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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Exhibitions Of Original Comic Art At Dundee University
This year the comic art exhibition at Dundee University, in conjunction with the Dundee Comics Day, will be Commando Battlelines which celebrates the 50th anniversary of Britain’s last war comic. Since the event that is now called the Dundee Comics… Read More ›
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New Merlin magazine out today in the UK
Newly launched, a new Merlin magazine from Attic Media
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Script And Art Droids Converge On Dundee
The latest guest list for the Dundee Comics Day, that runs as part of the Dundee Literary Festival at Dundee University, maintains the event’s reputation for inviting an impressive array of speakers. This year’s theme is “Wot Comics Taught Me…”… Read More ›
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Free Crucible t-shirt? Yes, please…
When a British-based company tshirtprinting.net offered us something for free in return for a spot of publicity for their wares, we took them at their word and asked them to make up a ‘Crucible’ t-shirt. We’re happy to report… Read More ›
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Have Team TOXIC met their match?
The latest issue of Egmont’s TOXIC is in the shops now and it’s packed with comics strips and comes with no less than three free gifts — secret spy glasses, a water squirter and “Deadly 60 Trading Cards”. One of… Read More ›
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Turf Sequel in the works?
Bleeding Cool reports that Jonathan Ross and Tommy Lee Edwards are considring a sequel to Turf, which was published in CLiNT in the UK and has just been releasd in a smashing hardcover edition by Titan Books. Jonathan Ross announced… Read More ›
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Combat Stress goes undiagnosed, even today
More than half of Britain’s GPs are unaware of how to spot Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in veterans – despite official guidelines being available,. defencemanagement reports that a ComRes poll commissioned by forces charity Combat Stress found that just 42… Read More ›
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Leeds Alternative Comics Fair in October
The 3rd Leeds Alternative Comics Fair will take place on Saturday 1st October, in A Nation of Shopkeepers, Leeds, just behind the Leeds City Art Gallery. In keeping with previous events, this small but perfectly formed event hopes to bring… Read More ›
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I’m ready for my close-up: Autumn Sci-Fi
As the Autumn nights start to draw in, ace podcast Panel Borders – who normally do comics stuff, but we think this item will appeal to our readers, too – has a couple of recommendations of DVDs worth staying in… Read More ›
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2000 AD Prog 1750 – Start Reading Here…
Greg Staples cover for 2000 AD 1750. © Rebellion 2000 AD Prog 1750 is a big jumping on point for potential 2000AD readers, on sale today (7th September) Lowlife by Rob Williams and D’Israeli The issue comes wrapped in a… Read More ›
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Little Lemming Books launched by Dave Windett
Sci Fi Art Now contributing artist Dave Windett and writer John Gatehouse have just launched Little Lemming Books, a new publishing imprint for print and digital media, kicking their line off with Trick or Treat, the first story to feature… Read More ›
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Little Lemming Books launched by Windett and Gatehouse
Artist Dave Windett and writer John Gatehouse have launched Little Lemming Books, a new publishing imprint for print and digital media, kicking their line off with Trick or Treat, the first story to feature aspring reporter Neela Nightshade. Town gossip… Read More ›
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Megazine reaps new Pat Mills and Clint Langley SF thrller
(with thanks to Pat Mills, via Matt Badham): American Reaper, by Pat Mills and Clint Langley, starts running monthly in Judge Dredd Megazine from 12th October 2011. Pat says it’s a dark science fiction thriller about future cops – known… Read More ›
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BD & Comics Passion weekend in London in October
(With thanks to Paul Gravett): London’s Institut Français in association with Comica Festival will hold the first of its annual BD & Comics Passion weekends in October (7th-9th). The graphic novel medium has grown over the years to become an… Read More ›
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Commando "Draw Your Weapons" exhibition opens at National Army Museum
The National Army Museum has just opened its small, but perfectly formed, exhibition based on the art of Commando comic, and Richard Sheaf was there for downthetubes on its opening night… The official opening night on Thursday (having been open… Read More ›
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You Tube Channel From Cinebook
Here on downthetubes we have been reviewing Cinebook’s English language bandes dessinees titles for some years now, from the mature action adventure of Largo Winch, Lady S and XIII, to the child-friendly fun of Clifton, Papyrus and Yoko Tsuno. You… Read More ›
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The Sixpenny Murder comic: an interview with John A. Short
The Sixpenny Murder is a new British comic written by John A. Short and drawn by David Hitchcock. Originally part of a project named Changing Places+ devised by a psychologist, it’s now available from John’s own comics company, Kult Kreations… Read More ›
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Favourite Comics from the Fabulous Fifties
Paul Gravett is giving a talk titled “Favourite Comics from the Fabulous Fifties” at Wokingham Library, Berkshire next week (Thursday 8th September 2011). ‘Comics Brainiac’ and editor of the forthcoming 1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die (which is… Read More ›