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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In Review: Disrepute by Thom Ferrier
Out: Now The book: A collection of Thom’s medicine-inspired cartoons, most originally published online at www.disrepute.info The Review: Thom (in reality, Doctor Ian Williams), also author of Graphic Medicine and other books, editor at GraphicMedicine.org, has been sending me copies… Read More ›
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Edinburgh Napier Creative Writing course plans ‘Open Doors’ event
The Creative Writing MA at Edinburgh Napier University has been called ‘a radical departure’ by The Times newspaper, and ‘a life changing experience’ by recent students. On Wednesday 27th June, there’s a chance to discover how the course could help… Read More ›
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Bryan Talbot scoops SNCF Award for Grandville Mon Amour
Congratulations to Bryan Talbot this morning, for winning the prestgious Prix SNCF prize for the French edition of his ace graphic novel Grandville Mon Amour. Bryan won the Prix SNCF for best graphic novel at a ceremony at the Gare… Read More ›
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In Review: The Loxley’s and the War of 1812
Writer: Alan GrantArtist: Claude St. AubinColorist: Lovern KindzierskiLetterer: Todd KleinEditor: Alexander FinbowPublisher: Renegade Arts EntertainmentDiamond Code: APR121209ISBN-13: 9780986820007 The Book: The story follows the Loxleys, a Canadian family living in the Niagara peninsula! as they’re torn apart by the American… Read More ›
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Haynes launches Thunderbirds Manual
On sale this week in all good bookshops is The Haynes Thunderbirds Agents’ Technical Manual featuring some terrific art by Graham Bleathman and offering unprecedented insight into the (sadly, fictional) workings of the Thunderbirds craft and associated rescue vehicles. With… Read More ›
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Strip Magazine to re-launch in September
Print Media Productions has reluctantly decided to delay its planned news stand launch of STRIP from June until September 2012. The decision follows discussion with the company’s news stand distributors, who suggested that the autumn would be a far better… Read More ›
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It’s Temple Time!
Undeath’s a beach! The 44-page Temple APA (Issue Eleven) is now available to download as a totally free PDF file, containing contributions from the likes of Dave Hailwood, Jim Stewart, Paul Eldridge, Simon Mackie, Malcolm Kirk and Tony Suleri. Intended… Read More ›
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Professional Publishers Association plans UK’s first international magazine festival
The Professional Publishers Association – an organisation representing some 200 publishers and existing to promote and protect the interests of print and online publishers of consumer and business media in the UK – has announced MagFest, Britian’s first ever international festival devoted… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Totnes Comics
Starting a month of shows about communities of comic book creators around England*, Alex Fitch travels to Devon to interview artists and writers who live and work in Totnes. Jock, Lee O’Connor, John Spelling and Dom Reardon talk their experiences… Read More ›
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Eagle Awards set to soar back next year
“People often say ‘Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet’ and this is one of those times,” announced Eagle Awards chair Cassandra Conroy. Referring to an announcement made by MCM Expo’s Bryan Cooney at the conclusion of 2012 Eagle… Read More ›
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Durham Red returns to 2000AD
She’s the bounty hunter with bite, the one and only Strontium Bitch – and she’s back in the pages of 2000AD this week! Durham Red, the bounty hunter whose mutation gives her a vampiric lust for blood, is back and… Read More ›
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Blank Slate’s ‘Nelson’ in the spotlight at Hay Festival
(via Sarah McIntyre’s blog): If you’re in Wales at the Hay Festival this weekend, don’t miss out on what is sure to be an awesome panel by six of the comics creators who made NELSON, published by Blank Slate –… Read More ›
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London’s BD & Comics Passion Festival a huge success
Jonathan Ross at BD and Comics Passion 2012Photo: BD and Comics Passion The weekend has passed, the temperatures soared and London’s BD & Comics Passion‘s second festival came and went with an enormous bang. The extended weekend of celebrations saw… Read More ›
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Japanese Embassy launches UK manga competition
The British Embassy of Japan is once again launching the major manga-writing competition, MANGA JIMAN 2012, with fantastic prizes and open to anyone fourteen (14)* years of age or over. The manga should in some way make reference to ‘GANBARE!’,… Read More ›
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Pushwagner exhibition prompts Milton Keynes small press fair
This summer, the Milton Keynes Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition of art by the acclaimed Norwegian artist and graphic novelist, Pushwagner. To run alongside the exhibition, they will also be putting on a number of events including, on the… Read More ›
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Bumper British comics auction announced
An auction of collectable British comics and annuals from the 1920s onwards – most published by DC Thomson – is set to take place next month on behalf of the estate of avid collector Des O’Leary. Organised by Bloomsbury Auctions,… Read More ›
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Andy Capp TV series finally arrives on DVD
Network has announced the DVD release of the complete six-episode series of the 1988 sitcom Andy Capp on 11th June 2012. Starring James Bolam, this comedy series was an attempt to transform the flat-capped cartoon strip legend from the Daily… Read More ›
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Last ever Eagle Awards? Let’s hope not
Marred by behind-the-scenes issued hinted at on other comic news web sites such as Bleeding Cool, this year’s Eagle Awards were announced as part of this weekend’s MCM Expo last night — and the awards co-owners MCM announced as the… Read More ›
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CLiNT revamps: more strips, more action!
Hot off the back of his 2012 Kapow convention success, Kick-Ass creator Mark Millar launches a stunning new volume of CLiNT, with a new 100-page Issue 1 featuring four new stories between its covers, coupled to a brand new look,… Read More ›
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Commando reaches landmark 4500 issue
Here we are again with another four Commandos – and it’s something of a landmark release this time around, with the title reaching Issue 4500 – surely something of a record for any comic (as, perhaps, is the number of… Read More ›