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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Bear Alley Books announces reprint of DC Thomson’s “Arena” strip
Steve Holland at Bear Alley Books has just the next title from the independent publisher will be a reprint of the 1979 series “Arena”, published by DC Thomson. Originally serialised in The Crunch, created by Dave Taylor (not to be… Read More ›
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ABC Results: Doctor Who Adventures publisher Immediate Media “continues to outperform”
Immediate Media Co, the publishers of Doctor Who Adventures and many pre-school titles such as Octonuats on sale on the British news stand, have issued the following statement in response to the latest ABC reported sales figures which we… Read More ›
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ABC Results: Egmont sees sales as “strong” and “thriving”
Egmont, the publishers of TOXIC, many pre-school and girls youth sector titles on sale on the British news stand, have issued the following statement in response to the latest ABC reported sales figures which we reported on earlier this… Read More ›
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Moleskine announces London “urban sketching” event
On Saturday 6th September Moleskine (the makers of the iconic notebooks and more) are hosting “the rise of urban sketching” event in London. The brand are collaborating with some highly talented sketchers who will be showcasing their skills during live… Read More ›
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VIZ UnMasked – or, “It’s not all over until the fat lady sings…”
Hot on the heels of the British Library’s “Comics UnMasked” exhibition comes the Lakes International Comic Art Festival‘s very own homage to art and anarchy in the UK – “VIZ Unmasked“. VIZ Unmasked will, amongst other things, reveal the dark… Read More ›
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Book Palace to publish limited edition “Art of Modesty Blaise” catalogue
London-based Book Palace is to publish a limited edition Art of Modesty Blaise catalogue, which will be presented free with any purchase from the art sales and specialist publisher of Modesty Blaise original art. Modesty Blaise, the tough and enigmatic character… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (20th August 2014) – Judge Dredd clone stalks 2000AD!
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops from tomorrow, Wednesday 20th August 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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British News Stand Comic Sales see surge for pre-school, dips for humour titles
(Updated 20th August 2014) The Audit Bureau of Circulations reported sales figures for January – June 2014 have been released, which include subscription sales, with Redan’s Peppa Pig and Immediate Media’s CBeebies Weekly titles continuing to do well in the pre-school market. Egmont, too,… Read More ›
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In Review: Countdown to TV Action
by Steve Holland Publisher: Bear Alley Books Out: Now The Book: The latest comic index from Bear Alley Books covers the history and content of Countdown and TV Action, the Gerry Anderson-themed comic from Polystyle launched in the early 1970s…. Read More ›
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Orkney gallery hosts 2000AD-inspired exhibition
If you’re heading to Orkney for your holidays, then you might want to drop in on a new exhibition featuring comic art by four artists who live on the island. The Orkney Comic Art Exhibition is being held on… Read More ›
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Dan Dare, Eagle, Beano, Thunderbirds and TV21 gems in latest ComPal auction
Two gorgeous Don Harley-created Dan Dare sketches, rare Beano and Dandy issues from World War Two and plenty of Fleetway Picture Library items are just a few of the lots in the September ComPal comic auction, which has just… Read More ›
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“Super Pope” artist Maupal exhibited in London
A slightly off-topic item, but some readers might be interested to know that London’s Le Dame gallery is currently exhibiting the work of Mauro Pallotta, also known as Maupal, who you might remember for his grand wall painting depicting Pope… Read More ›
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New Self-Publishing Experience Day in Cornwall announced
‘The Self-Publishing Experience Day – From Manuscript to Market’, which will take place next month in Cornwall, will bring together the UK’s most widely-recommended self-publishing services provider, the UK’s only dedicated self-publishing magazine and one of the UK’s leading book printers… Read More ›
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New look for Doctor Who Adventures as Twelfth Doctor debuts
To celebrate Doctor Who returning to BBC One on Saturday 23rd August with a brand-new series and new Doctor, the latest issue of Immediate Media’s BBC Doctor Who Adventures has an exciting new look. The magazine features an exclusive… Read More ›
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Fish finger sandwiches draw in fans of Sean Phillips art!
A selection of images from last year’s fantastic The Art of Sean Phillips exhibition has just opened in a Kendal café, to help raise local awareness of this year’s upcoming Lakes International Comic Art Festival (17th – 19th October) Festival… Read More ›
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Deadly Mines, Jungle Dangers and a shipboard traitor in new Commando titles
Here’s the intel on Commando Issues 4731-4734, on sale from today, 14th August 2014 in all good newsagents and for iPad and iPhone via iTunes. The 12-month World War One saga, every story drawn by Keith Page, continues with a… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (13th August 2014) – Carl Critchlow on IDW’s “Judge Anderson”
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops from tomorrow, Wednesday 13th August 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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Misty artist Shirley Bellwood makes first ever comic convention appearance
Calling All Misty Fans! This Sunday is your first ever chance to meet Shirley Bellwood, the amazing illustrator of the long-running British girls’ comic Misty‘s spooky hostess at Comica Festival at the British Library Book it! A painter, illustrator and… Read More ›
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Taschen’s mammoth “75 Years of Marvel” book by Roy Thomas on its way
Taschen, the well known “art book” publisher which has a slew of fantastic high quality titles to its name, recently announced the upcoming release of the 720-page 75 Years of Marvel: From the Golden Age to the Silver Screen by Marvel writer… Read More ›
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Rollerskating Bears? Oh my!
Glasgow-based cartoonist MJ Wallace, a regular submitter to Team Girl Comic, has a collection of her light-heared and funny comic Rollerskates and Breakfast Dates on sale now. Rollerskates and Breakfast Dates comprises some wonderful autobiographical… Read More ›