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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Latest developments for Electricomics to be revealed at Thought Bubble
#alanmoore #exclusive #TBF14 A photo posted by Electricomics (@electricomics) on Nov 11, 2014 at 2:58pm PST The new British digital comics venture Electricomics will be in the spotlight at Thought Bubble this coming weekend, a venture whose team includes both… Read More ›
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Pre-orders for Pop Culture Shocks limited edition Judge Dredd diorama open today
If there is one lawman keeping Mega-City One in order, It’s Judge Dredd. Charging through the gangs of mutants on his Lawmaster motorbike, he will uphold the code of justice – through violent means if necessary! Now, Pop Culture Shock Collectibles –… Read More ›
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downthetubes “Ning” Forum No More
As a follower of downthetubes.net, you may also know one of the services it included was a comics forum site hosted by Ning. You may even be one of the almost 500 people who was a member. I use the… Read More ›
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New Book charts the history of British “Big 5” comic “The Wizard”
This Was The Wizard, a 264-page, perfect-bound A4 book has just been published by Darsym Press. Written by Derek Marsden (author of Free Gifts in the Big Five) and Ray Moore, their book is a thorough survey of the content… Read More ›
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Flash, Constantine, most talked about comics-inspired shows
As social media continues to exert its influence on television viewing habits, trend tracking site The Wit.com has just reported on what new shows generated buzz on Twitter and Facebook last month. While Tweeting and discussing a show while… Read More ›
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Humanoids revives Alexandro Jodorowsky and Mœbius’ Metabaron, back in 2016
Talk about your advance news. Publisher Humanoids has announced The Metabaron, the seminal character created by Alexandro Jodorowsky and Mœbius in 1980, will return in a powerful new “space opera” in June 2016. The Metabaron was introduced to the world in… Read More ›
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Top European comic artists at SouthKenKidsFest
Whoosh! South Ken Kids Festival wind is blowing in London with a blizzard of events to choose from! From Monday 17th to Sunday 23rd November, a score of children’s book artists will take over the Institut français and London-based… Read More ›
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Radio Luxembourg Dan Dare Music Find
Regular readers of downthetubes will recall we have featured news items on the The Adventures of Dan Dare radio show produced for Radio Luxembourg on numerous occasions, and that as far as we know, only two episodes of this much sought-after series… Read More ›
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What Makes A Cult Comic? Rob Davis, Ilya and others ponder That Question Tonight
Comica Festival 2014, the London International Comics Festival, continues its season of events and exhibitions across London with two special Comica Conversations at Foyles’ new bookstore of the future at 107 Charing Cross Road. Tonight, Friday November 7th 7-8.30pm,… Read More ›
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In Review: Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch
By Ben Aaronovitch Publisher: Gollancz Out: 13th November 2014 The Book: In the anticipated fifth instalment in The Sunday Times bestselling Rivers of London series, Foxglove Summer, Ben Aaronovitch takes Peter Grant out of London – to a small village in Herefordshire where… Read More ›
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New Beano fashion line from N16 announced
British design firm N16 Vintage has designed a range of Beano-inspired fashions for young men for the Asos.com web site that will be launched later this month, offering a “mischievous” clothing line featuring the comic’s most known characters. The new Beano clothing… Read More ›
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Sneek Peek: Titan Comics Michael Moorcock Library Series, launching in 2015
Titan Comics has announced the brand-new Michael Moorcock Library Series in February 2015, beginning with his greatest character – Elric – and released some tasty preview pages from the first collection. Collecting the first volume of the classic adaptation of Michael Moorcock’s bestselling… Read More ›
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New Commandos Released: Fighter’s Codes and Phobias revealed!
Here’s the rundown on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando (Issues 4755-4758), on sale now in all good newsagents and digitally for iPad and iPhone. Commando No 4755 – Clash At Cambrai Writer: George Low Artist: Keith Page Cover:… Read More ›
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BBC heads to the frontiers of space and time with new Science Fiction programming
The BBC has announced a number of science fiction-related programmes, including a new four-part series on BBC Two in which Dominic Sandbrook explores how science fiction has offered a revealing window into our dreams and our nightmares that will… Read More ›
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Run Away to the Psircus with Daniel Bell and company
One of the things about the Web is that as it’s expanded, more often than not you come across stuff as if it’s new, when it actually isn’t. This is particularly true of social media such as tumblr, where stuff… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: … there is Joost Swarte
Starting a month of shows about the work of comic book creators who mix together different cultures and mediums in their work, on Panel Borders this week Alex Fitch talks to acclaimed Dutch cartoonist and graphic designer Joost Swarte about… Read More ›
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Oliver East talks “The Homesick Truant’s Cumbrian Yarn”
Comic creator Oliver East will be at the Beach Hut Gallery at Kents Bank Station, Cumbria on Saturday 8th November 2014 from 11.30am onwards to talk about his railway-inspired drawings that formed his Lakes International Comic Art Festival-supported exhibition “The… Read More ›
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Lakes International Comic Art Festival announces 2015 dates
After its hugely successful 2014 Festival, which featured a stellar cast of both British and international creators and a number of special exhibitions, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival team have announced the event will return in October 2015. This… Read More ›
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Free Comic events in Leeds (and beyond) in run up to Thought Bubble
With the Thought Bubble Festival proper starting in a few days time, the organisers have just plugged some great, free/drop-in events taking place across Leeds and beyond from 9th – 16th November. For the full festival line-up, visit the… Read More ›
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New Service tracks Independent Comic Publishers
Here’s an interesting and clearly well thought project: Indie Comics Tracker, a service enabling you to not only keep track of your favourite independent comic titles – but discover new ones, too. Indie Comics Tracker allows you to discover… Read More ›