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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Game of Thrones Season Five hits Sky 13th April, UK hosts behind the scenes exhibition in February
The new, fifth season of Sky Atlantic’s Game of Thrones will premiere on the channel – available exclusively to Sky TV customers and contract free on online TV streaming service NOW TV with the NOW TV Entertainment Month Pass –… Read More ›
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Diamond Announces Top Comic Books & Graphic Novels of 2014
Marvel Comics’ Amazing Spider-Man #1 was the best-selling comic book published in 2014, based on total unit sales to comic book specialty retailers, including those in the UK, according to Diamond Comic Distributors. Written by Dan Slott and illustrated… Read More ›
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The Beano again best-selling annual at Christmas
Christmas annuals may be being deep discounted across the UK in WH Smiths and supermarkets – some as little as £2 a copy. But sales in the run up to the festive period were strong again, with the Beano Annual… Read More ›
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Titan Comics announced new Spy Thriller From Doctor Who Cover Artist Des Taylor
April 29th 2015 sees Titan Comics bring you a brand-new fiour-issue creator-owned series, Scarlett Couture – a new spy thriller by Doctor Who cover artist, Des Taylor, an artist who has gained much praise from fellow creators such as Mark Millar and… Read More ›
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Thelwell Gallops into Spreadshirt Licensing Stable
Thelwell, the unofficial artist of the British countryside, has made its cartoons of little girls and their fat, often out-of-control, ponies personalisable using Spreadshirt’s merchandising platform. The instantly recognisable drawings are now available internationally through the Thelwell online shops,… Read More ›
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Trevor von Eeden illustrates and writes for “Boxiana”, a pugilistic anthology
Veteran US comics artist Trevor von Eeden – best known for his groundbreaking work on Batman and Green Arrow an as the co-creator of Black Lightning for DC Comics – has provided the cover and illustrations for a British anthology of never before published… Read More ›
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Marvel’s Agent Carter launches to critical acclaim
The debut of Marvel’s Agent Carter gave US network ABC – which also screens Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – its best A18-49 regular programming rating (1.9/6) in the 8.00p-10.00pm Tuesday time slot since November 2013, according to preliminary Nielsens. At… Read More ›
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BFI announces Blade Runner re-release and more 2015 film highlights
The BFI has revealed a selection of film highlights to look forward to in 2015 which include a number of films that will appeal to downthetubes readers, including a re-release of Ridley Scott‘s Blade Runner: The Final Cut and the… Read More ›
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Rian Hughes releases 112 Hours, New Font Collection
Out now from artist and font designer Rian Hughes self-publishes a number of books and he’s recently released the well-received 112 Hours, his fifteenth collection of fonts. Rian is best known in the comics industry at present for his work for US… Read More ›
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Je Suis Charlie
As a comic creator, I offer my thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of all those murdered in Paris earlier today in a barbaric attack by persons as yet unknown, on the offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie… Read More ›
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Gigantic Beard That Was Evil: Production Photos Released
Bristol Old Vic Young Company has released production photographs from the dress rehearsal of their stage version of Stephen Collins‘ best-selling graphic novel The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil which opens today, 7th January. “Beneath the skin of everything is something nobody can… Read More ›
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Rare “Magic Comic” collection to be auctioned later this month
(Updated 22nd January 2015): Dundee-based auctioneers Curr and Dewar are offering a bound collection of The Magic Comic, comprising the first 24 issues published back 1939 later this month. It’s believed there are only 10 known copies of The Magic Comic Number… Read More ›
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Play Blackpool Gaming Expo returns in May, cosplay and comic traders part of mix
Britain’s favourite Arcade, Indie and Retro video gaming expo is returning to its spiritual home at the Norbreck Castle Exhibition Centre, Blackpool over the early May Bank Holiday Saturday 2nd – Monday 4th May 2015 and if you’re a fan of… Read More ›
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2014 A Good Year for UK Creators, Government claims
Latest statistics show that 2014 was a good year for the UK’s creative industries – and there are good times ahead with work on the new James Bond film proceeding apace, the new Star Wars films, new games production and more…. Read More ›
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IDW Publishing Acquires Top Shelf Productions
Leading comic book and graphic novel publisher IDW Publishing has announced that it has acquired Top Shelf Productions, the award-winning independent publisher of graphic novels, including Alan Moore’s League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (with Kevin O’Neill) and From Hell (with Eddie Campbell), the Number One New York Times and Washington Post bestseller March by Congressman John… Read More ›
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Beano cartoonist Steve Bright conjures up magic with John Holt with new book, “Just Us Then?”
Just Us Then? is the first book collaboration from the respective talents of Brighty & Holt (Steve Bright and John Holt). If it’s also the last, then you won’t hear them complaining. Their plan in producing this book was purely… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Releases (7th January 2015) – Doctor Who, Thunderbirds and Weeping Angels, too!
Here’s this week’s list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops tomorrow, Wednesday 7th January 2015. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in bold below, or titles with… Read More ›
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New Year Commandos are Fan Favourite Choices
Here are the details of the latest issues of Commando (Issues 4771-4774) from DC Thomson, on sale now in all good newsagents and various digital platforms, including Comixology, Readly and for iPad, iPhone and Kindle. This latest batch of re-presented… Read More ›
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Marvel UK Flashback: Seventies Superhero Posters by Rafael López Espí
Check out some classic Marvel UK posters by Rafael López Espí
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HMRC grants concession on #VATMESS, but campaign against changes continues
There was some good news for comic creators who sell e-comics via their web sites over the Christmas period thanks to the EU VAT Action Group. As a result of their sustained and hard fought campaigning, HMRC has agreed that, for… Read More ›