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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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 ›
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WH Smiths release Beano Summer Special Exclusive
Despite disappointing sales for past comics exclusives, it seems newsagents WH Smiths haven’t given up on the idea. Just released is this Beano Summer Special, produced in partnership with DC Thomson. Ignoring the misleading claim that this is the first… Read More ›
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Crucible: Beloc of Quelth – Colour Notes
Here’s another of Smuzz’ Colour Guides for one of the main ‘Crucible’ characters. The amount of work he’s putting into these is, frankly, a bit gob-smacking – and his colouring notes for pages of the strip are often so thought-provoking… Read More ›
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Mirabilis: Year of Wonders advance copies go on sale
Advance copies of Print Media Productions hardcover edition of Mirabilis: Year of Wonders – Winter Book 1 are now on sale exclusively from First Age Comics, Lancaster. A huge graphic novel project by Dave Morris and Leo Hartas, Mirabilis is… Read More ›
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X-Men First Class arrives in UK Cinemas
X-Men First Class, which was mostly shot in the UK, arrives in cinemas here next week (1st June) and here’s a trailer for the film, courtesy of the distributors. Set in the 1960s and focusing on the relationship between Professor… Read More ›
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Don’t be a mug – obey the law!
A top-quality mug lovingly wrapped in classic Judge Dredd artwork from one of the greats of 2000 AD – the latest merchandise from The House of Tharg is perfect for sitting back and sipping your synthi-caff! This limited edition Mega-City… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Small Press Soundtracks
Continuing radio show Panel Borders month of shows about the crossover between music and comics, Alex Fitch talks to the creators of a couple of small press publications which feature music in their stories and contain a soundtrack to listen… Read More ›
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Phoenix Comic post Submission Guidelines
The Phoenix Comic – the new weekly comic springing from the ashes of The DFC – has just updated its website and also published its submission guidelines, which we’re running here in full. Launching in January 2012, the team say… Read More ›
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Army Museum goes Commando
Scenes of action and adventure will fill the walls of the National Army Museum as ‘Draw Your Weapons: The Art of Commando Comics’, their newest exhibition, kicks off on Thursday 1st September 2011. This colourful and dynamic exhibition explores the… Read More ›
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Will you help bring back Captain Clevedon?
Comics artist and writer Kev F Sutherland, whose credits include The Beano, Doctor Who Adventures, Match and others, is looking for an artist, or artists, to help him finish a comic that’s been lying dormant for a number of years…. Read More ›
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Quitely does it – New X-Men artist latest Expo guest
Renowned comic book artist Frank Quitely will be joining the hundreds of top comic artists and writers assembling at MCM Expo’s famous Comic Village this weekend. Best known for his collaborations with Grant Morrison on titles such as New X-Men,… Read More ›