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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Get Down With the Dogs! Latest Strontium Dog-inspired “Dogbreath” Out Now
The latest issue of Dogbreath, the superb comic zine inspired by the Starlord/2000AD character Strontium Dog, is out now from FutureQuake Press, wrapped in a over photo by Steve Green, featuring Matthew Simpson as Johnny Alpha and Kevin Horsham as Wulf… Read More ›
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London Book Fair Returns, UK Comic Publishers Aboard
Celebrating its 45 year anniversary in April 2016, The London Book Fair is the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels. Staged annually, LBF sees more than 25,000 publishing professionals arrive… Read More ›
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Could You Run An Independent Bookshop? Now’s Your Chance…
Looking for a big challenge? The owners of Southampton-based October Books are looking for an energetic group of people who would like to take over the running of the bookshop. Founded in 1977 and now based on Portswood Road in… Read More ›
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Back To The Life of a Freelancer…
So. Today is my first day as a freelance comic keeping operative once more, with ROK Comics behind me and several projects in the works. I’m excited but nervous. It’s been a fraught few weeks in the run up to… Read More ›
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Music Meets Comics at first Shrewsbury International Comic Art Festival in July
As part of the award-winning Shrewsbury Fields Forever Festival, ICE con organiser and publisher Shane Chebsey will be organising the first ever Shrewsbury International Comic Art Festival in July. “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for the UK comic industry… Read More ›
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New Marvel films-inspired Hero Attax trading card game from Topps released next month
Topps will launch their new Marvel cinematic universe edition of the trading card game Hero Attax at the end of March in the UK. The collection – described as a “must have” for Marvel fans of all ages has over 200… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor Year Two #8
Here are the covers for Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor Year Two #8, written by George Mann, drawn by Mariano Laclaustra, on sale 29th June 2016 from Titan Comics. This issues’s main cover is by American artist Mark Wheatley, who… Read More ›
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Get Down with Daak (Abslom Daak, Dalek Killer that is) for upcoming Doctor Who tale
Abslom Daak, Dalek Killer continues to haunt the Eleventh Doctor in the upcoming Titan Comics release Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor: Year Two #11, on sale 15th June. The character pops up on a smashing cover from ace artist… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor #2
Here’s an advance look at the covers of Titan Comics Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor #2, on sale 11th May 2016. The brand-new ongoing series is written by Cavan Scott and drawn by Adriana Melo. Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Titan Comics Tenth Doctor Cheeky Beatles Homage!
Titan Comics has released the covers for its upcoming Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor: Year Two #11, on sale Wednesday 8th June 2016 – and one variant cover is an affectionate tribute to The Beatles. The variant cover is the… Read More ›
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Tonight on Gotham on Channel 5: “Tonight’s the Night”
In “Tonight’s the Night”, tonight’s episode of Gotham airing on Channel 5 in the UK, Theo Galavan sends Barbara after Jim Gordon, while he tries to make a business deal with Bruce Wayne. Barnes and Bullock are hot on Barbara’s trail, and Nygma has… Read More ›
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Victory for Fans? Striker May Return to The Sun’s Print Edition Next Week
After outcry from fans after it was moved out of the daily newspaper and onto its web site, Striker may return to The Sun‘s print edition next week. The national newspaper only took the decision to move the strip online earlier this… Read More ›
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Titan Comics UK Doctor Who Titles Merge
Titan Comics two UK news stand Doctor Who titles – Doctor Who Comic and Tales from the TARDIS – will merge next month. The larger A4 format Doctor Who Conic breathes its last with the issue on sale now, with… Read More ›
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Something for the Weekend: New Snowpiercer and Stone Age Nightmares!
Here’s this week’s list of British creator and British publisher-skewed new comics, including new comics on sale in UK newsagents. Top of your list of British creator-related buys this week is surely Mezoltih, the award-winning British graphic novel that Boom! Studios… Read More ›
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Colour Me Strange (Or rather, “Color” Doctor Strange)
Marvel has announced the upcoming publication of a Doctor Strange-inspired colouring book – just one of the licensed items that will launch around the the feature film starring Benedict Cumberbatch which will be released later this year. Running to 120… Read More ›
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Creating Comics: A New Alert Service for UK Comic Show Tables Availability
Comic creator Luke Surl – creator of the web comic lukesurl.com, which has been running since 2008 – has set up a mailing list, ComicShowTables, that will email you every time a con in the UK opens for booking! He’s asked… Read More ›
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Nine Worlds Returns to London in August
This year’s Nine Worlds will take place at the Novotel London West, a large conference hotel in central Hammersmith with room for 3,000 attendees, from 12th to 14th August 2016. The convention will feature around 300 programme items, covering all aspects of modern geekery…. Read More ›
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Cartoon Saloon’s film “Song of the Sea” in Irish exhibition
An interactive multi-media exhibition of original drawings, prints storyboards and animation from the animated film Song Of The Sea is running at the Siamsa Tíre National Folk Theatre in Tralee, the capital of beautiful County Kerry. In celebration of the Irish release… Read More ›
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Creating Comics: Dos and Don’ts Advice for Creators Printing Their Comics for the First Time
We’re delighted to repost this nifty advice about getting your comics printed, posted recently by the folk at ComicPrintingUK. This isn’t a sponsored post – I simply came across the feature, which covers both printing tips and offers other useful… Read More ›
