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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Alan Grant pens War of 1812 for Renegade
Renegade Arts Entertainment has just announced another Alan Grant-scribed project – this time with a historical setting rather than, perhaps, the horror and futuristic themes he might be better known for. Due for release in June, The Loxley’s and the… Read More ›
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Forbidden Planet announces Free Comic Book Day plans
Want to discover comics and need a place to start? Then visit any branch of Forbidden Planet on 5th May – Free Comic Book Day. Free Comic Book Day is perfect for fans and newcomers alike – if you love… Read More ›
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Comic costume call for Kendal Calling Music Festival
Image via Happy Slap Boutique The massive music event Kendal Calling has just announced its the fancy dress theme for 2012 will be Fairy Tales and Comic Books, a magical all encompassing theme that will see the site transform on… Read More ›
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London’s Birbeck college announces new comic courses
(With thanks to Norman Boyd): New certificate level comics courses are starting at Birkbeck, University of London from this autumn.Comics, Comix and Graphic Novels: IntroductionThis module introduces you to a range of comics in a variety of forms and invites… Read More ›
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Comics documentary maker faces funding threat
The Invisible Artist from Northern Visions NvTv on Vimeo. (with thanks to Andrew Luke): Northern Visions TV (NVTV), Greater Belfast’s community TV station which backed the comics-related film The Invisible Artist last year, is under threat of closure because of… Read More ›
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Can you help support DownTheTubes?
It’s that time of year again when our domain provider seeks to extract a fair chunk of change from my wallet for hosting the main DTT site (www.downtetubes.net). Put together by volunteers to promote the British comic industy since 1999,… Read More ›
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Transformers return, Marvel UK style!
Picking up the story 21 years later, IDW Publishing, in association with Hasbro, has released more information about Transformers: Regeneration One, an all-new monthly series continuing from the original Generation One Transformers comics originally published by Marvel UK. IDW… Read More ›
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Marvelman Challenge Winner!
Marking the 30th anniversary of the launch of Warrior earlier this year, here at DownTheTubes we issued a challenge to creators on our Forum to draw one of its most famous characters, Marvelman. While the response wasn’t huge – we… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Young Graphic Novelists, Spring 2012
Art by and © Warwck Johnson Cadwell As part of the Panel Borders radio show’s month of episodes on British comics, they’re having their twice yearly look at a pair of young graphic novelists this weekend. Warwick Johnson Cadwell has… Read More ›
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Great Beast awakens – a new UK indie publisher
The cover to Ellerbsims byMarc Ellerby Just launched is a new indie UK publisher, Great Beast, described as “the home of the UK’s best independent comics and creators.” The brainchild of creators Adam Cadwell and Marc Ellerby, Great Beast aims… Read More ›
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Comic Creators out to raise funds for charity on Free Comic Book Day
May 5th is the annual Free Comic Book Day and many comic creators are banding together not only to promote their books but also support charities. Simon Furman, Andrew Wildman, Stephen Baskerville, Jason Cardy and JP Bove, the Transformers ReGeneration One team… Read More ›
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Peter Pan Crowdfunding Project Announced
Artist and writer Stephen White, also known as Stref’, has announced a crowd funding initiative to get his latest project, a full colour 96 page graphic novel of JM Barrie’s Peter Pan, off the ground. “To me, Peter Pan is… Read More ›
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BD and Comics Passion Festival returns to London in May
I don’t know, you don’t have a comics gathering to go to and then three come along at once. In addition to the long-announced Bristol International Comic Expo (12th-13th May) and Kapow (19th-20th) in London next month, we’ve just had… Read More ›
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Killer Zombies set to storm London’s South Bank to promote comic launch
(via Mark Beer): Illustrator and comic artist Mark Beer has dropped us a line to tell us he’s collaborating on a digital zombie comic that will be promoted with a ‘Zombie Walk’ at the end of this month. Written… Read More ›
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Amanda Swan: The Hellfire Legacy From Rough Cut Comics
Glasgow based Rough Cut Comics have impressed before with their vampiric Rose Black and Rose Black: Demon Seed graphic novels. As part of the publicity for Rose Black, the company used British model Amanda Swan to portray the character of… Read More ›
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Wired Issue 1 Available From Emancipation Studios
Wired, the first title from new small press publisher Emancipation Studios is now available from their website. Based in West Lothian near Edinburgh, Emancipation is the brainchild of writer James Lundy who describes himself as a “lifelong fanboy”. Wired is… Read More ›
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2000AD blows into the Windy City
2000AD is making its first appearance at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo this weekend. The comics publishers say they are delighted to be working with Super-Fly Comics & Games, who are the event’s official 2000AD retailer. The Galaxy’s Greatest… Read More ›
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ROK Comics releases first iPad audio comic, Team MOBILE
ROK Comics, Britain’s dedicated mobile comics publisher, has published its first originated audio comic title for the iPad – TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E. Featuring a fully authored audio soundtrack and its own theme tune, TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E. is the exciting story of teenage… Read More ›
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New Comics Talent Competition Reaches Final Pair in Eagle Awards
It’s time to make your voice heard as the two finalists of the Huntsman’s Challenge new comics talent competition go head-to-head to win a prestigious Eagle Award. Inspired by upcoming Universal Pictures movie Snow White And The Huntsman, the competition… Read More ›