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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Modesty Blaise comes to Radio 4
Daphne Alexander as Modesty Blaise. Photo copyright BBC (with thanks to Reuben Wilmott) A radio adaptation of Peter O’Donnell’s Modesty Blaise story A Taste for Death novel airs on BBC Radio 4 this week. Starring Daphne Alexander – who was… Read More ›
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Amnesia Agents Issue 1 Available From Jason Cobley
“Have you ever wondered what happens to the things – or the people – you forget? There is a place where these things end up, a place just beyond what we can normally see and hear… or remember. There are… Read More ›
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Keith Page brings Christopher Fowler’s Bryant & May to comics
The critically acclaimed cult detectives Bryant & May created by Christopher Fowler are the stars of ten deranged novels that explore London’s most arcane mysteries, from its hidden rivers to its secret societies. And now, thanks to PS Artbooks and… Read More ›
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Space:1999 graphic novel hardcover released
Don’t miss out on this collection
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Batman Automobilia Collection launches in January
A new fortnightly series, Batman Automobilia Collection, launches in the UK in January from Eaglemoss, which distributors Comag say will offer Batman fans and car model enthusiasts alike the chance to collect the most iconic vehicles ever driven by the… Read More ›
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In Review: One-Eyed Jack And The Death of Valiant
Hibernia Books, who have previously published licensed reprints of 1980s IPC strips Doomlord from new Eagle and The 13th Floor from Scream, are back with a factual fanzine about the weekly IPC comic Valiant and its links with 2000AD entitled… Read More ›
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Sherlock Holmes: The Liverpool Demon released
Sherlock Holmes: The Liverpool Demon #1, written by British creators Leah Moore and John Reppion and penciled by Matt Triano is on sale now in all good comic shops. Sherlock Holmes is busy doing what he does best, solving a… Read More ›
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The Really Heavy Greatcoat Review of the Year 2012
The Really Heavy Greatcoat by myself and Lancaster-based artist Nick Miller was published fairly regularly for about 20 years, last featuring in Comics International (yes – it was that long ago, now!). The strip was published for many years in… Read More ›
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Angels over Stalingrad out next month
The final collection of Joe Colquhoun’s work on the seminal aerial combat story Johnny Red, which also featured in Battle Picture Weekly, is out next month. This latest edition includes a feature on Stalingrad by Garth Ennis (The Boys, Preacher,… Read More ›
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Wagner and Ezquerra join growing guest line up at London Super Comic Convention
The creators of Judge Dredd, John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, are teaming up once more to attend the London Super Comic Convention in February next year. The huge event at London’s ExCel convention centre on 23rd and 24th of February… Read More ›
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Penguin buys ‘The Snowman’
Book publisher Penguin has announced the purchase of Snowman Enterprises Limited, giving the company full control of key publishing, feature film, TV, digital and merchandise rights to Raymond Briggs’ classic kid’s character and brand, The Snowman. First published in 1978,… Read More ›
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Tim Bird’s ‘Grey Area’ released by Avery Hill
Avery Hill Publishing – ” a small yet perfectly formed publishing company” – has announced the publication of Grey Area Issue 1, by British writer and artist Tim Bird. Titled While The City Sleeps, Tim’s first full length comic is… Read More ›
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Wallace & Gromit Take Musical Marvels On The Road
After their hugely popular BBC Prom at the Royal Albert Hall this summer, Wallace & Gromit hit the road with Musical Marvels, a new family show with performances taking place at the Brighton Dome (30th March) and London’s Hammersmith Apollo… Read More ›
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Dundee’s plan for real Bash Street to go ahead
The BBC reports that Dundee’s plans for a real Bash Street are to go ahead. The city council has approved the plans proposed by The Beano publisher DC Thomson to honour The Bash Street Kids which were being considered for… Read More ›
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Comics at Christmas on the Telly
(with thanks to Paul Gravett): There are a couple of comics-related TV events on British TV this Christmas you might like to set your recorders for. Firstly, on Boxing Day, you can enjoy a new one-hour television documentary entitled Moominland… Read More ›
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Colin Wilson, Frank Bellamy and Dan Dare
Several years ago comic fan Matt Emery, who writes the Pikitia Press blog dedicated to the work of Australian and New Zealand cartoonists, had the opportunity to have a rummage through artist Colin Wilson‘s studio. “Amongst his fine collection… Read More ›
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Present Ideas: Roy Of The Rovers
In the run up to Christmas there is always a need for a little extra inspiration when it comes to deciding which presents to buy (or put on your Christmas list). There is merchandise out there to do with British… Read More ›
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Present Ideas: Commando
In the run up to Christmas there is always a need for a little extra inspiration when it comes to deciding which presents to buy (or put on your Christmas list). There is merchandise out there to do with British… Read More ›
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SHAKO: the only bear on the CIA death list!
Spreading terror across the Arctic – the world’s deadliest polar bear!
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Issue 2 of Free Off Life ‘street comic’ released
Issue Two of OFF LIFE – the UK’s only free street press comic – is out this week. The magazine was being distributed in Bristol today, in London on Saturday and the digital edition was posted online at OFFLIFE.co.uk this… Read More ›