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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Wolfblood graphic novels in the works
Autumn Publishing, a mass market publisher that’s part of the Bonnier Publishing group and focuses on young readers, has signed a deal to publish series novelisations, box sets, graphic novels, journals, complete guides, poster books and annuals based on the… Read More ›
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In Review: Winsor McCay – The Complete Little Nemo 1905–1927
By Winsor Mcoay Publisher: Taschen Edited by Alexander Braun Hardcover, clothbound, 2 volumes., 13.5 x 17.3 in., 708 pages The Book: Meet Little Nemo, a diminutive hero of comic narrative, but one of the greatest dream voyagers of the 20th century. The master creation of Winsor… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus: Shojo artist Akiko Hatsu
Here’s the first of our spotlights on the guests attending the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October 2015, starting with internationally-acclaimed Shojo artist Akiko Hatsu. Born in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, Akiko Hatsu worked as assistant to her older sister, the manga… Read More ›
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2000AD artist Gary Crutchley joins 100% Biodegradable line-up
Comic creators Paul H. Birch and 2000AD‘s Gary Crutchley join the line up of the quarterly digital anthology 100% Biodegradable next issue, the title edited by Dave Hailwood and John Kirkham that also features the ongoing WarWorldz Universe story “Death… Read More ›
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Lakes International Comic Art Festival Takes Manga to the Max!
This year’s Lakes International Comics Art Festival will drop you into the fascinating world of Japanese manga and anime, bringing one of the acclaimed creators of Shojo (girl’s manga) to Britain, in partnership with the Brewery Arts Centre, the Daiwa Foundation, the GB… Read More ›
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Lancaster Comics Day Children’s Comic Competition Launched
Are there aliens in your dustbin? Is a gorilla living in your ginnel? As part of Lancaster Comics Day on Sunday 14th June at Lancaster Library which features comics guests including Image and Marvel Comics writer Andy Diggle and Doctor… Read More ›
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Tonight’s Gotham on Channel 5: Under the Knife
In tonight’s episode of Gotham on Channel 5, Gordon and Bullock continue to investigate the Ogre, who begins to make his move on someone close to Gordon. Meanwhile, Bruce and Selina team up to expose a corrupt Wayne Enterprises employee… Read More ›
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SEQUENTIAL’s free Toronto Comic Art Festival anthology still available
The official Toronto Comic Art Festival 2015 Digital Comics Anthology is completely FREE to download, and exclusive to SEQUENTIAL… but it’s only available until Monday 11th May 2015! Offering over 50 pages of free, brand new comics from… Read More ›
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Putting Dan Dare in Context: Post-World War Two anxiety and optimism examined
I recently came across a fascinating two-part study of the first Dan Dare story by Colin Smith on Sequart, which includes some observations of modern takes on the character such as the Virgin Comics reboot by Garth Ennis and Gary Erskine…. Read More ›
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First Age Comics Top Ten Titles – 8th 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… Read More ›
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Cardiff Independent Comic Expo returns next month
Cardiff’s only independent comic show returns on Saturday 27th June, 2015 at Cardiff Masonic Hall. The Cardiff Independent Comic Expo (CICE) will showcase the very best in independent comic artists, writers, publishers, retailers, illustrators and more, from South Wales and… Read More ›
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Take Me Back to Manchester film documents comic artist Oliver East’s epic “Elephant Walk”
The film Take Me Back To Manchester commissioned by Lakes Culture, as part of the Lakes Ignite programme, will be screened at Brockhole Visitor Centre from the 8th – 17th May and also at the Toronto Comic Art Festival (9th & 10th May… Read More ›
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OFF LIFE Magazine joins forces with Print Club London for “As One” project
Life in the city can be dirty work. Loud, overcrowded and overpriced… it takes resolve to live and love side-by-side. To celebrate those who endeavour, street comic OFF LIFE and Print Club London are coming together for ‘As One’… Read More ›
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Roy of the Rovers artist David Sque working on Preston North End graphic novel
Former Roy of the Rovers artist David Sque has begun work on illustrating a new graphic novel, Preston North End – The Rise Of The Invincibles, a project from Preston-based Invincible Books that is also offering fans the chance to win an appearance in the book… Read More ›
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Osprey’s Battles of World War II Relaunched to mark 70th anniversary of the end of the conflict
Osprey’s Battles of World War II, a monthly series from RBA Coleccionables, is being relaunched. The first issue goes on sale on next week, 13th May, priced £4.99. While unconnected, the new edition follows hot on the heels of Osprey’s… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: The Death of the Artist
Starting a month of shows about comics and graphic novels which occupy the middle ground between ‘mainstream’ titles and independent publishing on Britain’s only regularly broadcast comics radio show, guest presenter Tim Pilcher talks to artist Karrie Fransman today, about her latest… Read More ›
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Titan Comics releases Flash “Souvenir One Shot”
Today (7th May 2015) sees the news stand release of Titan Comics The Flash ‘souvenir one-shot’, jam-packed with four high-speed stories featuring CSI Barry Allen, a.k.a The Flash, as he races from one adventure to another. Like their ongoing Doctor Who Comic, it’s a bumper full… Read More ›
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Dredd-inspired Lawgiver Convention returns to Bristol
Lawgiver – the world’s only convention dedicated to Judge Dredd fans – returns this coming Bank Holiday, and it isn’t just dedicated to UK fans. During the first Lawgiver, people travelled from mainland Europe to attend. Taking place at the DoubleTree by… Read More ›
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New Commando titles celebrate the Gurkhas at 200
The latest Commando releases from DC Thomson, on sale today in all good newsagents and via various digital outlets (7th May 2015), include the re-releasing of two special edition books to support Gurkha 200, commemorating 200 years of outstanding service… Read More ›
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In Review: Ron Turner’s “Space Ace” Volume 4
Out: NowPublisher: John LawrenceOriginally published by Atlas Publishing & Distributing Co. Ltd The Title: A chance to read the much-sought after story “The Island Universe”, first published some 60 years ago – Ron Turner‘s first Space Ace story, serialised over… Read More ›