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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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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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 ›
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In Memoriam: Martin Skidmore
(Last updated 11/8/11): We’re sorry to report that Martin Skidmore, a longtime stalwart of British comics, has died after a long and difficult battle with cancer, aged 52. He died peacefully, surrounded by good friends in hospital in London, bouyed… Read More ›
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ThunderCats re-launch brings more new merchandise
Promotional art for the new ThunderCats animated series. © Warner Bros. (Updated 18/8/11, revised launch UK date added): Panini UK, which signed a deal to publish a new ThunderCats comic earlier this year (see news story), is not alone in… Read More ›
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Gosh! Comics Moves home – but not before one mega Alan Moore signing
Top London comics store Gosh! Comics have outgrown their happy home of 25 years close to the British Museum and are moving to new, bigger premises in Soho. But, before they go, they’re saying goodbye to 39 Great Russell Street… Read More ›
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British publisher MediKidz on the hunt for comic artists
British comics publisher Medikidz – a fast-expanding company set up to explain medicine to children through dynamic comics – are looking for enthusiastic pencillers, inkers, colourists, letterers and art studios to help create their books. The London-based company is specifically… Read More ›
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CLiNT #9 arrives Stateside – delivers Supercrooks Exclusive
British comic fans have already read it but the latest 100-page issue of CLiNT – perhaps one of its most potentially controversial issues yet – goes on sale in the US this week. Issue 9 is packed full with brilliant… Read More ›
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Enjoy ‘Gnashional Trust’ fun as The Beano invades stately homes
Britain’s National Trust has opened its doors to the nation’s best-loved cartoon characters this summer – letting The Beano’s mischief-makers run riot across the country. This week’s issue of The Beano is the first ever time the National Trust has… Read More ›
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Cartoon Museum celebrates Doctor Who in comics
London’s Cartoon Museum is to host an exhibition of Doctor Who comic art over the summer, celebrating almost 50 years of his adventures in print – and hopes it might solve a long-running mystery about the artists who first drew… Read More ›
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Things that make editors happy…
You see, this is what makes being an editor fun (sometimes)… bribes from artists! Of course, I did have to enter MacFormat and Men’s Health illustrator Bill McConkey‘s 1980s Classic Last Supper Movie Quiz first. I’m not sure if it’s… Read More ›