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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Michael Palin to narrate “The Clangers”
Award-winning actor, writer, presenter and comedian Michael Palin has been confirmed as narrator for the much-anticipated new Clangers series, a contemporary version of the British classic animated television show being co-produced by CBeebies, Coolabi Group, Smallfilms and Sprout, which will… Read More ›
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The Beano launches mischievous new app
The Beano has launched the first in a series of new apps for fans of its characters, following in the fottsteps of Egmont’s TOXIC to reach its computer and device-savvy readership. The Dennis & Gnasher’s Prank Sticker app, available now for iPhone and… Read More ›
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DC Thomson has high hopes of success for new “110% Gaming” Magazine
Beano publisher DC Thomson announced the launch of a new monthly children’s magazine last week, and it looks as though they’re pretty confident the title will be a success. The title, 110% Gaming, is aimed at eight to 12 year-old kids… Read More ›
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DC Thomson’s “Invisible Dick” revived (no tittering at the back!)
Two of Scotland’s top comic creators have revived DC Thomson’s classic character “Invisible Dick” whose adventures, when a name like that was more innocent and not, perhaps, considered hilarious, appeared in a number of titles across several decades, including… Read More ›
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Titan collects Greg Broadmore’s steampunk adventure “Dr Grordbort: Onslaught”
This week sees the release of Titan Comics first collection of Dr Grordbort stories, the creation of master illustrator and yarn-spinner Greg Broadmore. In the Dr Grordbort: Onslaught anthology edition from the retro-sci-fi world of Dr Grordbort, Greg digs deeper into the… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (3rd September 2014) – Carpe Diem, The Void and more
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops from tomorrow, Wednesday 3rd 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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Malta Comic Con 2014 offers a world-spanning guest line up
Malta’s Wicked Comics are clearly pulling out all the stops this year for their 2014 Malta Comic Con at the end of November, with a growing line-up of internationally renowned creators now announced. Here’s a run down of the most… Read More ›
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Scotland’s biggest comic con back in Glasgow this weekend
Last year’s debut MCM Scotland Comic Con was the largest comic convention Scotland had ever seen – and this year’s show, this coming weekend (6-7th September 2014) is set to be even bigger according to its organisers with comic guests… Read More ›
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“Requiem Vampire Knight: Resurrection” is latest Millsverse digital title
Pat Mills, creator of 2000AD, writer of comic series such as “Charley’s War”, “Slaine”, “Marshal Law”, “Nemesis The Warlock” and “Accident Man”, launched his digital label, Millsverse, on Comixology in July with the one-off PsychoKiller from Toxic! magazine. Now… Read More ›
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Alternative Press Picnic in Hyde Park on Sunday, TAKEOVER 2 confirmed
After the success of their first London TAKEOVER event, which saw some 1500 people through its doors to enjoy the delights of the alternative press, the team behind it have announced its return for 2015 – hopefully again in May…. Read More ›
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Lakes Festival offers discounted tickets – but deal ends on Sunday
With less than two months to go, things are really gathering pace and tickets for the 2014 Lakes International Comic Art Festival are already selling fast – with some events selling much faster than others. The run on tickets… Read More ›
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Luma Works set to launch ‘Storytime’ Magazine, rejecting cover mounts as selling point
New publisher Luma Works is to launch its first title, Storytime, on 10th September 2014 – a 52-page title offering a mix of fairy tales, folk tales, fables, myths, legends, poetry and extracts from well-loved children’s books that will… Read More ›
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Deadly Enigmas, Desert Hunters and not-so Deserted Islands in latest Commandos
Here’s details of the latest issues of Commando on sale today, 28th August 2014 in all good newsagents and digitally via iTunes, which include the return of the Convict Commandos, written by Alan Hebden. Commando No 4735 – Deadly… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: “Minnie the Minx” artist Jim Petrie
(Updated 29/8/14 to include tribute from Mike Stirling) We’re sorry to report the passing of artist Jim Petrie, an artist perhaps best known for his work on The Beano‘s “Minnie the Minx”, a strip he took over from… Read More ›
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Win a life-size TARDIS for your school with BBC Doctor Who Adventures magazine
If you’re looking for your own adventures in time and space then don’t miss the latest issue of BBC Doctor Who Adventures magazine, because the title is running a competition to win a life-size TARDIS to one lucky reader for… Read More ›
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Comic Soapbox Scotland showcases best of Scots political comics
A new comics project, Comic Soapbox Scotland, is showcasing politically engaged comics created in Scotland. The team behind it say the project is non-partisan and wants to hear from everyone working in the field of political comic comment. Cartoonists featured so far… Read More ›
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Sequart puts Star Trek comics under scrutiny in new book
The Sequart Organization has just announced the release of New Life and New Civilizations: Exploring Star Trek Comics, edited by Joseph F. Berenato, which includes coverage of the Star Trek comics originated in the UK. The creation of visionary futurist… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (26th August 2014) – Tenth Doctor #2 On Sale This Week
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops from tomorrow, Wednesday 26th August 2014, courtesy of First Age Comics, Lancaster. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in bold below,… Read More ›
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In Review: Doctor Who: Deep Breath proves a Curate’s Egg
(First posted in a shorter form on the downthetubes tumblr, minor spoilers): I’m glad to see that the Twelfth Doctor seems to have been well received in most quarters and was more than impressed by the opening episode of his… Read More ›
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David Hine’s “Strange Embrace” arrives on SEQUENTIAL app
Terrific news this week for digital comic fans, with word from publisher Russell Willis that SEQUENTIAL has added David Hine‘s stunning Strange Embrace title to their catalogue – a work that helped redefine graphic novel horror when it was first released… Read More ›