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.
-
Bears First! PM Buchan and Phillip Marsden parody General Election concerns
From the pages of The Final BLACKOUT, Manchester-based PM Buchan‘s upcoming satirical horror-comedy anthology with co-creators Jack Fallows (Axolotl) and Phillip Marsden (Kerrang!), comes BKIP, illustrated by Phillip, the story about Teddy Bear’s struggle to survive in a world where migrant humans are undercutting good, honest, local… Read More ›
-
British Comic Shop Releases (6th May 2015) – Bring Back the Secret Wars “Secret Artist”!
Here’s our guide to new comics and graphic on sale in British comic shops today (6th May 2015), complementing our monthly list of new British graphic novels and comic collections (May 2015 list here). The headline event on the… Read More ›
-
Out Today: The Conclusion of “The Chronicles Of Legion” saga from Titan Comics
The Chronicles Of Legion Volume 3: The Blood Brothers is out today from Titan Comics, bringing to a close the impressive tale written by Fabien Nury, with art by Tirso, Zhang Xiaoyu and Mario Alberti. In South America, Gabriella De La Fuente is quickly losing patience with… Read More ›
-
Inkwell Awards Ballot open until 15th May
The Inkwell Awards, a non-profit organization devoted to the education and promotion of the art of inking, invites everyone to vote for the industry’s best of the past year. The official public ballot will be available on the Inkwell Awards’ homepage until… Read More ›
-
“Crik” fantasy puts childhood nightmares to rest for author Karl Beer
Deep within Crik Wood is a village in which every person has a unique ability called a “Talent”. The Mayor can talk to insects, a girl can disappear in a cloud of smoke, and a young boy called Jack… Read More ›
-
Bear Alley Books “Complete Captain Future” out this week
One of the stars of the 1950s pirate era of comic publishing, Norman Light‘s Captain Future was the star of the comic Spaceman, which Light published in 1953-54. One of the most successful titles from the minor publishers of the… Read More ›
-
Tonight’s Gotham on Channel 5: Beasts of Prey
In Gotham, “Beasts of Prey:”, screening tonight on Channel 5, Gordon and Bullock investigate a cold case involving the Ogre, a serial killer who targets young women in Gotham City. Meanwhile, Fish plots her escape from the Dollmaker, and Bruce… Read More ›
-
Flashback to 1968: Art from the very first British Comics Convention
Following up on our coverage of the successful Birmingham Comic Festival last month at Edgbaston, which attracted some 2000 fans from across the UK, we thought we’d flashback to 1968 and give you a look at the some of the art used… Read More ›
-
Comics Explorer Convention Map Opens Up a World of Comics Events
Conventions are an integral part of any comic creator’s calendar; they provide a great opportunity to make money, gain new fans and meet other professionals. And there are so many of them nowadays that wherever you are in the… Read More ›
-
Superheroes land at Stockton-on-Tees Billingham Library to mark Free Comic Book Day
A chance to learn how to draw your inner superhero, show off your fancy dress and receive free comic books are just some of the fun activities on offer at a drop-in event to celebrate Free Comic Book Day… Read More ›
-
Top Comics Talent at GOSH London for Free Comic Books Day
A host of talented British creators who’ve sharpened their favourite pencils and picked out their very best sketchbooks will be at GOSH London for Free Comics Book Day in 2015. Guests include: Grace Wilson, Warwick Johnson Cadwell, Will Tempest, Elliot Baggot,… Read More ›
-
Free Comic Book Day 2015: Forbidden Planet Events
Want to discover comics? Lapsed reader wanting to jump back in? Loving Gotham, Flash, Arrow, Agents Of SHIELD and The Avengers and want to know more? Then visit Forbidden Planet on Saturday 2rd May – for Free Comic Book Day. Free Comic Book… Read More ›
-
In Review: DTHRTL (Death Rattle) – Book 1 of 3
. Created by Bob Turner The Story: This is the wordless and psychedelic adventure of a cyclops like creature who falls through incident to incident in a crazy and colourful landscape. With the figure of Death following him around and… Read More ›
-
Fledgling US comics publisher Aftershock joins “Comics Uncovered” line-up in September
Aftershock Comics, the major new American comic book publisher registering high on the Richter scale of comics and graphic novels movers and shakers, are coming to the UK this September in search of talent. Former Marvel Comics Executive Editor Michael… Read More ›
-
Now We Are Seven: Malta Comic Con is back in December
It only comes once a year. But when it does – it rocks! Good vibes, friendly atmosphere, colourful costumes, smiling folk and the whole of Malta’s St. James Cavalier venue buzzing with creative energy… You’re right! We are indeed… Read More ›
-
Doctor Who “The Good Soldier” comic collection out 5th May
The next collection of archive Doctor Who strips from Doctor Who Magazine will be published in June, titled The Good Soldier. Wrapped in a gorgeous cover by David Roach, the volume features a range of Seventh Doctor strips I edited… Read More ›
-
Clockwork Goat Comics set to debut on Free Comic Book Day
What’s that you say? Anthology comics are dying? This looks like a job for Clockwork Goat Comics! (What a great name for a comic). To celebrate Free Comic Book Day 2015, Clockwork Goat Comics bring you a preview of… Read More ›
-
Lakes International Comic Art Festival “Clock Tower” Line-Up revealed
Following up on our reports on the international and British guests attending this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October – which includes Steve Bell, Darwyn Cooke, Dave McKean, Kieron Gillen, Kathryn and Stuart Immonen and many more – the organisation… Read More ›
-
ArtZine Tiny Pencil Backs Nepal Charities with limited edition Postcard Sale
Tiny Pencil, an anthology artzine and blog founded in 2013 by Amber Hsu, a title described as a “safe haven for graphite groupies” have put a number of fabulous-looking art postcards up in their shop in aid of the Emergency Disaster Relief organisations working in Nepal…. Read More ›
-
British Comic Shop Releases (29th April 2015) – Free Comic Book Day Looms, Johnny Nemo storms in!
It’s going to be a busy week for comic shops across the UK, not only due of today’s delivery of new comics but because they’re readying themselves for Free Comic Book Day on Saturday 2nd May 2015 – the day many specialist… Read More ›