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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Copyright under review in Europe
The European Commission are running a public consultation on the future of copyright and they’re asking everyone – which includes comic creators – to get involved. The full consultation, which ends on 5th March 2014, is here: http://youcan.fixcopyright.eu The Open Rights Group,… Read More ›
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TItanCon Belfast announced for September
(via Andrew Luke): TitanCon Belfast returns in September, with tickets going on sale now from £15. The organisers can’t say too much about who’s coming, but comic creator and self publisher advocate Andrew Luke tells us he can confirm several popular… Read More ›
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“Does Your Dad Draw for Roy of the Rovers?”
Antony Harding pays tribute to his father, Tony Harding, artist on “Roy of the Rovers”, “Twisty”, “Look Out for Lefty” and many more classic British football strips… During my school years, from time to time older kids would come… Read More ›
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DieGo to publish top, award winning Italian comic character in the UK
DieGo Comic Publishing, the independent London-based publishing house founded by Giuseppe and Marcella Pennestri, has added another Italian comic book to the public: Desdemona, by authors Giuseppe Di Bernardo and Andrea J. Polidori. The series is scheduled for presentation next… Read More ›
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Garo and the Birth of Alternative Manga – London talk announced
(Via Paul Gravett): From its founding in Tokyo in 1964 to its temporary demise in 1998, the monthly Garo was a beacon for experimentalism in Japanese comics. Next Wednesday (26th February 26th) US comics expert Ryan Holmberg is giving a free illustrated… Read More ›
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London’s Orbital Comics hosts Liz Prince exhibition
(Updated 27th February): London’s Orbital Comics is currently hosting an exhibition of work by US artist Liz Prince, which runs until 9th March 2014. The exhibition coincides with the release of her latest book from Topshelf, Alone Forever: The Singles… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Gordon Bell
We’re sorry to report the passing of another British comics great – comic artist Gordon Bell, whose work most recently appeared in DC Thomson’s Courier newspaper under the byline Fax, but who is fondly remembered by many for his work for… Read More ›
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London’s Gosh! makes March British Comics Month
London’s Gosh! comic store has announced a huge range of British Comics-related events taking place through March, all focused on creators, and British comics publishers – be they small or large – such as SelfMadeHero, Blank Slate.The store will also be… Read More ›
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Diamondsteel Comics seeks new artists
Diamondsteel Comics, publishers of Scottish superhero comic Saltire, are looking for new artists for short stories, futuristic stories and children’s stories. “Diamondsteel Comics is always interested in adding the right artist to our group of talented illustrators,” they tell us…. Read More ›
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Lakes Festival confirms first round of guests, including Gail Simone and Jeff Smith
Hot on the heels of announcing the final creative line-up for its 24 Hour Comics Marathon, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival has just announced a number of top comic creators who will be attending their event in Kendal in… Read More ›
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Frank Hampson’s “Head of Christ” model up for sale
The sculpted Head of Christ created by the Dan Dare studios for Frank Hampson to draw Jesus for his Eagle, strip “The Road of Courage”, is being auctioned on eBay by current owner Dave Westaway. When Eagle artist and co-creator Frank… Read More ›
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2000AD’s Alan Grant headlines National Autism Awareness Day event
2000AD‘s Alan Grant and Scott and Liz Davidson will be at Stockbridge Library, Edinburgh on Wednesday 2nd April 2014 to talk about Scott vs Zombies – a comic based on the real life experiences of a young man, Scott, who has… Read More ›
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Doctor Who Magazine reaches record sales, and comic celebrates 50 years of continuous production
Panini UK are celebrating after achieving the highest ever ABC figures for Doctor Who Magazine, which features news and features about the BBC’s top SF show, along with all-new comic strip every issue. No doubt boosted by the series 50th anniversary… Read More ›
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Thought Bubble announces first overseas guests
The Leeds-based Thought Bubble has announced this year’s convention, part of their annual week of comic-related events will take place on 15th-16th November, and have announced some of their overseas guests already, conscious, perhaps, of the number of other comic… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival choose not one, but two 24 Hour Comic Marathon artists
After a huge amount of deliberation, grinding of teeth, frustrated wails, and budget-nudging the Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announced that not one but two artists will be joining its first 24 Hour Comics Marathon – Joe Decie and… Read More ›
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Hasbro preps release of original Death’s Head figure for 2014
It’s been in the works for a while but, finally, Hasbro confirmed at New York Toy Fair that its original Death’s Head figure is on the way. Originally announced (along with Deathlok, also set for release this year) as part… Read More ›
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CDComics completes “Butcher of Banner Cross”
British creator Craig Daley has been steadily beavering away publishing a series of comics – adventure, horror and other genres – for a number of years under his CDComics imprint, first published on CD but more recently as digital titles,… Read More ›
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Comics and music combine for latest issue of La Belle Dame Sans Merci horror comic
Chapter Two of English Gothic horror comic-book series, La Belle Dame Sans Merci, created by P M Buchan (BLACKOUT) and Karen Yumi Lusted (Tommi C. and the Cat Burglar) is now on sale, in print and digital versions, at http://pmbuchan.bigcartel.com…. Read More ›
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Panel Borders: The Hartlepool Monkey
Continuing a month of shows about French comics or bande dessinée on Panel Borders, Britain’s only regular comics radio show, Alex Fitch talks to writer Wilfrid Lupano, artist Jérémie Moreau and publisher Tony Bennett about their graphic novel The Hartlepool… Read More ›
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Compalcomics auction offers first edition Beano, Roy of the Rovers and Star Trek art
There’s a host of British comic goodies in the Spring 2014 auction at Compalcomics , which is now open, including an excellent copy of the first issue of The Beano, some great looking early issues of Mickey Mouse Weekly, art work… Read More ›