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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Malta Comic Con Announces More Guests, including Brits Boo Cook, Mike Krome and Tim Perkins
As the excitement leading to the 7th edition of the Malta Comic Con continues to build, organisers Wicked Comics have announced internationally renowned creators Tim Perkins (Worlds End: The Riders on the Storm), Boo Cook (Elephantmen) and Mike Krome (Shahrazad) as well… Read More ›
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Happy Birthday, Judge Dredd Megazine – 25 Years Young This Week
2000AD’s sister comic, Judge Dredd Megazine, celebrates its 25th anniversary this Wednesday – with a special cover by artist Barry Kitson. The veteran artist on Judge Dredd, Anderson: Psi Division, Fantastic Four, and The Amazing Spider-Man has returned to the… Read More ›
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Awesome Comic Podcast Episode 16: Comics Artist Chris Imber Talks Small Press
The boys at the Awesome Comics Podcast aim for sophisticated and polished interviewers this week and end up crudely laughing at crossdressing cosplay. Once that childish gigglefest is done they sit down with the artist Chris Imber, who is currently killing it… Read More ›
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After A Splendid Lakes Festival, We’re Back In The Room!
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival proved a massive success once again this weekend, with a lot of happy memories of meeting so many talented energised comics creators – including some of the brilliant Phoenix comic crew at breakfast each morning at… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival kicks off with Steve Bell, Dave McKean
The 2015 Lakes International Comic Art Festival opened last night with a great talk from Guardian cartoonist Steve Bell, introduced by local MP and leader of the Liberal Democrats Tim Farron. Tim was demonstrably supportive of the Festival (he’s a long… Read More ›
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Something For The Weekend: US Comics On Sale 14th October 2015 – Assassin’s Creed Launches!
Here’s this week’s run down of new comics on sale in comic shops across the UK, with the emphasis, as ever, on titles that are the work of British creators and published by British publishers. Along with another page-turning and… Read More ›
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Signature Publishing Launches New Transformers Title
Signature Publishing – publishers of titles such as Milkshake! and Dinosaur Action – launch a new Transformers title, Transformers: Robots In Disguise this week. Inspired by the animated series aimed at 4-8 year olds already attracting large audiences on Cartoon… Read More ›
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Jamie Smart illustrates Cereal Killer Cafe cookbook
On sale soon is The Cereal Killer Café Cookbook written by the founders of the London-based Cereal Killer Cafe, by Gary Keery and Alan Keery, featuring art by Jamie Smart. The cafe – which has operations in Camden and Brick… Read More ›
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“Highgate Horror” story debuts in new Doctor Who Magazine, drawn by David Roach
The new issue of Doctor Who Magazine is on sale from today in all good newsagents (Thursday 15th October, priced £4.99) and not only features articles on the latest episodes of the show but the first episode of a two-part… Read More ›
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Gale Force Nine, Battlefront and BBC to produce Doctor Who board game
For over fifty years, the Doctor and his companions have taken viewers on a journey into the unknown in Doctor Who. Now, US company Gale Force Nine is partnering with BBC Worldwide North America to bring the Time Lord’s adventures… Read More ›
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Truugationary: The Wit and Wisdom of Truuglub Vanderpatz The Daunting
Please note, these are the only the terms known to date employed by the Chk’Rath, Truug, who features prominently in Crucible. It will, over time, expand. Bellingly: Ironically. With thundering yet much-avoided inevitability. Bathetically. Chk’Rath: Truug’s species (see Episode One) Frentling: Pantomiming… Read More ›
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London’s Barbican Library gets S.M.A.S.H.ed!
S.M.A.S.H. is a one-day all ages event at the Barbican Library on Saturday 7th November, produced in association with CityRead, Comica and the London Graphic Novel Network. The event has a great line up of creators, including author and comics writer Ben… Read More ›
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Wonderfully weird: John Robbins “A Hand of Fingers”
He has lettered hundreds of pages of comics by other creators, and for years plugged and reviewed Irish and British publications on defunct small press-centric website Bugpowder. Now, Dubliner John Robbins has released A Hand Of Fingers, a terrific anthology of… Read More ›
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New Cartoon Network magazine launches this week
Panini UK is to launch a new, monthly Cartoon Network magazine on Thursday (15th October), featuring Adventure Time, The Amazing World of Gumball and Ben 10 – related content, as well as the channel’s many other shows. The first issue of the… Read More ›
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Comic Heroes returns to the News Stand
Some 18 months after Comic Heroes magazine was cancelled, the title has take an leaf from The X-Men and risen like a Phoenix from the ashes. Brought to you again by Future Publishing, the 148-page quarterly Comic Heroes is back with… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2015: An interview with Author and Comics Writer Antony Johnston
Last year, in partnership with the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, downthetubes brought you a number of interviews with creators attending the event. We’ve run a series in the run up to their eagerly anticipated 2015 event this coming weekend (16th –… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2015: An Interview with Comics Writer Si Spencer
Last year, in partnership with the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, downthetubes brought you a number of interviews with creators attending the event. We’re delighted to be able to run a series in the run up to their eagerly anticipated 2015… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Local Anthologies
Continuing the new series of Panel Borders as an hour long monthly show, Alex Fitch talks to a quartet of young comic book creators and an editor / graphic designer, about anthology titles that utilise local talent. Cartoonist Erica Smith… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding Spotlight: Iapetus Rising by Glenn B Fleming
British comic creator Glenn B Fleming‘s Kickstarter for his SF epic, Iapetus Rising has just launched and he needs your support to get the book published, in your hands, on the shelves and to the top of the bestseller lists! Iapetus Rising is a… Read More ›
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Nicholas Delort Limited Edition “Universal Classic Monsters” print set released by Dark Hall Mansion
Dark Hall Mansion has just released its officially licensed “Universal Classic Monsters” limited edition seven-print set by leading contemporary artist, Nicolas Delort, and they look amazing. Working under license from Universal Studios Licensing, the prints feature artist Nicolas Delort‘s striking take on each of… Read More ›