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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Comics at Christmas on the Telly
(with thanks to Paul Gravett): There are a couple of comics-related TV events on British TV this Christmas you might like to set your recorders for. Firstly, on Boxing Day, you can enjoy a new one-hour television documentary entitled Moominland… Read More ›
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Colin Wilson, Frank Bellamy and Dan Dare
Several years ago comic fan Matt Emery, who writes the Pikitia Press blog dedicated to the work of Australian and New Zealand cartoonists, had the opportunity to have a rummage through artist Colin Wilson‘s studio. “Amongst his fine collection… Read More ›
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Present Ideas: Roy Of The Rovers
In the run up to Christmas there is always a need for a little extra inspiration when it comes to deciding which presents to buy (or put on your Christmas list). There is merchandise out there to do with British… Read More ›
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Present Ideas: Commando
In the run up to Christmas there is always a need for a little extra inspiration when it comes to deciding which presents to buy (or put on your Christmas list). There is merchandise out there to do with British… Read More ›
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SHAKO: the only bear on the CIA death list!
Spreading terror across the Arctic – the world’s deadliest polar bear!
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Issue 2 of Free Off Life ‘street comic’ released
Issue Two of OFF LIFE – the UK’s only free street press comic – is out this week. The magazine was being distributed in Bristol today, in London on Saturday and the digital edition was posted online at OFFLIFE.co.uk this… Read More ›
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Full Stage Splash: A Comic Look at the Comic Book
Join the Sigil Club at the Hen & Chickens Theatre in London this weekend, as they dare to fit the entire history of the comic book medium into one hour of comedy, using sketches, puppets, fights and seven-foot long diagrams… Read More ›
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Ben Haggarty, Bringer of Dreams, in London
Ben Haggarty, writer of the Stone Age graphic Novel, MeZolith (illustrated by concept artist, Adam Brockbank) and sometimes contributor to the Phoenix comic, is performing his storytelling piece: Mr Sandmann: Bringer of Dreams and Nightmares at Rich Mix Theatre, Shoreditch,… Read More ›
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Digital Strip Magazine #7 on sale now
The digital edition of Print Media Productions STRIP Magazine #7 for iPad is on sale now from iTunes. Diamond UK have confirmed the print edition of STRIP Magazine #7 will be on sale in UK comic shops from Wednesday 19th… Read More ›
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2D Festival returns in 2013, first guests announced
2D, the Northern Ireland Comics Festival, returns in 2013 with a special, bumper edition with more guests and events than ever before. The festival is Ireland’s longest running annual comic event and runs from 30th May – 2nd June next… Read More ›
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Warren Pleece signing new book 25 years in the making
This coming Saturday, the 8th of December, British comics dude Warren Pleece (one half of the Pleece brothers) will be at Gosh! Comics in London, signing copies of his new book The Great Unwashed – a hardcover anthology 25 years… Read More ›
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Bonhams to auction off Sarah Jane’s ‘Figaro’ car
Bonhams upcoming Entertainment Memorabilia sale, to be held next week on Wednesday 12th December, will include an array of props, posters, costumes and related memorabilia from legendary science fiction movies and television shows including Alien, Superman, Star Wars, Blake’s 7,… Read More ›
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The Rainbow Orchid Supplement Now Available
The Rainbow Orchid Supplement, the latest publication in Garen Ewing’s world of The Rainbow Orchid, is now available from his webstore. This is a ‘DVD extras’ style publication acting as a bonus for Rainbow Orchid fans that Garen has published… Read More ›
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Dandy Exhibition and Talks at Dundee University
This Saturday coming, 8th December 2012, the University of Dundee University will be holding an opening event for their latest comics exhibition which will celebrate the 75th birthday of DC Thomson’s Dandy. The exhibition will look back over the Dandy’s… Read More ›
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Out of the Blue: "Thunderbirds" Shane Rimmer features on new solo album
If you have a Transformers, music and Gerry Anderson fan in your circle who you’re seeking a Christmas present for, then you might be tempted by Rob Cottingham’s solo album Captain Blue, which is not only a great sounding album… Read More ›
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New One-Eyed Jack / Valiant Fanzine Available
Hibernia Books, who have previously published licensed reprints of 1980s IPC strips Doomlord from new Eagle and The 13th Floor from Scream, are back with a fanzine about the IPC comic Valiant entitled One-Eyed Jack And The Death of Valiant…. Read More ›
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WebFind: The Eagle Annual Information Site
Eagle fan Ian Hartas has created an in-depth guide to the long-running Eagle annual over at www.EagleAnnual.info. The Eagle Annual Number 1 was launched in 1951 for the year 1952, building on the success of the comic which had been… Read More ›
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Hudnall, Mayverik deliver ‘Blue Cat’ for Aces Weekly
This stunning promo piece by Val Mayerik is for a new strip, Blue Cat by James Hudnall, appearing in the next issue of the digital comic Aces Weekly (acesweekly.co.uk) this month (December). In the story, Cindy Sparks is a 16… Read More ›
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Costa Award Nomination For Dave Shelton
When the shortlists for the Costa Book Awards (formerly the Whitbread Book Awards) were announced complete with their two graphic novels, Dotter Of Her Father’s Eyes by Bryan and Mary Talbot and Days of the Bagnold Summer by Joff Winterhart,… Read More ›