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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CamCon returns to Cambridge in August
Following the success of last year’s event, the CamCon team have announced that a third one day convention celebrating all things geeky will be held once again at the Junction in Cambridge on 30th August 2014 – and the guest line up… Read More ›
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Prince’s Drawing School announces Comics and Graphic Novels course
The Prince’s Drawing School, Shoreditch has announced a one week Drawing Stories: Comics and Graphic Novels course later this month, taught by Emily Haworth-Booth, the winner of last year’s Jonathan Cape/Observer/Comica Graphic Short Story Prize This one week course, is suitable for both beginners… Read More ›
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Scott Pilgrim creator Bryan Lee O’Malley heads to Edinburgh
Bryan Lee O’Malley, creator of the international bestseller Scott Pilgrim, is set to make his literary festival debut at this year’s Stripped 2014 graphic novel strand of Edinburgh International Book Festival to talk about his much-anticipated new graphic novel, Seconds,… Read More ›
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Gnasher dog toys on their way
DC Thomson Consumer Products has announced a partnership with pet accessories specialists Rupert’s Pet Shop for the launch of the first range of Dennis the Menace and Gnasher dog toys. Marking the brand’s entrance into the pet sector, the partnership… Read More ›
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Bear Alley Books “Countdown” book on sale next week
The latest comic index from Bear Alley Books, Countdown to TV Action, goes on sale from 4th July. The 200-plus page book, which features a a colour cover featuring the work of Gerry Haylock, John M. Burns and Gordon… Read More ›
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British Comic Shop Comic Releases (25th June 2014)
Here’s a list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic ships on sale today, Wednesday 25th June 2014, courtesy First Age Comics, Lancaster. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in bold… Read More ›
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Bunkerbound launches Classic Thunderbirds range
The Classic Thunderbirds giftware range from Bunkerbound goes on sale in the UK and Ireland this month, an early stage in the roll out of official Thunderbirds products, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the show in 2015 – and the… Read More ›
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Dennis elbow? Andy Murray guest edits The Beano
He’s no stranger to the pages of The Beano – having taken on Minnie the Minx in the weekly humour comic from DC Thomson in the past, for its 75th anniversary edition for example. But now Britain’s top male… Read More ›
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Titan’s limited UK edition Doctor Who photo covers, Twelfth Doctor #1 variants
Just to add to the list of Doctor Who first issue covers from Titan Comics, the company is to release these limited edition UK exclusive editions with photo cover variants. Only 1000 copies of each edition will be available… Read More ›
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Grant Morrison’s Batman stories under the microscope in new book
The Sequart Organization has announced the release of The Anatomy of Zur-en-Arrh: Understanding Grant Morrison’s Batman, by Cody Walker. Grant Morrison has made a career of redefining heroes, but his work with Batman has been the most comprehensive. From… Read More ›
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Moose Kid Comics launches today, features Young Tank Girl and much more!
An intrepid team of comic creators have just launched the amazing-looking Moose Kid Comics – a free, brand new digital comic that aims to be a showcase for talent and stories they feel will help make both British and international children’s… Read More ›
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What’s Through the Shop Window? Lakes Festival plans creator “Trail” of local art
In 2013, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival ‘Windows on Art Trail’ made an incredible impact, involving both business and locals in the inaugural event with fun displays of comics and comic-related ephemera. As with all such activities, the aim was… Read More ›
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downthetubes: Our Top All-Time Posts, June 2014
One of the great things about moving downthetubes to a “Content Managed System” last year is that we have a much better idea of what posts are the most popular… not that it’s changed what we post on the site!… Read More ›
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New writer recruited for Commando
The latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando, on sale today, 19th June, feature a new author — Kris Roberts — to the title, and, in a strange twist, one of the reprint editions features the first outing of an… Read More ›
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2000AD fans raffle artwork in aid of Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
2000AD fans have organised a raffle of art from the comic to celebrate reaching over 1000 members for a new Facebook group celebrating the work of the comic’s many creators. Although the raffle organised by the 2000AD comic artwork… Read More ›
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“Cabal” finally returns to Judge Dredd Megazine… sort of!
Judge Dredd Megazine comes crammed with its usual mix of Dredd universe-inspired thrills, including “Concrete Sky” – a ‘floppy’ reprint of “Judge Karyn” strips by John Freeman and artist Adrian Salmon
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2000AD “Terror Tale” sees first professional comics debut for portfolio competition winner
2000AD has always been known for finding fresh new talent and this week’s issue is no different, as it will feature Tom Foster – the winner of the Portfolio Competition at the 2013 Thought Bubble comic art festival. Already… Read More ›
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Titan Comics unveil trailer for “Alien Legion: Uncivil War”
Following up on the preview published back in March, Titan Comics have just released this trailer for their forthcoming comic book revival of Alien Legion, which launches next week in specialist comic shops across the UK and US. The new book… Read More ›
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Red Cross launches “Over Under Sideways Down” comic by Karrie Fransman
Last week saw the launch of Over Under Sideways Down – a comic book by Karrie Fransman for the Red Cross that charts the highs and lows of a young refugee’s journey to the UK. The comic, created for Refugee… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Comedies and Tragedies
Continuing a month of shows looking at the work of female comic book creators on the Panel Borders comic radio show, Alex Fitch talks to a pair of cartoonists whose work occurs at the opposite ends of the emotional… Read More ›