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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Sidekick Books seek creators for ground-breaking Poetry Comics project
Sidekick Books – the award-winning publishers of collaborative books of poetry and illustration run by Kirsten Irving and Jon Stone – are publishing the UK’s first book of poetry comics, Over The Line, with support from Arts Council England, and want to publish new… Read More ›
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2000AD goes DRM-free for digital comic fans
You can now read 2000AD – in DRM-free digital – wherever you are! 2000AD is giving its readers DRM-free copies of graphic novels and comics, even if they buy them through the legendary comic’s iOS and Android apps. All digital purchases (both… Read More ›
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Titan Comics launches Sally of the Wasteland competition
If you fancy yourself as a post-apocalyptic art warrior, now is your chance to impress the creative team of Titan Comics title Sally of the Wasteland. To celebrate the hit collection of grind-house by Victor Gischler (X-Men, Punisher Max,… Read More ›
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Titan Comics releases “Rivers of London” Cover
Titan Comics has released the first cover of the first issue of its all-new Rivers of London comics, based on the best-selling novels by Ben Aaronovitch. The new comic was first revealed last October, and Titan has now confirmed it will… Read More ›
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DIY Cultures 2015 Back in May
DIY Cultures returns to London on Sunday 24th May 2015 – a day-long festival of zines, artist books, comics, artists-run spaces, talks, films, animation, video art, exhibition, workshops – the spirit of independence, autonomy and alternatives. Previous programmes of… Read More ›
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Doctor Who Comic Issue Three On Sale Now in the UK
The third giant-size issue of Titan Comics Doctor Who Comic is on sale now in all good newsagents, collecting a number of the US format Doctor Who stories available in comic shops. On the homeworld of vicious psychic parasites, the… Read More ›
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A Deadly Batch of Commandos Hits the Stands!
Here’s the run down on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando (Issues 4803-4806), on sale now in all good newsagents and digital editions. Sorry for the delayed intel this week. This latest batch of war comics includes a… Read More ›
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In UK Cinemas Today: Avengers: Age of Ultron (3D)
When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and it is up to The Avengers to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans… Keep up with Marvel on: TWITTER: https://twitter.com/marvel FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/Marvel TUMBLR: http://marvelentertainment.tumblr.com INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/marvel GOOGLE+: https://plus.google.com/+marvel… Read More ›
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“To End All Wars” nominated for Eisner Award, many British creators also nominated
Comic-Con International announced the nominations for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards for 2015 this week – and a number of British comic creators, including Rob Davis, Neil Gaiman, Kieron Gillen, Grant Morrison and Sean Phillips are on the list. It’s also… Read More ›
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Coming Soon to UK Cinemas: Disney’s Tomorrowland
Cloaked in secrecy during its production, Disney’s Tomorrowland arrives in UK cinemas on 22nd May 2015 – and from the trailers so far, it looks absolutely stunning. From Disney comes two-time Oscar winner Brad Bird’s Tomorrowland, a riveting mystery adventure starring… Read More ›
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2000AD artist backs Norm Breyfogle support fund by donating part of FCBD fee
An artist on this year’s 2000AD’s Free Comic Book Day comic has donated part of his fee to the fund supporting legendary Batman artist Norm Breyfogle, who was due to make his Judge Dredd debut in the title but suffered a stroke in December… Read More ›
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Thunderbirds Are… Going Japanese!
Just like the original, Thunderbirds Are Go looks set to gain a cult following in Japan, after news broke that the Tokyo-based production and distribution company, the Tohokushinsha Film Corporation has acquired the Japanese television and licensing rights for… Read More ›
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Netflix Daredevil series renewed
Streaming network Netflix has ordered a second season of Daredevil, which will debut in 2016 along with a number of other Marvel dramas. The series debuted in the UK last month and has proved a critical success with fans of the… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Releases (22nd April 2015) – Time for some Lovelace and Babbage!
Here’s our list of both British and US comics on sale this week in comic shops (from Wednesday 22nd April 2015), complementing our monthly list of British graphic novel releases (April 2015 release list here). Top pick this week has… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Captain Stone Issue 5 by Christina McCormack and Liam Sharp
On sale today in all good comic ships is Captain Stone #5 from Titan Comics, one of the latest titles springing from their partnership with digital publisher Madefire. Written by Christina McCormack and Liam Sharp with art and cover by… Read More ›
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Writing on the Wall: Marvel Mayhem in Liverpool in May
Former Marvel editor Tim Quinn and comic artists Charlie Adlard and Emma Vieceli are guests at the Writing on the Wall Festival in Liverpool next month. Writing on the Wall is a Liverpool-based community organisation that coordinates projects and events that celebrate… Read More ›
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Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular’s “Sgt Pepper’s” Homage: Who’s Who?
In advance of the forthcoming Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular which visits six cities across the UK during the May half term week from May 23rd, artwork has been released to capture the monsters and characters from Doctor Who, alongside the musicians taking… Read More ›


