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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Pass the cheese Gromit, while I listen to our podcast!
This week’s Panel Borders, now available as a podcast, continues this month’s theme of shows about newspaper comics, with Alex Fitch talking to a couple of creators working on newspaper strips featuring popular British science-fiction characters. Richy K Chandler is… Read More ›
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In Review: Hurricane and Champion: the Companion Papers to Valiant
The Book: Top British comics archivist Steve Holland has re-launched his Bear Alley Books imprint with Hurricane and Champion: The Companion Papers to Valiant an all-new index to two classic British comics detailing the histories of both papers and reveals… Read More ›
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Multiverse springs back onto the shelves
The second 52-page issue of comics news and features magazine Multiverse is now at the printer with copies due to go on sale at the end of the month in all UK comic shops. Alongside the £2.50/$3.99 title’s regular news… Read More ›
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Bryan Talbot’s Family Business
Grandville creator Bryan Talbot is currently drawing a graphic novel written by his wife, Mary Talbot, to be published by Jonathan Cape in the UK and Dark Horse in the US, hopefully later this year. Dotter of her Father’s Eyes… Read More ›
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Marvel Comics scout to hold UK portfolio reviews in April
(updated 21/3/11, with thanks to Mark Stafford and David Lloyd) On Friday 8th April (the day before the London Kapow comic convention) London’s Cartoon Museum will be hosting portfolio review sessions with Marvel Comics talent scout CB Cebulski, so anybody… Read More ›
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Royal Weddings celebrated at London’s Cartoon Museum
We don’t always get the goods we bargain for in this sham old world! Arnold Taylor @ Bamforth Cards Ltd. ‘Marriage,’ as Elizabeth Taylor commented, ‘is a great institution’ – and she had more experience than most! As Prince William… Read More ›
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Sydney Jordan lined up for Bristol Comic Expo appearance
Along with a host of special events and Expo exclusives, including a huge 2000AD panel featuring the likes of Patrick Goddard, Gordon Rennie and Sean Phillips, a preview of the new Alan Moore: Storyteller book by Gary Spencer Milidge, a… Read More ›
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Panel Borders chats with Audrey Niffenegger
Continuing podcast and radio show Panel Borders month of shows looking at newspaper comics, Alex Fitch talks to Chicago-based Audrey Niffenegger, fin artist and author of The Time Traveler’s Wife, about her graphic novella The Night Bookmobile which was serialised… Read More ›
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Tickets for the 2011 Glasgow Comic Con Go On Sale
The organisers of the Glasgow Comic Con are now selling tickets to the event on their new website. The event will take place in the deconsecrated Mackintosh Church in Glasgow’s Queen’s Cross near Partick Thistle’s football ground on Saturday 18… Read More ›
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Commando goes fortnightly
Along with information on the latest issues of war comic Commando comes news from DC Thomson that the long-running title will be published fortnightly this year – giving 104 doses of action and adventure to the title’s fans worldwide. Commando… Read More ›
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downthetubes nominated for SFX Blog Award
We’re delighted to report that downthetubes has been nominated for an SFX ‘Blogger’ award in the category for ‘Best SF News Blog’ (Vote for us here!). Our nomination – pitting us against Big Dumb Object, the Doctor Who News Page… Read More ›
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Comic Book Alliance puts out charity comic appeal to help earthquake victims
Britain’s Comic Book Alliance is putting together a fundraising comic to help raise funds to help earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan and New Zealand – and has put out an appeal for contributions. “I’m sure, like me, you’ve been horrified… Read More ›
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Eagle Awards voting opens
Voting is now open for the Eagle Awards, the annual prize given to the best American and British comics as decided by comic readers. We’re pleased to report that as befits their British origins, the nominations include a substantial amount… Read More ›
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The Sunday Post Celebrates 75 Years Of Oor Wullie And The Broons
On Sunday 8 March 1936 the headline on DC Thomson’s newspaper The Sunday Post was “Europe Alarmed – France’s Retort to Hitler’s Move – All Army Leave Cancelled”. Inside however there was something a little more light hearted with the… Read More ›
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Sneek Peek: New Dan Dare for Spaceship Away
We’re pleased to report that the next issue of the Dan Dare-inspired comics magazine Spaceship Away is on course to go to press very soon, featuring its regular thrice-yearly mix of comic strip and features. Now edited by Des Shaw,… Read More ›
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Hurricane and Champion: the Companion Papers to Valiant
Top British comics archivist Steve Holland has re-launched his Bear Alley Books imprint with Mean Streetmaps, a collection of essays on crime noir, and an all-new index to two classic British comics. Hurricane and Champion: The Companion Papers to Valiant… Read More ›
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Do Covers Count when it comes to Awards?
The UK cover for Zoo City –strong on design, light on itsSF content? With the 2011 Arthur C Clarke Award Shortlist just announced, I thought it might be interesting to see what kind of covers the nominated books have. While… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: The Art of Karrie Fransman
Continuing podcast Panel Borders month of shows looking at newspaper comics, Alex Fitch talks to cartoonist Karrie Fransman about her work which has been serialised in The Guardian and The Times. Karrie started her comics career making self published autobiographical… Read More ›
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Take a Butcher’s at Slaughterman’s Creed
Markosia Enterprises have just announced their new graphic novel, Slaughterman’s Creed – a surreal London gangland thriller which combines the vicious intensity of British crime fiction with the structure and spirit of a Samurai revenge drama in a nightmarishly compelling… Read More ›