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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Panel Borders: Small press gay comics and zines
Small press gay comics and zines: Continuing a month of shows about gay and lesbian comics, Alex Fitch talks to cartoonists David Shenton and Sina Sparrow about their work. Shenton discusses his plans for new cartoon work and his current… Read More ›
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Madefire signs deal to bring its “motion books” to key US publishers
Groundbreaking. Innovative. Original. All these terms could be used to describe either the cutting-edge digital studio Madefire or their new US publishing partners: IDW, Top Cow, Boom! Studios, and iTV. In signing a new partnership, these trailblazing companies are going… Read More ›
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Multitasking Humanoids representative sought for the UK
The legendary graphic novel publishing house Humanoids / Les Humanoïdes Associés is seeking a multitasking freelancer to be its liaison person in the UK. This is a full‐time telecommuting position for someone with an existing strong knowledge of and interest… Read More ›
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Digital comics to be focus of major US trade conference in October
With digital comic sales in the US alone up threefold in 2012, to around $70 million, or around 9% of the total market, from $25 million in 2011, how can the business of comics and graphic novels keep moving ahead,… Read More ›
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Titan Books ‘Alien’ nominated for Harvey Award, but Brit creators absent this year
The 2013 Harvey Awards Nominees have been announced with the release of the final ballot, presented by the Executive Committees of the Harvey Awards and the Baltimore Comic-Con. Named in honour of the late Harvey Kurtzman, one of the industry’s… Read More ›
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Crucible: A Brief Guide to Pomorele
Taken from The Walking Guide to Shoorec by Ewek Venzlor For the last 50 years Pomorele has prided itself as ‘The Fishfree Sea’ and their Seacatchers pride themseelves on bringing back to the harbour a wide variety of ‘Hingies’, ‘Nippies’… Read More ›
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Batman Automobilia Special on sale this week
The Batman Automobilia Special, focusing on ‘The Bat’ vehicle from The Dark Knight Rises, goes on sale on Thursday (18th July). Batman’s first hovercraft, The Bat was almost as much a character as any of the human stars in the… Read More ›
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In Review: Chronos Commandos: Dawn Patrol #1
by Stuart Jennett Publisher: Titan Comics Out: Now (all good comic ships and digital outlets) The Comic: When the Allies and Nazis develop time-diving technology that could see the Second World War derailed by creatures from the Cretaceous, only the… Read More ›
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Dennis the Menace – Best Comic Character Ever
Fab British humour comics new site Wacky Comics reports that the Scottish Sun‘s poll to find out who is the best British comics character ever has closed and the results posted, and – based on a selectuon of ten characters,… Read More ›
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The Art Of Sean Phillips exhibition announced
To tie in with artist Sean Phillips book The Art of Sean Phillips – on sale in October from US comics publisher Dynamite – there will be a retrospective exhibition of his comic art, illustration and fine art at one… Read More ›
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Your Days Are Numbered Issue 6 interviews Gabriel Ba, Fabio Moon and INJ Culbard
The latest issue of Your Days Are Numbered – a free London-based independent graphic fiction magazine documenting the world around creators, comics and pop-culture – will be available from key comic ships in the metropolis from tomorrow (Saturday 13th July)…. Read More ›
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2013 Dundee Comic Prize – design an SF comic
The University of Dundee has announced its Third Annual Dundee Comics Prize, a competition to design a new British Science Fiction Comic, although, aside from a plug on the ever attentive Forbidden Planet blog and the launch of a Facebook… Read More ›
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Indie comic title Metrodome launched
Scottish comic creators Craig Collins and Iain Laurie have just released a new indie title, Metrodome. “Drawn from The Metro like poison from a wound, Eight Contenders in The Fight for Survival,” says co-creator Craig of the title’s story, “The Battle… Read More ›
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Crucible Poster Now Available
We’re pleased to announce the availabilty of three posters based on our Crucible story. Two feature art by Bernard Kolle, featuring Sylvana and Truug, characters from the strip Crucible. One is the final version of the art featured on the… Read More ›
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Full Page Splash show spoofs its way to Manchester
Last year, we reported on Full Page Splash, a new theatre show from the Sigil Club. which the team put on in London in November. Well, this fun, fast-paced show about the history of comic books is being performed again,… Read More ›
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Creators taking pride in The Pride, LGBT comic series
Have you ever been sick of being misrepresented? Of having no one like you to look up to? Have you ever wanted to change everything?Well, FabMan has. In a world populated by superpowers, the superhero is common. Sadly for FabMan… Read More ›
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Wimbledon champion Andy Murray in Beano’s 75th Anniversary edition
Wimbledon winner Andy Murray will appear in the 75th anniversary issue of The Beano, which goes on sale on Wednesday 24th July. Andy is the first British men’s Wimbledon champion to appear in The Beano as the last one, Fred… Read More ›
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Comic Forum 2013 Call for Papers: Small Press and Undergrounds
This year’s Comics Forum in Leeds this November (21-22nd – tying in with Thought Bubble) is titled Small Press and Undergrounds: A Conference on Comics, and a Call for Papers has just gone out. Although comics tend to be understood… Read More ›
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Free UK-based online artists support network launched
A free online artists support network is launching this week, primarily aimed at young people in the UK – including comic artists. The Artists Support Network service gives aspiring artists a simple way to request and receive help from established… Read More ›
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Beano, Dandy 2014 annuals now on sale
DC Thomson’s 2014 annuals are now on sale in all good bookshops and from online book stores. • The Beano Annual 2014 includes the usual mix of strips – Dennis the Menace, Roger the Dodger, Minnie the Minx, The Numskulls,… Read More ›