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.
-
Tonight’s Gotham on Channel 5: The Anvil or the Hammer
In tonight’s episode of Gotham on Channel 5, the Ogre breaks down Barbara’s emotions, while Gordon and Bullock track him down. Meanwhile, Penguin leads a massacre, beginning an epic war, while Bruce learns the truth about Wayne Enterprises and Nygma deals… Read More ›
-
Lakes Festival Focus 2015: Shojo artist Chie Kutsuwada
Continuing our spotlights of the guests attending the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October 2015, we’re profiling Brighton-based Shojo artist Chie Kutsuwada. Chie Kutsuwada is a popular manga artist based in Brighton who was born and brought up in Japan. After graduating Royal College of Art,… Read More ›
-
First Age Comics Top Ten Titles This Week (w/e 15th May 2015)
Diamond has its top selling US comic lists, and so do the big London comic shops and many others. So here at downthetubes, we thought it high time we had our own Top Ten Comics chart documenting top sellers in… Read More ›
-
Doctor Who “Four Doctors” weekly crossover series covers revealed
Titan Comics has revealed all the special covers of its Doctor Who summer event – Doctor Who: Four Doctors – which launches on 12th August 2015. This spectacular five-part weekly event, running through August and September 2015, in place… Read More ›
-
Lakes Festival Focus 2015: Shojo artist Inko Ai Takita
Continuing our spotlights of the guests attending the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October 2015, we’re profiling Brighton-based Shojo artist Inko. Inko is Brighton-based Japanese manga artist actively producing manga cartoons, illustrations, and picture books. She grew up in Kyoto, a very traditional and arty… Read More ›
-
Taschen reveals the filthiest fruit of Robert Crumb’s fertile imagination!
From the very beginning, even before the sexual revolution made Robert Crumb the world’s most celebrated underground cartoonist, he felt compelled to commit his sexual fantasies to paper. Once upon a time, he’d destroy them, fearful of others discovering his quirky… Read More ›
-
Paul Cornell’s new creator-owned comics project “This Dammed Band” announced
Eagle Award–winning, New York Times number-one best-selling author Paul Cornell (Doctor Who, Wolverine, Action Comics), artist Tony Parker (Mass Effect: Foundation) and colourist Lovern Kindzierski are working together on a creator-owned comic series to be published by US publisher Dark Horse, This Damned Band, a darkly hilarious adventure… Read More ›
-
In UK Cinemas Today: Mad Max: Fury Road
From director George Miller, originator of the post-apocalyptic genre and mastermind behind the legendary “Mad Max” franchise, comes Mad Max: Fury Road, a return to the world of the Road Warrior, Max Rockatansky. The film’s screenplay was co-written with… Read More ›
-
Kickstarter Sensation Beast Wagon Released Into The Wild!
The first issue of Beast Wagon, the black comedy set in a zoo launched at Eisner Award-nominated OK Comics, Leeds last weekend following a hugely-successful Kickstarter campaign, which reached its goal in 24 hours, eventually going on to double… Read More ›
-
Creator Spotlight: Comic Artist John Charles
Here’s a fun, faux, Doctor Who comic cover we thought you’d enjoy, by John Charles, a fine colourist and comic artist I’ve known for some years now – and currently seeking work. John has been into comics since he was twelve and is… Read More ›
-
Latest Doctor Who Panel to Panel podcast is a Review Special
A new episode of the Doctor Who comics podcast Panel to Panel is up, and taking a break from his fantastic series of creator interviews, it’s time for Jeremy Bement to catch up on reviews. In this episode he review Titan… Read More ›
-
Sneak Peek and Review: Merrick: The Sensational Elephantman Issue 4
. Written by Tom Ward Art by Luke Parker Letters by Nic J. Shaw Editor Clare Lenton The Story: This is the fourth issue and ends the first arc and features all the characters who have shaped the series so far…. Read More ›
-
“Journey Planet” e-zine plans Dan Dare special, seeks submissions
The team behind the e-zine and web site Journey Planet are working on a Dan Dare-themed issue of the title and are looking for articles on any aspect or version of Dan Dare from the 1950s through to the Virgin… Read More ›
-
Doctor Who Adventures regeneration continues next week with “The Big Hush”
The second issue of Panini’s regenerated Doctor Who Adventures hits the newsstands on 21st May 2015, and promises more thrills, more adventures and more excitement than ever! Opening proceedings, the Doctor and Clara find themselves rocking out at the… Read More ›
-
Two Weeks To Go: The Countdown to Wonderlands Continues
With just over two weeks to go, expectations for Wonderlands, the UK’s first ever graphic novel expo are high. With a long list of guests that includes Posy Simmonds, Dave Gibbons, Hunt Emerson, Paul Gravett, Steve Bell and… Read More ›
-
This week’s Panel Borders: “The Umbral Fuse” featuring writer Antony Johnston
Continuing a month of shows about creators whose work sits in the middle ground between ‘mainstream’ and independent comics, Alex Fitch talks to writer Antony Johnston about his career so far. Fitch and Johnston discuss the latter’s comics published by… Read More ›
-
Crucible: The Quest Episode 30
In which Beloc realizes he really, really should listen to Ardahl when he tells him not to meddle with things he doesn’t understand…
-
Crucible: The Quest Episode 29
After battling dwarves in a strange metal-lined cavern somewhere below the surface of their world, the cleric, Zingamy, must now seek control of a dangerous religious artefact… Story by John Freeman & Smuzz, art by Smuzz, lettering by Jim Campbell
-
Sneak Peek: Mythic #1 by Phil Hester & John McCrea
Science is a lie, an opiate for the masses. The truth is, magic makes the world go ’round. And when magic breaks, Mythic fixes it. Apache shaman Waterson, Greek immortal Cassandra, and cell phone salesman Nate Jayadarma are the crack… Read More ›
-
British Comic Shop Releases (13th May 2015) – Chrononauts, Star Slammers and Devlin Waugh!
Here’s our guide to new comics and graphic on sale in British comic shops today (13th May 2015), complementing our monthly list of new British graphic novels and comic collections (May 2015 list here). There are some great comics… Read More ›