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 Bags Rights to “Twirlywoos”
DC Thomson has signed a deal with DHX Brands to publish a Twirlywoos next year, based on the hit CBeebies preschool show devised and produced by Ragdoll Productions’ Anne Wood, whose creator credits also include Rosie and Jim and Teletubbies, with… Read More ›
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Creating Nightmares: An interview with “Call of Duty” Lead Writer Craig Houston
A chat with Craig Houston, a Scottish writer, artist and musician with over 25 years experience in the video games and comic book industries…
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Try Your Hand at a “Fiendishly Clever” Alan Moore Quiz from SEQUENTIAL, Win an IPad Mini
Digital comics publisher SEQUENTIAL have released a fun (but fiendishly difficult) Alan Moore online quiz to celebrate the 62nd birthday of one of the world’s greatest comics writers. “It’s a 20-question quiz but is different each time you take it,… Read More ›
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In Review: Ron Turner’s “Space Ace” Volume 5
Out: NowPublisher: John LawrenceOriginally published by Atlas Publishing & Distributing Co. Ltd The Title: A 40 page full colour magazine reprinting two Space Ace stories from the mid 1950s: “The Nine-Bomb Menace” and “Magnetic Meteor”, plus an extensive interview with… Read More ›
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British Star Trek comics collected at last
Following up on their publication of the Star Trek: The Newspaper Comics in not one but two terrific volumes back in 2012, collecting all of the daily comic strips that ran in various newspapers between 1979 and 1983, we’re delighted to report… Read More ›
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Meet the Cover Girls: Liverpool girls comics event this weekend
As part of the UK Being Human festival of the humanities, Liverpool John Moores University Library Services are hosting a fun event in Liverpool Central Library from 11.00am to 3.00pm on Saturday 21st November. LJMU students are running a number… Read More ›
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Early Beanos Galore, Fireball XL5 Rarities and More Offered in Latest ComPal Auction
If you’re a fan of The Beano or The Dandy, then the latest Compalcomics – now live – is definitely up your street, with a large number of early issues on offer, along with an assortment of comics art that… Read More ›
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Awesome Comics Podcast Episode 20: Starting Out and Breaking Into the Comics Industry
In a change to the usual format, the Awesome Comics Podcast gang sit down to talk about another topic – starting out making comics, how things have changed over the years – and their first returning guest pops in to talk… Read More ›
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Just One Week to the Lakes Festival’s Comic Art Auction in London!
Next week, on Tuesday 24th November, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival will be hitting London with their first ever auction of original comic art. It’s going to be a glittering affair, with celebrity auctioneers Jonathan Ross and Tim Farron MP, ridiculously delicious nosh… Read More ›
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Peter Hogan and Staz Johnson – Heading for the King’s Road
Peter Hogan (Resident Alien, Sandman Presents, The Dreaming) returns to fantasy to deliver a three-issue miniseries of King’s Road next February, continuing the tale that began in Dark Horse Presents #23 back in 2013. Artist Staz Johnson (Judge Dredd) and colourist Douglas… Read More ›
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Glide Into Danger With The Latest Commandos!
Here’s the lowdown on the latest issues of Commando (Issues 4863-4866) — on sale from publishers DC Thomson from tomorrow, Thursday 19th November 2015. Commando is available from all good newsagents, on subscription (and we have a special discount on… Read More ›
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Zarjaz! The 2000AD Advent Calendar is On Its Way – Contributions Wanted!
Ooh, it’s November… and David Broughton has dropped us a line to remind us it’s time to sign up for the annual 2000AD Messageboard Advent Calendar! Every year, these have been absolutely magical fun at the expense of 2000AD‘s heroes… Read More ›
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It’s A Hard Life: Colin Noble Counts his (Comics) Blessings…
When things are getting you down, it is always nice to count your blessings. And when it comes to comics, I have so many to count that I sometimes forget that not everyone is as fortunate as I. On a… Read More ›
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Great British Comic Characters Reinvented: Grimly Feendish
Artist Rob Moran has sent us a very different looking Grimly Feendish to the fun-filled would-be ruler of the world from 1960s comics for our Great British Comic Characters Reinvented competition. We hope you like it! Created by Leo Baxendale,… Read More ›
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Great British Comic Characters Reinvented: Nemesis the Warlock – and Night Raven!
Aces Weekly contributor Mal Earl simply couldn’t choose which of his favourite British comic characters he wanted to reinvent for our current competition – so we got three! Artist and writer Mal returned to producing comics three years ago, after a 15 year hiatus…. Read More ›
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Malta Comic Con’s Massive Guest List Just Gets Bigger, adding Erskine, Langley and many more
The star-studded guest list for this year’s Malta Comic Con has been accelerating so fast over the last couple of weeks we’re only now catching up with recent announcements. Although there’s some disappointing news that artist Jon Haward has had… Read More ›
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New “Mog the Cat” Book profits will be used for child literacy projects
You’ll just have to excuse this temporary aberration given my usual grumpy self, but I’m afraid I’ve been totally blown away by this year’s Sainsbury’s Christmas advert starring Mog the Cat, the creation of world renowned author and illustrator Judith Kerr,… Read More ›
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Matt Bucket Primes “The Weapon”, his debut graphic novel
The Weapon, a debut graphic novel from Devon-based artist and writer Matt Buckett, a 136 page graphic novel funded through Kickstarter. A fast paced action adventure dealing with imminent global catastrophe featuring fast cars, crazy technology and “the most tenacious female reporter on… Read More ›
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Something For The Weekend: US Comics On Sale 11th November 2015 – Anthologies, Mysteries and Bible Superheroes!
Our list of British creator-skewed new releases just has to headline with the release of the fifth Thought Bubble Anthology with the Festival itself taking place this weekend in Leeds. All the profits from this latest collection, which features a stack of great… Read More ›
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Dan Dare Recalled: Artist Jon Haward’s 1990s Designs
There’s plenty of interest in Dan Dare of late, with B7 Media‘s new audio series developing fast (I’m happy to report the pilot script from Bev Doyle and Richard Kurti is shaping up nicely) and the release of 2000AD‘s simply… Read More ›