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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Whatever Happened to “The Sun”, hero of Britain’s best-selling tabloid newspaper?
Former Marvel UK staffer and British comics legend Tim Quinn has unearthed an absolute gem from his archives this week – a superhero competition developed in the early 1990s in association with The Sun newspaper, long before many felt it went off… Read More ›
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“Assault on Fortress Doom” stirs memories of classic war comics
Just released by its talented creators – London writer Lex McDonald and Uruguayan artist Edgard Machiavello – Assault on Fortress Doom is an original, 172 page, full colour, World War Two set action/adventure graphic novel – and it looks terrific…. Read More ›
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In Review: Golden Campaign Volume III
Art and Story by Cristian Ortiz Daniel Martin – Co-Writer Alice Mazzilli – Calligraphy The Story: Monty and Caprille have joined a bunch of mercenaries. They really shouldn’t have, as they are far too young and inexperienced to stay alive… Read More ›
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The Fourth Doctor Returns to Comics for new Doctor Who Mini Series
Absent from the comics page for some time, other than cameo roles in various IDW series, the Fourth Doctor – played on screen by Tom Baker – will be the star of a new Doctor Who mini series, launching in… Read More ›
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2000AD announces “Misty” comic collections from the classic girls horror comic
Classic horror comic stories from the 1970s aimed at young girls will see the light of day once again thanks to 2000AD publisher, Rebellion, who has announced they are working with rights-holders Egmont to reprint Misty content. The initial strips to be re-published will be from creators… Read More ›
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Mal Earl’s “The Bridge” features in new Volume of Aces Weekly
Artist and writer Mal Earl returned to producing comics three years ago, after a 15 year hiatus. Along with many other projects, he has a new strip in the latest volume of David Lloyd’s brilliant digital anthology Aces Weekly (Volume 19!) on… Read More ›
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Creating Comics: Safeguarding Your Creations From IP Theft
Should comics creators, just like games creators and companies, be taking Intellectual Property law more seriously? The British comics industry may not be as big in monetary terms as the games industry, but perhaps, as creators, we should be thinking along… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Canadian (Web) Comics with Stuart and Kathryn Immonen, and more
In a trio of interviews recorded at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in Kendal, Alex Fitch talks to a quartet of Canadian comic book creators about their work on the Panel Borders radio show tomorrow. Husband and wife team Stuart… Read More ›
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In Review: The Khollected Khaki Shorts
Publisher: Braw Books Out: Now The Book: A fit-to-burst almanac of raw and rare pop-aware comic strip nourishment! Featuring a diverse yet complimentary array of art styles and content varying from laugh out loud social satire to portals into mysterious worlds… Read More ›
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There’s A Killing Moon at Thought Bubble This Year, thanks to Pigdog Press!
Back in 1985, a budding illustrator called Mark (PigDog) Roche wrote and illustrated a story for a Manchester based comic called Totally Alien. That story was “Killing Moon”, about a group of assassins lead by Moses Valentine. Now, 30 years later, his younger… Read More ›
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You Be The Judge! Planet Replicas Personalised Judge Badges On Sale
These have have been available from Planet Replicas for a while, but I’ve only just seen them thanks to a couple of social media posts. If you order now, you might just get a personalised Judge badge in time for Christmas… Read More ›
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2015 Lakes International Comic Art Festival nets £1.7 million for host town of Kendal
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has published the results of its Visitor Survey and Event Evaluation for this year’s October 2015 – and it makes for positive reading for the event, the town and its team of dedicated volunteers. Now in its third… Read More ›
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Chicago to be home for George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
The George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art – first announced last year – has been given the green light by Chicago’s City Council, which has approved revised plans for its design. Construction will begin next year on the Museum, which… Read More ›
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Beano Seeking Digital Content Creators for “Top Secret” Project
The Beano, Britain’s weekly humour comic published by DC Thomson, is on a recruitment drive for new staff for what looks like being a hugely ambitious new digital push for the title. Announcing the recruitment drive on their official web site… Read More ›
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Something For The Weekend… Doctor Who? James Bond? Johnny Red? Comics On Sale 4th November 2015 leave you spoilt for choice!
Well, aren’t we spoilt for choice this week when it comes to titles from British creators with new work this week? Will you be a Doctor Who, James Bond or Johnny Red advocate – or hedge your bets and buy… Read More ›
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Enki Bilal’s “The Nikopol Trilogy” – Back in Print in 2016
Titan Comics is to breathe new life in to the previously unavailable French cult classic, The Nikopol Trilogy by writer and artist Enki Bilal. After being out of print for 20 years, Titan Comics will release a brand new translation of the tale – described by… Read More ›
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Go Commando With a POW Escape Story Cracker And Air Ace Tale!
Here’s the lowdown on this week’s Commando releases from DC Thomson (Issues 4859-4862), on sale now in all good newsagents and via various digital platforms, all listed below. Commando 4859 – The Duellist Story: Steve Coombs Art: Rezzonico Cover: Ian Kennedy Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/5th-november-2015-collection?issue=4859… Read More ›
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Spanish Edition of “Sally Heathcote: Suffragette” An Award-Winning Hit
Congratulations today to Mary M Talbot, Bryan Talbot and Kate Charlesworth, with the news that the Spanish edition of Sally Heathcote Suffragette has been granted Best Graphic Novel Award for 2015 by the Madrid Booksellers’ Association (Asociación de Libreros de Madrid)…. Read More ›
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Call For Papers: Graphic Gothic in Manchester, July 2016
The organisers of Graphic Gothic, an event to be held at Manchester Metropolitan University in July 2016, have put out a Call For Papers. The event is being organised in association with Studies in Comics (Intellect Books), the Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics… Read More ›
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Rethinking Mental Illness: How Creating Comics helped artist Darryl Cunningham
Darryl Cunningham, author of the brilliant Psychiatric Tales and Supercrash, is featured on the Rethink Mental Illness blog, talking frankly and positively about how creating comics helped him through difficult times. Rethink Mental Illness aims to help millions of people… Read More ›