakes International Comic Art Festival,… Read More ›
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Comic Creators at London Book Fair: Video
The London Book Fair took place this week and a number of comic creators were at the event, signing, engaged in events or taking part in panels, including Pat Mills, Leah Moore, Paul Gravett and Jessica Martin. A number of… Read More ›
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House of Illustration “Women Making Girls’ Comics” Event Tomorrow
London’s House of Illustration will be shining a spotlight on the work of women creators from the ‘Golden Age’ of British comics aimed at younger female audiences, with Jenni Scott, Mel Gibson and David Roach tomorrow afternoon (16th April 2016). The women writers… Read More ›
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Daredevil TV show criticism paves way for ground-breaking improvements for Netflix blind viewers
Last year, streaming subscription channel Netflix ran into trouble when Marvel’s Daredevil, its series about blind superhero Matt Murdock, debuted without audio descriptions for blind viewers. Netflix quickly responded to the criticism and added audio description tracks for Daredevil – and other select titles. Now, Netflix has… Read More ›
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Torchwood Returns to Comics, Titan to publish new adventures
Titan Comics has announced that Doctor Who TV spinoff Torchwood is back, in an all-new ongoing comic series starring the daring Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper. Written by Captain Jack himself – John Barrowman – and Carole E. Barrowman, and with… Read More ›
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Dangerous Obsessions? Why Ash Pure Pulled His Own Comic, “The Lion & The Unicorn”, to Pieces…
Regular readers of downthetubes may recall the release of the first issue of The Lion & The Unicorn by Ash Pure, first released in 2011, a title we didn’t properly pick up on until the release of Issue Two – in… Read More ›
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Beware the Tattybogle Man! Dundee’s Terrier Studios “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” on sale now
Comics from Dundee have always been home to a menace or two, but the latest comic creation to emanate from the city is menacing on a completely different level. The second issue of Terrier Studios’ Tales of Mystery and Imagination… Read More ›