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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In Review: The Graphic Novel Man – The Comics of Bryan Talbot (and Competition!)
Produced by: Digital Story EngineFormats: HD DIGITAL DOWNLOAD & DVDDuration: 142 minutesRated: EPrice: £15.99 The DVD: The Graphic Novel Man: The Comics of Bryan Talbot is a series of documentaries which explores the development of acclaimed Graphic Novelist Bryan Talbot. The… Read More ›
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New “BBC Arts” Site falls short with distinct lack of comics coverage
I don’t like having a punt at the BBC. Down the years it’s brought great things to my TV screen and some of its web coverage of comics – such as the current run of articles on “The Art… Read More ›
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Memorial – The Great War Centennial Anthology in the works
Another anthology comic commemorating the World War One is in the works as the 100th anniversary of the war’s beginning looms. Like several other projects such as To End All Wars and Indian publisher Campfire’s stunning-looking World War One graphic novel,… Read More ›
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Sneek Peek: 2000AD brings back the “Sci-Fi Special”
It was one of the staples of hazy childhood summers, an extra dose of Thrill-power for the holidays. But now the 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special is back and with a new mission – to unveil a new generation of comics creators!… Read More ›
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Creating Comics: How Social Media subscribers can be your biggest asset
Oliver Wetter, head of Fantasio Fine Arts, is a freelance illustrator and Art Director from Germany who I first encountered while editing SciFi Art Now, my collection of SF art for ILEX, back in 2010. He has a lectureship at the IBKK art… Read More ›
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US publisher Arcana seeks submissions for “Steampunk Originals” anthology
(Updated): US publisher Arcana has announced an open-call for submissions to Steampunk Originals VII, their comic anthology series distributed by Diamond. Welcoming art of all styles/ media and stories of all tones/ genres, the resulting volumes are a kaleidoscopic exploration of the… Read More ›
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Becky Cloonan, Richard Starkings signings at Travelling Man this weekend
Comic creators Becky Cloonan and Richard Starkings will be signing at the Travelling Man stores in Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle this coming Sunday and Monday. Later in the month Becky will also be signing at Gosh! Comics in London… Read More ›
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James O’Barr, Michael Golden signing at London’s Orbital Comics today
A quick reminder that James O’Barr (creator of The Crow) and Marvel Comics legend Michael Golden (G.I. Joe, Micronauts, The Avengers) will be teaming up for a very special signing with writer/editor Renee Witterstaetter at London’s Orbital Comics later… Read More ›
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Fal River Festival offers free cartoon workshops with The Beano’s Nick Brennan
Budding comic artists and cartoonists are being offered a free opportunity to learn a few top tips and create your own comic book from Beano artist Nick Brennan at the end of this month, as part of a huge number of… Read More ›
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SBA is Dead – Long live Edinburgh Comic Con!
Following the successful outing of their first convention in Edinburgh, Hero Conventions have decided to re-brand their Something Bl**dy Awesome event as Edinburgh Comic Con. The first convention under the new namee will take place in 2015. The initial steps… Read More ›
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Bristol Comic and Zine Fair back in October
The annual Bristol Comic and Zine Fair returns to The Station on 4th October 2014, and the organisers have opended the dorrs to creators to apply for tables. The Fair, now in its fourth year and curated by Bear Pit Zines… Read More ›
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Weekend of Music And Poetry to mark 100th Anniversary of First World War
Garsington Opera has announced a special Beethoven weekend of music and poetry exploring the themes of tyranny, justice and freedom from oppression is planned to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War on 5th – 6th July. Peace… Read More ›
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Steampunk set to take over Morecambe!
The League of Splendid are inviting everyone to enjoy ‘A Splendid Day Out’ in Morecambe – “The Naples of the North” on Saturday 31st May. From noon until 4.30pm, everyone is invited along to the Steampunk Festival at the Platform in… Read More ›
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Comics Forum begins Manga Studies column
The academic web site bring together information on British comic studies, Comics Forum, has just launched its new monthly column on Manga Studies over at http://comicsforum.org. The first instalment is an introduction by Jaqueline Berndt that provides a fascinating overview of manga studies… Read More ›
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Pat Mills: Great War was world’s first sci-fi war
BBC Scotland has a new, short interview with Charley’s War co-creator Pat Mills on their web site this morning, in which he offers an insight into writing the strip… and why he believes how mechanised warfare – machine guns, zeppelins and planes – made World War… Read More ›
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Panel Borders investigates Private Eye
Continuing a month of shows looking at comic strips and controversy on Britain’s only regular comics radio show Panel Borders, guest presenter Tom Sutcliffe talks to Nick Newman (author of Private Eye: A Cartoon History) and magazine editor Ian Hislop about memorable… Read More ›
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British creators lined up for Malta Comic Con 2014
The dates for this year’s much-loved Malta Comic Con were announced last week by organisers Wicked Comics. The popular event, which promotes both burgeoning local talent and regularly includes British comic creators on the guest list, will be back on Saturday 29th and… Read More ›
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Diamond Announces Top Products For April 2014 in Comic Shops
Peter Parker has a second chance at life and heroism in Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos’ Amazing Spider-Man #1 from Marvel Comics, the best-selling comic book of April 2014 according to information provided by Diamond Comic Distributors, who deliver comics to Britian’s… Read More ›
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“The Cigar That Fell in Love with a Pipe” by David Camus and Nick Abadzis gets UK release next week
Next week (15th May) sees the hardback release of The Cigar That Fell in Love with a Pipe from SelfMadeHero by acclaimed French author David Camus, illustrated by Nick Abadzis, Eisner award-winner for Laika. On the eve of the release… Read More ›
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Judge Dredd newspaper strips – Missing in Action!
Legendary British comic book 2000AD is asking its readers to help solve a mystery – where have key episodes from the Judge Dredd newspaper strip gone? Later this year, 2000AD is reproducing the long-running comic strip from the national Daily Star newspaper (they ran some of them… Read More ›