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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Opinion: Too Many Cons, Not Enough Pros
With a series of comic conventions upon us in the UK, which began last weekend and continues on Saturday with Kapow in London, Comic Book Alliance organiser, comic creator and book editor Tim Pilcher ponders the future of the Bristol… Read More ›
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Waking up to the power of comic readers?
Remember a time when advertising in comics was as much a part of the comic as the story? When manufacturers went out to use comics to reach their audience, be it a new advertising comic strip for Clarks Commando shoes,… Read More ›
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Creating Comics: Nick Abadzis
Born in Sweden to Greek and English parents, writer, artist and editorial consultant Nick Abadzis was brought up in Switzerland and England. He writes and draws comics and graphic novels for both adults and children and his stories have been… Read More ›
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Mega Signing at Forbidden Planet London this Friday
Forbidden Planet London is capitalising on Kapow this coming weekend by having a fantastic line-up of artists and writers for a fabulous Friday Night Mega-Signing. “On Friday 18th May, from 6 – 7pm, at the London Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue,… Read More ›
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British comic publishers join new MagAid campaign to fight illiteracy
British magazine and comic publishers have just launched MagAid, the first national project to use magazines to promote literacy. Established by the Professional Publishers Association, which represents the UK’s magazine publishing industry, in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, funding… Read More ›
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Team Girl Comic Kickstarted
A week ago we mentioned the Kickstarter campaign that Glasgow’s Team Girl Comic collective were running to finance the publication of TGC issue 5 and possibly reprint some of their sold-out back issues. It has been the most viewed blog… Read More ›
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Dan Dare art, Marvel UK collections up for auction
The Summer 2012 auction at Compalcomics is open, with nearly 200 British comic-related lots up for biding, including Dan Dare art by Frank Hampson, a limited edition Dan Dare bust and collections of 1980s Marvel UK titles such as Captain… Read More ›
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Comicscape Issue 3 out now
The third issue of Chris Smillie’s Comicscape, a free 48-page magazine offering reviews, news, and views for May 2012, is available now online. Top news stories include big successes for Marvel in their comic arc AvX and spectacular box-office smash,… Read More ›
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‘Kill Shakespeare’ creators hit the UK for signing tour
The Canadian creators of IDW Publishing’s Kill Shakespeare comic book series look to court controversy this month by bringing their take on Shakespeare and his characters to the birth country of the Bard himself this month – on a two-week… Read More ›
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Fantabulous! An art collection from Oliver Wetter
The artists who contributed to SciFi Art Now are a talented bunch, and always pushing the envelope when it comes to get their work “out there” for their fans and prospective clients. Oliver Wetter has gone a step further than… Read More ›
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Win tickets to see to see Pat Mills and Kevin O’Neill!
The BD and Comics Passion Festival is back in London later this month – and we’re delighted to announce DownTheTubes has two pairs of tickets to give away for their Pat Mills and Kevin O’Neill event, titled “London and Other… Read More ›
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Denny O’Neil pulls out of Bristol Comic Expo – but line-up still strong
Despite an impressive line-up of comic creators from both sides of the Atlantic at the Bristol Comic Expo this coming weekend, the event will, sadly, be without planned Guest of Honour Denny O’Neil. The organisers have announced the acclaimed DC… Read More ›
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"Haunted Bowels" comic released
Glasgow-based comic writer Craig Collins has released a collection of his small press oddball comedy to date, Haunted Bowels. Craig Collins is perhaps best known as the co-creator of Roachwell, a surreal comedy horror comic with art by Iain Laurie… Read More ›
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In Review: Keegan Jask – Tales From the Heaven-11
You know that slightly dodgy bloke in the pub who is known for exaggeration and who likes to embellish his stories? Well writer Paul Von Scott and artist Leigh Shepherd have given him a name, Keegan Jask, and sent him… Read More ›
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Mezolith writer Ben Hegarty visits Lancaster
Internationally renowned storyteller Ben Haggarty, writer of The DFC‘s Mezolith strip, returns to Lancaster on Thursday 10th May with the epic tale of Gilgamesh. Possibly the oldest story in the world, this ancient masterpiece will be presented by Ben in… Read More ›
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In Review: The Rainbow Orchid Volume 3
By Garen Ewing Publisher: Egmont Out: Now The Book: At the beginning of Volume Three, Julius Chancer and Lily Lawrence are recovering from the electrifying end of Volume Two. What does the future hold for Evelyn Crow and her gang… Read More ›
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Team Girl Comic Are Kickstarting Issue 5
The Glasgow-based Team Girl Comic collective have been active in Scotland for the last couple of years selling their main Team Girl Comic title, as well as the individual contributors own titles, around the various comic shops and events in… Read More ›
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Illustrators: A New Quarterly Journal About Brit and Euro Artists
In the last few years London’s Illustration Art Gallery have been releasing a series of books about, and reprinting older, British comics via their Book Palace Books imprint. These include The Modesty Blaise Companion reference book, a series of reprints… Read More ›