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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Comics and music combine for latest issue of La Belle Dame Sans Merci horror comic
Chapter Two of English Gothic horror comic-book series, La Belle Dame Sans Merci, created by P M Buchan (BLACKOUT) and Karen Yumi Lusted (Tommi C. and the Cat Burglar) is now on sale, in print and digital versions, at http://pmbuchan.bigcartel.com…. Read More ›
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Panel Borders: The Hartlepool Monkey
Continuing a month of shows about French comics or bande dessinée on Panel Borders, Britain’s only regular comics radio show, Alex Fitch talks to writer Wilfrid Lupano, artist Jérémie Moreau and publisher Tony Bennett about their graphic novel The Hartlepool… Read More ›
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Compalcomics auction offers first edition Beano, Roy of the Rovers and Star Trek art
There’s a host of British comic goodies in the Spring 2014 auction at Compalcomics , which is now open, including an excellent copy of the first issue of The Beano, some great looking early issues of Mickey Mouse Weekly, art work… Read More ›
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Germany’s Western Front
If you’re curious about what was going on behind the lines of the German forces on the Western Front, then a series of books using documents from the time might be of interest. Germany’s Western Front by Mark Osborne… Read More ›
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Losers and Winners: Latest British News Stand Comic Sales revealed
There’s a mixed bag of results for British comics publishers in terms of reported sales for June – December 2013, based on figures released by the Audit Bureau of Circulations earlier today. As we’ve previously noted, many adventure titles such as 2000AD and Commando –… Read More ›
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Latest free OFF LIFE comic out now, launches Talent Match Making service
The latest edition of OFF LIFE, the UK’s only street press comic, is out now, available free from the usual outlets in Bristol and London, and digitally from the comic magazine’s web site here. Issue 8 – which comes in… Read More ›
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Penguin releases its first Official Beano Sticker Book
Today sees The Beano: Official Sticker Book published by Penguin, with over 1,000 stickers and packed with puzzles and activities written by Cavan Scott. This first ever Beano Official Sticker Book is packed to the rafters with puzzles, activities, funnies and over… Read More ›
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Sunderland Comic Con launches in August
The first Sunderland Comic Con, the North East Comic Book Festival will take place on 9th – 10th August 2014. This new event, taking place at Sunderland Software Centre, will see comic book writers, artists and creators attend from all… Read More ›
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Battles in the Trenches and Berlin, in latest Commandos
Here’s the lowdown on the latest issues of Commando from DC Thomson, on sale from tomorrow, Thursday 13th February 2014. Commando No 4679 – Deadlock At The Marne Story: George Low Art: Keith Page Cover: Ian Kennedy Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/13th-february-2014-collection?issue=4679 On the… Read More ›
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Jock heads for Croatia
No, we’re not talking about the summer holidays already. Comic creator Miljenko Horvatić has just dropped me a line to remind me about the comic convention MaFest in Makarska, Croatia (www.mafest.com), whose announced line up so far includes Eric Bourgier (Live War Heroes) and Olivier Coipel (House… Read More ›
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SelfMadeHero and SEQUENTIAL release Enhanced Digital Graphic Novels
SelfMadeHero, the UK’s independent graphic novel publisher, is making three of its popular titles available to read in a specially-enhanced digital format on the SEQUENTIAL platform for iPad. The books are Kiki de Montparnasse, José-Louis Bocquet’s elegant true-life account of Man Ray’s muse; H.P. Lovecraft’s… Read More ›
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Infinity Issue 6 includes Hannah Berry interview, out today
Infinity #6 – the terrific, free, digital magazine of graphic novels and sequential art is out today. This issue from Panel Nine, makers of the SEQUENTIAL app within which Infinity appears, features long interview with Hannah Berry, reviews of Hip… Read More ›
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In Praise of… Comic Artist John Gillatt
Comics editor and writer Barrie Tomlinson kindly sent us this photograph of himself with veteran artist John Gillatt at his home in Peterborough this weekend. John’s credits in British comics span decades, including work on “Jet Ace Logan”, “Johnny Cougar”,… Read More ›
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WebFinds: The Firelight Isle by Paul Duffield
My fav online comic, THE FIRELIGHT ISLE: http://t.co/OLECFWeg2X @paul_duffield has put everything @scottmccloud proved into play and more. — Page 45 (@PageFortyFive) February 10, 2014 A chance discovery via Twitter this morning (well not that much of a… Read More ›
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DieGo Comic Publishing launches Kickstarter for next “Rourke” collection
London-based DieGo Comic Publishing has just launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for the second volume of the company’s ongoing series Rourke the Hexbuster. The eagerly awaited Rourke the Hexbuster Volume II continues with a journey from Ireland to Africa, and… Read More ›
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Planet Jimbot’s “Wolf Country” returns with new artist
The second issue of Planet Jimbot’s Wolf Country series is on sale soon, written once more by Jim Alexander (Calhab Justice, Batman) and drawn by Will Pickering (GoodCopBadCop, Savant), who takes over from Luke Cooper on the book. The vampires-versus… Read More ›
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A Chat with a Homesick Truant: Comic Artist Oliver East
Manchester-based comic artist Oliver East has just launched his latest project, The Homesick Truant’s Cumbrian Yarn (ordering information for the first book below), a “walking comic” centred on the artist’s travels in the county dominated by the Lake District, commissioned… Read More ›
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Demand for ‘Snowpiercer’ graphic novel prompts immediate second printing
Originally released in January to widespread critical acclaim, Titan Comics Snowpiercer Volume 1: The Escape has gone to a second printing, just 48 hour after publication date, due to exceptionally high demand. Titan Comics says that fans eager to read… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Translating the Snowpiercer
Continuing a month of shows about French comics or bande dessinée, Alex Fitch talks to Virginie Sélavy this week on Britain’s only regular comics radio talk show, about her translation of Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand and Jean-Marc Rochette’s French graphic… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival 24 Hour Marathon creators revealed
Five of the six creators for the 2014 Lakes International Comic Art Festival’s 24 Hour Comic Challenge have now been revealed – with one more to find. On Thursday 16th October, as part of the Festival, six comic artists will… Read More ›