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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Andrew Cartmel pens latest Doctor Who Adventures comic strip
Former Doctor Who script editor Andrew Cartmel is back writing Doctor Who – this time for Doctor Who Adventures. While Andrew, who script edited all three seasons of the Seventh Doctor’s TV adventures, has never been credited as a writer… Read More ›
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Sky Sharks and deadly traitors in new Commandos
Here’s the detailed intel on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s war comic Commando, on sale today in all good newsagents and digitally via the Commando app on iTunes. Commando No 4719 – Two Men Went To War… Originally Commando… Read More ›
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Eleventh Hour hunt for final missing Judge Dredd strips
Back in May, 2000AD appealed to its readers to help solve a mystery – and they replied in spades! The legendary British comic book asked fans to track down key episodes from the Judge Dredd comic strip that ran for… Read More ›
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Comics Unmasked exhibition launch point for new Beano merchandise
Alongside the British Library’s “Comics Unmasked” exhibition – which runs until 19th August – there’s a range of limited edition merchandise on offer, some of it inspired by the show itself, including t-shirts featuring the promotional character created by Jamie… Read More ›
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Thunderbirds Are Go: Thunderbird 1 Revealed
Typical. You go on holiday and just as you do, what happens? ITV release the first image from their new new Thunderbirds Are Go series. Of course, it would have ben great if they’d started with Thunderbird 5 and worked… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: What makes a good graphic novel?
Concluding a month of shows looking at the work of female cartoonists, Alex Fitch hosts a panel discussion with cartoonists Hannah Berry, Corinne Pearlman, Hannah Eaton and Nicola Streeten to try and the question: “What makes a good graphic novel?”, with reference… Read More ›
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Monty Nero signing Death Sentence in Southampton this Friday, London next week
Monty Nero will be signing the collected hardcover of Death Sentece at the Forbidden Planet Southampton Megastore on Friday 4th July from 6 – 7.00pm, and will be joined by artist Mike Dowling for a signing at Forbidden Planet London… Read More ›
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Forbidden Planet Doctor Who Signings announced
Celebrate all things Doctor Who at Forbidden Planet later this month, when Rob Williams and Al Ewing sign the store’s exclusive Variant Cover of Doctor Who 11th #1 in Bristol on 26th July from 3 – 4pm. (yes, we… Read More ›
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CamCon returns to Cambridge in August
Following the success of last year’s event, the CamCon team have announced that a third one day convention celebrating all things geeky will be held once again at the Junction in Cambridge on 30th August 2014 – and the guest line up… Read More ›
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Prince’s Drawing School announces Comics and Graphic Novels course
The Prince’s Drawing School, Shoreditch has announced a one week Drawing Stories: Comics and Graphic Novels course later this month, taught by Emily Haworth-Booth, the winner of last year’s Jonathan Cape/Observer/Comica Graphic Short Story Prize This one week course, is suitable for both beginners… Read More ›
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Scott Pilgrim creator Bryan Lee O’Malley heads to Edinburgh
Bryan Lee O’Malley, creator of the international bestseller Scott Pilgrim, is set to make his literary festival debut at this year’s Stripped 2014 graphic novel strand of Edinburgh International Book Festival to talk about his much-anticipated new graphic novel, Seconds,… Read More ›
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Gnasher dog toys on their way
DC Thomson Consumer Products has announced a partnership with pet accessories specialists Rupert’s Pet Shop for the launch of the first range of Dennis the Menace and Gnasher dog toys. Marking the brand’s entrance into the pet sector, the partnership… Read More ›
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Bear Alley Books “Countdown” book on sale next week
The latest comic index from Bear Alley Books, Countdown to TV Action, goes on sale from 4th July. The 200-plus page book, which features a a colour cover featuring the work of Gerry Haylock, John M. Burns and Gordon… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (25th June 2014)
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic ships on sale today, Wednesday 25th June 2014, courtesy First Age Comics, Lancaster. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in bold… Read More ›
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Bunkerbound launches Classic Thunderbirds range
The Classic Thunderbirds giftware range from Bunkerbound goes on sale in the UK and Ireland this month, an early stage in the roll out of official Thunderbirds products, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the show in 2015 – and the… Read More ›
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Dennis elbow? Andy Murray guest edits The Beano
He’s no stranger to the pages of The Beano – having taken on Minnie the Minx in the weekly humour comic from DC Thomson in the past, for its 75th anniversary edition for example. But now Britain’s top male… Read More ›
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Titan’s limited UK edition Doctor Who photo covers, Twelfth Doctor #1 variants
Just to add to the list of Doctor Who first issue covers from Titan Comics, the company is to release these limited edition UK exclusive editions with photo cover variants. Only 1000 copies of each edition will be available… Read More ›
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Grant Morrison’s Batman stories under the microscope in new book
The Sequart Organization has announced the release of The Anatomy of Zur-en-Arrh: Understanding Grant Morrison’s Batman, by Cody Walker. Grant Morrison has made a career of redefining heroes, but his work with Batman has been the most comprehensive. From… Read More ›
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Moose Kid Comics launches today, features Young Tank Girl and much more!
An intrepid team of comic creators have just launched the amazing-looking Moose Kid Comics – a free, brand new digital comic that aims to be a showcase for talent and stories they feel will help make both British and international children’s… Read More ›
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What’s Through the Shop Window? Lakes Festival plans creator “Trail” of local art
In 2013, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival ‘Windows on Art Trail’ made an incredible impact, involving both business and locals in the inaugural event with fun displays of comics and comic-related ephemera. As with all such activities, the aim was… Read More ›