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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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 ›
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Lakes Comic Festival twins with Toronto Comic Art Festival in Guest Exchange
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has just released further details of its partnership with the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, which will see top cartoonist Hunt Emerson and others head to Canada in May – and a host of Canadian creators coming to Kendal in… Read More ›
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ITV announces new Gerry Anderson merchandise plans based on Captain Scarlet, UFO, Stingray
ITV Studios Global Entertainment has announced it is to expand the licensing programme for its Gerry Anderson portfolio, introducing new merchandise based on almost all his shows such as Captain Scarlet, Stingray, Joe 90 and Space:1999. The plan is no doubt in… Read More ›
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Hair Raising Escapes and Rogue Missions in new Commandos
Here’s the run down on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando (Issues 4791-4794), on sale from Thursday 12th March 2015 in all good newsagents and through various digital platforms. Commando No 4791 – The Eagles Strike! Story: Ferg… Read More ›
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Indie project “Beast Wagon” gains huge Kickstarter backing
A stunning-looking comics project from British Comic Award nominated Owen Michael Johnson, Leed’s based illustrator John Pearson and Colin Bell is well on its way to securing backing on Kickstarter for not one but two editions of the eagerly-anticpated title –… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Countryside Comics with Owen Michael Johnson
Continuing a month of shows about architecture and landscape in comics, guest presenter Lizzie Boyle from Disconnected Press talks to writer Owen Michael Johnson , one of the team behind Raygun Roads and the currently-seeking-funding, stunning looking Beast Wagon, about the experience of… Read More ›
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Let Them Eat… Comic Cake!
Poland’s Ligatura Comics Festival (next taking place 3rd – 7th July 2015) has just launched an unusual competition – to find the best comics recipe! All you have to do to join in with a journey around the world… Read More ›
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Hachette test drives new part work, “Draw the Marvel Way”
British comics commentator and creator Lew Stringer recently spotted the debut of a new title from Hachette Partworks, who are also putting out the impressive Judge Dredd Collection, although it’s not yet gained national distribution. Draw the Marvel Way is a fortnightly partwork… Read More ›
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Thunderbirds Roleplaying project announced as Modiphius game Kickstarter smashes £155,000 stretch goal
The stunning success for Modiphius Entertainment‘s Thunderbirds Co-Operative Board Game Kickstarter – backed by fans to the tune of £158,955 so far, well in excess of its £20,000 goal – has resulted in a surprise announcement at the company’s £155,000 “stretchgoal”. Set in the… Read More ›
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Bad Company – and Peter Milligan – return to 2000AD in September
Writer Peter Milligan has paid tribute to Brett Ewins, who died recently at the age of 59, and dedicated his return to 2000AD to his friend. Milligan is returning to the dark, war-torn world of Bad Company – the series he co-created with… Read More ›
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Countdown continues to Electricomics Launch
(Updated): The countdown continues toward a full launch of Electricomics, a research and development project to create an open source app enabling digital comics to be made by anyone. Announced last May, Electricomics, which has the backing of Britain’s best known modern comic… Read More ›