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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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 ›
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Thought Bubble convention to publish charity anthology
(Spotted on Broken Frontier): This year sees the Leeds Thought Bubble Festival (14th-20th November) celebrate its 5th birthday, and to mark this momentous occasion they’ll be publishing the first ever Thought Bubble Comic Anthology. On sale in October, the comic… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Garth Ennis’ Battlefields
Starting a month of shows about war comics on radio show Panel Borders, Alex Fitch talks to award-winning writer Garth Ennis about his interest in the genre, from the backdrop of conflict in his debut strip Troubled Souls to his… Read More ›
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Fight to remember the fallen in Wirral
23-year-old Helen Dodd has started an online petition and a Facebook group to save a war memorial field dedicated to fallen World War One soldiers, including Birkenhead war poet Wilfred Owen. The field on Ingleborough Road in Birkenhead and thought… Read More ›
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Western Front Association launches First World War imprint
A new imprint to encourage the publication of First World War information has been established by The Western Front Association, in partnership with Tommies Guides. Reveille Press will enable Association members to have their work published rapidly, efficiently and cost-effectively,… Read More ›
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ROK Comics launches teen secret agent comic
ROK Comics, Britain’s dedicated mobile comics publisher, has just launched its first originated comic title – MISFITS FROM M.O.B.I.L.E.
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British comic creators unite for charity in "Nelson"
Time for another plug for Blank Slate’s Nelson project. The publishers have just announced announce the complete line-up for the book, which a graphic novel project that will see all profits going to Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity. Seeking… Read More ›
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Comic Art Module launches soon at Jordanstone
A module which looks at historical and contemporary comic art practices and will include visits by top British comic creators is due to commence at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design at the University of Dundee this month…. Read More ›
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Wild about Jennifer Wilde
On sale now from Irish independent publisher Atomic Diner is the first issue of a three-part series Jennifer Wilde, written by Maura McHugh (from a story by Rob Curley & Maura McHugh) with art, lettering and covers from Stephen Downey…. Read More ›