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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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 ›
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Simon Wyatt’s Unbelievable gets New Publisher
Writer and artist Simon Wyatt has signed aboard with UK publisher Markosia Enterprises who will publish his story Unbelievable – The Man Who Ate Daffodils. The story was orignally destined for release by the now defunct Insomnia Publishing. “I’m thrilled… Read More ›
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Sci-Fi Art Now Creator Interview: Adam Grose
Adam Grose is a writer, artist (fine art and illustration), self-publisher and art educator. He dabbles with other forms of media, experimenting with sculpture, music and video. (His image, What Do You See, right, was shortlisted for the BBC’s Mock… Read More ›
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Upping the action with new Commandos
Four new Commando titles are now on sale in all good newsagents. With Colditz wowing audiences on Yesterday, and the complete BBC TV series out now on DVD, surely there’s no better time to pick up a war comic? Commando… Read More ›
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Panel Borders chasing Batwoman and Promethea this week
Continuing British radio show Panel Borders month-long look at unusual depictions of superheroes, Alex Fitch talks to comic book artist and graphic designer J. H. Williams III about his work from early forays into the superhero genre for DC’s imprint… Read More ›
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Drop in on comics artist Vicky Stonebridge
Vicky Stonebridge at work For those of you going to the British comics convention Thought Bubble in Leed this weekend, drop in on the Eco-comics workshop run by Sci-Fi Art Now contributor Vicky Stonebridge. The workshop will run from 1.30pm-4pm… Read More ›
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Drop in on artist Vicky Stonebridge
Vicky Stonebridge at work For those of you going to the British comics convention Thought Bubble in Leed this weekend, drop in on the Eco-comics workshop run by Sci-Fi Art Now contributor Vicky Stonebridge. The workshop will run from 1.30pm-4pm… Read More ›
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Unique Ron Embleton Man from U.N.C.L.E. art offered on eBay
Illya in Oils by Ron Embleton A one off oil painting by much-admired TV Century 21 and Wulf the Briton comics artist Ron Embleton of David McCallum as Man from U.N.C.L.E.‘s Illya Kuryakin is currently being offered on eBay. The… Read More ›
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Frank Bellamy Thunderbirds art, Commando Issue 1 in comics auction
The Winter 2010 auction at British auction Compalcomics includes another Frank Bellamy Thunderbirds board and is sure to attract strong bids from his legion of fans. The company’s last catalogue in September saw a 1968 Thunderbirds board by Frank Bellamy from… Read More ›
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Ten Questions for artist Bryan Talbot
Bryan Talbot has worked on underground comics, science fiction and superhero stories such as Judge Dredd and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Vertigo titles including Hellblazer, Sandman and Fables and has written and drawn the graphic novels The Adventures… Read More ›
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Charley’s War: The Great Mutiny released by Titan Books
Titan Books have just released Charley’s War: The Great Mutiny by Pat Mils and Joe Colquhoun, the seventh volume of their Charley’s War collections from Battle Picture Weekly. Opening in September 1917, Charley is caught up in the mutiny by… Read More ›
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Batman Live To Tour UK Arenas
We’ve had Doctor Who Live and now it’s the turn of another iconic character who’s been around even longer than the Doctor – Batman! The Batman Live World Arena Tour will premier in the UK in summer 2011 and has… Read More ›
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On Air with Panel Borders: Becky Cloonan
Continuing Panel Borders month-long look at unusual takes on superheroes, Alex Fitch talks to artist Becky Cloonan about her work, focusing on the series Demo, written by Brian Wood which is a more down to earth look at the problems… Read More ›
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Rare Toys, including Dan Dare items, go under the hammer at Bonhams
Three television character figures from The Goons founder Michael Bentine’s 1954 BBC children’s series The Bumblies are to be sold at Bonhams, Knightsbridge, as part of its Fine Dolls, Teddy Bears, Toys and Lead Soldiers sale on 16th November 2010…. Read More ›
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Remembering Extraordinary Heroes at the Imperial War Museum
This Remembrance Weekend the Imperial War Museum in London is opening a new permanent exhibition entitled Extraordinary Heroes which celebrates the courage of the many men and women who have received the two highest British and Commonwealth medals of honour,… Read More ›