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.
-
WebFinds: Looking back on Speakeasy, a comics magazine that crashed and burned
(Updated on learning of Natasha’s passing in 2012): Tim Pilcher’s reminiscences of his experiences at Vertigo UK, recounted in the recently-released, Kickstarter-funded Comic Book Babylon (current stockists below), reminded me of another aspect of 1980s comic publishing – Speakeasy, a title… Read More ›
-
Second Self Publisher Conference to spotlight children’s books, cover design
Britain’s Second Self-Publishing Conference takes place on 30th March 2014 at the University of Leicester, aimed at any author wishing to self-publish. The event will bring together key figures in the self-publishing sphere for the benefit of self-publishing authors. “Last year’s Conference was… Read More ›
-
Rochdale’s “Black Box” comic shop on a mission
A new comic shop joined the ranks of Britain’s comics retailers last December – The Black Box in Rochdale, Lancashire (or Greater Manchester, if you want to get pedantic). Specialising in supplying graphic novels, manga and children’s books to the… Read More ›
-
Neil Gaiman at London’s Barbican in July
Neil Gaiman will be at London’s Barbican Centre on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th July for two performances of his story The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains. Neil will read his story The Truth Is A Cave In The Black… Read More ›
-
Alan Hebden and José Ortiz “Tower King” tale from New Eagle collected
From the the 1980s comic New Eagle comes the classic story “The Tower King”, written by Alan Hebden (one of the current writers on Commando, but whose credits also include many strips for 2000AD, including “Meltdown Man” and other comics)… Read More ›
-
Comic Book Babylon event in Brighton
Author Tim Pilcher will be hosting an event to romote his book Comic Book Babylon in May, as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival. Comic Book Babylon is the candid and amusing odyssey of one comic fan’s quest to get… Read More ›
-
Nemo: The Roses of Berlin gets digital launch in advance of print edition on SEQUENTIAL
Nemo: The Roses of Berlin, the latest League of Extraordinary Gentlemen tale from Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill, has been released digitally on Panel Nine’s SEQUENTIAL app today, in advance of its print release next week (3rd March). Following the… Read More ›
-
Taking “Stok” of Vincent van Gogh – SelfMadeHero’s new “Art Masters” title
With London’s National Gallery now giving visitors a chance to compare two versions of Van Gogh’s iconic “Sunflowers“, there’s another unique interpretation in graphic novel form by Dutch illustrator Barbara Stok who explores the final years of the artist’s life… Read More ›
-
New “Hilda” tale from Luke Pearson on sale next week
Next week 3rd March) sees the release of Hilda and the Black Hound by Luke Pearson from NoBrow Press, the latest in a glorious series of wonderful comic tales for children. I first encountered the Hilda series as a judge for… Read More ›
-
Tom Plant’s “Sunshine Bay” – Every Bit as Good as People Say
On sale soon from The Beano and The Oldie cartoonist Tom Plant is Sunshine Bay: Not Half As Bad As People Say, two fantastiic, funny and beautifully drawn short stories based in the delightful seaside hellhole of the same name…. Read More ›
-
“A Lovely Bloke”… Barrie Mitchell remembers Tony Harding
Following up on his son’s tribute, fellow comic artist Barrie Mitchell recalls working with artist Tony Harding… I first met Tony when he walked through the door, which he filled, at Link Studios. He was a big lad. I… Read More ›
-
London-based Titan Comics seek new editor
How do you fancy Working in Comics? (And no, I’m not talking about my regular appeal for voluntary contributors to downthetubes.net – news writers and reviewers welcome!) Titan Comics – whose titles include a whole range of titles from Dan Boultwood’s It Came to… Read More ›
-
Copyright under review in Europe
The European Commission are running a public consultation on the future of copyright and they’re asking everyone – which includes comic creators – to get involved. The full consultation, which ends on 5th March 2014, is here: http://youcan.fixcopyright.eu The Open Rights Group,… Read More ›
-
TItanCon Belfast announced for September
(via Andrew Luke): TitanCon Belfast returns in September, with tickets going on sale now from £15. The organisers can’t say too much about who’s coming, but comic creator and self publisher advocate Andrew Luke tells us he can confirm several popular… Read More ›
-
“Does Your Dad Draw for Roy of the Rovers?”
Antony Harding pays tribute to his father, Tony Harding, artist on “Roy of the Rovers”, “Twisty”, “Look Out for Lefty” and many more classic British football strips… During my school years, from time to time older kids would come… Read More ›
-
DieGo to publish top, award winning Italian comic character in the UK
DieGo Comic Publishing, the independent London-based publishing house founded by Giuseppe and Marcella Pennestri, has added another Italian comic book to the public: Desdemona, by authors Giuseppe Di Bernardo and Andrea J. Polidori. The series is scheduled for presentation next… Read More ›
-
Garo and the Birth of Alternative Manga – London talk announced
(Via Paul Gravett): From its founding in Tokyo in 1964 to its temporary demise in 1998, the monthly Garo was a beacon for experimentalism in Japanese comics. Next Wednesday (26th February 26th) US comics expert Ryan Holmberg is giving a free illustrated… Read More ›
-
London’s Orbital Comics hosts Liz Prince exhibition
(Updated 27th February): London’s Orbital Comics is currently hosting an exhibition of work by US artist Liz Prince, which runs until 9th March 2014. The exhibition coincides with the release of her latest book from Topshelf, Alone Forever: The Singles… Read More ›
-
In Memoriam: Gordon Bell
We’re sorry to report the passing of another British comics great – comic artist Gordon Bell, whose work most recently appeared in DC Thomson’s Courier newspaper under the byline Fax, but who is fondly remembered by many for his work for… Read More ›
-
London’s Gosh! makes March British Comics Month
London’s Gosh! comic store has announced a huge range of British Comics-related events taking place through March, all focused on creators, and British comics publishers – be they small or large – such as SelfMadeHero, Blank Slate.The store will also be… Read More ›