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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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 ›
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Panel Borders: Scott Pilgrim, Lost at Sea
Concluding his two part interview with Bryan Lee O’Malley on today’s Panel Borders comic radio show, Alex Fitch talks to the author about his seminal six part series Scott Pilgrim and his debut graphic novel Lost at Sea. Fitch and O’Malley discuss Edgar… Read More ›
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Doctor Who Adventures reveals Britain’s ultimate “Doctor Who family”
BBC Doctor Who Adventures has just revealed the ultimate Doctor Who family in the UK following its popular competition in its 350th issue. “Earlier this year we launched our search to find a family that live and breath Doctor… Read More ›
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Sopwiths versus Stukas? Shurely Shome Mishtake, Commando…
Here’s the intel on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s war comic, Commando (4743-4746), on sale tomorrow, 25 September 2014 in all good newsagents and digitally via iTunes for iPad and iPhone. Commando No 4743 – Return To The… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2014: Comic Creator Hunt Emerson
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… Read More ›
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2000AD readers get chance to probe Tharg the Mighty*
With tomorrow seeing the release of 2000AD’s special Prog 1900, two of the legendary weekly anthology’s biggest creators are joining the alien editor of 2000 AD, Tharg the Mighty, for a very special ‘Ask Me Anything’ on Reddit’s comics forum. On Wednesday… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (24th September 2014) – Jump on board for 2000AD Prog 1900
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops from tomorrow, Wednesday 24th September 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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Jump On Board 2000AD with Prog 1900 – New Look for New Readers!
With 37 years of weekly issues, a whole galaxy of characters, and a constantly evolving line-up of new stories, editor Tharg often get asked by potential new readers and comic book stores when the best time to start reading… Read More ›
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What is Firestorm? New Gerry Anderson project in the works…
Anderson Entertainment has released this teaser graphic to promote its new project, Firestorm, which will be the focus of a Kickstarter appeal that will launch later this month. As yet they won’t be drawn on many further details but elements… Read More ›
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“District 14” creator Romuald Reutimann to make first UK appearance at Lakes Festival
Romuald Reutimann, the award-winning French artist of the anthropomorphic noir District 14, will be making his first British convention appearance at Lakes International Comic Art Festival next month, thanks to international graphic novel publisher, Humanoids, Inc. Cherbourg-based comics artist Romuald… Read More ›
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“Judge Minty” film team announce “Strontium Dog” fan project
The team behind the brilliant Judge Minty fan film (above) have announced that they are now working on a Strontium Dog not-for-profit project. First created for Starlord comic by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra in 1978, Strontium Dog became part of the world of 2000AD… Read More ›
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“Living Graphic Novel” project announced for Lakes Festival weekend
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announced that comic artist Dave Crane, working with Kendal Community Theatre, will be inviting both locals and comics fans to become part of a “living graphic novel” during its fast-approaching Festival weekend (17th – 19th October 2014)…. Read More ›
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Cult Empire has a horror hit with “Vietnam Zombie Holocaust”
Airdrie-based comic retailer Cult Empire recently launched their own comic line with the first issue of Vietnam Zombie Holocaust, available from their website or via one of several convention appearances, including the Lakes International Comic Art Festival next month. The… Read More ›
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Doctor Strange to be shot in the UK?
Numerous web sites are reporting that the upcoming Marvel Studios Doctor Strange film, based on one of US comics longest-running magical characters, could be shot at Pinewood, for release on 8th July 2016. Screen Daily led with the news, picked up elsewhere, that Marvel… Read More ›
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Death’s Head versus Hulk? Excellent, yes?
It’s annual time in UK newsagents and bookshops and one we think downthetubes readers will want to track down is Panini UK’s Marvel Heroes (2015), because in amongst reprints of the Marvel stories the company was once able to… Read More ›
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Abnett and Culbard’s Wild’s End earns critical acclaim
Released last week by US publisher BOOM! Studios, Wild’s End #1, written by Dan Abnett with art and lettering by INJ Culbard, is gathering plenty of critical acclaim, and I hope it’s resulting in strong sales for this enjoyable anthropomorphic… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival Focus 2014: Comic Creator Nick Abadzis
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… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Seconds
Opening a new season of radio show Panel Borders, Alex Fitch talks to Canadian cartoonist Bryan Lee O’Malley in the first of a two part interview about his work. This week Fitch and O’Malley discuss his new graphic novel… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival exhibition line-up includes art by Doug Braithwaite, Oliver East, Metaphrog
With just a month to go before this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival (17th – 19th October 2014), Kendal is already abuzz about comics as local galleries and businesses host a number of free comic-related exhibitions. While art by Festival… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (17th September 2014) – Cry freeeeeeedom!!
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops from tomorrow, Wednesday 17th September 2014, courtesy of First Age Comics, Lancaster. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in bold… Read More ›