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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Preview: Sally of the Wasteland #1 (Titan Comics)
On sale tomorrow from Titan Comics in comic shops across the country is the first issue of Sally of the Wasteland, written by Victor Grishler (X-Men, Angel & Faith, Noir) and drawn by artistic up-and-comer Tazzio Bettin. Southern Louisiana, 82 years after… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (30th July 2014) – Walter the Wobot back in 2000AD
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops from tomorrow, Wednesday 30th July 2014, courtesy of First Age Comics, Lancaster. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in… Read More ›
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Warren Ellis and Michael Allred collaborate on official “Story of Bacardí” graphic novel
Yes, we did a bit of a double take too when we heard this, but it’s true. Two of the most iconic names in the world of graphic novels – writer Warren Ellis and artist Michael Allred – have… Read More ›
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Breakdown Press gear up for first Safari Festival in London
Breakdown Press, a London-based comics publisher, have organised a new, free Safari Festival. The event will take place Saturday 30th August at Studio 2, the new Shoreditch gallery space of London-based creative agency, Protein. Primarily focused on comics, the organisers hop… Read More ›
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Last Call for artists to pitch at Ligatura 2014 and perhaps get published
The organisers of Poland’s Ligatura Comics Festival have issued a last call for pitches from artists for Ligatura 2014, with selected artists getting the chance to travel to Poland to pitch their work. You’ll have to be quick, though, because submissions… Read More ›
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In Review: Seconds by Bryan Lee O’Malley
Written and drawn by Bryan Lee O’Malley Drawing Assistant: Jason Fischer Colour: Nathan Fairbairn Lettering: Dustin Harbin UK Publisher: SelfMadeHero Out: 14th August 2014 The Book: The highly anticipated new standalone full-colour graphic novel from Bryan Lee O’Malley, author and… Read More ›
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Poland’s Centrala Books ramps up English language range
Poland’s Centrala Books has been publishing an impressive range of graphic novels since 2007 out of Poznań, but has now brought some of its titles to the UK, with more to come later this year. The initial range offers… Read More ›
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Malta Con announces first guests for its November convention
Malta’s Wicked Comics have announced UK-based, internationally renowned mangaka Yishan Li and acclaimed British comic creators Rufus Dayglo and Andrew Wildman as their first guests for the Malta Comic Con 2014, which will be held on Saturday 29th and… Read More ›
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First Look: Thunderbirds Are Go producers reveal new Tracy Island
The first image of the all-new Tracy Island for the upcoming ITV series Thunderbirds Are Go! was released at the Thunderbirds panel at this year’s Comic Con in San Diego yesterday. Thunderbirds Are Go! is a reboot of the… Read More ›
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Call For Papers: Transitions 5
Transitions 5 – New Directions in Comics Studies, an academic symposium taking place on Saturday October 25th 2014 at Birkbeck, University of London, has just issued its “Call for Papers”. The symposium aims to promote new research and multi-disciplinary academic study of comics/ comix/ manga/… Read More ›
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Anderson Entertainment hints at new “Ultramarionation” project
Anderson Entertainment – the company now looking at reviving many of Gerry Anderson‘s projects, but old and some unrealised back to life – has announced its intention to launch a new project to be filmed in “Ultramarionation.” Jamie Anderson,… Read More ›
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Titan Books releases “Charley’s War” omnibus
Titan Books is to release Charley’s War: A Boy Soldier in the Great War, a terrific omnibus collection of Charley’s War stories on 8th August, which features all-new scans of many pages direct from original art by Joe Colquhoun. While the… Read More ›
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Digital comic sales on the rise, reaching estimated $90 million
The market for comics and graphic novels in the United States and Canada reached $870 million at retail last year, according to a new estimate prepared jointly by comics business news site ICv2’s Milton Griepp and Comichron’s John Jackson Miller… Read More ›
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Warren Ellis signed by Universal Cable Productions to develop new TV series
Universal Cable Productions has announced it has signed award-winning British graphic novel writer Warren Ellis to develop an original TV series with Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment (The Walking Dead, Terminator). In addition to his huge range of comic credits,… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (23rd July 2014)
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale today in specialist UK comic shops, Wednesday 23rd July 2014, courtesy First Age Comics, Lancaster. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in bold below, or… Read More ›
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32 Years in the Making! Phil Elliott releases “Tales from Gimbley” collection
After 32 years in the making, Phil Elliott, one of the first “alternative” British artists I encountered in the 1980s through the pages of Escape, has just released a complete 184-page collection of his long-running “Tales from Gimbley” comic… Read More ›
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Lakes Comics Festival announces “Family Zone” Events creator line-up – Great Fun for all Ages!
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announced the full line-up of comic creators for the Comics Family Zone, one of its most popular events last year, comprising both free and pre-bookable events. Based in Kendal Library, Westmorland Shopping Centre and the Shakespeare… Read More ›
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TV21 “Daleks” artwork offered for almost £5000 on eBay
A page of “The Daleks” from the 1960s comic TV Century 21 is currently being offered on eBay for close to £5000. The page, drawn by Richard Jennings, featured in Issue 19 of the top-selling 1960s comic which predominantly featured… Read More ›
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In Review: Thirteenth Floor returns in new collection from Hibernia
Hibernia have teamed up with publishing giants Egmont again to bring readers a cracking second Volume of The Thirteenth Floor, the classic story that ran first in Scream comic and then in the new Eagle for many years, written by John Wagner… Read More ›
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Tempt Fayt and check out The Phoenix!
The latest issue of The Phoenix – Issue 133 is on sale now from select partners including Waitrose supermarket and via subscription and as a digital release for iPad. The Demon’s Watch continues this issue, as the errant team get ever… Read More ›