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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“A Machine they’re Secretly Building” play on tour, features visuals from artist Adam York Gregory
“I want you to know what’s happening…” From what might be a news desk, an office, a bedroom, a bunker under a mountain or a theatre, two people – reporters, senators, freedom fighters, or just… well… concerned citizens like you… Read More ›
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Markosia set to launch Dark Mists sequel at London Super Comic Con
London Super Comic Convention 2016 will be a very special show for Markosia where the long-awaited launch of two new books will finally happen, along with a revised and improved version of one of the indie publisher’s most popular books in… Read More ›
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Two Doctors Hit New York, on stage together for first time, for Wizard World event
Wizard World, Inc. has announced that for the first time (in the US, at least), David Tennant and Matt Smith, the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors in Doctor Who, will appear at a public event together when they attend Wizard World NYC—The Doctors on Saturday 16th April… Read More ›
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A Cautionary Tale: Artists Warned Not to Sell Unlicensed Prints
Thor: New Beginnings artist Manuel A. Carmona is on a bit of a mission, after noting the growing trend of artists selling unlicensed prints at conventions of properties they down’t own. He’s written a blog post on the subject, pointing… Read More ›
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Ladybird Books inspire new fabric and wallpaper collections from Liberty London
The new Chesham Cabinet Collection, featuring fabrics and wallpapers created using original Ladybird Books illustrations, is now available from Liberty London. Ladybird highlights include the Limewood Wallpapers, Gail’s Garden Vintage Velvet fabrics and cushions, and the Charlotte Wallpaper in Catherine Cream. The Chesham Cabinet Collection is a… Read More ›
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Awesome Comics Podcast Episode 33 previews London Super Comic Con
With the Awesome Comics Podcast‘s first ever exhibitor appearance just around the corner, what better time to talk comics, conventions and get hyped for the upcoming London Super Comic Con 2016! This time out, the gang – Vince Hunt, Dan… Read More ›
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Doctor Who Monsters in the spotlight for new Never Cruel or Cowardly podcast
Last month, comics writer and author Cavan Scott described podcasts as the “… fanzines of the 21st Century”. The team behind a mainly Doctor Who-influenced podcast, Never Cruel or Cowardly, are running with that idea in style. The work of talented creators… Read More ›
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Facebook “unpublishes” VIZ official page on social media site
Facebook has suspended the official Facebook page for the adult humour magazine VIZ, citing that it violates Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, which all users are required to abide by upon creating and maintaining a Facebook page. VIZ responded… Read More ›
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Glasgow “Comic Invention” exhibition features world’s oldest comic alongside art by Frank Quitely
Next month sees the opening of Comic Invention: The Glasgow Looking Glass of 1825, an exhibition at the Hunterian Art Gallery in Glasgow featuring the world’s oldest comic, the Glasgow Looking Glass. This major new exhibition offers both art lovers and comic… Read More ›
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In Review: The Salon of Rejects
Six short stories from Mhairi Braden, Myfanwy Tristram, Ross Mackintosh, Sarah Ushurhe, Michael Lomon and Tom Plant Out: Now The Book: Edited and published by Tom Plant, the idea behind The Salon of Rejects is to collect and celebrate some of the… Read More ›
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Robots on the march — Vectis tinplate toys auction announced, includes Flash Gordon rarity
Next month, on Tuesday 15th March, Vectis Auctions will present an ‘Out of this World’ collection of robots, space vehicles, flying saucers and rockets — almost 1000 pieces of tinplate, metal and plastic pieces from European, Japanese, Asian and American manufacturers, including a… Read More ›
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Striker dropped from The Sun’s print edition, goes online only
The Sun has unexpectedly dropped the print version of its popular football comic, Striker, moving the strip online – much to the disappointment of its many fans – and the surprise of its creator, Pete Nash. “I was told on… Read More ›
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Tonight on Gotham on Channel 5: By Fire
In “By Fire”, tonight’s episode of Gotham airing on Channel 5 in the UK, while Penguin and Galavan battle for control of the Gotham underworld, another new villain is the focus of the police. Here’s some teaser pics… Gotham stars Ben McKenzie as James Gordon, David… Read More ›
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Laura Howell on the comic guest line up for MCM Midlands Comic Con
MCM Midlands Comic Con is back in Telford tomorrow, Saturday 13th February, with, as you’d expect, some comic creators on board for the day, including Beano contributor Laura Howell. Laura is a Birmingham-based comic artist, writer and occasional educator who turned pro in 2006 after eight years working… Read More ›
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SEQUENTIAL offers new, expanded digital edition of Posy Simmonds’ “True Love” in time for Valentine’s Day
There’s a special Valentine’s Day treat for fans of Posy Simmonds this weekend with the news that the previously-announced digital edition of her story True Love is being released on SEQUENTIAL, the iPad app for digital graphic novels. Announced last year, this is… Read More ›
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Betty Boop returns to the small screen, new fine art prints by Naja Conrad-Hansen released
Betty Boop – whose early comic adventures were re-published last year by Titan Comics – is coming back to the small screen, some 30 years after her last show. A new 26-episode series aimed at “tweens and teens” recounting the adventures… Read More ›
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Joe Kelly Announced as first US guest for Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2016
Just as Marvel’s latest blockbuster superhero movie Deadpool hits UK cinemas, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announce its first major US guest for the 2016 is Joe Kelly, who will be making an exclusive UK appearance at the Festival weekend… Read More ›
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New Tales from the TARDIS rounds off “Pyramids of Mars” sequel story
The latest issue of Titan Comics second UK Doctor Who title, Tales from the TARDIS, is on sale now, and sees the finale to “The Spiral Staircase” a comic sequel to the classic TV story Pyramids of Mars. Re-presenting Doctor… Read More ›
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New Comics On Sale This Week in the UK – On the King’s Road, with Judge Dredd and Doctor Who in tow
Right. I’ve just been down to Lancaster’s First Age Comics to have a look at the new comics, only to be told that while Titan’s Johnny Red is selling well there, more people would have bought if “they had only… Read More ›
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British Comic Sales Figures: Winners and Losers (July – December 2015)
Updated 16th February to add comment from Generation Media The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) sales figures for titles registered with the organisation have just been published this week and while many comics or young children’s magazines have taken a hit for the reporting… Read More ›