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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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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“Superman Lives” documentary to get European debut at MCM London Comic Con
It’s a bird… It’s a plane… It’s the European debut of The Death of ‘Superman Lives’; What Happened? a documentary about a planned Man of Steel film starring Nicholas Cage, directed by Tim Burton that was on the cards for a… Read More ›
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Second Terrahawks Audio Series in the works from Big Finish
Anderson Entertainment has announced a second new audio series of Terrahawks, Gerry Anderson and Christopher Burr’s 1983 cult TV series, with a deal to produce a further eight brand new episodes with production company and publisher Big Finish Productions Ltd,… Read More ›
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Artist Matthew Dow Smith focus of new Doctor Who Panel to Panel Podcast
US comic writer and artist Matthew Dow Smith is the focus of Jeremy Bement’s latest Doctor Who: Panel to Panel podcast about his Doctor Who work at IDW. While perhaps best known for his Doctor Who work, Matthew, who has been… Read More ›
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Avengers: Age of Ultron Tops UK’s Box Office Charts
Disney’s Avengers: Age of Ultron has enjoyed the biggest UK debut of 2015 – and the sequel to Avengers Assemble, which was released in 2012, is also the eighth-biggest opening of all time. The films success in the UK has… Read More ›
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More British Comic Creators Wander Lakes-wards in October
As the Lakes International Comic Art Festival team get set to fly out to the Toronto Comic Arts Festival with one group of talented British creators, it’s also announced more UK guests for its upcoming October weekend (16th-18th October 2015). Joining an already impressive line… Read More ›
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Tonight’s Gotham on Channel 5: Everyone Has A Cobblepot
Expect plenty of sparks to fly tonight in “Everyone Has A Cobblepot”, as the imprisoned Fish Mooney makes promises to the institution’s chief doctor that earn her a promotion – but damage her reputation with the other prisoners. Meanwhile, Gordon… Read More ›
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Heckling Hitler: World War Two in Cartoons and Comics at the Cartoon Museum
It is difficult for those of us living in the 21st century to realise the impact of cartoon art 70 years ago. To a news-hungry public, anxious about world affairs facing possible invasion, the radio was a lifeline, but… Read More ›
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What Have Politicians Ever Done for Comic Creators?
Beyond the world of comics, Britain is in the grip of election fever – and some election issue have been the subject of a recent Judge Dredd Megazine story “People Like Us”, quite apart from politicians attracting the barbs of political cartoonists such… Read More ›
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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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Sneak Peek: INJ Culbard’s adaptation of “The King in Yellow”, out next month
The King In Yellow, a new title by I.N.J. Culbard from SelfMadeHero launches on 28th May 2015 in all good bookshops and will with a launch party at Gosh! Comics in London – and we have a small sampling… 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 ›