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.
-
Mazeworld collection set for 2011 release
Rebellion (the publishers of 2000AD) are to release a collection of Mazeworld, the acclaimed story written by Alan Grant, later this year. The creator-owned comic series ran in 2000AD between 1996 and 1999. With the tagline “Is Death the Door… Read More ›
-
Second Northern Sequential Arts Competition launched
In 2010, the Leeds-based comic festival Thought Bubble launched its very own national award with the support of Arts Council funding – and the second Northern Sequential Arts Competition has just been announced. The Northern Sequential Arts Competition is a… Read More ›
-
Thought Bubble official hotel announced, event plans promise snapshot of UK comic industry
The Leed-based comics festival Thought Bubble has just made a number of announcements – includinga remindert that this major comics event has been expanded over a week with a massive two day comic con. “Since our biggest and most successful… Read More ›
-
Beano’s Derek The Sheep On Stage
While there have been a good few British comics characters that have made it onto the cinema and television screen, from the infamous Sylvester Stallone Judge Dredd to the delightfully unique BBC TV version of Jane, there have been very… Read More ›
-
Tim Booth conquers pages of latest Spaceship Away
Artist Tim Booth has pretty much taken over the latest issue of Dan Dare and Eagle-inspired comic magazine Spaceship Away, delivering not just art and story on most of its strips but colouring on a new Garth reprint, too. We’re… Read More ›
-
US comics publisher Bluewater offers school lessons
Here’s an interesting item from across the pond that might well be of interest to readers and publishers involved in comic workshops and comic art lessons here in the UK, or whose range might appeal directly to English teachers (such… Read More ›
-
Panel Borders delivers PJ Holden, Al Davison
This week’s edition of the radio show Panel Borders starts a month of shows about comic book shops with have three interviews recorded at Oxford’s small press comics convention ‘Caption’. Alex Fitch talks to Doctor Who comic illustrator Al Davison,… Read More ›
-
Vatican hitman, Japanese warriors and more in Paragon 8
Issue 8 of the indie comic anthology Paragon is just out featuring a complete 15 page adventure starring the time-travelling demon-hunting Japanese warrior Jikan, ending the current story arc written by The Legendary Shark and drawn by Davey Candlish. Also… Read More ›
-
Planet Replicas launch Dredd costumes – ideal for vigilantes?
Prepare to dispense justice like Judge Dredd and Judge Anderson – officially licensed Judge replica costumes from Planet Replicas are coming. (We can just see these being snapped up by those ‘real life superheroes’ the media loves reporting on at… Read More ›
-
Scratch that fanzine urge!
British and Irish comics fan Steve Green is to finally launch his long-planned online zine Scratch, early next year – and is on the look out for contributors. First mooted in 2008 but delayed by ‘real life’, Steve says the… Read More ›
-
Tripwire #55 features Moorcock, Hester and McCrea’s "Warpaint" and more
A quick reminder that the next print edition of media magazine Tripwire, which includes a preview of the STRIP Magazine story “Warpaint” by Phil Hester and John McCrea, is available to pre-order from your local comic shop using the Diamond… Read More ›
-
In Review: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen – Century: 1969
By Alan Moore and Kevin O’NeillPublisher: Top Shelf/KnockaboutOut: NowThe Book: The second volume detailing the exploits of Miss Wilhelmina Murray and her extraordinary colleagues. Volume two takes place almost 60 years after the events of Century: 1910, in the psychedelic… Read More ›
-
Green Lantern artwork stolen
Green Lantern: Legacy Page 27. Pleasenote, this may or may not be one of thestolen pages – it’s included here as an example (via ComicArtFans): Green Lantern artist Brent Anderson‘s car was broken into while at the San Diego Zoo… Read More ›
-
MCM Expo attracts host of comic creators
The first MCM Expo in Manchester, taking place tomorrow (Saturday 30th July) has gathered a strong line up of comic creators alongside its TV and film guests. Warpaint and 2000AD artist John McCrea, artists Leigh Gallagher, Stephen Downey, Al Davison… Read More ›
-
Pirates of Pangea teaser poster revealed by Phoenix Comic
The team behind The Phoenix Comic, which launches “early next year” in the UK, continue to tease potential readers with some tasty artwork and other announcements. The latest news includes the release of promotional art for Pirates of Pangea, “an… Read More ›
-
Belfast ‘Barcamp" announced for comic creators
(with thanks to Andy Luke): The date has been confirmed for the second Comics Barcamp in the English speaking world – essentially an “unconference”, a creative business brainstorming seminar, run along communal lines. To take place at Blick Studios in… Read More ›
-
What Should Spaceships Look Like?
An article published by the BBC this week pays tribute to SF artist Chris Foss, who not only introduced SciFi Art Now but also influenced many of its contributors. The feature comes as Foss is promoting a new book about… Read More ›
-
Kieron Gillen discusses gameplay and fantasy comics
Concluding Panel Borders’ month of radio shows looking at the crossover between comics and games, Alex Fitch talks to writer Kieron Gillen about how his history as a video and computer game journalist has influenced his comic writing career. Alex… Read More ›
-
Comics and Conflicts Conference schedule published
The full schedule for the Comics and Conflicts Conference, which will be held on 19-20th August, 2011 at the Imperial War Museum in London aimed at comics scholars, practitioners, and enthusiasts has now been published. As we previously reported, the… Read More ›