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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Comic Book Alliance charity offers Batman fans the chance to star in a comic alongside their hero
Last updated 10th December Yes, you read that correctly! Thanks to the Comic Book Alliance, this is a fund-raising auction where the highest bidder will get to star alongside the Dark Knight in his very own comic! Not only will… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: Kapow Comic convention, War Comix and Mag, Scientist
Kapow! Comic Con Trailer on Vimeo • Mark Millar has announced a new London-based comics convention, Kapow (9-10th April 2011) which will host the first Stan Lee Awards ceremony (see Newsarama and Bleeding Cool for more news). The guest line… Read More ›
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Sci-Fi Art Now Creator Interview: Kevin Levell
Kevin ‘Kev’ Levell was introduced to British weekly science fiction comic 2000AD at the age of 11 or 12 and from that point on he knew he wanted to be a comic artist. “It’s only in the last couple of… Read More ›
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Talbot joins ‘Space Nite’ fund raising artists to help Bill Mantlo
A special fund-raiser show in aid of US comics writer Bill Mantlo includes this piece of art featuring 1980s fav ROM Spaceknight by Bryan Talbot along with more pieces from artists such as Mike Allred, Matt Timson, Jeffrey Brown, Michael… Read More ›
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Ultimate Harryhausen – Master of the Majicks
Master of the Majicks is a three volume illustrated history of the career of Oscar winning, stop-motion special effects master Ray Harryhausen, written by British journalist Mike Harkin and published by Archive Editions in the USA. The first book of… Read More ›
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CLiNT Issue 1 Goes to Reprint with comic-style cover
The first issue of Mark Millar’s brand new comic anthology, CLiNT, has sold out – and will now have a second printing with a spanking comics-styled cover featuring Kick-Ass. With its third issue now on sale in UK newsagents and… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Spandex!
Continuing British comics radio show and podcast Panel Borders’ month of shows looking at unusual depictions of superheroes, in an interview recorded at the Thought Bubble festival in Leeds, Alex Fitch talks to writer/artist Martin Eden about his small press… Read More ›
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ComICA Continues with Steve Bell, Gonzo and Much More…
Here are the exhibitions, events and conversations still to come in the 2010 Comica Festival, which this year teams up with the London Print Studio at 425 Harrow Road, London W10. The centre-piece of the festival is That’s Novel, an… Read More ›
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A chance to win a signed book by Neil Gaiman, courtesy of the Open Rights Group
Britain’s Open Rights Group – the UK’s leading voice defending freedom of expression, privacy, innovation, consumer rights and creativity on the internet – marks its fifth birthday today, and is offering anyone who joins by donating or than £5 between… Read More ›
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Giles Andreae and Sarah McIntyre win Sheffield Children’s Book Awards
Comics artist Sarah McIntyre has won this year’s Sheffield Children’s Book Award for her book Morris the Mankiest Monster, written by Giles Andreae. Celebrating its 22nd year, the awards were presented at Sheffield Town Hall this week. Commenting on the… Read More ›
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downthetubes offers Commando subscription discount
We regularly plug DC Thomson’s Commando title, published eight times a month (delivered in two packs of four for subscribers) and offering a range of war-inspired adventure stories. Now, downthetubes is pleased to offer an exclusive discount on a subscription… Read More ›
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Moore and Reppion back to Raise the Dead
US publisher Dynamite’s hit series Raise the Dead returns with an all-new tale of undead debauchery, plotted by British creators Leah Moore & John Reppion, scripted by Mike Raicht, and with art by Guiu Vilanova. Raise the Dead 2 #1,… Read More ›
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In Review: Grandville Mon Amour
by Bryan Talbot Published by: Jonathan Cape (UK) Dark Horse (US) Out: 2nd December 2010 (UK) 22 February 2011 (US) The Book: Set three weeks after the finale of Grandville, Grandville, Mon Amour pits Detective Inspector Archie LeBrock of Scotland… Read More ›
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Zombies? British Comics have been there, done that back in 1979…
Prompted by the hit US TV show, there’s plenty of interest in The Walking Dead, drawn by Britain’s very own Charlie Adlard and published by Image Comics. Indeed, it seems comic fans just can’t get enough zombies at the moment,… Read More ›
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John Maybury’s Space Babe lands on Kindle
John Maybury’s wonderful Eagle Award Nominated absurdist, surreal and naughty SF comedy comic Space Babe 113 is now available in e-book form from Amazon for Kindle, iPhone and iPad. Intended for mature readers (and immature readers of adult age!), the… Read More ›
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Transformers Prove We’re Two Nations Divided by a Common Language
Hasbro, the toy company behind the hugely successful Transformers toy range (which has of course spawned both movies and comics) have had to scrap the UK launch of one of their latest characters due to a what can only be… Read More ›
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Artists challenged to create a Super Hero for the Stan Lee Foundation
Talenthouse has once again joined forces with the Stan Lee Foundation and Prismacolor to offer talented fans, designers and illustrators the unique opportunity to meet the legendary Stan Lee and create a comic book character for the foundation. To participate,… Read More ›
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Draw the World Together Transformers Auction launches
In case you haven’t seen it yet, comics charity Draw the World Together has launched its promised Transformers Auction. It offers an amazing array of goodies from the world of Transformers. Some of the comics and books on offer include… Read More ›
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Dan Dare inspired a lifetime of science for Professor Pillinger
Dan Dare fans inspired by his adventures might well be interested in Professor Colin Pillinger’s new book, My Life on Mars. Colin gained his PhD from the University of Swansea, Wales, in the late 1960s , and became one of… Read More ›