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.
-
Dredd movie release date set for September 2012
Karl Urban as Judge Dredd. Via IM Global (with thanks to Everything Comes Back to 2000AD): Variety is reporting that the release date for the Judge Dredd movie – titled simply Dredd – starring Karl Urban as 21st September 2012…. Read More ›
-
Diesel launches Only the Brave Captain America fragrance
Well, Parliament has wound up for the summer and it’s time for the traditional ‘silly season’ of stories, as the news media scrabble for stories to fill both print and electronic pages. We just didn’t think things would start here… Read More ›
-
Panel Borders: Infamous Games and Comics
Continuing the Panel Borders radio show’s month of shows about the crossover between games and comics, Alex Fitch talks to writer Pat Mills about the series of seven online comic strips he’s written to accompany the release of the new… Read More ›
-
You can’t flush this web comic away…
Comic creator Gordon Robertson has just launchd a new web comic inspired by a very personal story. Provocatively titled Arse Cancer, “it’s not just a catchy title,” says Gordon. “A year ago I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. I was… Read More ›
-
British indie comic anthology Vanguard debuts
Comic creator Dirk van Dom and a few others from the 2000 AD forums have put together their own anthology title – Vanguard – and issue 1 is now on sale. Vanguard features four (would be) on-going serials, written by… Read More ›
-
londonprintstudio offers five internships in comics for 21-25 year olds
Al Davison at a londonprintstudio comic workshop Do you enjoy telling tall tales or scribbling stories? Do you love reading graphic novels, comics or picture books? Then look no further – londonprintstudio is offering five carefully chosen 21-25 year olds… Read More ›
-
Com.x Announces ‘Babble’
Indie British and US publisher Com.x has announced the impending publication of Babble, a project from writer Lee Robson, illustrated by Bryan Coyle, who are perhaps best known for their contributions to ace indie title FutureQuake and the Accent Press… Read More ›
-
Games awards event set to attract top talent to Brighton
While downthetubes focus is British comics, we’re aware that many creators do work for the games industry, so readers might be interested in the upcoming Develop Industry Excellence Awards in Brighton tomorrow (20th July). Over 550 top designers, programmers, artists… Read More ›
-
London AnimeCon preps for take-off
Time’s running out to sign up in advance for London Anime Con, an epic 18+ anime and gaming convention that includes some manga programming of over a thousand people, taking place 30th – 31st July at the Rocket Complex on… Read More ›
-
Starscape Online launches new Storypaper
Longtime British indie publisher and comic creator Chris Smillie has announced the launch of the Starscape storypaper, just part of his comic projects that can be found at Starscape Online. With a cover from 2000 AD artist Alex Ronald, the… Read More ›
-
Crucible – More teasing….
Behind the scenes on this project I’m happy to report we have three episodes drawn and part four scripted: the story runs to eight episodes in total and looks like it will be around 56 pages in length – maybe… Read More ›
-
Comics Scotland: The Team Girl Collective
The Team Girl Collective, who now consist of upwards of twenty female writers and artists, have been making a name for themselves recently, not just with their small press Team Girl Comic which is now on its third issue, but… Read More ›
-
Liam Sharp announces new digital comic project
Treatment by and © Dave Gibbons (with thanks to Matt Badham for the spot): Comic creator Liam Sharp and Ben Wolstenholme, founding member and CEO of Moving Brands, are teaming up with creators such as Dave Gibbons and to launch… Read More ›
-
In Review: Eagles Over The Western Front Volume 2
Bear Alley Books continue their Eagles Over The Western Front reprints from Look and Learn magazine with the second of three volumes that will combine into the entire run of the strip written by Trigan Empire’s Mike Butterworth with black… Read More ›
-
Brit Comic Creators Abroad: Who’s at San Diego?
(Updated 16 July): British comic publishers and creators will be making their presence felt at the San Diego Comic Con (21st – 24th July), including Com.X, 2000 AD publishers Rebellion and many more. Plus, you can expect many Brit creators… Read More ›
-
2000 AD website revamped, digital editions get another boost
The online home of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic, 2000 AD, has undergone a dramatic transformation – and sees publisher Rebellion crank up its digital offering of 2000 AD several more notches. The legendary British anthology comic, due to celebrate its… Read More ›
-
Fifth year for Observer, Cape and Comica Graphic Short Story Comp
(via Paul Gravett): Back for For its fifth year, The Observer/Cape/Comica Graphic Short Story Prize has just been announced, inviting UK residents to submit a four-page comic on any theme, with the winner receiving £1,000 (the runner-up £250) and getting… Read More ›