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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Commando storms Stalingrad with latest issues
Here’s the latest Commando titles now on sale in all good newsagents, featuring the work of creators such as Alan Hebden, Ian Kennedy and Ferg Handley. Commando has a new Facebook page and they’re running a poll to find your… Read More ›
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2D Preps for Take-Off
The cream of the world’s comic talent will touch down in Derry/Londonderry next week for 2D, the Northern Ireland Comics Festival. The free event – hosted annually by the Verbal Arts Centre – runs from 2nd – 4th June and… Read More ›
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Read West, Young Man (and Woman)…
by Matthew Badham – cross-posted here and on the Forbidden Planet blog with full permission. Read the original version here West, by Andrew Cheverton and Tim Keable, is one of my favourite indie comics. It’s the story of Jerusalem West,… Read More ›
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Alan Moore, Storyteller
downthetubes has just received an advance copy of Alan Moore, Storyteller by Gary Spencer Millidge — and it’s simply stunning. We’ll be posting a review of this gorgeous-looking book nearer publication date, but the book, published by ILEX, is the… Read More ›
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Wasted ends print edition with Issue 8, going digital
A quick reminder that the latest issue of adult comic WASTED is out now featuring a stellar line up of talent including Kelly Jones, Mark Buckingham, Jason Brashill, Norm Breyfogle, John Wagner and Cam Kennedy. Sadly, the WASTED team tell… Read More ›
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Frank Hampson Dan Dare art in latest Compal Auction
Dan Dare original colour artwork by Frank Hampson for Eagle Vol. 7 No. 41 1956. Rogue Planet story. Like many Dan Dare cover artworks from the Hampson studio this board had some panels re-configurated to fit the format for publication… Read More ›
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Caption goes austere for 2011
Caption, the longest running comic convention in the UK is back for 2011, celebrating small press and indie press comics. This year’s theme is Austerity, as the organisers thought this might be appropriate to the current climate in the UK…. Read More ›
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Thundercats Returns to British Comics
Hot on the heels of news that Disney have issued an edict that Panini UK can no longer originate Marvel superhero comic strip comes word that the company has grabbed the rights to a title where new comics are almost… Read More ›
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I went to the Bristol Comic Expo and all I got was These Great Comics…
My ‘haul’ included The Only Good Dalek, an intriguing preview from Corvus Press, and FCBD books thanks to Diamond The Bristol International Comic Expo this year wasn’t the weekend I was expecting, largely because of woes caused by French strikers… Read More ›
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Opinion: British Marvel is Not American Enough for Disney
Mighty World of Marvel Issue 1published in 1972 by Tony Ingram For about forty years now, Marvel have had a close relationship with Britain and its comics industry, dating back originally to Odhams Press and their groundbreaking weekly comic Smash!,… Read More ›
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Doctor Who Classics: Planet of the Dead re-mastered
US publisher IDW is currently publishing early Doctor Who stories from the Seventh Doctor era and the latest issue, on sale now in the US, features a rather special anniversary story by none other than myself and the wonderfully talented… Read More ›
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In Review: Eagles Over The Western Front Volume 1
Forty years ago the weekly magazine Look and Learn was a parental purchase in many British households as parents saw its articles as educational while its younger readers saw its comic strips, including the now legendary Trigan Empire, as exciting…. Read More ›
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Read Strip Magazine Issue Zero
Print Media Production has published an online version of STRIP Magazine Issue Zero, which outlines some of the comic strips they plan to publish and the ‘Strip Spotlight’ Challenge for comic creators. Open publication – Free publishing – More comic… Read More ›
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V For Vendetta in G For Glasgow
As part of the events surrounding the new Glasgow Comic Con in June there will be a screening of V For Vendetta at the Glasgow Film Theatre. Taking place at 5:30pm on Friday 17 June, the evening before the convention,… Read More ›
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Raid yourself some new Commandos!
Keeping up the pressure on potential fans to subscribe to the war digest title, the Commando team are currently offering a copy of the latest collection to those who take up the offer. Selected by current Commando editor Calum Laird,… Read More ›
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Slaine stalks the States!
21 years ago, Pat Mills and Simon Bisley’s Sláine: The Horned God took the Celtic barbarian – a 2000AD regular – in a stunning new direction. Now, this magical, violent classic is blazing its way to the US in a… Read More ›
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Dalek creator Terry Nation celebrated in new book
Aurum Press release The Man Who Invented Daleks later this month (25th May), focusing on the life of script writer and author Terry Nation, and includes background on the creation of the Dalek comic strips for TV Century 21 and… Read More ›
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More comic talent joins London MCM Expo line-up
With the cream of comic book talent gathering at its famous Comic Village, the MCM Expo London Comic Con is the only place to be on 27-29 May if you’re a fan of comics, graphic novels and manga. Over 100… Read More ›
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Bristol Expo Line Up continues to grow as weekend nears
An exclusive Watchmen print by Dave Gibbons and John Higgins will be on saleat the Bristol International Comic Expo A quick reminder – as if you needed one – that the Bristol International Comic and Small Press Expo takes place… Read More ›
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David Attenborough inspires new horror web comic
London journalist Paul Slade has just posted an unusual and exclusive six-page comics story drawn by Hans Rickheit – inspired by a story recounted by world-renowned naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough. Paul, whose credits include The Daily Telegraph, Mojo, Fortean… Read More ›