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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Panel Borders talks to Kieron Gillen
Continuing a month of shows about Superhero Comics on the Panel Borders radio show, Alex Fitch talks to writer Kieron Gillen about his recent about published under the Marvel Now banner, including Iron Man and Young Avengers and his forays… Read More ›
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Midlands Comic Con flies into Telford in February
Is it a bird? Is it a ‘plane? No, it’s the MCM Midlands Comic Con, returning to The International Centre, Telford on 15th February with another succulent feast of sci-fi, film, comics, anime and videogame fun! The first show in… Read More ›
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Marvel celebrates 50 years of X-Men with new iPhone game
Marvel Entertainment has teamed up with developer Aeria Mobile to launch X-Men: Battle of the Atom for iPhone, celebrating 50 years of X-Men stories and characters and available now from the iTune store. Featuring gorgeous original art by Marvel artists… Read More ›
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Death’s Head II – Liam Sharp’s Revolutionary War variant cover revealed
Here’s the art for Liam Sharp‘s variant cover to Marvel Comics Revolutionary War limited series’ fourth issue, on sale next month, both inks and colour. The art has been coloured by the exceptional Ryan Brown. Liam was of course the… Read More ›
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Hero Conventions first weekend convention shapes up nicely
Continuing from their already successful Toy & Comic Marts, Hero Conventions are returning to Edinburgh with their first weekend convention on 12th – 13th April. Already-announced guests at Something Bloody Awesome include Alan Grant, Norm Breyfogle, Yishan Li, Gary Erskine,… Read More ›
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Marvel UK revival continues: Revolutionary War #2 – Dark Angel Preview
Revolutionary War #2 – or rather, Dark Angel #1, since that’s how Marvel Comics is describing it – is on sale now in all good comic shops, and here are some preview pages from the issue. (Warning: if you haven’t… Read More ›
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3A to relaunch 2000AD figure range
3A Toys, the makers of some absolutely stunning model figures, have announced that they will be relaunching their 2000AD line in the 1/12 scale format – approximately 6″. Longtime readers will recall the company released an ABC Warriors Mongrol figure… Read More ›
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David Hine, Mark Stafford join Soaring Penguin’s “Meanwhile…” project
Soaring Penguin Press has announced that Mark Stafford (Cherubs, The Lovecraft Anthology) and David Hine (Storm Dogs, The Darkness, Marvel Noir) will be teaming up again, post The Man Who Laughs, their critically acclaimed adaptation of the Victor Hugo novel…. Read More ›
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100% Biodegradable Issue 2 offers 110% adventure!
Issue 2 of the bi-monthly digital sci-fi comic anthology 100% Biodegradeable is on sale now, featuring strips from Tony Suleri, Dave Hailwood, Paul Harrison-Davies, Dave Thomson, Stuart Giddings, Simon Mackie, Neil Alexander and Mike Parsons. Wise cracking one-eyed mutants, dissectable… Read More ›
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Commando launches year-long World War One story arc
Here’s details of the latest issues of DC Thomson’s war comic Commando, on sale now in all good newsagents and available for digital download. All issues feature an exclusive Commando postercard – free! This release see the start of a… Read More ›
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London Book Fair to move to Olympia In 2015, confirms comics pavillion for 2014
Reed Exhibitions has announced that The London Book Fair 2014 – which will again include a comics pavilion this year – will be the last to take place in its current location, Earls Court. From 2015, The London Book Fair… Read More ›
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Top 10 downthetubes Posts: 9th – 15th January 2014
Here’s a rundown of the Top Ten posts on downthetubes over the last seven days: • Comic Criticism: A Call for Calm – and Common Sense Liam Sharp calls for some better manners from the comics community. You may also… Read More ›
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Everyone’s Not A Critic: comics writer Fiona Avery on Constructive Criticism
We recently published an item by comic creator and digital publisher Liam Sharp on his concerns about the manner of some online criticism of comic creators, making an erudite appeal for calm – and common sense. His appeal reminded me… Read More ›
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Adventures in Comics 4 – competition deadline extended
(With thanks to Paul Gravett) Great news! Adventures in Comics returns for its fourth fantastic year, inviting comics creators worldwide to submit their two-page comics for an exhibition at Marine Studios, Margate, Kent from April 1st 2014 and other venues… Read More ›
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Lakes International Comic Art Festival opens Marketplace applications for 2014 weekend
Important news about the next Lakes International Comic Art Festival: if you are a creator, publisher or retailer, the Comic Clock Tower, their version of a comics marketplace and artists’ alley, is now open for applications. From this year, entry… Read More ›
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The Badger is back – new Grandville story out in November
Comic creator Bryan Talbot has announced a new Grandville title in his ongoing Eisner and Hugo Award-nominated series is in the works – and will be published in November. The first critically-acclaimed steampunk detective thriller graphic novel Grandville was published in… Read More ›
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ABC Warriors back in 2000AD
Mecha madness hits Prog 1864 this week, as the ABC Warriors return to 2000AD – and there’s a sneak peek on the comic’s official tumblr blog now. Wrapped in a cover by Clint Langley, who also draws the strip written… Read More ›
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Oor Wullie joins T-Shirt Booth charity app offering
Digital Giving’s charity fund raising app T-Shirt Booth has confirmed its 20th licensed character, DC Thomson’s “Oor Wullie” has now joined the initiative. His planned inclusion announced last year, fans and T-Shirt Booth customers can now customise their own t-shirts… Read More ›
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Tripwire Digital interviews Ian Rankin, Maria Paz Cabardo
The comics, film and TV magazine Tripwire , published by Joel Meadows, has moved from print into digital with the launch new app edition. Until 2011, Tripwire ran as a once a year print title costing £9.99 – and following… Read More ›
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Bryan Talbot DVD documentary to be released in May
A new DVD – The Graphic Novel Man: the Comics of Bryan Talbot – is to be released in May, offering a unique insight into the life and work of one of Britain’s pioneering comic creators. Internationally acclaimed, multi-award winning… Read More ›