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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Tube Surfing: Anne Kirkbride’s cartoon connections, digital Charlie Hebdo launched and a new Joe Decie interview
Here’s a quick round up of short comics news items that have caught our eye on Twitter and other social media over the past few days… • The Hemel Gazette reports that veteran artist Fred Jefferies, 85, a cartoonist since 1962, has created… Read More ›
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2000AD goes Android! (Phones, that is…)
2000AD has announced that its app for phones and tablets is now available on Android devices! This week the legendary British anthology comic unveiled the app, available to download through the Google Play store, which means that 2000AD, Judge Dredd Megazine,… Read More ›
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Gotham renewed, back on Channel 5 later this year
US network Fox has announced an early renewal for its Batman prequel series Gotham at the Television Critics Association‘s annual press event highlighting new and returning TV shows over the weekend. The series – one of several successful DC Comics… Read More ›
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In Review: Wrinkles by Paco Roca
Wrinkles by Paco Roca (Arrugas in Spanish) ISBN 9780861662371 Cover Price: £12.99/$19.99 Publication Date: 01-01-2015 Format: 104 pages, full colour, paperback with flaps The Book: Ernest still imagines himself to be a bank manager but he has been retired for… Read More ›
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Sneak Preview: Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor #7
Titan Comics launch two new issues of Doctor Who this week (Wednesday 21st January) and we have a sneak preview of both for you… DOCTOR WHO: THE ELEVENTH DOCTOR #7 STORY BY: Rob Williams ART BY: Warren Pleece COLOR… Read More ›
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True Believers Comic Festival tickets must be won – thanks to Wizards Keep!
Wizards Keep, publishers of the amazing Worlds End graphic novels, in conjunction with True Believers Comic Festival, have just announced their Grand Worlds End Competition. Entry is free and you can enter as many times as you like. The winning entry will… Read More ›
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Sneak Preview: Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor #4
Titan Comics launch two new issues of Doctor Who this week (Wednesday 21st January) and we have a sneak preview of both for you… (Call back later for the Eleventh Doctor preview!) DOCTOR WHO: THE TWELFTH DOCTOR #4 Writer: Robbie… Read More ›
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Rare Star War Figures to be auctioned by Vectis
Auction house Vectis have just announced the auction of an impressive collection of mint on card Star Wars figures, owned by the former Club Chairman of the UK Star Wars Fan Club, Craig Stevens. The sale – a ‘Double-Bill’ with part one… Read More ›
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Crucible: The Quest Episode 15
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Crucible: The Quest Episode 14
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New issue of European Comic Art released
The latest issue of European Comic Art has recently been published by Berghahn Journals, the first English-language scholarly publication devoted to the study of European-language graphic novels, comic strips, comic books and caricature. Published in association with the American Bande Dessinée… Read More ›
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TwoMorrows’ long-awaited Swampmen book rises from the muck at last
Originally planned for release in 2005 by TwoMorrows Publishing, Swampmen: Muck-Monsters And Their Makers succumbed to a myriad of logistical problems that caused the book to languish in the mire of never-documented comic book history — until now. After a… Read More ›
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The Beano launches Dennis & Gnasher Adventures! app
The Beano has launched its first fully interactive story app Dennis & Gnasher Adventures!, voiced by Chris Johnson from hit CBBC show Dennis & Gnasher. Developed in partnership with LivoBooks, the Dennis & Gnasher Adventures! app the app is available across… Read More ›
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British comic creators contribute to “Charlie Hebdo” fund raiser, Italian charity book raises hackles
British cartoonists such as Paul Baker, Banx and Hunt Emerson are contributing cartoons to Draw The Line Here (Tracer La Ligne Ici), a collection of cartoons being put together by the Professional Cartoonists Organisation with freedom of speech charity English Pen. The two organisations have launched… Read More ›
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Thunderbirds Are Go: The Tracy Brothers Revealed
ITV continue to carefully drip feed imagery from the upcoming Thunderbirds Are Go series, a reboot of the original “Classic” Thunderbirds created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, which sees its 50th anniversary this year. To date, we’ve only seen the… Read More ›
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Thunderbirds Board Game At London Toy Fair
Modiphius Entertainment has released a promotional cover by Shigeru Komatsuzaki for its upcoming Thunderbirds Co-Operative Board Game by Matt Leacock. There will be a related Kickstarter launching in February relating to the game and the company says it will be announcing… Read More ›
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Looking for Charlie Hebdo in the UK?
(Last updated 21st January 2015): If you’re looking for a copy of the new “survivors issue” of French magazine Charlie Hebdo, out today, we found this Reddit discussion offering some pointers to London stockists. The Guardian has also published a handy… Read More ›




