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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Something for the Weekend (8th July 2015) – Boov, Minions, Bacchus and Dirk Gently, too!
Here’s this week’s list of comics on sale in British comics shops, plus some news stand titles – our intent, as ever being to skew our coverage in favour of British creators. Out this week is an IDW/Top Shelf release… Read More ›
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Humanoids announces partnership with SF author Robert Silverberg
International graphic novel publishing house Humanoids – which includes a UK Operation – has just announced a deal with legendary science fiction writer Robert Silverberg to adapt a selection of his iconic novels into comics and live action entertainment content. The first novel… Read More ›
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Great War Centenary Anthology in the works
Wonderfunders, the free Crowd Funding Platform For Comics and Sequential Art projects, has announced the impending publication of Memorial – the Great War Centenary Anthology in aid of the War Child charity. The project, which we first reported on last year, is being published… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Writing as the Other
Continuing a month of shows about comics that are about or from Australasia on this week’s only over-air British comics radio show Panel Borders, Alex Fitch talks to cartoonist turned novelist Ed Hillyer about his debut novel, The Clay Dreaming, released in 2010 – his… Read More ›
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Morph to guest star in this week’s Beano
DC Thomson has teamed up with Aardman to bring Morph, the nation’s favourite clay character, to The Beano, everyone’s favourite comic this week. Newly-returned to our TV screens, Morph guest stars in the comic, sharing the cover with Dennis the… Read More ›
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Signature set to roll out new “Chuggington Magazine” with five-piece train set
Signature Publishing, the UK’s fastest growing and multiple award winning children’s magazine publisher, is to launch Chuggington Magazine, based on the hit young children’s show, later this month. Based on the high quality and action-packed Chuggington TV series, the magazine transports… Read More ›
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After Shock Comics recruits Garth Ennis and Neil Gaiman for their new projects
British creators – including Neil Gaiman – will be among those working on new comics to be published by the ambitious US publishing start-up AfterShock Comics. As we reported back in May, the Editor In Chief Michael Marts of the new company will be… Read More ›
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Thunderbirds 1965 Project To Create “Classic Thunderbirds Episodes”
This September marks 50 years since Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s ground-breaking Thunderbirds series blasted onto TV screens in the UK. To celebrate this special anniversary, the iconic puppets will be making a spectacular return in three brand new episodes in… Read More ›
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New Eagle Times highlights Joan Porter’s work on “Dan Dare”
The latest issue of the Eagle-inspired magazine Eagle Times, published by the Eagle Society, is available now, offering a wealth of insights into the much-loved boys comic of the 1950s and 60s. The features, which include insights from colourist and researcher Joan… Read More ›
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The Doctor and Clara tackle the Cyclopes in new Doctor Who Adventures
Doctor Who Adventures Issue Four is set to materialise on UK newsstands from Panini UK next week, on 16th July – and promises a summer holiday in Ancient Greece, a Sontaran Extravaganza and more excitement than most Time Lords can cope with… Read More ›
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Erich Von Däniken’s “Chariots of the Gods” comics
A guide to the comics based on the “gods on Earth” theories of Erich von Daniken
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University of Dundee releases audio interview with Minnie the Minx artist Jim Petrie
The University of Dundee has released an audio interview with the late Jim Petrie, the artist best known for his work on The Beano‘s “Minnie the Minx”, documenting his career. Conducted by Rhoda Miller, the recording is part of the University… Read More ›
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Comic Art “Colour Block” Beano, Asterix screen prints Launched
Regular readers will recall last month’s mention on downthetubes for Leading screen printer John Patrick Reynolds and his company Comic Art‘s Asterix the Gaul prints, complementing the company’s existing range of British comics-inspired art. Now, John has released a gorgeous range of “Colour Block” range – colourful… Read More ›
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Coming Soon: Warren Ellis and Tula Lotay’s “Heartless” – and “James Bond 007”
Announced at this year’s Image Comics Expo was Heartless, a new limited series by Warren Ellis and Tula Lotay, one of several new projects the wiriter has in the works including James Bond 007 for Dynamite and the leaked but still… Read More ›
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Awesome Comics Podcast, promoting the best of small press and indie comics, launched
It’s here! The first episode of the Awesome Comics Podcast dedicated small press and indie comics has arrived. Featuring Intro/Outro music courtesy of the brilliant Chad Fifer, join Vince Hunt (The Red Mask From Mars), Dan Butcher (Vanguard) and Tony Esmond… Read More ›
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Arvon “Text and Image” course with Hannah Berry, Simone Lia and Stephen Collins, announced
The Arvon Foundation is putting on a five day creative writing residential course on the power of stories born out of combining images and text in October, run by three top British comic creators. The Foundation has been offering people time and space to… Read More ›
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Let Worlds Collide! Beano Past and Present is latest Gibsons jigsaw
Gibsons have just released a terrific new jigsaw blending classic The Beano characters with their modern-day, Dennis the Menace and Gnasher-led counterparts. Gibsons Beano “Past and Present” Jigsaw Puzzle is the latest in the company’s popular line of The Beano games and puzzles, which… Read More ›
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Cavan Scott, George Mann and Rachel Stott face Doctor Who “Panel to Panel” Mind Probe
With the San Diego Comic Con 2015 beginning this week, Jeremy Bement brings you some Doctor Who-related listening for your journey to California. On his ace Doctor Who comics-inpsired podcast Panel to Panel this week, Jeremy talks to writers Cavan Scott and George… Read More ›
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Boom! to publish Grant Morrison’s “Klaus”
Around this time last year, US publisher Boom! announced they’d be working with Grant Morrison (The Multiversity, Joe the Barbarian, We3, Action Comics and 2000AD’s “Zenith”, to name but a few of his works) on a new title. Now, as… Read More ›
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In Review: When Life Hands You Lemons, Check For Lymes
Created by Phil Gerigscott The Story: This is not the norm. Let’s start there shall we? Listen up at the back? This is not a comic full of crashes and bangs, bows and arrows or even rock bands. This… Read More ›