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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downthetubes: Revamped and Renewed
We’re pleased to report that our ongoing changeover to an all-new design for downthetubes.net is proceeding fairly well. The aim is to now make this the first ‘point of entry’ for downthetubes and wind down our ‘Blogger’ blog as soon… Read More ›
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Leading Canadian horror actor film maker at Scardiff
Canadian actor film maker Anthony D.P. Mann is the latest guest to join the line up at Scardiff in October, a brand new horror expo co-produced by Fantasy Events, horror author Wayne Simmons and Shock Horror Magazine. A one day… Read More ›
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Digital Dandy is 10!
The Digital Dandy Issue 10 is out now, and it’s full of top class comic fun! Here are 10 things you won’t want to miss… Kingo Bango, the Dandy‘s big, blue cover star, is offering rides into space! Or is… Read More ›
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New Superman comic on sale now in newsagents
Timed to coincide with the release of new Warner Bros film, Man of Steel, the first issue of Titan Comics new Superman is on sale now. Featuring Henry Cavill in the lead role and directed by Zack Snyder, the Man… Read More ›
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Trevor Hairsine returns to Dredd
Fan favourite artist Trevor Hairsine is returning to 2000AD next week for the first time in 13 years. First appearing in the Judge Dredd Megazine in 1994, Hairsine has gone on to become one of the hottest artists in the… Read More ›
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Beanotown comes to life on the South Bank, London
The Beano is celebrating 75 wonderful years of rebellious fun, farts and laughter at Southbank Centre’s Festival of Neighbourhood in London – and you can join in the party at Beanotown, a recreation of the fictional home of the… Read More ›
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In Review: The Complete Flash Gordon Library – The Fall of Ming
by Alex Raymond Publisher: Titan Books Out: Now The Book: Continuing the comprehensive library of the greatest science fiction hero of all time, this brand new collection of library editions feature all new restorations that will preserve these legendary adventures… Read More ›
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Gromit gets ‘Beano-fied’ in a good cause!
The Beano is letting loose Dennis the Menace’s trusty sidekick Gnasher, to raise funds for the Bristol Children’s Hospital this summer, as the famous cartoon dog joins forces with Aardman’s triple Oscar-winning character Gromit, for charity initiative Gromit Unleashed…. Read More ›
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downthetubes: Back in Action
As you can see, downthetubes.net – your dedicated British comics news and views site – is back up and running after a temporary hiatus, and will now be the main point of focus for our delivering of British comic news… Read More ›
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Pirates of Pangea Checklist
The third series of Pirates of Pangaea recently drew to a close in The Phoenix – one of the title’s most popular strips – and Neill Cameron reports work is proceeding apace on the next chapter (“and indeed the next… Read More ›
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DC Comics vamps up its digital titles, will British publishers follow their lead?
DC Entertainment has just unveiled two new digital innovations today that the company says will take its comics to “the next level of interactivity” – DC2, a new initiative that layers dynamic artwork onto digital comic panels, adding a new level… Read More ›
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Manga Jiman Competition returns
The Embassy of Japan in the UK is once again launching their manga-writing competition, MANGA JIMAN 2013, with fantastic prizes up for grabs. Now in its 7th year, MANGA-JIMAN can be translated as ‘having pride in manga’ and the Embassy… Read More ›
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Don’t Panic! It’s All Change for Commando
It's all change for Commando as DC Thomson unveil the first set to feature new-style gatefold-out covers, as the title's price rises to £2 per issue. “Over the last two years we've been listening to our readers’ thoughts about Commando… Read More ›
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Beware of Dinosaurs: Forbidden Planet Chronos Commandos Signing announced
Comic creator and illustrator Stuart Jennett will be launching his new comic Chronos Commandos #1 at the Forbidden Planet London Megastore on Wednesday 10th July (6 – 7.00pm) When the Allies and Nazis develop time-diving technology that could see the… Read More ›
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Digital Dandy Issue 9 Now Available
Bertie Buncle’s Chemical Uncle has uncovered a new scientific formula! It’s… DD9 (D + D + D x C + G + DtvV) x iTAS + GP + d.com = FUN For any non-mad scientists out there, that means… Digital… Read More ›
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Fight My Monster joins BeanoMax – Beano strip to follow in August
DC Thomson has announced that a strip based on digital trading card game Fight My Monster will appear in The Beano for the first time in its Saturday 3rd August issue, alongside Dennis and Gnasher, The Bash Street Kids and… Read More ›
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Batman: Arkham Origins – Official Trailer
[embedplusvideo height=”309″ width=”500″ standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/9pnK8akbd2M?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=9pnK8akbd2M&width=500&height=309&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep7121″ /] Here’s an impressive-looking trailer from Batman: Arkham Origins, the next installment in the blockbuster “Batman: Arkham” videogame franchise whic goes on sale in the UK in October. Developed by WB Games Montréal, the… Read More ›
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Alternative Press at London’s No Dark Places Festival this weekend
Alternative Press are bringing the Small Press to No Dark Places, the DIY music festival tomorow (1st June 2013) in London. From 11am – 5pm, artists will be exhibiting and selling their self published comix, zines, book arts, and prints,… Read More ›
