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.
-
Reppion and Moore’s “Giant Killer” inspired by Gustav Dore
On sale now in all good comic shops from Dynamite Entertainment is Damsels – Giant Killer – a 32 page, stand alone, one-shot from Leah Moore & John Reppion, with cover art by Chrissie Zullo, interior art by Dietrich Smith… Read More ›
-
Doctor Who Figurine Collection magazine launches in the UK
Issue 1 of the Doctor Who Figurine Collection is out now in the UK. Journey through the 50 year timeline over the course of the collection and discover the facts behind the greatest monsters, Doctors, Daleks and Cybermen. A brand… Read More ›
-
Andy Diggle’s Uncanny #3 on sale now
During a meeting to discuss many things yesterday, Andy Diggle reminded me that the latest issue of Uncanny, his latest title for US publisher Dynamite, is on sale now in UK comic shops, part of the company’s Crime Line. Illustrated… Read More ›
-
Madefire launches first IDW ‘Motion Books’ – Star Trek, Transformers and My Little Pony
One of the most-buzzed about announcements the week of the San Diego Comic-Con was digital comics creator Madefire’s partnerships with third party publishers and bringing the Motion Book treatment to their top properties. That day has come for the award… Read More ›
-
Melksham Comic Con offers great creator line up – and Three Grump Editors!
A quick reminder that this Saturday is the day of Melksham Comic Con, a convention for the fans, by the fans. A day of comic books, games, sci-fi and pop culture madness in the heart of Wiltshire, the event includes… Read More ›
-
Air war galore in new Commandos
DC Thomson Commando Issues 4631-4634 are on sale now in all good newsagents across the UK. Featuring a terrific-looking air war story, “The Black Buzzard” and a new “Convict Comandos” tale, here’s the lowdown on all four releases… Commando No… Read More ›
-
Beano painting set to raise hundreds for charity
If you’re an art lover and like to support worthy causes, artist Gordon Tait has lovingly reproduced a stack of Beano panels onto one canvas. Funds raised from the sale of the painting via eBay will go to the Willow… Read More ›
-
Tomorrowland continues, guest starring… William Shakespeare?
Tomorrowland #2 is on sale today in all good comic shops from Titan Comics, continuing the music-led adventure from the Eisner award-winning writer of Wolverine: Origin and The Darkness. Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike, DJs at the world-renowned Tomorrowland festival,… Read More ›
-
Cape joins SEQUENTIAL digital comics project
SEQUENTIAL, the literary graphic novel app, have partnered with venerable publisher Jonathan Cape to make digital versions of Cape’s graphic novels available via Apple’s App Store. SEQUENTIAL is the new digital graphic novel storefront and reader, designed from the ground… Read More ›
-
Titan Comics Tomorrowland #2 preview!
This coming Wednesday sees the release of Titan Comics Tomorrowland #2 in all good comic shops across the UK – and we've got some preview pages for you. Written by Paul Jenkins, the Eisner award-winning writer of Wolverine: Origin and… Read More ›
-
Foyles Bookshop history retold in comics… big comics!
(via Paul Gravett): The history of Foyles, London’s famous bookshop and 2012 Bookseller of the Year, the location of many comic-related events down the years, has been illustrated by a stellar cast of graphic novel artists including Bryan Talbot, Hunt… Read More ›
-
Steampunk from the South West: Arthur tries for his Shilling
An enthusiastic group of British creators have baneded together to source crowdfunding for Arthur Shilling, a new ongoing comic series blending steampunk and the paranormal set for release on the 21st September 2013 at the first Dev Con in Plymouth…. Read More ›
-
CAPTION 21: Robots!
This weekend the East Oxford Community Centre is once again host to the comics festival Caption – and the event’s full schedule is detailed below. Creators from Oxford-based comics companies 2000AD and The Phoenix will be in attendance, and there… Read More ›
-
Robbie Morrison – Taking Dante DrownTown
In advance of his appearance with artust Jim Murray tomorow (Saturday 24th) at Edinburgh BookFest’s Stripped weekend, for the latest Panel Border podcast Alex Fitch talks to Robbie Morrison about his career in comics so far, from his 15 year… Read More ›
-
Doctor Who: Our Twelfth Doctor Art Challenge gathers pace
Find more photos like this on downthetubes Comics Forum Lee Sullivan – well known for his amazing Doctor Who art, but whose credits include Robococop and Judge Dredd – has kindly allowed us to add his first stab at drawing… Read More ›
-
Bayford Lodge, once home to Frank Hampson, up for sale
Noted as a property of “special interest”, Bayford Lodge, once the home and studio of Frank Hampson, the co-creator of Eagle comic’s Dan Dare and Ladybird Books artist, is up for sale once again – for just under £1.5 million…. Read More ›
-
Strontium Dog art, Beano Number One in latest Compal auction
The September 2013 auction at Compalcomics has just opened, offering almost 300 lots of both British and US comics, including Carlos Ezquerra Strontium Dog from his very first appearance in Starlord Issue 1 and a 1930s TV Boardman comic faturing… Read More ›
-
As CLiNT breathes its last, what’s the future for British comics?
This month sees the demise of Mark Millar’s CLiNT, the initial announcement made via US comic site Comic Book Resources, prompting bemusement from comic news sites that more regularly cover comic titles on the British newsstand. (Even now, downthetubes has… Read More ›
-
Holy Underwear, Batman! Diesel get personal
Clothing company Diesel has launched a new DC Comics Super Heroes intimate collection, under license from Warner Bros. Consumer Products. Inspired by the classic 1966 Batman television series – starring Adam West as the Caped Crusader – Warner believes that… Read More ›
-
Stripped Festival offers early release of collected ‘Young Avengers’
Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie’s take on Marvel’s Young Avengers has been widely credited as one of the most innovative and exciting comic series of the year. Young Avengers Volume 1 – collecting the first five issues of the comic… Read More ›