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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“Neil Gaiman’s Lost Tales” arrives on SEQUENTIAL, raising money for Malaria No More UK
Neil Gaiman is a phenomenon, with an international fanbase, nearly two million Twitter followers and a string of best-selling books and graphic novels to his name. Today, Knockabout Comics, publishers of comics legends including Gilbert Shelton, Robert Crumb and Alan… Read More ›
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Creating Comics: Press Release Your Comic!
Here at downthetubes.net we get a lot of press materials from a wide range of comic creators and publishers. Some of it is very good (thank you, 2000AD, Commando, SelfMadeHero, Time Bomb Comics, Titan Comics and others). Some of it… Read More ›
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British superheroes heading for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
With US network ABC announcing Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has been given a full-season order this week, speculation is raging over which super heroes might appear on the show, following a cameo by Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson)… Read More ›
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There’s no stopping Zombies: US Walking Dead premiere delivers record ratings
The fourth season of The Walking Dead delivered the highest ratings of any episode in series history for US network AMC on its debut this week in the US. The season four premiere was watched by 16.1 million total viewers… Read More ›
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“Hello Kitty” goes super-powered…
It’s a crossover you perhaps never expected to see, but Warner Bros Consumer Products and DC Entertainment have just revealed the first full character creative artwork for the brand collaboration between Hello Kitty and DC Comics Super Heroes. The collaboration… Read More ›
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Eaglemoss launches Gerry Anderson Vintage Comic Collection
Great news for Gerry Anderson comic fans?
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Marvelman – sorry, Miracleman – back in print next year, all new stories planned
Marvel Comics has announced it will finally begin reprinting the Miracleman stories initially published in Dez Skinn’s Warrior from January next year – and finish the run with stories by Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham that have never been published…. Read More ›
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James Hudnall releases ‘Age of Heroes’ short story collection
US comics creator James Hudnall has just released his first novel – a collection of Age of Heroes short stories based on the comic strips created with John Ridgway, initially published by James in the 1990s under his own Halloween… Read More ›
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In Review: Egmont Classic Comics new Postcard Collections
A stack of goodies from Egmont arrived at our secret base yesterday: the first print products from the Egmont Classic Comics range and their new Thunderbirds comic collection, comprising strips from TV Century 21 and TV21, along with cutaways by… Read More ›
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Lakes Festival: Opening Night Tickets to be Grabbed!
Thanks to those fine folk at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, we have FIVE tickets for each opening night event on Friday to give away! The first people to email us at johnfreeman6-downthetubes@yahoo.co.uk to request a ticket and ask… Read More ›
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Andy Diggle, Angela Cruickshank take ‘Control’ to Dynamite
US publisher Dynamite Entertainment has announced husband and wife team Andy Diggle (2000AD, The Losers, Snapshot) and partner Angela Cruickshank will pen their new police procedural Control, which will feature art from Ben Oliver. The latest title in Dynamite’s stable… Read More ›
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Dan Dare Reboot Competition Entry: Keith Page
Here’s the first entry in our Dan Dare Reboot Competition by Commando and Charlotte Corday artist Keith Page. Keith is currently working on a special World War One series for Commando, and is working on a new script from Stephen… Read More ›
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IDW Publishing announces Watchmen Artist’s Edition
US publisher IDW Publishing has announced it will publish a special Artist's Editions of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen, produced under license from DC Entertainment. For the first time ever, readers will be able to enjoy Gibbons' intricately designed… Read More ›
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Pat Mills working on new World War One project with David Hitchcock
Charley’s War co-creator and 2000AD creator Pat Mills has revealed he is working on Brothers in Arms, a new World War One project, drawn by David Hitchcock. Pat continues to receive deserved acclaim for his World War One comic… Read More ›
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Kendal Church celebrates the power of comics during Festival
Just like many European festivals, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival is doing its best not just to attract comic fans to Kendal next weekend (18th – 20th October), but also to involve the local community in the event. So… Read More ›
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Dundee Comics Day Creator guests – details released
A quick reminder that Dundee Comics Day is fast approaching, an event that this year celebrates Starblazers – the creators of Science Fiction Comics. Comics Day 2013 will celebrate Science Fiction comics and will feature creators who have worked in… Read More ›
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Titan Comics announces new titles for 2014
Titan Comics has revealed a host of new wave of titles by a host of stellar writers and artists at New York Comic Con 2013 that will be released next year, including titles from established comics stars Rob Williams, D’Israeli,… Read More ›
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Joe Sacco discusses Great War at Comica event
The week after his appearance at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival with Guardian cartoonist Steve Bell, Joe Sacco will be in London at the invitation of ComICA, discussing the Great War, and in particular, the events of July 1,… Read More ›
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Andy Diggle heads for Lakes Festival
It’s just one week to go before the first ever Lakes International Comic Art Festival – and I’m looking forward to my session with former 2000AD editor and writer Andy Diggle. One of the UK’s leading comic-book writers, he is… Read More ›
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New e-anthology comic raises money for Cancer Research
Tales From A Lonely Planet is a new anthology e-comic crammed with 43 pages of comic awesomeness. Featuring the likes of Nick Gonzo (Execution Day), Stu Perrins (Harvey Spig), Vince Hunt (The Red Mask From Mars) and Luke James Halsall… Read More ›