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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Panel Borders: the deconstructed American Male
Continuing radio show and podcast Panel Borders’ month long look at depictions of Masculinity in American Comics, Alex Fitch talks to award winning graphic novelists Chris Ware and Daniel Clowes, who both publish their work first as chapters, in periodicals… Read More ›
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Commando at 50: Second Shots
Here’s the latest Commandos to hit newsagents, courtesy of DC Thomson, as the countdown to the comic digest’s 50th anniversary begins in earnest… Commando 4359: Johnny The Jinx Story: Eric Hebden Inside Art: Alonso Cover Art: Lopez Espi Originally No… Read More ›
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SFX Weekender line up includes comics guests Abnett, Mills, Talbot and Lee
This year’s SFX Weekender, organised by SFX Magazine takes places next month at Pontins in Camber Sands, and the event promises to have plenty of things to interest comics fans as well as exclusive screenings, tons of prizes giveaways and… Read More ›
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The Queen, a super villain!
Following up on our story about Markosia’s new Royal Wedding tie-in comic, Kate and William – A Very Public Love Story, we were reminded that the Royal family has made appearances in comics on many occasions, but perhaps only once… Read More ›
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Markosia publishes Royal Wedding tie-in comic by Johnston, Collins and Erskine
British graphic novel publisher Markosia Enterprises is proud to present to the nation a dramatic retelling of the lives of Prince William and Kate Middleton in their new graphic novel Kate & William – A Very Public Love Story. Written… Read More ›
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Moore and Reppion announce steampunk motion comic "The Thrill Electric"
“We are very pleased to say we are now officially allowed to talk about a very exciting new project we have coming up in 2011,” the writing team announced on their blog. “This project came about from a writing cliché,… Read More ›
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Madcap wrestling strip heads to The Dandy
Who’d have thought Birdsong and New British Comics artist Warwick Johnson-Cadwell would get a chance to appear in The Dandy? But he is – albeit as part, we think, of the revamped comic’s experimental line up of strips that are… Read More ›
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Banksy’s Jungle Book-inspired art sells for £78,000
Save or Delete by Banksy An original art work by the legendary street artist Banksy, created for a Greenpeace Save or Delete campaign photographic poster, sold for £78,000 last night at Bonhams, New Bond Street, as part of its Urban… Read More ›
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Thunderbirds are Go – Again!
A re-imagining of the classic 1960s TV series Thunderbirds is in the works from the man who originally co-created the show – Gerry Anderson. With the launch of a new set of Royal Mail stamps celebrating the work of Gerry… Read More ›
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Comic Creators Alliance launches 2011 Fund Raiser against Human Trafficking
We don’t often cover US-based comics events, but this campaign goes beyond borders. The US-based Comic Creators Alliance has announced that their second annual fund-raising drive to raise funds to fight against human trafficking goes live today, 11th January 2011… Read More ›
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Sci-Fi Art Now Creator Interview: Chris Askham
Space Ape by Chris Askham For as long as he can remember, British artist Chris Askham has had an obsessive desire to draw comic strips, beginning at an early age by copying characters out of The Dandy and then progressing… Read More ›
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Bob Monkhouse: Beano Artist?
It’s been a matter of debate for British comics fans for many years, but DC Thomson staff think they may have confirmed the late, great comedian Bob Monkhouse wrote and drew for The Beano. It’s well known Monkhouse, who had… Read More ›
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Pat Mills guest at Imperial War Museum Conference
London’s Imperial War Museum is organising a Comics & Conflicts Conference (curated by Panel Borders Alex Fitch) in August, aimed at comics scholars, practitioners, and enthusiasts. Taking place on 19th-20th August 2011, conference speakers and guests will include Charley’s War… Read More ›
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Bristol Comic Expo tickets on sale now
Tickets for the Bristol International Comic Expo in May are now on sale – and in a special IN FIRST offer, if you buy now, before 30th January, you pay only the 2010 admission price. “As you recall, we sold… Read More ›
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Commando is 50! – Editor Calum Laird Speaks
Commando comic is fifty years old this year – in the UK only the Dandy and the Beano are older than it – and since there are eight Commandos a month it has by far the highest issue count of… Read More ›
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New Temple APA showcasing British creatives free online
The lightly seasoned Eighth Issue of the Temple APA digital comics showcase is now available to download as a completely free pdf file. Full of comicy goodness from such persons as Simon Mackie, (also responsible for the cover shown above),… Read More ›
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londonprintstudio offers Free Comic workshops for 16-20 year-olds
londonprintstudio is running free workshops in ‘Comics and Comic Production’ this year for 16-20 year olds on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5-7.00pm, led by industry professionals and comic interns. Part of the londonprintstudio comic collective project, artist Karrie Fransmen… Read More ›
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Wanted: Your Mechanical Elephants
As part of their ‘First Fridays’ events, Marine Studios in Margate are putting together an exhibition that looks at comics, graphic novels and sequential art. Featuring work from a range of local and international artists and writers, live talk from… Read More ›