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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Treat yourself to some Shock Therapy
Illustrator and comics artist Howard Priestley has released a limited edition collection of horror tales called Shock Therapy, available from him direct and some select northern comic shops. Howard’s long term comics project, Soul Man, is still in development but… Read More ›
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Overload yourself at the Glasgow Comic Con
If you’re at the Glasgow ComicCon this Saturday, then look out for copies of Martin Conaghan’s new title, Overload, which comes wrapped in this ace cover by Roy Stewart. All work in the title is creator-owned, with Overload reserving some… Read More ›
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Comic Football launches as subscription-only comic
Hinckley-based publishers Comc Football Ltd. have just launched a subscription-only title – also called Comic Football – featuring strips by artists such as Karl Dixon, Nick Brennan and Duncan Scott. The 32-page title is the latest venture for Pete Wildrianne… Read More ›
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Desdaemona by Ben Macallan
There’s a new book out from Solaris books which should be of interest to dtb readers. Here’s the blurb: New town. New girl. New job. That’s good, right? Not really. Not when the girl can pretty much tear a vampire… Read More ›
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Boldy Go: Writing SF Workshop
Successful science fiction author Philip Palmer will lead a workshop on writing for the genre within the weird ambience of the MacRae Gallery at the Hunterian Museum, London on 9th July. Run in association with The Arthur C Clarke Award,… Read More ›
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2000AD – Weekly on both sides of the Black Atlantic!
Since it’s 2000 AD day (as it is every Wednesday), a quick note to celebrate a step change in the way it is distributed in the US, which we didn’t get chance to plug last week. From August, the legendary… Read More ›
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New British publisher Acrasia seeks comic creators
Acrasia Works, an independent British publishing house is looking for new talent. The Canterbury-based company says it is committed to producing beautiful graphic novels and one-shot comic books for international sale. They say they are currently accepting submissions from writers,… Read More ›
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Strange New Worlds – in Worthing…
Saturday July 23rd and Sunday July 24th 2011 sees Team Strange New Worlds put on their second Science Fiction and Fantasy festival at St. Paul’s, Chapel Road in Worthing, with guest authors and artists from the worlds of comics and… Read More ›
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Madam Samurai takes Best Digital Comic prize at LA New Media Film Festival
The first volume of Madam Samurai publised by Scar Comics has won Best Digital Comic prize at the May 2011 LA New Media Film Festival, an event described as “Sundance for the Facebook generation”. The graphic novel about a female… Read More ›
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Imagined Cities: New londonprintstudio exhibition
Imagined Cities, a new exhibtion at lononprintstudio, opens this week (17th June) and features the work of a number of great British comic artists including Al Davison and Karrie Fransman. The exhibition will launch with a party on 16th June… Read More ›
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Andersonic 12 is Go!
The latest issue of the Gerry Anderson-inspired ‘zine Andersonic (Issue 12) is now available via the title’s website (and eBay for a short period) and features a new interview with former APF sculptor John Blundall in which he discusses his… Read More ›
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Markosia’s new British Superteam debut in August
Orang Utan Comics co-founder Peter Rogers’ first graphic novel The Interactives, hits shelves this August from Markosia Enterprises. scallywag is a guru in the geek community, having developed a very loyal and active online following. When creatures from mythical fantasy… Read More ›
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10 Questions: Comic Artist Jesús Redondo Román
Following up on our interview with this week’s 2000AD Terror Tales writer David Baillie yesterday, we’re delighted to bring you an exclusive quick interview with the legendary artist on the story – Jesús Redondo Román. Jesus returns to the Galaxy’s… Read More ›
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Family Guy comic
Steve White, editor of Titan Comics new Family Guy comic – which launches next month in the US and in August in the UK – says the comic will not only uphold the TV tradition of the Emmy-nominated animated show… Read More ›
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The Children’s Trust launches Big Book Challenge
With school holidays fast approaching (wasn’t it just half term?), a special reading challenge for young bookworms has been launched in aid of Britain’s The Children’s Trust. Over the next three months, children of all ages are invited to take… Read More ›
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Scottish MP savages Dundee University’s new comics degree
(Last Updated 9/6/11, added comments from Stewart Hosie MP) Scottish Labour MP Tom Harris has condemned news of Dundee University‘s new ‘Comics Studies Degree‘ announced earlier this week – despite the city’s long history as a comics publisher. Dundee University… Read More ›
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In Review: 2D Comics Festival
Last weekend saw Northern Ireland’s 2D Comics Festival take place within Londonderry’s city walls with entrance, workshops and talks all completely free. Patrick Brown, of Belfast Comics, reviews the event for downthetubes. The weekend just past saw the fifth 2D… Read More ›
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Redondo returns to 2000AD for Terror Tale
Veteran 2000AD artist Jesus Redondo is returning to the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic for the first time in more than a decade. As announced at the recent Bristol Comics Expo, the Spanish artist – perhaps best known in the UK for… Read More ›
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Art You Grew Up With offers limited edition X-Men prints
British art store Art You Grew Up With is offering some limited edition X-Men prints for sale, to tie in with the launch of X-Men: First Class in UK cinemas. The selection of limited editions on paper and canvas by… Read More ›
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WebFinds: Gail Scott, Space Pilot
Fans of Dan Dare and 1950s space comics might want to check out this fun web strip by Mark Toner – Gail Scott, Space Pilot. Featuring a group of Scottish friends exploring space, the current adventure – “Who is Mr… Read More ›