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.
-
Sneak Preview: Doctor Who Nine #2 from Titan Comics
Wednesday 17th June sees the return of Titan Comics Ninth Doctor series, with the climactic second issue of Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor by co-author of bestselling Who-ology Cavan Scott and art by Blair Shedd, with main cover art by fan favourite Alice X Zhang… Read More ›
-
‘Lost’ Marvel UK artist Leigh Baulch decloaks new art pages
Following up on our post about one of Marvel UK’s ’forgotten’ artists last week, we’re delighted to report that Leigh Baulch has now published more of his vintage and recent art on Facebook and Twitter. Our feature generated plenty of… Read More ›
-
Simon Spurrier’s and Jeff Stokely’s “The Spire” launches in July
The top cop of a sprawling structure with over a million inhabitants has a triple homicide on her hands—and a new boss who can’t stand her. That’s the premise behind The Spire, launching next month, a new limited series from… Read More ›
-
WarWorldz Origins Episode 8
On an alien world, RAF pilot Daniel Saunders has landed himself in big trouble in an ancient city. Meanwhile, back on Earth, things aren’t going well either… WarWorldz: Origins by John Freeman & Stephen Walsh, Script by Stephen Walsh, art… Read More ›
-
Kendal Calling: Artists Wanted to Paint Windows for Lakes International Comic Art Festival
The Windows on Comic Art Trail is a unique element of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival and the team behind the event have just launched an appeal for artists to get involved in this year’s redecoration of local shop… Read More ›
-
British Comic Web Sites: Trawling the Statistics
Intrigued by things statistical this morning, I thought I’d have a look at the documented audiences for various British comics-related web sites – both publishers and news sites – on Alexa.com, which details their world rankings. As you can see,… Read More ›
-
Marvel’s Agent Carter heads to FOX UK, launches 12th July
FOX UK has acquired the rights to the ABC Studios action-packed post World War Two period drama Marvel’s Agent Carter from Disney UK and Ireland, and the series will begin airing on 12th July. As regular readers already know, the… Read More ›
-
Publishers and book lovers urged to back Independent Bookshop Week 2015
Book lovers and publishers are being encouraged show their support for their local independent bookshops by contributing to some of the dynamic digital initiatives being announced for this year’s Independent Bookshop Week, which is organised by the Booksellers Association – and there’s… Read More ›
-
IDW relaunches digital comics offering in partnership with Madefire
IDW Publishing, a pioneer in digital comics, has launched its next-generation of comic apps for Apple iOS. These new apps were produced in partnership with the premier iOS app developer, Madefire, the company established by a group of creatives that… Read More ›
-
Basil Brush “Full Fox on Tour” prompts TV Comic memories
(Updated 5/6/15): Basil Brush – star of TV, stage and TV Comic – is out and about over the summer months in the UK with his “Full on Fox Tour”, taking in towns across the country from Newport on Saturday to Ipswich… Read More ›
-
All Change at Broken Frontier web site
The big news for the comic news site Broken Frontier doesn’t stop. Hot on the heels of the successful Kickstarter campaign for its inaugural Broken Frontier Anthology, the acclaimed site is restructuring the top of its editorial staff, heralding an… Read More ›
-
“Minnie the Minx” artist Jim Petrie exhibition in Dundee
The latest comics exhibition at the Lamb Gallery at the University of Dundee is a memorial show for Minnie the Minx artist Jim Petrie. This special exhibition celebrates the work of artist Jim Petrie, who died in 2014. A former… Read More ›
-
Crucible: The Quest Episode 34
For those who came in late (new readers start here!): deep below the surface of Shaarn, our adventurers confront a terror of legend that has already killed… and threatens to do so again in its own quest! By John Freeman… Read More ›
-
Clear Spot: Ten Years of New Doctor Who spin-offs
In an hour long show looking at new Doctor Who novels, comics and animated serials since the programme returned to television in 2005, Alex Fitch talks to novelist Alastair Reynolds about his book The Harvest of Time and to writers / editors Jay… Read More ›
-
Panel Borders: Martian Comics and Ocular Anecdotes
Starting a month of shows about comic book creators who have used crowd funding to launch various titles on Panel Borders, Britain’s only regularly broadcast radio show about comics, Alex Fitch talks to writer and Sequart’s founder, Dr. Julian Darius and… Read More ›
-
In Review: Thrones & Bones – Nightborn
By Lou Anders Cover and Illustrations by Justin Gerard Publisher: Crown Books Out: 14th July 2015 The Book: From the author of Frostborn comes Book 2 in the acclaimed Thrones and Bones fantasy-adventure trilogy for fans of Lloyd Alexander and Brandon Mull. Karn… Read More ›
-
Twelfth Doctor “The Fractures” arc finale debuts
Today sees the release of Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor #8 from Titan Comics, written by Robbie Morrison (Drowntown, Nikolai Dante) with art by Brian Williamson (Torchwood), bringing us the climactic finale of ‘The Fractures’ story arc! Here’s a sneak… Read More ›
-
British Comic Shop Releases (3rd June 2015) – Custard Creams and Gunsuits!
Here’s our guide to new comics and graphic on sale in British comic shops today (Wednesday 3rd June 2015), complementing our monthly list of new British graphic novels and comic collections (June 2015 list here). This week sees the release of… Read More ›
-
Sneak Peek: Verity Fair Book One: Custard Creams & Pink Elephants by Terry Wiley
Although previously published last year and also available digitally for iPad from SEQUENTIAL (And Part One is also available from Madefire), Terry Wiley‘s marvellous VerityFair Book One: Custard Creams & Pink Elephants gets another round of distribution in comic shops this… Read More ›
