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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‘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 ›
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Commando Comic Art – The Show Goes On!
The exhibition of Commando cover art at the National Army Museum in London may have just finished, but fear not if you missed it. The Commando team have just informed us they’re working with another museum to put on a… Read More ›
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Creator-owned Improper Books launches, two titles announced
Just launched in time for the impending British comic convention season is Improper Books, a small collective of comic creators formed by writer Benjamin Read and artists Laura Trinder and Chris Wildgoose. On offer at the Bristol Comic Expo will… Read More ›
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Dark Judges make their mark on 2000AD web site
Fear. Fire. Mortis. The Dark Judges have returned to 2000AD. The countdown, which has been running at www.2000adonline.com, came to an end earlier today and the site has closed (although you can still get to the site’s online shop –… Read More ›
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Time Bomb announces ‘Kronos City’ graphic novel launch
Time Bomb Comics has announced their latest graphic novel, Kronos City, will be launched at the Bristol Comics Expo. Written by Andrew Croskery, with artwork by Alex Willmore, coloured by Lauren Willmore and lettered by Jim Campbell, Kronos City is… Read More ›
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Unofficial ‘City of Dredd’ guide goes on sale
The critically-acclaimed unofficial guide to Judge Dredd’s Mega-City One, City of Dredd 2134, is now available from lulu.com. City of Dredd 2134, by John Caliber, collects all the locations to have featured in official Judge Dredd and Dreddworld literature (comics,… Read More ›
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Immediate Media grabs Rastamouse for new magazine
Rastamouse© The Rastamouse Company Ltd Immediate Media, the publishers of Doctor Who Adventures and more, is to launch Rastamouse magazine, a lively children’s title aimed at pre-schoolers, based on the popular CBeebies TV programme and books of the same name…. Read More ›
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All change for look and feel of Commando comic
With news on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s war comic Commando comes news of another change to its format
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Win Avengers Assemble merchandise
Marvel licensee Colantotte are giving UK comic fans the chance to win six of their limited edition Neo Legend wristbands, as featured in the new Avengers Assemble film. Colantotte created the exclusive limited edition MagTitan Neo Legend bracelet as worn… Read More ›