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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Call For Papers: Transitions 5
Transitions 5 – New Directions in Comics Studies, an academic symposium taking place on Saturday October 25th 2014 at Birkbeck, University of London, has just issued its “Call for Papers”. The symposium aims to promote new research and multi-disciplinary academic study of comics/ comix/ manga/… Read More ›
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Anderson Entertainment hints at new “Ultramarionation” project
Anderson Entertainment – the company now looking at reviving many of Gerry Anderson‘s projects, but old and some unrealised back to life – has announced its intention to launch a new project to be filmed in “Ultramarionation.” Jamie Anderson,… Read More ›
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Titan Books releases “Charley’s War” omnibus
Titan Books is to release Charley’s War: A Boy Soldier in the Great War, a terrific omnibus collection of Charley’s War stories on 8th August, which features all-new scans of many pages direct from original art by Joe Colquhoun. While the… Read More ›
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Digital comic sales on the rise, reaching estimated $90 million
The market for comics and graphic novels in the United States and Canada reached $870 million at retail last year, according to a new estimate prepared jointly by comics business news site ICv2’s Milton Griepp and Comichron’s John Jackson Miller… Read More ›
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Warren Ellis signed by Universal Cable Productions to develop new TV series
Universal Cable Productions has announced it has signed award-winning British graphic novel writer Warren Ellis to develop an original TV series with Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment (The Walking Dead, Terminator). In addition to his huge range of comic credits,… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (23rd July 2014)
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale today in specialist UK comic shops, Wednesday 23rd July 2014, courtesy First Age Comics, Lancaster. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in bold below, or… Read More ›
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32 Years in the Making! Phil Elliott releases “Tales from Gimbley” collection
After 32 years in the making, Phil Elliott, one of the first “alternative” British artists I encountered in the 1980s through the pages of Escape, has just released a complete 184-page collection of his long-running “Tales from Gimbley” comic… Read More ›
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Lakes Comics Festival announces “Family Zone” Events creator line-up – Great Fun for all Ages!
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announced the full line-up of comic creators for the Comics Family Zone, one of its most popular events last year, comprising both free and pre-bookable events. Based in Kendal Library, Westmorland Shopping Centre and the Shakespeare… Read More ›
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TV21 “Daleks” artwork offered for almost £5000 on eBay
A page of “The Daleks” from the 1960s comic TV Century 21 is currently being offered on eBay for close to £5000. The page, drawn by Richard Jennings, featured in Issue 19 of the top-selling 1960s comic which predominantly featured… Read More ›
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In Review: Thirteenth Floor returns in new collection from Hibernia
Hibernia have teamed up with publishing giants Egmont again to bring readers a cracking second Volume of The Thirteenth Floor, the classic story that ran first in Scream comic and then in the new Eagle for many years, written by John Wagner… Read More ›
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Tempt Fayt and check out The Phoenix!
The latest issue of The Phoenix – Issue 133 is on sale now from select partners including Waitrose supermarket and via subscription and as a digital release for iPad. The Demon’s Watch continues this issue, as the errant team get ever… Read More ›
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TV21 returns as part of ‘Supermarionation’ release from Network
(Updated, 22/7/14): Network, the DVD and Blu-Ray label, has officially announced the return of the legendary British weekly TV Century 21 (better known as TV21). The special comic is being published as a special supplement to Network’s ’Supermarionation’ limited edition… Read More ›
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IDW to publish the complete Corto Maltese in English for the first time
Yes, we admit it – this isn’t a British comics news story. But the announcement from US publisher IDW that they’re to publish the amazing Corto Maltese saga in English for the first time is welcomed here at DTT HQ,… Read More ›
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Great War story arc continues in new Commando tale
DC Thomson’s Commando‘s ongoing Great War story arc, each story drawn by Keith Page, continues this month with “To Vimy… To Victory” this month. “As a tribute to those who served during the years 1914-1918 — on the Home… Read More ›
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In Review: Doctor Who – The Eleventh Doctor #1
Writers: Al Ewing & Rob Williams Art: Simon Fraser Colour: Gary Caldwell Letters: Richard Starkings & Jimmy Betancoourt Editor: Andrew James The Comic: A stunning new era begins for the Eleventh Doctor, as played by Matt Smith! Alice Obiefune has… Read More ›
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In Review: Doctor Who – The Tenth Doctor #1
Script: Nick Adadzis Art: Elena Casagrande (and others) Colour: Arianna Florean (and others) Letters: Richard Starkings and Jimmy Betancourt Editor: Andrew James The Comic: The Eisner Award-winning Nick Abadzis (Laika) and fan-favourite Elena Casagrande (Angel, Suicide Risk, Doctor Who, Star… Read More ›
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SelfMadeHero offers “How To Create a Graphic Novel” Master Class with The Guardian
Following on from two highly successful How To Create a Graphic Novel masterclasses, publisher SelfMadeHero teams up again with Guardian Masterclasses to offer a third opportunity to discover how to craft a graphic novel, which combines an introduction to the… Read More ›
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Doctor Who Adventures hits 350th issue, asks – are you the Ultimate Doctor Who family?
As Doctor Who Adventures reaches its landmark 350th issue, the editorial team have announced that they’re looking for the ultimate Doctor Who family in the UK. There will be Doctor Who goodie bags stuffed with prizes for the overall… Read More ›
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Comics Uncovered conference for aspiring comic creators wins Lottery Award
Do you think you’ve created the next Judge Dredd, Dan Dare, Batman or the next X-Men? Or would you like to be the next artist to draw Superman or Green Arrow? If you think you’ve got what it takes to… Read More ›
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2014 Harvey Awards Nominees Announced
The 2014 Harvey Awards Nominees have been announced with the release of the final ballot, presented by the Executive Committees of the Harvey Awards and the Baltimore Comic-Con. Named in honour of the late Harvey Kurtzman, one of the US… Read More ›