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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Strange New Worlds – in Worthing…
Saturday July 23rd and Sunday July 24th 2011 sees Team Strange New Worlds put on their second Science Fiction and Fantasy festival at St. Paul’s, Chapel Road in Worthing, with guest authors and artists from the worlds of comics and… Read More ›
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Madam Samurai takes Best Digital Comic prize at LA New Media Film Festival
The first volume of Madam Samurai publised by Scar Comics has won Best Digital Comic prize at the May 2011 LA New Media Film Festival, an event described as “Sundance for the Facebook generation”. The graphic novel about a female… Read More ›
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Imagined Cities: New londonprintstudio exhibition
Imagined Cities, a new exhibtion at lononprintstudio, opens this week (17th June) and features the work of a number of great British comic artists including Al Davison and Karrie Fransman. The exhibition will launch with a party on 16th June… Read More ›
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Andersonic 12 is Go!
The latest issue of the Gerry Anderson-inspired ‘zine Andersonic (Issue 12) is now available via the title’s website (and eBay for a short period) and features a new interview with former APF sculptor John Blundall in which he discusses his… Read More ›
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Markosia’s new British Superteam debut in August
Orang Utan Comics co-founder Peter Rogers’ first graphic novel The Interactives, hits shelves this August from Markosia Enterprises. scallywag is a guru in the geek community, having developed a very loyal and active online following. When creatures from mythical fantasy… Read More ›
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10 Questions: Comic Artist Jesús Redondo Román
Following up on our interview with this week’s 2000AD Terror Tales writer David Baillie yesterday, we’re delighted to bring you an exclusive quick interview with the legendary artist on the story – Jesús Redondo Román. Jesus returns to the Galaxy’s… Read More ›
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Family Guy comic
Steve White, editor of Titan Comics new Family Guy comic – which launches next month in the US and in August in the UK – says the comic will not only uphold the TV tradition of the Emmy-nominated animated show… Read More ›
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The Children’s Trust launches Big Book Challenge
With school holidays fast approaching (wasn’t it just half term?), a special reading challenge for young bookworms has been launched in aid of Britain’s The Children’s Trust. Over the next three months, children of all ages are invited to take… Read More ›
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Scottish MP savages Dundee University’s new comics degree
(Last Updated 9/6/11, added comments from Stewart Hosie MP) Scottish Labour MP Tom Harris has condemned news of Dundee University‘s new ‘Comics Studies Degree‘ announced earlier this week – despite the city’s long history as a comics publisher. Dundee University… Read More ›
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In Review: 2D Comics Festival
Last weekend saw Northern Ireland’s 2D Comics Festival take place within Londonderry’s city walls with entrance, workshops and talks all completely free. Patrick Brown, of Belfast Comics, reviews the event for downthetubes. The weekend just past saw the fifth 2D… Read More ›
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Redondo returns to 2000AD for Terror Tale
Veteran 2000AD artist Jesus Redondo is returning to the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic for the first time in more than a decade. As announced at the recent Bristol Comics Expo, the Spanish artist – perhaps best known in the UK for… Read More ›
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Art You Grew Up With offers limited edition X-Men prints
British art store Art You Grew Up With is offering some limited edition X-Men prints for sale, to tie in with the launch of X-Men: First Class in UK cinemas. The selection of limited editions on paper and canvas by… Read More ›
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WebFinds: Gail Scott, Space Pilot
Fans of Dan Dare and 1950s space comics might want to check out this fun web strip by Mark Toner – Gail Scott, Space Pilot. Featuring a group of Scottish friends exploring space, the current adventure – “Who is Mr… Read More ›
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Manchester Comic Collective Bigs Up its gathering
This month the Manchester Comic Collective is doing something a little more special than its usual gatherings of creators for a friendly drink – along with the Sandbar, they’ll be hosting the first Big Drink n’ Draw on the very… Read More ›
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Forbidden Planet lines up Peter Hogan and Chris Sprouse signing
Forbidden Planet London has announced a special signing in August by Peter Hogan and Chris Sprouse for their graphic novel Tom Strong and the Robots of Doom (Titan edition) As Tom Strong and his family prepare to celebrate a wedding,… Read More ›
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How to Engage Prospective Art Directors: Bill McConkey’s Film Quiz
Art © 2011 Bill McConkey. Used with his full permission Ever mindful of the need to stimulate the interest of prospective employers, SciFi Art Now contributor Bill McConkey mailed me a postcard using the nostalgic 1980s inspired image above –… Read More ›
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IDW republish Grant Morrison’s final ‘Doctor Who’ story
IDW’s Doctor Who Classics series, now re-publishing the Seventh Doctor’s adventures from Doctor Who Magazine has a ‘first’ and ‘last’ feel to Issue 5, on sale this month in the US. The collection sees the publication of ‘Culture Shock’, Grant… Read More ›
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Temple APA Issue 9 showcases British comics talent
The ninth issue of the Temple APA digital comics showcase is now available to download as a completely free PDF file. Featuring 48 pages of artwork and stories from a host of creators, including Tony Suleri, John Owens, Dave Hailwood,… Read More ›
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Eagle Awards 2011 Winners
Here’s the list of Eagle Award winners, announced at the MCM London Expo over the weekend. Favourite Newcomer Writer – Paul CornellA strange choice, given that I first commissioned Paul to write a Doctor Who comic back in the early… Read More ›
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‘Spirit of Hope’ charity comic anthology launched
Britain’s Comic Book Alliance will publish Spirit of Hope this month – a stunning-looking anthology featuring work by almost 100 comic creators in aid of survivors of the Tsunami and earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand which happened earlier this… Read More ›