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: 13 Coins #2 by Simon Bisley, Martin Brennan & Michael B. Jackson
Next Wednesday (19th November) sees the release of second instalment to the supernatural series 13 Coins by Simon Bisley, Martin Brennan & Michael B. Jackson – and we have a little sneak peek of some of the fantastic interior art by… Read More ›
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Charley’s War exhibition continues at Musée de la Grande Guerre
The grand sounding Musée de la Grande Guerre (The Museum of the Great War) in Pays de Meaux, France is hosting an exhibition of art by Joe Colquhoun from the Battle story “Charley’s War” written by Pat Mills… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (12th November 2014) – Dogs Fighting and Kung-Fu Cheesecake!
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops today, Wednesday 12th November 2014, courtesy of First Age Comics, Lancaster. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in bold below, or… Read More ›
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Knockabout to release “The Magic Pen” by Dylan Horrocks
Sam Zabel a husband, father and a cartoonist once renowned for his series Pickle; in the last few years his career has come to a stand still suffering from a bad case of writer’s block and depression. He now spends his… Read More ›
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Sotheby’s to auction E.H. Shepard’s original Christopher Robin and Piglet on the ‘Poohsticks’ Bridge
London auction house Sotheby’s has announced the auction of arguably the most famous and evocative book illustration of the twentieth century: E.H. Shepard’s original ink drawing of Christopher Robin, Piglet and Pooh on the famous ‘poohsticks’ bridge, first published in A.A…. Read More ›
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Lakes Festival backs Joe Decie’s new “Collecting Sticks” project
Continuing its efforts to invest in and promote the comics form, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival has a new project in the works. For 2015, they’re working with Joe Decie, one of the artists who took part in… Read More ›
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SelfMadeHero reveals Spring 2015 slate
Top independent publisher SelfMadeHero, whose recent titles include the simply brilliant The Motherless Oven by Rob Davis and the stunning AAMA saga by Frederik Peeters (the second volume is out now), have just announced their Spring 2015 slate. February sees the release… Read More ›
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Latest developments for Electricomics to be revealed at Thought Bubble
#alanmoore #exclusive #TBF14 A photo posted by Electricomics (@electricomics) on Nov 11, 2014 at 2:58pm PST The new British digital comics venture Electricomics will be in the spotlight at Thought Bubble this coming weekend, a venture whose team includes both… Read More ›
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Pre-orders for Pop Culture Shocks limited edition Judge Dredd diorama open today
If there is one lawman keeping Mega-City One in order, It’s Judge Dredd. Charging through the gangs of mutants on his Lawmaster motorbike, he will uphold the code of justice – through violent means if necessary! Now, Pop Culture Shock Collectibles –… Read More ›
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downthetubes “Ning” Forum No More
As a follower of downthetubes.net, you may also know one of the services it included was a comics forum site hosted by Ning. You may even be one of the almost 500 people who was a member. I use the… Read More ›
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New Book charts the history of British “Big 5” comic “The Wizard”
This Was The Wizard, a 264-page, perfect-bound A4 book has just been published by Darsym Press. Written by Derek Marsden (author of Free Gifts in the Big Five) and Ray Moore, their book is a thorough survey of the content… Read More ›
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Flash, Constantine, most talked about comics-inspired shows
As social media continues to exert its influence on television viewing habits, trend tracking site The Wit.com has just reported on what new shows generated buzz on Twitter and Facebook last month. While Tweeting and discussing a show while… Read More ›
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Humanoids revives Alexandro Jodorowsky and Mœbius’ Metabaron, back in 2016
Talk about your advance news. Publisher Humanoids has announced The Metabaron, the seminal character created by Alexandro Jodorowsky and Mœbius in 1980, will return in a powerful new “space opera” in June 2016. The Metabaron was introduced to the world in… Read More ›
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Top European comic artists at SouthKenKidsFest
Whoosh! South Ken Kids Festival wind is blowing in London with a blizzard of events to choose from! From Monday 17th to Sunday 23rd November, a score of children’s book artists will take over the Institut français and London-based… Read More ›
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Radio Luxembourg Dan Dare Music Find
Regular readers of downthetubes will recall we have featured news items on the The Adventures of Dan Dare radio show produced for Radio Luxembourg on numerous occasions, and that as far as we know, only two episodes of this much sought-after series… Read More ›
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What Makes A Cult Comic? Rob Davis, Ilya and others ponder That Question Tonight
Comica Festival 2014, the London International Comics Festival, continues its season of events and exhibitions across London with two special Comica Conversations at Foyles’ new bookstore of the future at 107 Charing Cross Road. Tonight, Friday November 7th 7-8.30pm,… Read More ›
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In Review: Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch
By Ben Aaronovitch Publisher: Gollancz Out: 13th November 2014 The Book: In the anticipated fifth instalment in The Sunday Times bestselling Rivers of London series, Foxglove Summer, Ben Aaronovitch takes Peter Grant out of London – to a small village in Herefordshire where… Read More ›
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New Beano fashion line from N16 announced
British design firm N16 Vintage has designed a range of Beano-inspired fashions for young men for the Asos.com web site that will be launched later this month, offering a “mischievous” clothing line featuring the comic’s most known characters. The new Beano clothing… Read More ›
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Sneek Peek: Titan Comics Michael Moorcock Library Series, launching in 2015
Titan Comics has announced the brand-new Michael Moorcock Library Series in February 2015, beginning with his greatest character – Elric – and released some tasty preview pages from the first collection. Collecting the first volume of the classic adaptation of Michael Moorcock’s bestselling… Read More ›
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New Commandos Released: Fighter’s Codes and Phobias revealed!
Here’s the rundown on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando (Issues 4755-4758), on sale now in all good newsagents and digitally for iPad and iPhone. Commando No 4755 – Clash At Cambrai Writer: George Low Artist: Keith Page Cover:… Read More ›