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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British Comic Shop Releases (3rd December 2014) – Marshal Law, “Brass Sun” Zenith and “Soppy” love!
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops today, Wednesday 3rd December 2014, courtesy of First Age Comics, Lancaster. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in bold… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Titan Comics/Madefire Partnership Kicks-off With Two New Series
17th December 2014 will see the kick-off for the Titan Comics/Madefire partnership beginning in two new series: historical action/adventure Mono #1 by Liam Sharp & Ben Wolstenholme and superhero adventure Cap Stone #1 by Christina McCormack & Liam Sharp – and we have sneak peeks of both comics. Madefire (www.madefire.com) has… Read More ›
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British comic creators join protest over #VATMOSS (Updated 8th December 2014)
(Updated 8th December 2014 to include new links): We don’t normally dip our toes into the murky world of politics, but Europe-wide changes to the way VAT is charged for services set to be introduced in January 2015, agreed… Read More ›
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Exclusive digital version of Bran Talbot’s Metronome now on SEQUENTIAL
SEQUENTIAL, the boutique graphic novel app for iPad, has announced the digital release of Metronome, the 64-page experimental graphic novel by comics legend Bryan Talbot. Metronome was created by Bryan in 2008 under the pseudonym of Véronique Tanaka. It… Read More ›
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Tonight’s Gotham on Channel 5: The Mask
James Gordon and Harvey Bullock investigate a Gothamite who runs a deadly fight club for candidates applying for a job at his financial firm. Meanwhile, Bruce returns to school and gets a visit from a new friend in Gotham – ‘The… Read More ›
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The Beano comes to Minecraft
The Beano‘s Dennis the Menace and Gnasher have launched in Minecraft today, enabling players to add the comic’s most mischievous characters to PC versions of the game. The Dennis and Gnasher Minecraft modification (mod) was developed in a… Read More ›
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Super Spy Harvey Spig tackles a circus of horrors in new comic from Stu Perrins
Writer Stu Perrins (Prime) and artist Nick Gonzo (The Tree) have a new comic out via DriveThru Comics: When The Circus Comes To Town, a horror comic starring their super spy Harvey Spig. In the dark dank cruel part of… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor #5
Next Wednesday, 3rd December 2014, sees the release of Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor #5 by Al Ewing and Boo Cook from Titan Comics – and we have a sneak peek for you right here. DOCTOR WHO: THE ELEVENTH DOCTOR… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Releases (26th November 2014) – Arkwright, Judge Dredd and Moore!
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops today, Wednesday 26th November 2014, courtesy of First Age Comics, Lancaster. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in… Read More ›
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London’s Southwark Playhouse stages Usagi Yojimbo
London’s Southwark Playhouse is staging a production of Usagi Yojimbo, based on the widely-acclaimed comic book by Stan Sakai, until early January 2015. 17th Century Japan. A world of bandit racoons, feline ninjas and warring animal clans. A young rabbit… Read More ›
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Karrie Fransman heads up new Guardian comics masterclass in January
The Guardian newspaper has just announced a Comics Masterclass with Karrie Fransman, taking place in January in London. As with past classes run by Bryan Talbot and Pat Mills organised by the newspaper, “How to create successful comics and graphic… Read More ›
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Football Galaxy Magazine back for second half
On sale now on all good newsagents the second issue of Football Galaxy from Shubrook Bros. Media. It’s a new 40-page magazine title for kids, blending comic strip by Nigel Parkinson with plenty of features on the game itself. “Football… Read More ›
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Forbidden Planet offers Star Wars #1 Variant Covers
Forbidden Planet is to offer its own variant cover by Adi Granov for the new Marvel Star Wars comic when it launches in January 2015. The exclusive variant cover – available in colour and black and white versions – is… Read More ›
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Digital comic 100% Biodegradable revamps frequency as it reaches first birthday
100% Biodegradable, the thirty page digital sci-fi anthology from David Hailwood and John Kirkham, is one year old this week! In celebration, you can grab Issue 1 for free on Comicsy here on Comicsy or buy issues 1-6 in a… Read More ›
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New illustrated “Think Like Churchill” app enlists London Mayor Boris Johnson as narrator
Touchpress and Hodder Books have just released the second trailer for their new grahic novel-style app Think Like Churchill, which features some impressive art work from Jamie Huxtable. The trailer, narrated by Boris Johnson, reveals more about how the app… Read More ›
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Tonight’s Gotham on Channel 5: The Penguin’s Umbrella
Word is out that Cobblepot (aka The Penguin), who James Gordon was ordered to kill, is alive, leading rival gang leaders Falcone and Maroni to the brink of war and causing Gordon to go on the run in… Read More ›
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Christmas issue of ‘Funny Monsters Comic’ on sale now
The second issue of Funny Monsters Comic, an independently-published humour comic from cartoonist Joe Matthews (which he tells us should have limited distribution through Menzies for its third outing next year) is on sale now – and it’s a Christmas… Read More ›
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Sally of the Wasteland #5: Sneak Preview
The final issue of Titan Comics mini series Sally of the Wasteland goes on sale on Wednesday – and we have a sneak peek at some of the fantastic interior art by Tazio Bettin for you. Sally of the Wasteland… Read More ›
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OFF LIFE team launch year-long “Yellow” project, seeks more volunteers
The team behind the free street comic OFF LIFE, distributed in London and other major cities and available as a free download every issue, are preparing to launch a new, year-long project next week – Yellow – and they’re looking… Read More ›
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New Commandos On Sale Now
Here’s the lowdown on all the latest issues of Commando from DC Thomson (Issues 4759-4762) , on sale now in all good newsagents and digitally for iPad and iPhone… Commando No 4759 – Assault In The Alps Story: George Low… Read More ›