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.
-
New International Journal of Comic Art out now
The latest edition of the International Journal of Comic Art is out now, the premier academic journal devoted to all aspects of cartooning and comics. Edited by John Lent, the whopping 675 page tome features Visual Language: Neil Cohn… Read More ›
-
Crucible: The Quest Episode 38 – Can Beloc Save the Day?
Will Beloc save the day? Or will fear consume him? (Or, rather, the Chrell…). Crucible is an ongoing creator-owned strip which started in STRIP: The Adventures Comics Magazine, created by myself and 2000AD artist Smuzz (perhaps best known for his work on ABC Warriors) and lettered by… Read More ›
-
Lancaster Comics Day Returns in May 2016
The second Lancaster Comics Day, organised by The Friends of Lancaster Library, will take place on Sunday 8th May 2016. The first Lancaster Comics Day, organised by The Friends of Lancaster Library, took place last month and proved a tremendous success, raising £800 for the Library, which… Read More ›
-
British Comic Shop Releases (15th July 2015) – Damocles, Ring of Roses and Captain Britain, too
Here’s this week’s (belated) list of comics on sale now in comic shops across the UK. As usual, our list highlights the work of British creators and publishers. Three Cinebook titles hit comic shops this week, including the latest Lucky Luke… Read More ›
-
Last chance to vote in the David Gemmell Awards
Voting for the David Gemmell Awards for Fantasy closes tomorrow at midnight on Friday 17th July 2015. Now in their seventh year, the awards, open to readers’ votes, recognise and promote writers and artists in the fantasy field. The organisers… Read More ›
-
Breaking Surface: An Interview with Jay Gunn, creator of “Surface Tension”
“Surface Tension” is Jay Gunn’s first foray into the world of comics and we’re delighted he was up to talk to downthetubes about it
-
Mind Probes At The Ready! Presenters Revealed for Lakes International Comic Art Festival
The presenters selected to wield the mind probes at year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival (Saturday 17th – Sunday 18th October 2015) have been announced, and include some top names in the world of British comics journalism and academia, including… Read More ›
-
Greenwich “War Artists at Sea” exhibition includes work of Eagle’s “PC49” artist, John Worsley
Showcasing the very best of Royal Museums Greenwich’s collection of First and Second World War art, “War Artists at Sea” is a programme of displays in the Queen’s House includes visually arresting and moving portraits, battle scenes, and depictions of everyday life during conflict, which… Read More ›
-
BBC4 celebrates Pop Art in August
This August, BBC Four leads a week-long celebration of Pop Art, with programmes across BBC Four, Radio and Online – and award-winning London-based comics artist and illustrator John Riordan has provided the promotional comic strip to mark the event. John, who likes… Read More ›
-
“Alice in Cartoonland” exhibition opens at London’s Cartoon Museum
London’s Cartoon Museum‘s latest exhibition Alice in Cartoonland opens today, celebrating Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s many misadventures at the hands of cartoonists, caricaturists and satirists, animators and graphic artists through 150 years of parodies and pastiches, jibes, jokes and gags aimed… Read More ›
-
Dan Abnett writing new Teen Titans “Convergence” follow up title
US publisher DC Comics has announced three new comics spinning out of their ‘Convergence’ event this summer – and one, Titans Hunt, is written by Dan Abnett, with art by Paulo Siqueira. “Sometimes you’re working on something exciting you can’t talk… Read More ›
-
Know Your Enemy: Commando marks two 75th British military anniversaries
Here’s the intel on the new issues of DC Thomson’s long-running Commando (Issues 4827-4830) on sale tomorrow, 16th July 2015 in all good newsagents and via various digital platforms. Three of the four issues celebrate a couple of important British… Read More ›
-
2014 Harvey Awards Nominees Announced
The 2015 Harvey Awards Nominees have been announced with the release of the final ballot, presented by the Executive Committees of the Harvey Awards and the Baltimore Comic-Con. The nominees include Wicked + Divine, written by Kieron Gillen, with art by Jamie… Read More ›
-
British Comic Awards Call for Entries opens, partnership with Page 45 announced
The British Comic Awards team recently opened a Call for Entries – and has announced their partnership with Page 45, the award-winning and highly regarded Nottingham comic shop. “We’re thrilled to be working with them and look forward to the opportunities ahead,” said a team spokesperson. This… Read More ›
-
Demons, Zombies and Mad Scientists, oh my! Demonic Advisory Centre has ’em all
Out now from the Cardiff-based small independent, WP Comics – publishers of titles such as Wasteland Paradise and The Night Hunters – is a fun new title mashing Ghostbusters with Hellboy, the Demonic Advisory Centre. The new title is set… Read More ›
-
In Review: Do Yer Do Nudes, Sir?
The Book: A rollicking tale of how a ‘Jack-the-Lad’ art student in 1960s Liverpool is taught to be a teacher by the kids who confront him. Filled with a gallery of finely observed characters, the book is a hilarious roller coaster… Read More ›
-
In Review: Rivers of London – Body Work #1
Script: Ben Aaronovitch & Andrew Cartmel Art: Lee Sullivan Colour: Luis Guerroro Letters: Rona Simpson The Book: Peter Grant has come a long way since first entering the special branch of London’s Metropolitan Police. With his hard-earned powers and a flair for… Read More ›
-
Sneak Peek: Rivers of London comic launches this week
This Wednesday (15th July) sees the release of Issue One of the eagerly-anticipated Rivers Of London: Body Work comic written by Ben Aaronovitch (creator of the eponymous fantastic crime fantasy novel series) and former Doctor Who script editor Andrew Cartmel. I… Read More ›
-
Titan announces Eighth Doctor Doctor Who mini series at San Diego Comic Con
Titan Comics has announced it will publish a brand-new Doctor Who mini series featuring the Eighth Doctor, as played by Paul McGann. The first issue of the new series will hit comic stores on 28th October 2015 and is being written… Read More ›
-
Thunderbirds 1965 is Go, now aims for ‘Prequel’ Production!
The Thunderbirds 1965 Kickstarter to create new episodes of “Classic Thunderbirds” has reached its £75,000 base target in less than five days – and now the race is on to achieve a ‘stretch goal’ that will enable production of a Thunderbirds ‘prequel’…. Read More ›