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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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 ›
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Garth, Roy of the Rovers – “The Best of British”
The latest issue of Best of British magazine – on sale in newsagents until 29th November – includes features on two top UK comic characters, Garth and Roy of the Rovers. Written by Ant Jones, the Garth feature, devoted to… Read More ›
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Doctor Whoah heads to GOSH
If you’re in London tomorrow, why not swing by GOSH and meet artist Jamie Lenman, aka Baxter, and the team from MIWK Publishing, to celebrate the launch of Whoah! Gathered from the pages of Panini’s Doctor Who Magazine comes a… Read More ›
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Sneak Peek: Titan Comics New Penguins Of Madagascar Comic
Next Wednesday – 26th November – sees the release of Penguins of Madagascar #1 from Titan Comics, which ties-in with the new Penguins of Madagascar movie release from DreamWorks Animation – and we have a sneak peek for you! Here’s… Read More ›
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Limited Edition Electricomics Booklet signed by Alan Moore goes on sale
Limited to a run of only 500 copies, a small number of the special Electricomics booklet, originally produced for the team’s appearance at Thought Bubble Festival 2014 in Leeds, are now on sale online, along with a set of seven Electricomics… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Graphic Details: Confessional Comics by Jewish Women
Continuing a month of shows about the work of comic book creators who mix together different cultures and media in their art on Britain’s only comics-focused radio show Panel Borders, Alex Fitch talks to gallery owners Jo David and… Read More ›
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Dan Dare: The Lost 2000AD Story
Earlier this month we reported that Rebellion, the publishers of 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine, had announced collections of the “Dan Dare” stories published in early editions of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic, with the first of a two-volume series set to be published in autumn 2015. We also… Read More ›