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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Who Remembers Letratone?
… Because if you do, then there’s a special clearance offer for the Letraset-produced screen tone paper being sold on ebay – over £1360 worth of screen tone paper, starting bid 99p. No reserve! Letratone, produced by Letraset from 1966 onwards… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Releases (18th March 2015) – Doctor Who, Transformers and Ichabod Azrael!
Here’s our list of both British and US comics on sale this week in comic shops (Wednesday 18th March 2015). It complements our monthly lost of new graphic novel releases which you can find here for March 2015. Titan Comics has a new issue… Read More ›
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Thunderbirds Are Go: John Tracy and Thunderbird 5 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…. Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Doctor Who – The Twelfth Doctor #6 (Titan Comics)
Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor Issue #6 from Titan Comics, written by Robbie Morrison with art by Brian Williamson, is out on Wednesday in all good comic shops (and some run by undercover Sontarans). The issue features a cover by… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Cap Stone #4 (Titan Comics)
The Cap Stone mini series from Titan Comics, re-publishing the digital title from Madefire by wife and husband team Christina McCormack and Liam Sharp, concludes this week with the release of Issue 4 in comic shops – and we… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Third Testament Volume Three (Titan Comics)
The Third Testament Volume 3: The Might Of The Ox, written by Alex Alice & Xavier Dorison with art by Alex Alice goes on sale from Titan Comics on Wednesday 18th March in all good comic shops – and… Read More ›
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Sneak Preview: “Pablo” by Julie Birmant and Clément Oubrerie from SelfMadeHero
Picasso. For over a century, one name has dominated the art world, and few have matched his prolific output. But what were his formative years like? Writer Julie Birmant and artist Clément Oubrerie recreate his early years as an… Read More ›
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BBC Worldwide’s April DVD, Blu-Ray releases include “Orphan Black”, “Da Vinci’s Demons”
BBC Worldwide has just released more details of its DVD and Blu-Ray releases, some of which may apeal to DownTheTubes readers, including The Musketeers Season Two, a show surely crying out for a comic book spin-off, and Orphan Black, which is already a comic… Read More ›
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Fund Raiser in memory of Sir Terry Pratchett raises over £35,000 so far
Over £35,000 has been donated so far for the Bath-based registered charity The Research Institute for the Care of Older People in memory of the Sir Terry Pratchett, who died last week. Terry Pratchett’s publicist, Lynsey Dalladay set… Read More ›
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Web Comic Spotlight: Crucible
I’ve had this idea to spotlight British web comics, and I’m starting with some of the projects I’m working on, since I know the teams aren’t going to object! If you’re a British web comic creator, please send us information in… Read More ›
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Web Comic Spotlight: WarWorldz – Origins
I’ve had this idea to spotlight British web comics, and I’m starting with some of the projects I’m working on, since I know the teams aren’t going to object! If you’re a British web comic creator, please send us information in… Read More ›
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Thunderbirds Are Go – Full Trailer Released
The global YouTube reveal of the Thunderbirds Are Go trailer has just gone live, 24 hours before it’s aired on ITV and CITV. The show debuts in April in the UK and is also coming to TV2 in New Zealand and… Read More ›
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Laura Howell’s Bizarre Adventures of Gilbert & Sullivan: The Very Model of a Mirthful Graphic Novel!
Everyone knows Gilbert and Sullivan were peerless as composers of light opera. But fewer people are aware of their dual identities as super-powered, dapper defenders of the realm! How else could they have come up with the inspiration for The… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor #1
The first issue of Titan Comics brand-new five-part Doctor Who mini-series starring the Ninth Doctor as played by Christopher Eccleston hits comic stores on 1st April 2015 – and we have a sneak peek. Written by the co-author of… Read More ›
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Lancaster Comics Day spotlights Doctor Who comic creators
The guest line up for Lancaster Comics Day on Sunday 14th June 2015, a new event organised by the Friends of Lancaster Library in partnership with the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, is now confirmed. Centred on Lancaster Library events include a… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Sir Terry Pratchett
In over 70 books, translated into at least 37 languages, Sir Terry Pratchett, whose death was announced yesterday, enriched the planet like few before him. “As all who read him know, Discworld was his vehicle to satirise this world,” noted Larry Finlay,… Read More ›
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Simpsons Comics artist Bill Morrison heads to Lakes International Comic Art Festival
Fans of the anarchic animated adventures of The Simpsons will be able to enjoy a stroll through Springfield via Kendal this autumn, because the Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announced the stellar signature of award-winning Simpsons Comics artist Bill Morrison,… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Releases (11th March 2015) – Dark Judges and the Final Incal
Here’s our (slightly belated) weekly list of both British and US comics on sale this week in comic shops (Wednesday 11th March 2015). It complements our monthly lost of new graphic novel releases which you can find here for March 2015. There’s some great… Read More ›
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Comic artist Oliver East returns to Millom, Cumbria for Talk and Live Draw this Saturday
Oliver East, creator of the Lakes International Comic Arts Festival-funded project The Homesick Truant’s Cumbrian Yarn will be giving a talk and Live Draw at Hardknott on Track, the new real ale pub, Station Building, Millom, LA18 5AA this Saturday, 14th… Read More ›
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Really Heavy Greatcoat stars return in Team Sputnik’s new “Skid Avenue” web comic
Lancaster-based Team Sputnik’s brand new comic strip Skid Avenue is now free to read online, telling the story of John and Jo, a pair of ordinary folk who suddenly find themselves becoming part of the ‘squeezed middle’. Taking a wry and… Read More ›