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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Contemporary Artists’ Books and Book Designs exhibition at londonprintstudio
Londonprintstudio, which regularly includes comic art and supports new comic artists in its events program has just announced Unfold, an exhibition highlighting the quality and variety of contemporary artists' books and designs. The way that we see books is changing…. Read More ›
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Rob Jackson releases RhiZome sci-fi anthology comic
(via BugPowder): On sale now is the RhiZome Anthology, a weird but wonderful-looking 48-page black and white science-fiction and fantasy anthology, co-edited by Rob Jackson and Kyle Baddeley-Read. The anthology contains stories by Max Mose, Rob, Kyle Baddeley-Read, John Robbins… Read More ›
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Knockabout Comics announce “Best of Wonder Wart-Hog” collection
Look up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a blird! It’s a pane! It’s a blane! It’s a plird! It’s a bane! Oh… actually, it seems to be some sort of flying, anthropomorphic phacochoerus aethiopicus, wearing… Read More ›
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Rock warrior Jon Mikl Thor heads for Simon Williams’ “Retro Tales”
After the appearance of the original Knight Rider star David Hasslhoff in his fab comic Retro Tales, comic creator Simon Williams has announced his next guest star – the legendary king of muscle rock, Jon Mikl Thor. “The one and… Read More ›
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Planet Jimbot releases ‘Savant’
Planet Jimbot, the indie publishing house run by comic creators Jim Alexander and Jim Campbell, has just published the first issue of Savant, a stunning science fiction story originally conceived for STRIP: The Adventure Comics Magazine. Savant, by Jim Alexander,… Read More ›
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‘Striker’ football strip goes global with app launch
The terrific football strip Striker – which currently appears in print The Sun as a regular strip, probably making it one of the most-read strips in the UK – has just been launched as an App from Syon Publishing, offering… Read More ›
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Bear Alley Books releases Boys’ World: Ticket to Adventure
Bear Alley Books, run by ace comics archivist Steve Holland, is to publish a guide to the the seminal British comic Boys’ World on 9th September – and if you order before 2nd September you can get a 10 per… Read More ›
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Titan Comics releases digital “Lost Planet”
Titan Comics have just released the first digital issue of a comics-exclusive story set in the Capcom’s Lost Planet universe, linking with the launch of the Lost Planet 3 video game In the US and Europe this week. Written by… Read More ›
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A Missed Gem: The Legend of Tom Hickathrift
I’ve been very remiss in not giving this gorgeous children’s story, The Legend of Tom Hickathrift, a plug before – so hopefully I can make up for it now. Released in May by Mogzilla Books, it’s written with his usual… Read More ›
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Woodwork: The Complete Work of Wallace Wood released
While we’re well aware this is a British comics website, we also know that many British comic creators are incfluenced by many things – not least of them the work of the late, great American artist Wallace ‘Wally’ Wood, whose… Read More ›
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Luke Cooper’s “Hollow Girl” – video trailer released
Comic artist Luke Cooper , whose work includes GoodCopBadCop and Wolf Country for Planet Jimbot, has just posted a trailer for his upcoming graphic novel from US indie publisher Blackline Comics, Hollow Girl: I Am No One. “The comic is… Read More ›
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Numbercruncher Collection announced
Titan Comics are to publish a Numbercruncher collection in December, collecting the entire much-praised series so far. Mesmerisingly written by the superb Si Spurrier (X-Men: Legacy, Crossed: Wish You Where Here) with gorgeous art from PJ Holden (2000 AD) and colourist Jordie Bellaire (Captain Marvel, Rocketeers,… Read More ›
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Crumb’s Weirdo Years from Knockabout
Weirdo was a magazine-sized comics anthology created by Robert Crumb in 1981, which ran for 28 issues. It served as a “low art” counterpoint to its contemporary highbrow Raw. Early issues of Weirdo reflect Crumb’s interests at the time –… Read More ›
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Reppion and Moore’s “Giant Killer” inspired by Gustav Dore
On sale now in all good comic shops from Dynamite Entertainment is Damsels – Giant Killer – a 32 page, stand alone, one-shot from Leah Moore & John Reppion, with cover art by Chrissie Zullo, interior art by Dietrich Smith… Read More ›
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Doctor Who Figurine Collection magazine launches in the UK
Issue 1 of the Doctor Who Figurine Collection is out now in the UK. Journey through the 50 year timeline over the course of the collection and discover the facts behind the greatest monsters, Doctors, Daleks and Cybermen. A brand… Read More ›
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Andy Diggle’s Uncanny #3 on sale now
During a meeting to discuss many things yesterday, Andy Diggle reminded me that the latest issue of Uncanny, his latest title for US publisher Dynamite, is on sale now in UK comic shops, part of the company’s Crime Line. Illustrated… Read More ›
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Madefire launches first IDW ‘Motion Books’ – Star Trek, Transformers and My Little Pony
One of the most-buzzed about announcements the week of the San Diego Comic-Con was digital comics creator Madefire’s partnerships with third party publishers and bringing the Motion Book treatment to their top properties. That day has come for the award… Read More ›
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Melksham Comic Con offers great creator line up – and Three Grump Editors!
A quick reminder that this Saturday is the day of Melksham Comic Con, a convention for the fans, by the fans. A day of comic books, games, sci-fi and pop culture madness in the heart of Wiltshire, the event includes… Read More ›
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Air war galore in new Commandos
DC Thomson Commando Issues 4631-4634 are on sale now in all good newsagents across the UK. Featuring a terrific-looking air war story, “The Black Buzzard” and a new “Convict Comandos” tale, here’s the lowdown on all four releases… Commando No… Read More ›
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Beano painting set to raise hundreds for charity
If you’re an art lover and like to support worthy causes, artist Gordon Tait has lovingly reproduced a stack of Beano panels onto one canvas. Funds raised from the sale of the painting via eBay will go to the Willow… Read More ›