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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Ultimate Spider-Man huge UK ratings success for Disney XD
While British comic publishers may be feeling the future is rather bleak, with rumours of The Dandy‘s impending closure providing a major news story for media outlets as diverse as Radio 4, ITN News and Al Jazera this week, comic… Read More ›
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Dundee Comics Prize competition returns with superhero theme
In 1944 The Dandy introduced a home-grown British superhero – The Amazing Mr X, who appeared in 14 instalments between 1944 and 1945. Drawn by DC Thomson staff artist Jack Glass, the The Amazing Mr X made a brief reappearance… Read More ›
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Asterix game in the works
A new browser-based game based on the hugely popular Asterix series created by Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny is in the works. Already one of the best-known comic series in the world with thousands of UK fans, the new browser-based… Read More ›
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Is it all over for The Dandy?
Desperate Dan by Jamie Smart, who comments on the title’s possible demise on his blog here National newspaper The Guardian has reported that DC Thomson may be considering an end to The Dandy, with its sales slipping away despite numerous… Read More ›
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Liquid Comics creates Guy Ritchie’s ‘Gamekeeper’ Motion Comic
Gamekeeper, an original, motion comic series launches exclusively today, 14th August on Yahoo! Screen, the ultimate video destination and produced by Liquid Comics, a digital media company that specializes in creating digital graphic novels. The motion comic is a motion… Read More ›
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Olympics don’t bring the gold for London’s Cartoon Museum
London’s Cartoon Museum has seen visitor numbers drop by 40 per cent over the past eight weeks. The Museum has now announced it’s extending its opening hours in the hopes of boosting visitor numbers. A combination of events have reduced… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Joe Kubert
A comics legend has, sadly, passed
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New Disney exhibition spans 90 years of company’s incredible history
Here’s a gem for California-based or California-bound Walt Disney fans: an exhibition of 500 artifacts from nearly nine decades of the company’s history – over 50 per cent of which have never been seen by the public – including models,… Read More ›
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Ninja Turtles, Grandville and other anthropomorphic comics on Resonance FM
Continuing Panel Borders’ month of shows about anthropomorphic comics, Alex Fitch talks to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman, Rich Magallanes (Senior Vice President, Nickelodeon animation) and British comic book writer David Baillie about the ever popular franchise. Alex… Read More ›
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Compal offers TV21, Eagle rarities in latest auction
Trigan Empire art by Don Lawrence Early issues of TV Century 21, Thunderbirds sweet cigarette cards, copies of Tornado, artwork by Don Lawrence, Ken Reid, John Bolton, Dudley Watkins and others are just some of the auction lots in the… Read More ›
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Egmont launches "Brave" magazine
Egmont has just launched a new Disney•Pixar title, Brave, to tie in with the new animated movie. Described as “a grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humour”, Brave uncovers a new tale in the mysterious Highlands… Read More ›
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Here be (Bob’s) Dragons…
SciFi Art Now contributor Bob Eggleton has just announced the release of his long-awaited Dragon Kalender (2013), on sale from Austria-based publishers Weltbild. If you don’t mind owning a calendar in German, then for €9.99 (plus delivery) you get 12… Read More ›
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2000AD national signing event shapes up
Following-on from the announcement last week of the first ever 2000AD National Signing Event, Rebellion have announced even more big names taking part – and the addition of a signing at Forbidden Planet in Belfast. To mark 35 years of… Read More ›
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IDW release more info on Judge Dredd collections
Following their Comic-Con announcement of the new ongoing Judge Dredd comic’s creative team, US publisher IDW Publishing has announced expanded and refined plans to offer new editions of beloved Judge Dredd material as well. Once again showing a willingness to… Read More ›
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European Fandom and Fan Studies Calls for Papers
Comic Fans, TV fans, film fans – you’re being studied! European Fandom and Fan Studies, a one day symposium, will take place on 10th November 2012 at the Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis and University of Amsterdam Department of Media… Read More ›
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Superheroes At Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has been running in Scotland’s capital annually since 1950 and was upgraded to Royal status in 2010. As part of the greater Edinburgh Festival, the Tattoo takes place in the open air high above Edinburgh… Read More ›
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2000AD available through the App Store
This won’t be announced until later in the week but 2000AD has popped up on Apple’s Newsstand app which is designed for newspapers and magazines. While you can buy digital progs, Megs and graphic novels through Clickwheel or the 2000AD… Read More ›
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2000AD goes on tour in run up to ‘Dredd’ film release
It’s been the cutting edge powerhouse of British comics since 1977 – and now 2000AD is celebrating 35 years of Thrill-power with its first ever National Signing Event. Just days before DREDD 3D hits movie screens, on Saturday 1st September,… Read More ›