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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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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“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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›