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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Thought Bubble Gets Cross (the Disconnected Anthology, that is…)
This weekend will see the launch of the CROSS anthology from Disconnected Press at Thought Bubble, a glorious assemblage of political wit, satire and polite British rage! And we do mean glorious, because Conor Boyle, the co-conspirator in the project with partner… Read More ›
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150 and Definitely Not Out – The Phoenix reaches milestone issue!
The team at The Phoenix – the weekly subscription-based humour and adventure comic that sprang from the demise of The DFC back in 2012 – are, quite deservedly, celebrating this week as it reaches its 150th issue. It’s been nearly three… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: The First Kingdom by Jack Katz from Titan Comics
Next Wednesday. 19th November, sees the release of the final, never-before-published volume of the epic saga, The First Kingdom by Jack Katz from Titan Comics – and we have some preview pages for you. Yes – over forty years in the telling, Jack Katz’s six-volume science fiction epic… Read More ›
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Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. heads to Netflix
Streaming service Netflix is adding the first season of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to its servicE, but only for US subscribers at present. The show’s second season is screening on Channel 4 in the UK. The arrival of S.H.I.E.L.D. from 20th November in… Read More ›
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Lille Comic Festival features strong British line up in December
Aiming to promote US and British comics in France, this year’s Lille Comic Festival (6th – 7th December 2014) has an impressive line up of guests, with Greg Rucka headlining as Guest of Honour. British guests include Ian Gibson,… Read More ›
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Malta Comic Con 2014 announces final guests for a stellar show
Wicked Comics has just announced the final comic creators and comics industry professionals for the 2014 Malta Comic Con which will be held on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November at St. James Cavalier (all floors), Valletta. Joining an already incredible line up are pop… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Ricky Rouse has a Gun
Continuing a month of shows about the work of comic book creators who mix together different cultures and mediums in their work, on this week’s Panel Borders radio show Alex Fitch talks to playwright and film maker Jörg Tittel… Read More ›
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Sneak Preview: 13 Coins #2 by Simon Bisley, Martin Brennan & Michael B. Jackson
Next Wednesday (19th November) sees the release of second instalment to the supernatural series 13 Coins by Simon Bisley, Martin Brennan & Michael B. Jackson – and we have a little sneak peek of some of the fantastic interior art by… Read More ›
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Charley’s War exhibition continues at Musée de la Grande Guerre
The grand sounding Musée de la Grande Guerre (The Museum of the Great War) in Pays de Meaux, France is hosting an exhibition of art by Joe Colquhoun from the Battle story “Charley’s War” written by Pat Mills… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (12th November 2014) – Dogs Fighting and Kung-Fu Cheesecake!
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops today, Wednesday 12th November 2014, courtesy of First Age Comics, Lancaster. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in bold below, or… Read More ›
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Knockabout to release “The Magic Pen” by Dylan Horrocks
Sam Zabel a husband, father and a cartoonist once renowned for his series Pickle; in the last few years his career has come to a stand still suffering from a bad case of writer’s block and depression. He now spends his… Read More ›
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Sotheby’s to auction E.H. Shepard’s original Christopher Robin and Piglet on the ‘Poohsticks’ Bridge
London auction house Sotheby’s has announced the auction of arguably the most famous and evocative book illustration of the twentieth century: E.H. Shepard’s original ink drawing of Christopher Robin, Piglet and Pooh on the famous ‘poohsticks’ bridge, first published in A.A…. Read More ›
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Lakes Festival backs Joe Decie’s new “Collecting Sticks” project
Continuing its efforts to invest in and promote the comics form, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival has a new project in the works. For 2015, they’re working with Joe Decie, one of the artists who took part in… Read More ›
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SelfMadeHero reveals Spring 2015 slate
Top independent publisher SelfMadeHero, whose recent titles include the simply brilliant The Motherless Oven by Rob Davis and the stunning AAMA saga by Frederik Peeters (the second volume is out now), have just announced their Spring 2015 slate. February sees the release… Read More ›
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Latest developments for Electricomics to be revealed at Thought Bubble
#alanmoore #exclusive #TBF14 A photo posted by Electricomics (@electricomics) on Nov 11, 2014 at 2:58pm PST The new British digital comics venture Electricomics will be in the spotlight at Thought Bubble this coming weekend, a venture whose team includes both… Read More ›
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Pre-orders for Pop Culture Shocks limited edition Judge Dredd diorama open today
If there is one lawman keeping Mega-City One in order, It’s Judge Dredd. Charging through the gangs of mutants on his Lawmaster motorbike, he will uphold the code of justice – through violent means if necessary! Now, Pop Culture Shock Collectibles –… Read More ›
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downthetubes “Ning” Forum No More
As a follower of downthetubes.net, you may also know one of the services it included was a comics forum site hosted by Ning. You may even be one of the almost 500 people who was a member. I use the… Read More ›
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New Book charts the history of British “Big 5” comic “The Wizard”
This Was The Wizard, a 264-page, perfect-bound A4 book has just been published by Darsym Press. Written by Derek Marsden (author of Free Gifts in the Big Five) and Ray Moore, their book is a thorough survey of the content… Read More ›
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Flash, Constantine, most talked about comics-inspired shows
As social media continues to exert its influence on television viewing habits, trend tracking site The Wit.com has just reported on what new shows generated buzz on Twitter and Facebook last month. While Tweeting and discussing a show while… Read More ›
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Humanoids revives Alexandro Jodorowsky and Mœbius’ Metabaron, back in 2016
Talk about your advance news. Publisher Humanoids has announced The Metabaron, the seminal character created by Alexandro Jodorowsky and Mœbius in 1980, will return in a powerful new “space opera” in June 2016. The Metabaron was introduced to the world in… Read More ›