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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Comic artist Steve Beckett lands in Kerrang – and so do many others
Ace cartoonist Steve Beckett has landed a new comics commission – in the first Kerrang Komic, published as part of Britain’s top selling Heavy Metal music magazine. On sale today, Steve is drawing Muse, who become the victim of their… Read More ›
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Call for Papers: Conflict in Children’s and Young Adult Fiction
A call for papers for a forthcoming conference on Conflict in Children’s and Young Adult Fiction at the University of Bedfordshire has just been announced – and comics and graphic novels will be on the agenda. The Hockliffe Conference: Conflict… Read More ›
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British ‘Showcase Comic’ preps for October launch
A new title highlighting British comics talent is currently in pre-production, and set to launch later this year. Announced last November, the British Showcase Comic from Markosia, dedicated to promoting the best indie British Talent working in Comics and Graphic… Read More ›
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Post 4000: A Thank You to Creators, Publishers and our Loyal Readers
Ye Ed. Art: Nick Miller This post marks our 4000th blog post since deciding to create a separate ‘news feed’ for our main site www.downthetubes.net. (This blog ‘feeds’ into our main site and forum, presenting news from a number of… Read More ›
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Aces Weekly announces line up for next digital volume
Aces Weekly, which showcases some of the brightest new and established talent from across the globe in an exclusively digital weekly comic art magazine, begins its seven-issue, seven-week runon Monday 4th February. Volume Three of the revolutionary digital comic art… Read More ›
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In Review: Porcelain: A Gothic Fairy Tale
WARNING: While I have tried to be circumspect in this review, mild spoilers do feature! Written by Benjamin Read, illustrated by Chris Wildgoose, coloured by André May, and lettered by Jim Campbell Publisher: Improper Books Out: Limited, indie release on… Read More ›
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British creators support Peter David charity art auction
British creators are supporting an auction to help American comics writer and novelist Peter David get back on his feet after he suffered a stroke late last year. The auction, which will take place later this month, has been organised… Read More ›
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Radio interviews featuring Denise Mina and John Higgins
Starting a month about the links between comics and literature, radio show and podcast Panel Borders presents Swedish Thrillers and dark Sci-Fi Fantasy this coming weekend. Alex Fitch looks at an example of a series of books that are being… Read More ›
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In Review: Nemo – Heart of Ice
By Alan Moore & Kevin O’NeillPublishers: Knockabout/Top ShelfOut: February 2013 The Book: It’s 1925, 15 long years since Janni Dakkar first tried to escape the legacy of her dying science-pirate father, only to accept her destiny as the new Nemo,… Read More ›
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Improper Books’ Porcelain set for limited release
Improper Books’ Porcelain: A Gothic Fairy Tale is having a limited, indie release on 27th February, and will be available from Page 45, Travelling Man, Gosh! and Orbital Comics stores in the UK. A gorgeous-looking 96-page graphic novel, written by… Read More ›
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Convict Commandos in a Frenzy of Fear
Here’s the rundown for the latest issues of war comic Commando from DC Thomson – the usual great mix of the new, including a new “Convict Commandos” story – and the carefully selected and re-presented, with plenty of air action… Read More ›
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Great Beast Comics launches titles by Marc Ellerby, Adam Cadwell
Great Beast Comics has announced the release of their first two graphic novels, Ellerbisms by Marc Ellerby and The Everyday by Adam Cadwell. Ellerbisms is the story of a relationship told in pictures through the autobiographical comics of Marc Ellerby…. Read More ›
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Immediate Media to Launch Pre-Teen Boys Title, Mega
Immediate Media Co is to launch Mega magazine next Wednesday (6th February 2013), a new humorous and fun title aimed at 7 to 11 year-old boys which, from the look of it, emulates the format of titles such as Egmont’s… Read More ›
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Larry Blamire releases Steam Wars trailer
One of the chapters of SciFi Art Now touched on steampunk and included the work of writer, director, actor and artist Larry Blamire. Larry has been promoting a project, Steam Wars, for some time now, and I’m delighted to report… Read More ›
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Manchester Art Gallery to host Zine Fair and publication launch
(With thanks to Matt Badham): Manchester Art Gallery is to host a Zine Fair and the launch of a new publication, Dreams Without Frontiers, on Thursday 31st January. Running fom 5 – 8.45pm, this is the first time the Gallery… Read More ›
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New Comics Expo At Dundee University in March
Despite the sad cancellation of Hi-Ex in Inverness, there are an increasing number of Scottish comics events in 2013. The Glasgow Charity Comic Mart returns to the Panopticon Music Hall on the Saturdays of 2 March, 1 June, 7 September… Read More ›
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Comic writers part of Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Signing at Forbidden Planet
Forbidden Planet is to host the first of what probably won’t be the last of its events to mark the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who on Saturday 9th March, with a special signing of the 50th Anniversary Collection from BBC… Read More ›
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Wetter’s Works: Prime, Androids and more
SciFi Art Now and SciFi Art contributor Oliver Wetter writes to let us know his work also features in the new Prime the artbook collection from 3d-total. Priced just shy of £36, this unique set of five books featuring some… Read More ›
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Scott, McCaffrey re-tell "The Last Days of Man"
Released in time for last year’s Thought Bubble, Paul Scott of Omnivistascope fame put together a US comic-sized collection of the strips he’s done with artist Paul McCaffrey, under the title The Last Days Of Man. Since the release, Paul… Read More ›