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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Rare first issue of Victorian ‘Comic Cuts’ goes under the hammer
A rare piece of British comics history goes under the hammer on Tuesday, when the online bidding for Comic Cuts Issue 1 closes over at Compal closes. We covered the auction in general earlier in the month, but this lot… Read More ›
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In Review: The Ballad of Halo Jones stage play
(Re-posted here with the kind permission of Matthew Charlton from the Fictionstrker blog) The Story: Halo Jones lives on the Hoop, a futuristic floating slum tethered to a future Manhattan. Citizens of the Hoop live on State Benefit and a… Read More ›
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Turtle frenzy in Hamleys!
Devoted Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans turned up at Hamleys toyshop on London’s Regent Street this morning for the exclusive early launch of the new toy range. For one day only early birds had the chance of snapping-up a limited… Read More ›
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Dandy countdown to electronic makeover continues…
The latest Dandy comic – counting down to the final print edition, on sale at the beginning of December – features a cover from what we’re told is the 1967 Dandy annual featuring Korky the Cat. (Thanks to George Shiers… Read More ›
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MCM launch Scotland show, expand Birmingham events
2013 will see the MCM Expo head north of the border for the first MCM Scotland Comic Con – a brand new one-day festival from the organisers of Britain’s biggest popular culture event, MCM London Comic Con. Debuting on 31st… Read More ›
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Howard Overman on Panel Borders
Panel Borders: Writing Misfits Concluding a month of shows about writing superhero stories, Panel Borders moves its attention from the comic book page to the small screen as Alex Fitch talks to Howard Overman about Misfits, E4’s award winning drama… Read More ›
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Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you… Water Closet Press
Available now from Water Closet Press – the brainchild of comic creators Richard Worth and Jordan Oliver – is the second issue of an engaging new title perhaps enigmatically titled Ladies and Gentlemen. The team describe Ladies and Gentlemen… Read More ›
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Brett Uren’s Kuzimu launched
Just shipped to UK comic stores is Brett Uren‘s spooky-looking Kuzimu (Volume 1), a haunting-looking title that is aimed at teen to mature readers. “Possibly Vertigo,” Brett tells us, “or those that love Hellboy by way of Moebius, if that’s… Read More ›
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Comics make the Costa Book Awards for first time
(Updated): Two graphic novels – Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes by Mary and Bryan Talbot and Days of the Bagnold Summer by Joff Winterhart – feature in the short list for this year’s Costa Book Awards – considered one of… Read More ›
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Rick Fury – Rapper on the rampage!
Don’t just read this comic – hear it! ROK Records has just released the first free audio-enhanced issue of FURIOUS, starring none other than Geordie rapping superstar Rick Fury. Featuring a full soundtrack that brings the story added life and… Read More ›
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Zeek Graphic Novel Series launched
Manchester-based Comic creator Enn Kae recently launched the first book in his Zeek series of graphic novels set in contemporary Manchester. The first book is available to buy through Smashwords.com and, for a limited time until 1st December, you can… Read More ›
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It’s The Dandy Show! Final print issue to be celebrated at London Mart
With the final print edition of The Dandy comic imminent – a 100-page special that includes a facsimile of the first issue – the London Comic Mart is marking its transition to a digital format on Sunday 2nd December by… Read More ›
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New Thunder Super Soap Division breaks into our quantum reality
The third issue of Paul Rainey’s Thunder Brother: Soap Division is now available to order from his online shop. Like both of the previous two, copies of which are still available to buy, it features a complete Thunder Brother: Soap… Read More ›
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British Comic Awards: The Winners
(Updated 19/11/12): The winners of the first British Comic Awards were announced at Thought Bubble last night. If you were at the Awards Ceremony, I hope you were pleased by the results. This was the first year of the BCAs… Read More ›
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Nich Angell Becomes First of Few on Kickstarter UK
Following a recent publishing deal with Zeta Comics, 27-year-old artist and writer Nich Angell has become one of the first British comic creators to launch a Kickstarter campaign, to fund the second installment of his book 7String. Aimed at a… Read More ›
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Pick up a Puffin comic?
Penguin Children’s Puffin Books have delighted children for decades, but now the imprint is set to make a major foray across multiple media with a new animated show for young children. Will it include comics, we wonder? Penguin recently announced… Read More ›
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Comics: Refreshing Parts Other Literature Can’t Reach!
Hot on the heels of Thought Bubble in Leeds this weekend, there’s an amazing event on Monday (19th November), brought to you by the Comica Festival with Book Trust at Free Word Centre in London. At Comics: Refreshing Parts Other… Read More ›
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Time Bomb heads for the West with latest release marking five years in business
The next release from Time Bomb Comics will be officially launching at this weekend’s Leeds Thoughtbubble Convention – along with at least 45 other new comics from other publishers and the first British Comic Awards. Written by Alex De-Gruchy with… Read More ›