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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Clockwork Watch, a steampunk transmedia project, proves a delight
One of my Lakes International Comic Art Festival finds was the glorious Clockwork Watch, created by Yomi Ayeni of Articipate Media – a collaborative storytelling project set in a retro-futurist vision of Victorian England that launched thanks to a successful crowdfunding pitch back… Read More ›
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S.M.A.S.H., a Symposium on Matters of Art, Storytelling & History announced
In the wake of news that this year’s planned Comica Comiket has been postponed as part of the Comica Festival in London until Spring 2015, key organiser Paul Gravett has let us know that some extra events have been programmed… Read More ›
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Tardi to make first ever UK appearance with Pat Mills
Reflecting on the centenary of the outbreak of World War One, French artist Tardi is to makes his first ever public appearance in Britain on 10th November, in conversation with Pat Mills, the writer and co-creator of of Charley’s War, the compelling saga of a… Read More ›
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Nipper comic index released
British humour comics archivists George Shiers – creator of the sadly no longer maintained Wacky Comics blog – has just released a free non-profit guide to the short-lived 1980s humour comic Nipper, The title, whose characters included “Brad Break”,… Read More ›
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Andersonic returns with new Stingray, Thunderbirds interviews
The latest issue of the brilliant Gerry Anderson-inspired fanzine Andersonic, Issue 18, which include a feature on some of the comics inspired by the shows, is now available via the website (and eBay for a short period in the Collectibles >… Read More ›
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Al Davison publishes “Muscle Memory” on Patreon
As well as opening a new shop in Coventry, crammed with some of his stunning artworks, comic creator Al Davison – well known for his work for DC/Vertigo and his stunning graphic memoir, The Spiral Cage – has turned to Patreon… Read More ›
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In Review: Ron Turner’s “Space Ace” Volume 3
Out: NowPublisher: John Lawrence The Magazine: Four vintage stories from the pages of Lone Star Magazine and annuals featuring Space Ace originally published by Atlas Publishing & Distributing Co. Ltd in 1958/59 The Review: John Lawrence, both friend and former agent of the… Read More ›
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Commando marks Royal Marines 350th Anniversary with special issue
Here’s the low down for Commando Issues 4751-4754, on sale now in all good newsagents and digitally for iPad and iPhone. These releases include “Royle’s Marines”, a special tribute to the Royal Marines who mark their 350th anniversary of service… Read More ›
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Bryan Talbot Signing for Grandville Noel at the Forbidden Planet Megastore
Join Bryan Talbot, signing Grandville Noel – the latest Grandville book in the acclaimed saga – at the Forbidden Planet London Megastore on Wednesday 26th November from 6 – 7.00pm. NO BADGER DOES IT BETTER! With his trusty adjunct, Detective… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (22nd October 2014) – Johnny Nemo collection released
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops from today, Wednesday 22nd October 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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Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2014: The View from the Twittersphere
I think everyone who attended is still reeling from the fantastic weekend the 2014 Lakes International Comic Art Festival proved to be, which began with the amazing 24 Hour Comics Marathon organised by Dan Berry and the announcement of… Read More ›
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Dave Gibbons Named UK’s first Comics Laureate
Bestselling graphic novelist Dave Gibbons is to become the first Comics Laureate. The announcement was made by internationally acclaimed comics authority and graphic novelist Scott McCloud at the launch of new charity Comics Literacy Awareness (CLAw) at the Lakes International… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2014: Doctor Who Comics and Storyboard Artist Mike Collins
We round off our “Lakes Bound” interviews to highlight the guest list for this weekend’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival with a very special artist, one who I have worked with many times down the years (and hope at… Read More ›
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Strangehaven returns in new Meanwhile… anthology from Soaring Penguin Press
This weekend sees the launch of Meanwhile…, a superb-looking new bi-monthly British comics anthology from Soaring Penguin Press. On sale at this weekend’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival, the new magazine features the long-awaited, eagerly-anticipated return of Gary Spencer… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2014: Artist Lew Stringer
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival starts tomorrow and I’m delighted that, despite a punishing work schedule, Beano and Doctor Who cartoonist and writer Lew Stringer found time to answer my questions about his work and creating comics. Lew (who I’ve… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Pat Mills’ Great War comics
Continuing a month of shows about war comics, on today’s Panel Borders radio show Alex Fitch talks to Pat Mills, one of the acclaimed masters of the genre. Alex and Pat discuss the completion of Titan Books’ reprints of… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2014: Metaphrog
It’s almost here! The Lakes International Comic Art Festival starts on Friday, and we have just three more interviews with guests to run. Metaphrog are writer and illustrator duo John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs. Their Louis graphic novels have… Read More ›
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London Super Comic Convention announces first guests for 2015 event
British comic creators Charlie Adlard and Ian Churchill are among the first guests to be announced for the 2015 London Super Comic Convention, taking place 14th-15th March at the Excel Centre. Joining them will be Turkish comic book artist… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (15th October 2014) – Twelfth Doctor #1 Released
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops from today, Wednesday 15th October 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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British Comic Award judges announced
The judges for this year’s third British Comic Awards have just been announced and include comics writer and TV chat show host Jonathan Ross, film director Jonathan Entwistle and Suzy Varty, a comics creator and tutor known for her work in the… Read More ›