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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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 ›
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Sneak Peek: Arcadia #2
The second issue of Boom! Studios Arcadia written by British creator Alex Paknadel with art by Eric Scott Pfeiffer is released in comic shops tomorrow (3rd June 2015) – and here’s a sneak peek. Issue One went to a second printing, much… Read More ›
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Comic Art’s Asterix the Gaul screen print range in the spotlight
Leading screen printer John Patrick Reynolds and his company Comic Art added Asterix the Gaul to their licensed range earlier this year and the range is looking terrific, complementing the company’s existing range of British comics-inspired art very nicely, working closely… Read More ›
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New Dennis the Menace book on the way from Cavan Scott and Nigel Parkinson
Cavan Scott – whose credits include Doctor Who, The Beano, Judge Dredd, Skylanders, Angry Birds, Warhammer 40,000 and more, as well as his own novels and short stories – has written Dennis the Menace and Gnasher: The Golden Catapult for Puffin Books, to be released… Read More ›
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Call For Papers: Transtions 6
The TRANSITIONS 6 – New Directions in Comics Studies 2015 Symposium will take place on 31st October 2015 at Birkbeck, University of London and a Call For Papers has just gone out. The Respondent will be Professor Roger Sabin (of Central… Read More ›
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In Review: Modesty Blaise – The Killing Distance
By Peter O’Donnell (Script) & Enrique Badia Romero (Art) Publisher: Titan Books Out: Now The Book: Continuing the only complete collection of Modesty Blaise adventures! The return of the ass-kicking femme fatale. Full of classic action and adventure and dripping with… Read More ›
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New “Daredevil” licensed clothing, mugs and t-shirts inspired by Netflix show on the way
Disney Consumer Products is clearly setting some store in the success of the Marvel Netflix series, Daredevil, because it recently unveiled a lineup of product partners for the new show, which will return for a second season on the digital subscription… Read More ›
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Marvel UK’s Forgotten Spider-Man Artist: Leigh Baulch
A social media posting of the perhaps long-forgotten Spider-Man versus Doc Octopus art above, published by Marvel UK prompted fans to ponder the artist’s identity, with a certain Leigh Baulch – who has worked for Titan and the Forbidden Planet group for the… Read More ›
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Lakes International Comic Art Festival Tickets Go On Sale Today
Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival from the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal. The Festival, taking place 16th – 18th October, has also detailed three more top names joining this year’s programme: Guardian cartoonists Steven Appleby and Steve Bell, and top… Read More ›
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Wicked + Divine optioned for TV
Universal Television, the television production subsidiary of the NBCUniversal Television Group whose current shows include Bates Motel and Grimm, has optioned the rights to The Wicked + The Divine comic by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie and Matt Wilson (and… Read More ›
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The Comic Electric: A Digital Comics Symposium – Call For Participation
Led by renowned comic writers Leah and Alan Moore, The Electricomics project launched in May 2014 with funding from The Digital R&D Fund for the Arts. Now, as the project nears the conclusion of its initial research and development… Read More ›
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SEQUENTIAL releases Free Freak Brothers Guide
SEQUENTIAL, the digital graphic novel app for iPad, is celebrating the 75th birthday of Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers creator Gilbert Shelton with a free digital guide. For those of you unaware (a doubtful idea!) The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers is a series… Read More ›
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Crucible: The Quest Episode 33
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Crucible: The Quest Episode 32
So… our party have been attacked by a mysterious and deadly creature, upset metal dwarves and now they seem to have attracted the attention of a god. Can anything else go wrong? By John Freeman & Smuzz, lettered by Jim… Read More ›
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Crucible: The Quest Episode 31
What horror has Beloc unearthed far below the surface of Shaarn (or wherever the party now are?) … And more to the point, what will It do, now discovered? By John Freeman & Smuzz, lettering by Jim Campbell. See also… Read More ›
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Dennis Publishing launches Minecraft World
Dennis Publishing, publishers of titles such as VIZ and The Week and owners of the Den of Geek website, has just launched Minecraft World, a non-licensed monthly print magazine based on the hugely popular cross-platform computer game. As downthetubes readers will know, Minecraft… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Doctor Who: Four Doctors #1
Titan Comics has released some preview pages from Issue One of their brand-new five-part weekly Doctor Who comics cross-over series – Doctor Who: Four Doctors , written by Paul Cornell with art by Neil Edwards. Due for to launch 12th August,… Read More ›
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British Star War figures, Action Man and Pippa doll collectibles sell for thousands in Vectis auction
Vectis Auctions held the first Palitoy Employees sale this week (see earlier news story), and it generated a lot of interest amongst the collecting fraternity – and some huge bids for childhood favourites. Some of the biggest collecting groups… Read More ›
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New Lakes Festival Guests: The Yanks Are Coming!
Two top US comics creators have joined the already impressive international line-up announced for this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October. From Bambi to Bart Simpson and Mowgli to Moe, Bill Morrison has drawn them all, and almost everything in between. For… Read More ›
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Lancaster Comics Day Launch Event on Saturday
A small event to launch Lancaster Comics Day will take place at First Age Comics, Lancaster on Saturday 30th May 2015 from 11.00am. Lancaster Comics Day, taking place Sunday 14th June 2015 in Lancaster Library, is a new event aimed at comic fans of all ages for the… Read More ›
