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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In Review: X’ed Out by Charles Burns
By: Charles BurnsPublisher: Jonathan Cape (UK) Pantheon (US)Out: 7th October (UK) 19th October (US) The Book: Meet Doug, aspiring young artist. He’s having a strange night. A weird buzzing noise on the other side of the wall has woken him… Read More ›
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Mystery of the Multiverse…
Could a Comics International-style comics magazine be in the offing? It certainly seems that way, judging by this image that just popped into the downthetubes mailbox…
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In Review: Krazybov Issue 3
Krazybov is a polished, entertaining comic anthology title with a very 21st Century approach to publication. Freely distributed in shops and at events around central London and sent around the world to subscribers, once all the printed copies have been… Read More ›
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Commandos back in action!
Two weeks after the last batch of Commandos comes a new squad of four-action-packed stories. Make these ones last as it’ll be three weeks (yes, three weeks) before the next ones! Comparing the covers of Issues 4334 and 4332, you… Read More ›
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Eagle Times Volume 23 Number Three
The new issue of Eagle Times (Volume 23, Number Three) is available now from the Eagle Society. Autumn 2010 Contents A look at the “Realtime” chronology of the original Dan Dare saga, from the birth of Sir Hubert (1943), to Dan’s… Read More ›
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Mark Beer busy on “Oak Swamp”
SciFi Art Now contributor Mark Beer has been in touch to say that he’s still trying to make it as a comic book cover artist, but in the mean time has been keeping busy in the film industry. “I’m currently… Read More ›
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Crucible: Setting the Scene: Page 3
We’ve been quiet, haven’t we? That’s because we’ve been busy. Smuzz is busy on Page 7 (fight!) and I’ve now got to crack on and get him some more script pages, in between all the other things I have to… Read More ›
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Sci-Fi Art Now really isn’t this expensive to buy…
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Malta ComicCon 2010 Update
The second Malta Comic Convention is now only a matter of a few weeks away, with Liam Sharp, Gary Erskine, Tim Perkins, Sean Azzopardi, Claudio Castellini, Renee Witterstaetter and Dave Windett now just some of the confirmed guests. Unfortunately, the… Read More ›
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Last few days for 2010 Northern Sequential Art Competition
You have a few more days to send in an entry if you want to take part in the new Northern Sequential Art Competition hosted by the Travelling Man comic retailer and the Thought Bubble Convention. The deadline of 8th… Read More ›
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Let’s hear it for some Comical Animals!
Bumble Billy by Gary Northfield A quick reminder that Jim Medway’s Comical Animal, a bi-monthly online publication for comic, cartoon and kids books aficionados, is on course for a proper launch in December. Sponsored by Good Grief! and Blank Slate… Read More ›
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Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics plans Superhero Issue
Wonder Woman 2010 – designed by Jim Lee The academic comics publication Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics has issued a call for papers for a special issue of the twice-yearly title that will focus on ‘Gender and Superheroes’. “The… Read More ›
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Sci-Fi Art Now Creator Interview: Jeff Michelmann
Feuersbrunstby Jeff Michelmann Jeff Michelmann (aka ‘Gucken‘) is a young self-taught artist living in Germany. Space Art is his favourite kind of art – much of are scenes happening in space or on fictional planets in unknown galaxies… SciFi Art… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing : Country Surfing with Commando, Marvelman & Rainbow Orchid
Scotland: One of the latest batch of Commandos, issue 4329 Divided Aces, written by Scot Ferg Handley and illustrated by Argentinian Jose Maria Jorge, is set in and around Edinburgh and includes the familiar Forth Rail Bridge on its cover…. Read More ›
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In Review: Clint #2 – real life superheroes and Kick Ass 2
The second issue of CLiNT, Mark Millar and Titan Magazines’ British news stand anthology, mixing comics with a range of features that include a focus on ‘real-life superheroes’ and an interview with Charlie Brooker, is a much-improved mix on the… Read More ›
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Colliding Words and Pictures: An Interview with Sarah McIntyre
Sarah McIntyre (left) with the ‘Fleece Station’ creative crew – Lauren O’Farrell and Gary Northfield – at MCM London 2010. Photo: Jeremy Briggs Cartoonist and illustrator Sarah McIntyre first came to Matthew Badham’s attention via her Vern and Lettuce strips… Read More ›
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Agent Fireball: Debriefing A Cold War Spy
In February 1977, DC Thomson released the first issue of Bullet, their new boy’s adventure comic, at the same time that IPC released Action. The two comics went head-to-head as weekly action adventure anthologies with photographic editorial characters. If the… Read More ›
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Laydeez Do Comics: Ellen Lindner Talk
Whores of Mensa 5 – On Sale Now! from Ellen Lindner on Vimeo. (with thanks to Peter Lally at Alternative Press): Comics’ artist Ellen Lindner will be discussing the process of putting together the just released issue of comics’ anthology… Read More ›
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Charlotte Corday Times Two – graphic novels, that is…
Time Bomb Comics has confirmed their next release, the graphic novel London Calling, will be launched at the British International Comics Show next month (October 2010). Written by screen-writer Stephen Walsh with stunning artwork by renowned Commando artist Keith Page,… Read More ›
