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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Minions Head to Titan – Titan Comics, that is!
Titan Comics have announced they’ll be publishing an all-new Minions comic this summer, starring the usually servile but often rebellious characters that sprang to fame after their debut in Despicable Me. The new comic (and digests) will launch in June, shortly… Read More ›
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Charley’s War “Micro Site” joins DownTheTubes
The Charley’s War web site formerly hosted as part the SevenPennyNightmare sites has a new home here on DownTheTubes. I’d like to thank Moose Harris of SevenPennyNightmare for very kindly hosted the semi-official site dedicated to the World War One comic strip created by Pat Mills and… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Releases (1st April 2015) – Jump On Board 2000AD and The Ninth Doctor!
Here’s our list of both British and US comics on sale this week in comic shops (Wednesday 1st April 2015), and it’s a big week for 2000AD fans – and not just because Tharg has persuaded Brian Bolland to draw the… Read More ›
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As Netflix gets set to debut “Daredevil”, “Luke Cage” showrunner is revealed
With Daredevil set to debut in the UK on 1oth April on the digital broadcaster, Cynopsis reports Netflix and Disney’s Marvel Television has tapped Cheo Hodari Coker (Ray Donovan) as Executive Producer and showrunner for Luke Cage, the hero series set to premiere next year. The… Read More ›
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Free British comic anthology OFF LIFE seeks new blood
The latest issue of the free street comic OFF LIFE (Issue 11) may have only come out a month ago, but the editorial team have already opened submissions for their next issue (due out July) and we’re more than happy to… Read More ›
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Who Remembers Blaam!?
Anyone who follows British comics will know that down the years it’s scattered with many great, well-received but short-lived comic projects, often published on a wing and a prayer by small independent publishers, working on them firstly because of the… Read More ›
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Hibernia Comics releases Dracula from the Scream archives!
Continuing their fine work re-presentng some classic British comic stories with collections of series such as The Very Best of Library of Death and The Tower King, Hibernia Comics have just released The Complete Dracula File, a strip first published in the… Read More ›
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Thunderbirds Are Go Magazine still in the works, out later in year
(Updated): As the countdown to the launch of Thunderbirds Are Go on ITV and CITV on Saturday draws ever nearer and ITV rolls out numerous story tie-ins for fans young and old, including missions for agents signing up at Thunderbirds.com… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Panini UK’s first “Doctor Who Adventures” comic strip
With news that Panini UK, already publishers of Doctor Who Magazine, take over the publication of Doctor Who Adventures from Immediate Media later next month, we have a treat for you – a first look at the first new strip for… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Spies Versus Satan! Markosia debuts debuts “DIS”, a digital thriller
With a release date set for All Fools Day, 1st April 21015, Markosia Enterprises have announced the digital publication of DIS, a five-issue satanic conspiracy thriller set in the 1970s London created by UK-based writer Kevin Gunstone and featuring stylish,… Read More ›
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Final Immediate Media “Doctor Who Adventures” still on sale
The final issue of BBC Doctor Who Adventures to be published by Immediate Media is on sale now – and offers readers the chance to win copies of the latest Doctor Who DVD. The title will continue to be… Read More ›
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Lost Worlds of Gerry Anderson DVD released, more merchandise on way
Anderson Entertainment has lined up a host of new products and content inspired by the work of the late British producer Gerry Anderson which will hit shelves and screens in the coming months, and more guests for this year’s Andercon… Read More ›
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Tonight’s Gotham on Channel 5: The Fearsome Dr. Crane
Fish Mooney reveals a secret of Oswald Cobblepot’s, prompting his crime lord boss, Maroni, to take him on a trip to test his loyalty in tonight’s episode of Gotham on Channel 5. Meanwhile, Gordon and Bullock hunt down a… Read More ›
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Thunderbirds Are Go: Virgil Tracy and Thunderbird 2 Profiled
The promotions for Thunderbirds Are Go are coming in thick and fast now as the launch date nears, with the new show’s official Facebook page featuring a countdown of Tracy brothers character profiles, inviting fans to back their favourite. Here’s Virgil Tracy, in command… Read More ›
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London Book Fair Celebrates Graphic Novels with Dedicated Showcase
Graphic novels are one of the fastest growing areas of book publishing and the London Book Fair, the world’s second largest publishing show with over 25,000 visitors, held April 14~16, 2015, is celebrating the fact with a specially-designed pavilion to… Read More ›
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Bologna Children’s Book Fair spurs new comic-related book news
With the Bologna Children’s Book Fair taking place next week (30th March – 2nd April) and the London Book Fair hot on its heels (14th – 16th April) it’s inevitable that there will be plenty of new book projects… Read More ›
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More Thunderbirds Are Go Licenses Announced, show launch just one week away
With the first episode of the new Thunderbirds Are Go set to debut with next Saturday (4th April) a special one hour episode on ITV and CITV, ITV Studios Global Entertainment have announced more tie-in licensing deals for the show…. Read More ›
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Lethal Attraction: Will You Be Drawn to Buy the New Commandos?
Here’s a rundown of the latest issues of Commando (Issues 4795-4798) from DC Thomson, on sale now in all good newsagents and through various digital platforms… Commando No 4795 – Lethal Attraction Story: Alan Hebden Art: Manuel Benet Cover: Manuel Benet… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Releases (25th March 2015) – World War X, Elric and Nemo, too!
Here’s our list of both British and US comics on sale this week in comic shops (Wednesday 25th March 2015). It complements our monthly lost of new graphic novel releases which you can find here for March 2015. Everything wraps up on 2000AD this… Read More ›
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United Nations organises “Gender Equality: Picture It!” Comic Competition
UN Women, together with the European Commission, the Belgian Development Cooperation, and the United Nations Regional Information Centre have organised a comic and cartoon competition on Gender Equality, “Picture It”, which closes on 20th April 2015. Conducted by the UN Women Brussels… Read More ›