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 radio show on Doctor Who comics
On today’s Resonance FM radio show Panel Borders, Alex Fitch is broadcasting an extract from the SCI-FI-LONDON panel on Doctor Who spin-offs, recorded in May 2013 at the Stratford PictureHouse Cinema, East London. Joining Alex are artists Adrian Salmon and… Read More ›
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SelfMadeHero gets set for Thought Bubble, launching Frederik Peeters’ “Aama”
SelfMadeHero, one of the UK’s leading independent graphic novel publishers, is preparing to burst into this year’s Thought Bubble, Leeds’ Comic Art Festival this weekend, with a whole army of creators and new graphic novels for the centrepiece convention weekend… Read More ›
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‘The Expedition’ movie stars to attend Birmingham Comic Con
Sometimes, it's humans who are the endangered species… Join the stars of upcoming monster movie The Expedition at MCM Birmingham Comic Con on Saturday 23rd November, rubbing shoulders with a range of comic creators, for a sneak peek at the… Read More ›
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Rogue Trooper returns to IDW in 2014
As announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2013, the genetically modified G.I., Rogue Trooper is returning to 2000AD‘s US partner IDW next year. Expanding the relationship started with the successful Judge Dredd series, IDW and Rebellion/2000AD will return to the frontlines… Read More ›
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TV Century 21 artist Mike Noble joins Andercon guest list
Veteran comic artist Mike Noble is to attend the Gerry Anderson-inspired Andercon in Heathrow, London, next April. Mike Noble is the legendary British comic artist and illustrator who began his career drawing strips such as The Lone Ranger in the… Read More ›
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Comic creators form cancer-fighting super team!
Two UK comic creators who previously used their artistic talents to raise awareness of bowel cancer have convinced some of the comic industry’s biggest names to donate items to a fundraising raffle for Beating Bowel Cancer and Breast Cancer Care…. Read More ›
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Death Sentence success spreads like wildfire as second issue sells out
Titan Comics has scored a definite hit with its Death Sentence six-issue limited series from Monty Nero and Mike Dowling – the second issue has sold out at distributor level. The new creator owned series has completely sold out at… Read More ›
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Brightwells announce major Comic Book Auction
British auctioners Brightwells, based in Leominster, have announced a major Comic Book Auction of both British and US comics and artwork next week (Wednesday, 20th November). The auction catalogue includes large collections of early Marvel and DC Comics, titles such… Read More ›
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Thought Bubble fast approaching, anthology on sale now
The annual Thought Bubble Festival in Leeds takes place next weekend (17th – 24th November) and we’ve already enthused about the fantastic line up of guest here; but don’t forget that even if you can’t attend one of the largest… Read More ›
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Charity Daleks’ Master Plan Graphic Novel planned for Children In Need
Two years in the making, the Daleks’ Master Plan serialised comic strip on the Kasterborous web site proved incredibly popular during the summer months, as a free 50th anniversary gift. Editor, illustrator and storyboard artist Rick Lundeen did a superb… Read More ›
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European comics residencies on offer in 2014
(with thanks to Matt Badham, via kushkomikiss): Until the 30th November you can apply for a one-month comics residency in 2014 in the European cities of Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki, Malmö, Kiel or Leipzig. The CUNE Comics-in-Residence is primarily aimed at… Read More ›
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It’s Death’s Head versus Death’s Head II! Revolutionary War hots up in February
Here’s the solicitations for the Marvel Comics ‘Revolutionary War‘ titles on sale in February 2014, reintroducing today’s Marvel fans to the Marvel UK characters first conceived back in the 1990s. The storyline for the mini series, which debuts in January,… Read More ›
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Dan Dare Reboot Competition: Mo Ali
Artist and writer Mo Ali has sent us his entry for our Dan Dare Reboot Competition – and we’ve got some great entries waiting in the wings, which will be posted after the closing date, now extended to 2nd December… Read More ›
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“The Wolverine” gets UK Blu-Ray, DVD release, offers sneek of “Days of Future Past”
British Marvel fans will be delighted to hear The Wolverine is out next Monday, in a three disc Blu-ray Unleashed Extended Edition, Blu-ray and DVD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment with High Jackman facing his ultimate nemesis in a… Read More ›
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Alan Moore birthday treats from SEQUENTIAL
Digital comics publisher are celebrating the run-up to Alan Moore’s 60th birthday on Monday 18th November with a special sale on all books with work by Moore on their SEQUENTIAL app for iPad. That means Moore’s masterpiece, featuring art by… Read More ›
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Beyond 2000AD project reveals secrets of ‘Starlord’ and aborted ‘Eagle’ revival
Hibernia Books are back after the success of last year’s Comic Archive: One Eyed Jack and the Death of Valiant with the latest in their Comic Archive series: Beyond 2000AD. The book – available now – is packed with fascinating… Read More ›
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Lost for Words: new titles from Improper Books set to stun
Limited UK independent editions of Improper Books stunning wordless graphic story Butterfly Gate by Benjamin Read and Chris Wildgoose, and children-friendly, highly enjoyable Knight & Dragon by Matt Gibbs and Bevis Musson, will be available from Wednesday 20th November from… Read More ›
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Paul Magrs to chart Doctor Who – ‘The Annual Years’
Obverse Books are to publish a guide to the madcap publishing eccentricity the Doctor Who annual – The Annual Years. With cover art and internal illustrations by Adam Bullock, and commentary on every single story from Paul Magrs, author of… Read More ›
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Malta Comic Con 2013 announces full line up, exhibitions
Malta Comic Convention 2013 – the biggest and most awaited comics related event on the Islands – is less than a month away, and the organisers have just released full details of the event, which includes appearances by a number… Read More ›
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Wandering the Waste art exhibition announced for ‘Crowleymass’
The Atlantis Bookshop on London’s Museum Street will be holding an exhibition of original artwork from Martin Hayes and Roy H Stewart‘s graphic novel Aleister Crowley: Wandering the Waste, published by Markosia. The exhibition opens as part of The Atlantis… Read More ›