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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Avery Hill joins SEQUENTIAL, offers “Grey Area” exclusive from Tim Bird
SEQUENTIAL and British independent comics and zines publisher Avery Hill Publishing have just announced the launch of a number of Avery Hill comics and graphic novels as digital editions, exclusively available via the SEQUENTIAL app for iPad, a platform which is… Read More ›
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Bald Scots wanted to play Middenface McNulty!
An appeal for someone to play mutant Middenface McNulty in a cameo role in an upcoming not-for-profit fan film based on the 2000AD series Strontium Dog has generated a huge response, according to the team behind the project. Johnny Alpha, Wulf… Read More ›
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“Who Beyond 50” Celebrates Five Decades of Doctor Who
Hasslein Books has just releasesd Who Beyond 50: Celebrating Five Decades of Doctor Who, written by Brian J. Robb and Paul Simpson and introduced by Dalek voice actor Nicholas Briggs. Few television series have remained in production for decades. Fewer have… Read More ›
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Historic Victoria Theatre Pub to be Part of Birmingham Comics Festival
Glasses will be raised at The Victoria Theatre Pub on Wednesday April 1st 2015 to officially launch the debut of The Birmingham Comics Festival taking place through the second city throughout the month. Not an April Fools’ Day prank; comic… Read More ›
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Sunderland Comic Con announces more guests
Sunderland Comic Con, which runs 21st – 22nd February, has just announced a number of new guests for the event, joining an already-impressive line-up. The additions include a number of creators who’ve worked on various Doctor Who comic projects, Aces… Read More ›
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Cardiff University offers ESRC PhD Studentship, comics scholars welcomed
The Centre for Language and Communication Research at Cardiff University will be offering an ESRC PhD studentship at Cardiff University, starting 1 October 2015. Although the list of areas covered doesn’t specifically mention comics and graphic novels, we’ve been informed… Read More ›
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In Review: Grandville Noël
By Bryan Talbot Out: Now Publisher: Jonathan Cape (UK) Dark Horse (US) The Book: In Grandville: Noël, with his trusty adjunct, Detective Sergeant Ratzi, away for Christmas, there’s no holiday for Detective Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard as he embarks… Read More ›
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BAFTA Young Game Designers Competition Opens For Entries
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced the call for entries for the 2015 BAFTA Young Game Designers competition in association with Nominet Trust, which aims to inspire the UK’s game-makers of the future by giving young people the… Read More ›
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Marvel UK in the spotlight for latest Marvel Fact Files
On sale now is Issue 97 of the Marvel Fact Files part work published by Eaglemoss – a Marvel UK-themed issue wrapped in a stunning cover by Mike Perkins with features on a range of characters created for the company including Captain Britain, Death’s… Read More ›
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David Hayter to voice ‘Winter Soldier’ for Marvel Heroes game
Winter isn’t over yet! Gazillion has announced the next playable hero, Winter Soldier, will be coming to Marvel Heroes 2015 later this month. Starting today, players will be able to pre-order Winter Soldier and receive a 10% discount off of the… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Martin Honeysett
We’re sorry to report the death of veteran and much-admired Hastings-based cartoonist Martin Honeysett, whose work has appeared in many publications, including Private Eye, Radio Times, Punch, The Oldie, The Spectator, The Sunday Telegraph, London’s Evening Standard and The Observer…. Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Doctor Who – The Tenth Doctor #7
There’s a new edition of Titan Comics Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor out on 4th February – and we have a sneak peek! Doctor Who – The Tenth Doctor #7 comes with two covers to collect… DOCTOR… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Editing Psycho Gran with David Leach
Alex Fitch explores the art and culture of comics and graphic novels with practitioners worldwide on his Panel Borders radio show – and this week, he’s spotlighting a great British comics creator. Alex Fitch talks to cartoonist and comic book… Read More ›
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Meanwhile… Back with a Bang, features more from David Hine, Mark Stafford, new Krent Able strip
Comics periodicals. They start out great with the first issue, bringing out the big guns to get everybody’s attention, but then run out of steam and splutter out because they just got too ambitious for their own good. Take Soaring… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: Anne Kirkbride’s cartoon connections, digital Charlie Hebdo launched and a new Joe Decie interview
Here’s a quick round up of short comics news items that have caught our eye on Twitter and other social media over the past few days… • The Hemel Gazette reports that veteran artist Fred Jefferies, 85, a cartoonist since 1962, has created… Read More ›
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2000AD goes Android! (Phones, that is…)
2000AD has announced that its app for phones and tablets is now available on Android devices! This week the legendary British anthology comic unveiled the app, available to download through the Google Play store, which means that 2000AD, Judge Dredd Megazine,… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Releases (21st January 2015) – New Doctor Who, Fables … and Moore!
Here’s this week’s list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops tomorrow, Wednesday 21st January 2015. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in bold below, or titles with… Read More ›
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Gotham renewed, back on Channel 5 later this year
US network Fox has announced an early renewal for its Batman prequel series Gotham at the Television Critics Association‘s annual press event highlighting new and returning TV shows over the weekend. The series – one of several successful DC Comics… Read More ›
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In Review: Wrinkles by Paco Roca
Wrinkles by Paco Roca (Arrugas in Spanish) ISBN 9780861662371 Cover Price: £12.99/$19.99 Publication Date: 01-01-2015 Format: 104 pages, full colour, paperback with flaps The Book: Ernest still imagines himself to be a bank manager but he has been retired for… Read More ›
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Sneak Preview: Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor #7
Titan Comics launch two new issues of Doctor Who this week (Wednesday 21st January) and we have a sneak preview of both for you… DOCTOR WHO: THE ELEVENTH DOCTOR #7 STORY BY: Rob Williams ART BY: Warren Pleece COLOR… Read More ›