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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Warm reception for new Judge Dredd’s tale "Cold Deck"
The co-creator of Judge Dredd, John Wagner, has praised “Cold Deck”, the latest Judge Dredd serial in 2000AD – a storyline by three of British comics’ top writers that has electrified the fan base. The audacious plot twist in last… Read More ›
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In Review: WesterNoir Book 1
Writer Dave West and artist Gary Crutchley take us to the Old West where they introduce us to the character of Josiah Black in the first book of Accent UK’s supernatural WesterNoir. In the Lucky Star Saloon in the town… Read More ›
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Leeds Alternative Comic Fair back in December
The free Leeds Alternative Comics Fair returns for its fifth outing on Saturday 8th December, and this time it’s got a distinctly seasonal theme. The organisers are encouraging everyone to ditch the Christmas shopping and discover a haven of creativity… Read More ›
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New Grandville book launches on Friday at Foyles, London
On Friday 9th November, the Badger is back! Comica Festival at Foyles will be presenting the world premiere of Grandville Bête Noire, the third thrilling episode in Bryan Talbot’s phenomenal Grandville series of anthropomorphic steampunk scientific-romance-thrillers starring Inspector Le Brock…. Read More ›
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Judge Dredd-focused digital issue of Tripwire released
The first digital TRIPWIRE edition since 2011 has just been released, this time focusing on Dredd 3D the movie. It’s packed full of Dredd-related goodies like interviews with Dredd comic writers John Wagner, Alan Grant, actor Karl Urban (who plays… Read More ›
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Kevin O’Neill at Foyles for Comica on Thursday
On Thursday 8th November British artist and co-creator Kevin O’Neill will be talking about his bestselling series League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Since 1999, O’Neill has been collaborating with Alan Moore on the imagining an entire parallel universe and secret history,… Read More ›
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Halo Jones heads for Thought Bubble
Scytheplays and Lass O’Gowrie Productions have announced that their much-lauded adaptation of writer Alan Moore and artist Ian Gibson’s comic book series, The Ballad of Halo Jones, is to be re-staged as part of Thought Bubble, the week-long comic arts… Read More ›
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Alan Moore releases single in support of Occupy and Anonymous
Art: AD Anonymous and Occupy supporters around the world are in for a special treat today, Monday 5th November, as Alan Moore, author of Watchmen and V for Vendetta from which those infamous Guy Fawkes masks became popularised, releases his… Read More ›
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Brit team bring Transformers fans biggest ever Optimus Prime-Megatron clash
Simon Furman, the comic creator who single handedly has probably done more to shape the mythology of Hasbro’s Transfomers than any other over the past two decades (and counting) is promising an epic battle in #85 of IDW’s latest Transformers… Read More ›
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Will Dundee Get A Real Bash Street?
(Updated 11/12/12): Class 2B of Bash Street School, otherwise known as The Bash Street Kids, have been entertaining us in The Beano since the strip first appeared under its original title of When The Bell Rings in the issue dated… Read More ›
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Truffle Shuffle launches Thunderbirds t-shirt range
Truffle Shuffle and Peter Black Footwear and Accessories have recently launched Thunderbirds lines either directly or in partnership with retailers. Truffle Shuffle’s “Classic Thunderbirds” inspired line of T-shirts for men and women, and sweaters for men, all featuring various characters… Read More ›
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Gosh London’s ‘Phoenix Activity Day’ kicks off at 1.00pm today
Back on Free Comic Book Day, Gosh Comics in London got a bunch of artists to come in with their pencil cases, draw all over their windows then sit down at the big Gosh! table and drew cartoons with kids… Read More ›
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Mark Millar on Panel Borders
Panel Borders: Millar World Starting a month of shows on Panel Borders about the art of writing superhero comics, Alex Fitch talks to Mark Millar, a 2000AD alumnus who now has his own anthology comic CLiNT, featuring popular alt-superhero saga Kick-Ass… Read More ›
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East meets West: Manhwha talents in London for Comics
If you’re free on Sunday 4th November and live in London, you may be interested in this event – Korean Manhwa and British Comics NetWorkShop – at Foyles Bookshop in Charing Cross Road. Five top comics creators from Korea and… Read More ›
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German comic artists in the spotlight at new exhibition
Art by Reinhard Kleist The University of Dundee’s Matthew Gallery is hosting a new comics exhibition in November, in partnership with Germany’s Goethe Institute and there’s an artist’s talk to open it this evening (Wednesday 31st October).Comics, Manga & Co…. Read More ›
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Organisers celebrate MCM Expo success
Last weekend’s MCM London Comic Con smashed all previous attendance records, with more than 70,000 visitors coming through the doors of ExCel. Claimed by the organisers as Europe’s equivalent to San Diego Comic Con, MCM London Comic Con the team… Read More ›
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STRIP Magazine #5/6 finally arrives in UK comic shops tomorrow
After several frustrating delays due to shipping issues, Strip Magazine Issue 5/6 – a giant-size double issue of Print Media’s action anthology – will finally reach UK comic shops tomorrow (Wednesday 31st October 2012). Priced at £4.99, the 96 page… Read More ›
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Neil Gibson aims to bring comics into the mainstream
Comic book writer Neil Gibson is to give a talk at the flagship Regent Street Apple Store in London on 15th November 2012 about his passion for the comic book medium, and, like many other creators of the medium, campaign… Read More ›
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CD Comics issues free Hallowe’en sampler
Sheffield-based CDComics is releasing a free ‘Taster’ of its digital titles free via Amazon on 30th/31st October 2012 – a sneak peek into a world of surreal murders and mysteries from the mind of their creator, Craig Daley. Whether it’s… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: 200AD artist Jose Luis Ferrer
We’re sorry to report the passing of Catalan comics artist and illustrator Jose Luis Ferrer