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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Backwards Burd Head To Belfast for May MCM Convention
London comics group Backwards Burd is heading to Belfast on the 2nd – 3rd of May, spreading their slothy goodness at the King’s Hall Complex MCM convention. The quartet of Sajan Rai, Daniel de Sosa, Siobhan Alcaide and ShaneMelisse… Read More ›
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Convention Report: North to Eden (EdenCon, that is)
While there have been comic events in Carlisle in the past, EdenCon is a new annual event – but that didn’t dissuade a good turnout of comic and film fans, cosplayers and gamers, despite the temptation to head elsewhere in Cumbria… Read More ›
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Crucible: The Quest Episode 28
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Crucible: The Quest Episode 27
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British Comic Shop Releases (15th April 2015) – Doctor Who and Cold Mountain Bums!
Here’s our list of both British and US comics on sale this week in comic shops (from Wednesday 15th April 2015), complementing our monthly list of British graphic novel releases (April 2015 release list here). There are no less… Read More ›
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New Edition of Josh Blaylock’s “How to Self Publish Comics” Released
First published in 2006 as a four issue US comic series, Josh Blaylock‘s now classic How-To prose book, How to Self-Publish Comics: Not Just Create Them about the business of comics publishing, after selling out of its updated 2012 edition,… Read More ›
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Call For Papers: The Superhero Project: First Global Meeting
The 1st Global Conference on Superheroes will take place between Monday 7th September and Wednesday 9th September 2015 at Mansfield College, Oxford, United Kingdom – and has just issued the following Call For Papers. ________________________________________ “Superman! Champion of the oppressed, the physical… Read More ›
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Art of Doctor Who DWM Special Out Now
On sale now from all good newsagents is the absolutely brilliant Doctor Who Magazine Special Edition: The Art of Doctor Who, wrapped in a cover by US artist Mark Maddox. “This is how the story of Doctor Who unfolded in… Read More ›
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A Lost Art: Queen’s Brian May Talks Stereoscope Revival
Some time in 1854, at 313 Oxford Street, the “London Stereoscope Company” was born, and under the leadership of Managing Partner George Swan Nottage, by 1856 the company had changed its name, to “The London Stereoscopic Company”, and finally in… Read More ›
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Doctor Who: The Complete History Part Work enters Test Phase
Perhaps as a result of the success of their Doctor Who “Specials” the team behind Doctor Who Magazine have gone one stage further with a new joint project with part works publisher Hatchette – and have begin road testing Doctor… Read More ›
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Doctor Who Magazine Flashback: Comic Strip Submission Guidelines, May 1990
I’ve been digging around in the cupboards for things to show folk at EdenCon tomorrow in Carlisle for things to show folk besides the audio comics I edit for ROK Comics on my iPhone, and came across these comic… Read More ›
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Doctor Who: Panel to Panel Interviews Andrew James, Clayton Hickman
Episode 27 of Doctor Who: Panel to Panel – a fantastic podcast from US comics fan Jeremy Bement devoted to the world of Doctor Who comics – has just been released online for your listening pleasure. “In my opinion this is one of the best… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Herb Trimpe, co-creator of Captain Britain
Fans of legendary comics artist Herb Trimpe, the co-creator of Captain Britain and one of the first artists to draw Wolverine, have rushed to pay tribute to him. Herb Trimpe, whose death was announced yesterday by his cousin… Read More ›
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“Dennis and Gnasher Blast in Beanotown”, the latest Beano-inspired game from DC Thomson
Recently launched by DC Thomson is Dennis and Gnasher Blast in Beanotown, a gaming app for mobile devices in which Beanotown’s mayor has banned all fun and grumpy adults patrol the streets. Players join Dennis and Gnasher in a battle… Read More ›
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IS SHE AVAILABLE? project from Igor Goldkind combines comics, art and jazz
A ground-breaking new collection of Poetry, Illustration, Music and Movement by acclaimed comics and SF author Igor Goldkind featuring work by creators such as Bill Sienkiewicz, Rian Hughes, David Lloyd, Liam Sharp and Glenn Fabry is being published by Chameleon Publishing in both electronic form and… Read More ›
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Osprey and Commando join forces for New British War Comic Collaboration
Osprey Publishing and DC Thomson have joined forces to create eight new Commando Comics graphic war novels. The new books – to be sold globally through the Osprey/Bloomsbury distribution network – will consist of an original, fictional, full colour… Read More ›
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Daredevil “Man Without Fear” Costume Available Now in Marvel Heroes 2015
If like us, you tuned into Netflix this weekend watching all 13 episodes of Marvel’s Daredevil… then how about playing lots of Marvel Heroes 2015… as Daredevil, in this new costume inspired by Matt Murdock’s first costume, as depicted… Read More ›




