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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SEQUENTIAL launches September sale with VerityFair
SEQUENTIAL – the literary graphic novel iPad app, is having a special promotion on Graphic Novels from Britain, as part of which they’re reducing the price of acclaimed graphic novel VerityFair by Terry Wiley from $9.99 to just 99 cents… Read More ›
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British Comic Awards shortlist announced
The British Comic Awards committee has announced the shortlist for this year’s Awards, a project now in its second year. The winners will be picked by a panel of judges including Graham Linehan and Lenny Henry. The awards are designed… Read More ›
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Crowdfunding success for ‘Project Overwatch’
The world of comic books is caught in an endless cycle of regurgitated ideas, so Con Artist Entertainment, the team behind Project: Overwatch project, argue the only real solution to this is to move away from the overused character and… Read More ›
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In Review: The Hartlepool Monkey
by Wilfrid Lupano and Jérémie Moreau Publisher: Knockabout Out: Now The Book: An English language edition of Wilfrid Lupano and Jérémie Moreau‘s Le Singe de Hartlepool, telling the story of the legendary Hartlepool monkey, allegedly hung by townsfolk fearing it was… Read More ›
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Exclusive: When Creation meets Publishing: why Gemini Force One went Kickstarter
Jamie Anderson, the son of Gerry Anderson, has released a light-hearted video that explains just why he and author MG Harris decided not to go the traditional route when it came to publishing Gemini Force One – and turned… Read More ›
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Gary James’ British Comic Database site launched
British comics archivist Gary James has launched his British Comics Database web site, a project running to some 6000 pages of data about British comics, from the ABBA comic and Action to Zoids and Zorro – and the release of… Read More ›
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Magic Words, a new Alan Moore biography from Aurum Press
With Alan Moore soon to reach 60 (in November), there’s undoubtedly going to be a lot of interest in one of Britain’s most innovative and ground-breaking comic creators over the next few weeks, from both mainstream media and the comics… Read More ›
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Revengers tragedy ‘Venezia’ continues its crowdfunded publishing path
Venezia is a comic book series created by British writer Wolf Beaumont which launched last year – and raising funds for the production of Issue 3, the latest stage in this crowdfunding-backed publishing project, launched earlier today. The series is… Read More ›
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Titan grabs rights for ‘Plants vs Zombies’ title
Titan Magazines has snagged the rights to Plants vs Zombies, a hugely popular mobile game, growing a list of titles that already inlcudes Adventure Time, Simpsons Comics, Totally…, Transformers Comic and more. The new title is juist one of several… Read More ›
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Forgotten Planet Kickstarter offers creative Rewards for aspiring Comic Creators
It seems that these days lots of comic creators are using crowdfunding to kickstart their projects, as larger publishers take less risks and back away from projects that are aimed at a niche market or buck the mainstream trends. Now,… Read More ›
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Sean Phillips, Charlie Adlard head to Malta Con 2013
Wicked Comics have announced thatBritish creators Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead) and Sean Phillips (Fatale) will be joining Ian Churchill (Marineman) as guests to this year’s Malta Comic Convention (30th November – 1st December) at St James Cavalier. Having worked… Read More ›
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Brett Ewins reveals novel plans for 2014
Pete Milligan and Brendan McCarthy were at Gosh in London last night to launch their new Dark Horse collection, Best of Milligan and McCarthy – a deluxe collection of hard-to-find gems from the taleneted duo. Also there was Brett Ewins… Read More ›
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Paul Cornell guest of honour at Andromeda One
Andromeda One is a one-day SF, fantasy and horror convention taking place this Saturday (21st September 2013 at the Custard Factory in Birmingham With a guest list that includes Marvel comics writer and SF author Paul Cornell, SF author Jaine… Read More ›
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Come Dine with David (Leach, that is)
(via Lew Stringer): Cartoonist and editor David Leach (the creator of Psycho Gran, which has recently featured in Aces Weekly) is on Channel 4 this evening (Thursday 19th September 19th at 5.00pm) as one of the cooks on Come Dine… Read More ›
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Garen Ewing illustrates ‘The Book of the Dead’
(via Paul Cornell): Rainbow Orchid creator Garen Ewing has provided illustrations for an upcoming anthology, The Book of the Dead from Jurassic London, a collection of stories about Egyptian mummies, featuring stories by Paul Cornell, Gail Carriger, Adam Roberts,… Read More ›
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London Super Con 2014 announces first guests
The London Super Comic Convention has just announced its first guests for its 2014 event, running the weekend of 14th- 15th March, and will be spotlighting guests as they are anoounced. US artist Arthur Adams makes his first appearance at… Read More ›
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Fantasy authors offer handy tips on writing for Shared Worlds project
When it comes to writing (or indeed, any form of creativity) some days, you just need a little nudge… a simple reminder that you’re not alone on this path you’ve chosen. Maybe you simply need to know that someone else… Read More ›
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Meet Saltire, Scotland’s Newest Superhero
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and Diamondsteel Comics have announced the launch of Scotland’s first traditional comic book superhero. The #1 issue of the brand new title, Saltire – Invasion, is set for release at the 2013… Read More ›
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Nova Awards for best SF fanzines launched
The 2013 Nova Awards for excellence in SF fanzines are now open – and include a category for best fan artist. Anyone resident in the UK or Eire can vote, provided they’ve read at least six eligible titles. Many are… Read More ›
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Where in the world is Street Cat Bob?
Yes, yes, we know it’s only mid-September – but you can positvely smell the dreaded festive season coming when books like Where in the World is Bob? go on sale – inspired by the best-selling and oh, all right, quite touching tale… Read More ›