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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Gerry Anderson’s Firestorm is Go!
In a stunning show of support for the work of the late Gerry Anderson and the team keeping his legacy alive at Anderson Entertainment, we’re delighted to report that a plan to raise enough funding through Kickstarter to make the… Read More ›
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24 Hours Comics Day is Back!
On Saturday 4th October, will you take up the worldwide challenge and make a 24 page comic in 24 hours? A 24-hour comic is a 24-page comic book written, drawn, and completed in 24 hours and the rules of the challenge… Read More ›
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Crouch End Comic Art Festival debuts next month
The inaugural Crouch End Comic Art Festival (CECAF) will take place at the Earl Haig Hall, London on 8th November 2014. The show will host the best and brightest cartoonists and independent publishers currently active in the UK comic scene…. Read More ›
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Bristol Comic And Zine Fair returns this Saturday
The Bristol Comic And Zine Fair – BCZF 2014 – is back this Saturday (4th October), with over sixty incredible artists, writers and makers exhibiting and selling their work at . The line up includes… • Avery Hill Publishing, an… Read More ›
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Thunderbirds Are Go! producer Giles Ridge offers insights into new show
With just days to go before the world premiere of Thunderbirds Are Go! at MipCom Junior in Cannes, ITV has released more information on the origins of the new show which will debut next year in the UK. In… Read More ›
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Comics legend Martin Asbury sets up store
British comic and movie storyboard legend Martin Asbury now has a new online store where fans can purchase his original artwork. Martin is most famous for working on comics such as TV21, Look-In and the Daily Mirror‘s time travelling… Read More ›
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Superheroes and the Afterlife examined in new book
Superman died… and came back. Captain America died… and came back. Superheroes frequently die, and they always come back. American Comics, Literary Theory, and Religion: The Superhero Afterlife answers: Why? The new book, coming this November from comics studies… Read More ›
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Titan Comics announces new Betty Boop collection
Titan Comics has announced a brand-new newspaper comic strip collection of Betty Boop – the classic 1930s icon created by animation legend, Max Fleischer. The Definitive Betty Boop: The Classic Comic Strip Collection is due to hit stores September 2015…. Read More ›
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Read Crucible on Tapastic!
With five episodes of Crucible complete but little sign of STRIP Magazine making an immediate return to the UK news stand, we’re continuing our push to bring you the story digitally (at first, at least), dependent on support…. Read More ›
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Bunty, Topper, Hotspur revived with “Best of” Annuals
(with thanks to Lew Stringer and the ComicsUK Forum): Along with a range of annuals and calendars based on their current titles such as The Beano, “The Broons” and Jacqueline Wilson Magazine, now on general sale, DC Thomson have… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (1st October 2014) – Ready for the Fade Out?
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops from tomorrow, Wednesday 1st October 2014, courtesy of First Age Comics, Lancaster. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in bold… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival “Warm Up” Gets Under Way with “Windows Trail” and exhibition openings
Tickets are now selling fast for some of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival events, and organisers are warning that some events – such as digital comics guru Scott McCloud, Watchmen and Secret Service artist Dave Gibbons, Bone creator… Read More ›
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Gerry Anderson’s Firestorm launches on Kickstarter
Anderson Entertainment has announced the launch of Firestorm on the crowd-funding platform Kickstarter this morning (30th September 2014). Fans of iconic Gerry Anderson shows like Space: 1999, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, UFO and Thunderbirds will be able to back the project to… Read More ›
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New digital developments for The Beano ahead
DC Thomson is to announce some major developments to expand the digital side of The Beano at Brand Licensing Europe in London next month (7th – 9th October). Dennis the Menace, Gnasher and Minnie the Minx will lead the firm’s… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2014: Emma Vieceli
In the run up to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival (17th – 19th October), we’re aiming to run a number of interviews spotlighting at least a few of the huge number of guests and comic creators who will be at the event,… Read More ›
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Everybody’s Cursed… if writer Stu Perrins has His Way, That Is!
In a quick follow up to our 100% Biodegradable post earlier today, contributor Stu Perrins to tell us about his own anthology comic, Everybody’s Cursed, featuring four short stories he’s written with art by Nick Gonzo, Brian Burke and… Read More ›
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SciFi Serial Killers and Drunk Zombies take over 100% Biodegradable!
Werewolf romance, undead wildebeests, murderous aliens, lonely giants, kung-fu kitchen antics… must be time for another slice of digital comic carnage in the form of 100% Biodegradable, then! Feast your eyes on a freakshow of a comic anthology wrapped… Read More ›
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Blast from the Past: Miracleman creator Mick Anglo’s “Captain Valiant”
Here’s an intriguing character drawn by from Marvelman – sorry, Miracleman – creator Mick Anglo: “Captain Valiant, Ace of the Interplanetary Police Patrol”, published by the London-based Arnold Book Company in the early 1950s. Space Comics began with Issue 50 in 1953… Read More ›
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The Sentient Zombie Space Pigs return!
We’re pleased to report that the second issue of Sentient Zombie Space Pigs from Disconnected Press, written by Lizzie Boyle and drawn by partner Conor Boyle, is now on sale – and it looks just as fun as the first issue, which we… Read More ›
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Knockabout Comics, VIZ and other comic rebels get set to subvert the Lakes Festival
The Edinburgh Festival has its own Fringe, and every major political party conference has its fringe events, both straight-laced and bizarre… and now this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival (17th – 19th October 2014) has gained its own subversive edge, courtesy… Read More ›