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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British comic creators plan Haiyan Benefit Anthology
Comic creator Phil Woodward and the team behind the Sequentially British project have announced plans for a Haiyan Benefit Anthology to raise funds for victims of the natural disasters in the Philippines. While the project has only just launched, and… Read More ›
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Filipino comic artists unite to raise disaster funds
The Komikero Artists Group, a collective of Filipino comic book creators, whose work should be well known to many British comic fans, has announced some of its fundraising plans to raise money for the victims of Typhoon Yolande (Haiyan) and… Read More ›
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Happy Birthday, Striker! 28 today…
Debuting in The Sun on 11th November 1985, newspaper strip Striker has defied the odds and reached its 28th birthday today, despite a chequered history that has seen its cancellation and revival on more than one occasion. Today, it’s a… Read More ›
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SEQUENTIAL releases free Alan Moore Biography Comic
SEQUENTIAL, the digital graphic novel app, has today released a free biography comic of the legendary Alan Moore, to celebrate the writer’s 60th birthday on 18th November. Alan Moore: An Extraordinary Gentleman is free to download and is available exclusively… Read More ›
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Santa versus the Nazis? Only in Aces Weekly!
Astounding work continues in the digital Aces Weekly Volume 7, Week 5 from today with the wonderful Clara’s Shadow by Rachael Smith; Erricus Vane from Nardo Conforti and Laurence Beveridge of Fearless Vampire Killers; The Statue by Carlos Pascoa; Drell’s… Read More ›
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Showmasters announces first 2014 UK show dates
Showmasters, the organisers of the London Film and Comic Con, have just announced the dates for almost all their UK events in 2014. Other than the two held at Milton Keynes, all the shows have a comics presence. The July… Read More ›
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Time to Shine graphic novel integral part of Scottish arts strategy launch
Award nominated graphic novelists John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs – better known as Metaphrog – have been commissioned to produce a graphic novel by Creative Scotland, as part of the Scottish Government’s Time To Shine arts strategy for young people… Read More ›
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Sky releases Strike Back prequel comic
The British action adventure drama Strike Back, created by novelist and former Special Air Service soldier Chris Ryan, recently returned to Sky 1 for a fourth, penultimate series titled Shadow Warfare. As part of the promotion for the new series,… Read More ›
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I’ve got a good feeling about this… lunar calendar from Simon Gurr
Looking for Christmas Present Ideas for the film and comics fans in your lives? This clever lunar phase calendar, on sale here from 2000AD artist Simon Gurr, gives you advance warning of new moons, full moons and all the phases… Read More ›
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London’s Comica 2013 continues its amazing line-up
Comica 2013, the fantastic London International Comics Festival, continues its vibrant, visionary Programme right through till November 16th. Here are some of the upcoming highlights! It's already seen the appearance of an amazing delegation of Polish comics movers-and-shakers, including three… Read More ›
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Britain’s first science fiction weekly, Captain Scarlet art under the hammer
The Winter 2013 auction at Compalcomics is open, with 290 lots in the auction including 115 British comic-related items – among them, a further 64 issues of Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday from the 1890s and the complete 20 issue run… Read More ›
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In Remembrance: No Man’s Land by Eric Bogle
As Remembrance Sunday 2014 approaches, here’s the lyrics to a song by folk singer song writer Eric Bogle, which you can listen to on the White Poppy page of the Peace Pledge Union. The idea of decoupling Armistice Day, the… Read More ›
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Victory for soldier fighting for pension
Charley’s War documents the madness of the First World War and the suffering of the soldiers at the front – and on their return home. It’s a story that resonates today, as veterans return home from fighting in Afghanistan and… Read More ›
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‘Join the Army’ anti-war comic gets backing from ex-soldiers
Controversial London based artist Darren Cullen has just released Join the Army – his first self-published publication, a satirical ‘anti-army recruitment comic’ which charts many of the perplexing reasons a young recruit might want to sign-up and potentially lose life… Read More ›
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Lego “Legends of Chima” comic magazine launches
Immediate Media has launched the first LEGO CHIMA branded magazine, LEGO Legends of Chima, a title aimed at 7 to 11 year-old children which will feature exclusive LEGO cover mounts. Out now, the four-weekly magazine takes readers on a journey… Read More ›
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New Off Life out now, physical and digital!
The latest issue of OFF LIFE, the free comics anthology showcasing the best UK talent, is out now on in print and available from select locations – and digitally via Panel Nine’s iPad app, SEQUENTIAL. OFF LIFE is the UK’s… Read More ›
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New Commandos battle into newsagents
Here’s the lowdown on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando, on sale from all good newsagents and digitally from tomorrow, 7th November 2013… Commando No 4651 – Battle On The Beach Story: Mac MacDonald Art: Keith Page Cover: Keith… Read More ›
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Titan Comics Snowpiercer – release details confirmed
Titan Comics has announced a world-first English translation of the acclaimed French comic Snowpiercer – soon to be a major motion picture starring Captain America star Chris Evans. The story will be published in a pair of graphic novels hitting… Read More ›
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Beano gets a Top Gear makeover thanks to guest editor Richard Hammond
TV presenter Richard Hammond both stars in and was guest editor of this week’s The Beano, on sale today. The special issue, on sale Wednesday 6th November, has a Grand Prix theme and follows the Top Gear star as he… Read More ›
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Waterstones Special Offer should appeal to book buyers
If you’re considering picking up some graphic novels this week or next, such as Titan Books impending release of Marada The She Wolf by Chris Claremont and John Bolton, then we have an offer for you that might be of… Read More ›