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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Digital Dandy Bites the Dust
We’re sorry to report that DC Thomson has pulled the plug on its Digital Dandy project, just 13 issues into its electronic run. DC Thomson has yet to officially confirm the title’s cancellation – as of this morning there had… Read More ›
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FutureQuake blasts out three ace new editions
Three fantastic new indie titles are on sale now from FutureQuake Press – including Issue 23 of the brilliant anthology FutureQuake, wrapped in a superb Elvis-inspired cover by Kev Levell. There’s a host of both well known and lesser-known names… Read More ›
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Comic maker Alex Brady featured in londonprintstudio Members Summer Exhibition 2013
The londonprintstudio’s Members Summer Exhibition 2013 opens this week, an organisation that regularly promotes and supports the comics form. The exhibition features work from 40 of London’s finest printmakers, ranging from emerging artists to established names, including comic maker Alex… Read More ›
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Andy Fanton takes over The Beano
Comic creator Andy Fanton seems to be on a mission to take over the Beano this week, – he wrote this week’s Little Plum, Ball Boy and the issue features his first ever script for Beano legends The Bash Street… Read More ›
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Air, Land and Sea – Commando’s coming at you from all fronts!
Here’s the rundown on the latest batch of DC Thomson’s Commando comic – one sale from today in all good UK newsagents – and in digital editions. Commando No 4615 – Palace’s Buckingham Story: Alan Hebden Art: Keith Page Cover:… Read More ›
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Libros.com launches its first International Comic & Graphic Novel Contest
The editorial team at Madrid-based Libros.com, a crowdfunding platform to publish books, has announced its first International Comic & Graphic Novel Contest, open to creators across the European Union.
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David Lloyd headlines virtual comic art workshop for ComicOut
ComicOut, an Italian organisation committed to the development of comic art, is to hold a virtual international workshop about storytelling in comics, with David Lloyd as host. David Lloyd is the creator of V for Vendetta, which mask is today… Read More ›
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Planet Jimbot’s ‘Wolf Country’ launched
Wolf Country issue 1, the latest Planet Jimbot comic – written by Jim Alexander with art by Luke Cooper – is out now. Wolf Country Issue 1 an all-new self-contained story, which Jim tells us will have “major ramifications” for… Read More ›
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Europe’s Lambiek.net enters digital arena with new e-store
The wonderful European comic reference site Lambiek.net has a new part of its operation – a comics store offering the means to buy digital comics and then redeem the purchase codes on your chosen digital device. Developed by web developer… Read More ›
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Neil Gaiman’s “Closing Time” features in new horror anthology
A short story by award-winning British comics writer Neil Gaiman features in Hauntings, a spine-tingling horror anthology published by Tachyon Publications and compiled by Ellen Datlow, an acclaimed editor of the genre that collects the most chilling ghost stories from… Read More ›
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2000AD announces Comic Con plans
With just weeks to go before the keystone of the comic book convention calendar, Britain’s 2000AD is gearing for San Diego Comic Con with a host of exclusive posters and T-shirts. Publishers rebellion have also announced their special guest for… Read More ›
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Cinebook set to launch Van Hamme’s ‘Wayne Shelton’ series in English
On sale soon from Cinebook is the first book of a new series from Jean Van Hamme , creator of XIII – which has just reached its conclusion – and Belgian artist Christian Denayer. In Wayne Shelton: The Mission, a… Read More ›
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Doctor Who Assimilation2 collectable offered at Comic Con
US collectable merchandise makers Bif Bang Pow! have revealed one of their San Deigo Comic-Con exclusives is a Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who Monitor Mates Bobble Head set that comes in a tin tote. Inspired by IDW’s Doctor Who-Star… Read More ›
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In All Fairness – Help Comic Creators Get What They’re Owed
US writer Gerry Conway has launched The Comcs Equity Project, appealing for fans help to track and identify DC Comics created since the mid 1970s to help DC creators receive a share of the profits generated by their creations that… Read More ›
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Space comics galore – from Glasgow!
Glasgow’s Sparkle Horse was the venue for the launch of not one but two space-themed comics recently – The Amateur Astronomer’s Journal by Neil Slorance and Bunny behind the Moon by Gill Hatcher. Bunny Behind the Moon by Glasgow-based Gill… Read More ›
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cereal:geek magazine goes video game crazy…
The latest issue of cereal:geek, the magazine devoted to animation of the 1980s, is now available for pre-order. Issue 16 showcases animation inspired by video games. Not only did some cartoons of the 1980s receive the video game treatment, but… Read More ›
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In Review – Project Luna: 1947
by Martin Hayes and Jim Boswell Publisher: Markosia Out: Now (Hardcover) Trade: 1st July 2013 The Book: Set in 1947, amidst the largest UFO flap in history, four disparate crew members are chosen to go to the moon to investigate… Read More ›
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Authorised Nelson Mandela comic biography gets re-promoted
As the world holds its breath as he battles illness, UK distributors Gazelle have re-promoted the authorised Nelson Mandela comic. Nelson Mandela was called a terrorist, forced into hiding, captured, threatened with the death penalty and eventually thrown into jail… Read More ›
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Writing Visual Culture: Digital Comics – Call for papers
Writing Visual Culture is the open access, double-blind peer-reviewed journal of the University of Hertfordshire’s TVAD Research Group. The journal’s focus is the relationship between text, narrative and image. We are currently seeking submissions for a new themed edition examining… Read More ›
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Panini Up for Sale?
A number of Italian news sites such as lospaziobianco.it and English media site Bleeding Cool are reporting the major European publisher Panini Modena may be up for sale. Citing a story in Il Mondo magazine (not available online but appearing… Read More ›