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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Gary Erskine chosen to honour Andy Murray for Sunday Mail
Scottish comics artist Gary Erskine – currently busy promoting the amazing-looking Roller Grrrls project – landed a plumb commission to draw Wimbledon winner Andy Murray for yesterday’s best-selling Scottish newspaper, the Sunday Mail. The Scottish newspaper was clearly in no… Read More ›
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British Comic Award judges announced, nominations still open
The British Comic Awards committee has announce the judging panel for the 2013 Awards. The Judges are (in alphabetical order): Gareth David (lyricist and singer in the band Los Campesinos!), Lenny Henry (actor, writer and comedian), Stephen L Holland (co-owner… Read More ›
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Space Oddities Kickstarter aims to publish short strips pitched to CLiNT
Three talented creators have combined forces in a Kickstarter crowd funding project that aims to bring a number of strips pitched to Mark Millar and Titan’s CLiNT title to print in a collection titled SPOD! Oddities From Space. “In a… Read More ›
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Roger Langridge: Make It Then Tell Everybody
Roger Langridge chats about tricking people into liking their work, how cartoonists feel insecure about their own talent, getting better at writing and remaining visible. in the latest episode of fellow comic creator Dan Berry‘s Make It Then Tell Everybody… Read More ›
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Lakes Comic Festival launches Beano competition
The Lakes International Comic Festival, which takes place in October, has announced a special festival competition in partnership with The Beano for young creatives aged 15 or under. Design an original Beano character and be crowned the Comic Prince or… Read More ›
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Comics are my Rock and Roll – trailer for new film released
Comics Are My Rock And Roll: Trailer from Daniel Baldwin on Vimeo. Film maker Daniel Baldwin has made a new film about something that is popular the world over, self-publishing and a trailer is live now on Vimeo. The film… Read More ›
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Dredd’s ‘Day of Chaos: Endgame’ on sale next week
Hundreds of millions will die and mile-high tower blocks will crumble – but will Mega-City One fall? Day of Chaos: Endgame – on sale from 18th July – is the city-shattering, full-throttle conclusion to what is rightly acclaimed as one… Read More ›
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SelfMadeHero announces autumn releases
Talking of SelfMadeHero, the company has just announced some of its upcoming autumn releases The graphic novel renaissance in Britain continues apace, and our creators are receiving more attention and acclaim than ever before. This year the company has already… Read More ›
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SelfMadeHero creators head for Edinburgh International Book Festival
SelfMadeHero, UK’s award-winning independent publisher, is attending this year’s 30th Edinburgh International Book Festival with a number of its top British creators taking part in the newly created graphic novel section, Stripped on 25th and 26th August 2013. Glyn Dillon, author and illustrator… Read More ›
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Dennis the Menace and Gnasher Mega-Zine details released
DC Thomson has released details about its 100% Official Dennis the Menace and Gnasher Mega-zine, whose release tie in with the return of popular CBBC animation series Dennis the Menace and Gnasher. Launching on Wednesday 24th July, Dennis the Menace… Read More ›
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Dandy not dead, just resting, say DC Thomson
We reported yesterday on the demise of the Digital Dandy – but DC Thomson have announced that while the current version of their first dedicated e-comic is no more, they aren’t done with Dandy yet. In a statement on the… Read More ›
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Guest Post: Jamie Smart says “Make New Comics”
With the hopefully temporary suspension of the latest incarnation of Digital Dandy, just months after the demise of its print edition, British comics fans are feeling a little under siege as our industry continues to face threats to its business… Read More ›
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John McCrea, Al Davison head for Manchester Comic Con
The MCM Manchester Comic Con returns to Manchester Central on Saturday 20th July and a number of comic creators will be in attendance on the day. The expanded hall will play host to top games publishers such as Nintendo and… Read More ›
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Back in Time: An Interview with Chronos Commandos creator Stuart Jennett
Stuart Jennett, Creative Director at Alien Apple Studios, is a name older downthetubes might remember as a once rising star in comics, delivering some terrific work for Marvel UK in the early 1990s on their Warheads title – and then… Read More ›
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Digital Dandy Bites the Dust
We’re sorry to report that DC Thomson has pulled the plug on its Digital Dandy project, just 13 issues into its electronic run. DC Thomson has yet to officially confirm the title’s cancellation – as of this morning there had… Read More ›
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FutureQuake blasts out three ace new editions
Three fantastic new indie titles are on sale now from FutureQuake Press – including Issue 23 of the brilliant anthology FutureQuake, wrapped in a superb Elvis-inspired cover by Kev Levell. There’s a host of both well known and lesser-known names… Read More ›
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Comic maker Alex Brady featured in londonprintstudio Members Summer Exhibition 2013
The londonprintstudio’s Members Summer Exhibition 2013 opens this week, an organisation that regularly promotes and supports the comics form. The exhibition features work from 40 of London’s finest printmakers, ranging from emerging artists to established names, including comic maker Alex… Read More ›
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Andy Fanton takes over The Beano
Comic creator Andy Fanton seems to be on a mission to take over the Beano this week, – he wrote this week’s Little Plum, Ball Boy and the issue features his first ever script for Beano legends The Bash Street… Read More ›
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Air, Land and Sea – Commando’s coming at you from all fronts!
Here’s the rundown on the latest batch of DC Thomson’s Commando comic – one sale from today in all good UK newsagents – and in digital editions. Commando No 4615 – Palace’s Buckingham Story: Alan Hebden Art: Keith Page Cover:… Read More ›
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Libros.com launches its first International Comic & Graphic Novel Contest
The editorial team at Madrid-based Libros.com, a crowdfunding platform to publish books, has announced its first International Comic & Graphic Novel Contest, open to creators across the European Union.