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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Sneak Preview: Kingdom of the Wicked by Ian Edginton & D’Israeli
On 6th January 2015 Titan Comics brings you a new horror/fantasy graphic novel series, Kingdom of the Wicked, in which Ian Edginton and D’Israeli bring war to wonderland… In this sumptuous collection of their first collaboration, Ian Edginton and D’Israeli – whose work together… Read More ›
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Thunderbirds Are Go! gets second series even before first airs
UK broadcaster CITV has commissioned ITV Studios and New Zealand-based Pukeko Pictures to make a second series of Thunderbirds Are Go, even before the first has premiered. News of the second commission breaks just as the official web site for the show… Read More ›
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Call For Papers: The Comics Grid
The Comics Grid: Journal of Comics Scholarship is inviting all authors to submit contributions to the journal. The Comics Grid publishes one issue per year, with rapid publication as soon as articles are ready. Its purpose is to make original, media-specific contributions to… Read More ›
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Firebox Ricky Rouse Graphic Novel Competition launched
What could be more festive than a bizarro graphic novel that’s a little bit like Die Hard, only set in a knock-off Disney theme park? Nothing, that’s what. This Christmas online retailer Firebox are giving away three hardback copies of the… Read More ›
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Call For Papers: Sixth International Graphic Novel and Comics Conference
The Sixth International Graphic Novel and Comics Conference / Ninth International Bande Dessinée Society Conference, which takes place in Paris in June next year has put out a last Cal For Papers – with a deadline of the end of… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Non-Verbal Communication with Laura Malacart and artist Daniel Locke
Concluding a trio of shows about ‘untold tales’, narratives not normally depicted in comics, Alex Fitch talks to writer Laura Malacart and artist Daniel Locke on today’s Panel Borders radio show, about their comic book Yes! which explores the true story of an autistic… Read More ›
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Free Comic Book Day 2015: Full Line-Up of Comic Books Announced – 2000AD, Titan on board
Fifty comics will be available during Free Comic Book Day 2015, including a Gold Sponsor Doctor Who comic from Titan – and Diamond Comic Distributors has announced thirty-eight all new Silver comics. Free Comic Book Day is the comic… Read More ›
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comic Who Doctor new in Reverse Into Goes Doctor Eleventh
Titan Comics Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor #6 is released next week (24th December) in all good comic shops and be warned that you’ll need to have your thinking caps on, because the events of the issue itself run… Read More ›
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Titan to release new ‘White Trash’ collection in April from Gordon Rennie and Martin Emond
Titan Comics is releasing a new collection of White Trash in April 2015, a comic strip by Gordon Rennie (Judge Dredd, Dept. of Monsterology, Robbie Burns: Witch Hunter) and New Zealand artist, the late Martin Emond (Accident Man, Lobo) first published… Read More ›
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Sad news as Great Beast Comics announces it will shutter in January
Great Beast Comics, a group of independent comic creators self publishing their work to a professional level founded in April 2012 by Adam Cadwell and Marc Ellerby has announced it is to shut down next month after just two years… Read More ›
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Final Commando titles of 2014 On Sale on Thursday, World War One epic concludes
Here, for the last time in 2014, is the release information for the latest issues of Commando (4767-4770) from DC Thomson, on sale this Thursday, 18th December, in all good newsagents and digitally for iPhone and iPad via the Commando app…. Read More ›
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London Art Fair returns for 27th edition in January
The London Art Fair, the UK’s premier Fair for Modern British and contemporary art, kicks off the cultural calendar with its 27th edition at the Business Design Centre, Islington, from 21-25 January 2015. The Fair presents a unique overview… Read More ›
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ITV commissions Beowulf series
ITV has commissioned thirteen-part drama Beowulf, an epic re-imagining of one of literature’s greatest and most enduring heroes, a character that’s no stranger to comic book fans. Created by James Dormer (Strike Back, Wallander, Outcast) , Tim Haines (Primeval,… Read More ›
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Marc Jackson auctions Aces Weekly art for charity
Aces Weekly contribuor Marc Jackson is auctioning a page for a new comic of his that will feature in the online anthology comic from March 2015 for charity. The auction is to raise money for East Cheshire Hospice (a local Macclesfield, Cheshire hospice)… Read More ›
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Comic Creators take to Twitter to protest at EU VAT changes that will cripple their business
With so little time before the European Parliament shuts for Christmas, the VAT Action Group urged its supporters to take to Twitter this morning in an urgent bid to show both EU commissioners and the UK government that we are not going… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Releases (17th December 2014) – Prog 2015, Titan’s new Madefire titles – and Neil Gaiman, too
Here’s this week’s list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops tomorrow, Wednesday 17th December 2014, courtesy of First Age Comics, Lancaster. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in… Read More ›
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WorldOf3A Judge Death figure in the works
Ace figure makers WorldOf3A are dropping hints about their next release on social media – a 1/12th scale Judge Death of 2000AD fame. You’ll be able to pre-order the figure from 14th January 2015 at Bambaland for $60 USD: www.bambalandstore.com
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Tonight’s Gotham on Channel 5: LoveCraft
When killers come after Selina, Jim tracks down Lovecraft to get him to call off the hit. Meanwhile, Selina and Bruce flee into the city and Alfred and Harvey go after them, in Gotham – ‘Lovecraft’ – which airs on Channel 5 in… Read More ›
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Death Duty by John Freeman and Alan Burrows comes to 100% Biodegradable
Issue 7 of the digital anthology 100% Biodegradable – edited by Dave Hailwood and John Kirkham – is now available to buy on Comicsy or Drivethru for just 69p/$0.99. Along with your usual smattering of brain munching goblins, boneheaded barbarians and… Read More ›
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The WarWorldz Saga begins in 100% Biodegradable!
Issue 7 of the digital anthology 100% Biodegradable – edited by Dave Hailwood and John Kirkham – is now available to buy on Comicsy or Drivethru for just 69p/$0.99. Along with your usual smattering of brain munching goblins, boneheaded barbarians and… Read More ›