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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Tube Surfing: Mazeworld, Mad Science and Harvey Pekar
Does the sporadically torrential rain of the last few days mean that’s all the summer we’re going to get? I hope not. Onto the Tube Surf… • Arthur Ranson sends word that Daniel Clifford, a fan of the artist’s Mazeworld… Read More ›
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MCM Expo comes to Manchester
MCM Expo organisers have announced a host of initiatives to ensure that their shows, which include a wide range of comics offerings, are bigger, better and more fun than ever, starting with the next London MCM Expo at Excel in… Read More ›
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The DFC Will Rise Again
(With thanks to John Anderson of Soaring Penguin): The acclaimed but sadly short-lived weekly comic The DFC will return, says publisher David Fickling – possibly as soon as next year. Speaking at a presentation for the Society of Children’s Book… Read More ›
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Buzz Comic Launches Soon
Buzz Comic – a web site described by its creators as “a kind of YouTube for comics people”, offering space to promote comics and advice on creating them, should be ready for a beta launch on Monday 19th July. The… Read More ›
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In Review: The Rainbow Orchid – Adventures of Julius Chancer Volume 2
by Garen Ewing Publisher: Egmont UK Out: Now The Book: In Volume Two of The Rainbow Orchid, the intrepid Julius Chancer journeys from Europe to the Indian sub-continent as he steps up his quest for the rainbow orchid. He soon… Read More ›
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Titan Books, Langridge, Quitely and Starkings get Harvey nominations
The 2009 Harvey Awards Nominees have been announced with the release of the final ballot, presented by the Executive Committees of the Harvey Awards and the Baltimore Comic-Con. The nominees include New Zealand but UK-based artist Roger Langridge, Scotland’s Frank… Read More ›
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UK Comics Undercover In The USA
In the week that the USA sent back ten Russian agents who had been living undercover in the USA, two British comics that operate under the cover of American publishers have arrived on our shores. First is Paul Grist’s The… Read More ›
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A Tribute to Neil Emery, who helped bring back Charley’s War
Here at downthetubes we were sorry to learn this week of the death of Charley’s War fan site runner Neil Emery, who his partner tells us passed suddenly and unexpectedly, cause unknown, at the far too early age of 39… Read More ›
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The Best Of The Victor Due For Release
The Titan Books publications of Best Of Battle along with the individual Battle character books of Johnny Red, Rat Pack and Darkie’s Mob have obviously not gone unnoticed by other publishers and, with a lull in publication of their thick… Read More ›
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Caption 2010 ‘Mad Science’ Art Appeal and guest update
For anyone interested in exhibiting artwork and/or donating artwork to the Caption auction, part of Mad Science Caption 2010 at the East Oxford Community Centre on 31st July – 2nd August, the organisers tell downthetubes they can accept artwork right… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: Monsters, Heroes, Cycling and Moon Hoaxes
I’m really behind with everything. Anyone else behind with their deadlines and work? Oh, dear, it’s all gone a bit Pete Tong… Anyway, a bit of tube surfing always peps me up. What’s out there today? Ace cartoonist Darryl Cunningham… Read More ›
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Vintage British Star Trek pages sold on eBay
Two pages of vintage Star Trek art by veteran British comic artist John Stokes created for British publication have just been sold on eBay. Published in August 1972 in Valiant and TV21, John Stokes was one of several artists to… Read More ›
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Liam Sharp, Gary Erskine and Tim Perkins to attend Malta ComicCon 2010
(via Tim Perkins): The second Maltese Comic Convention has announced its first guests for this year’s line up, who include Liam Sharp (left), Gary Erskine and Tim Perkins (below). Taking place 16th-17th October, the convention will take place in the… Read More ›
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Sci-Fi Art Now Covers Revealed
ILEX Press have released the covers for their UK and US editions of SciFi Art Now – and they look superb. The UK cover, above, is by the brilliant World Fantasy Award winner and Hugo Award-nominated artist John Picacio. This… Read More ›
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Dudley D. Watkins gallery launched as Courier revamps web site
(with thanks to Lew Stringer and the Forbidden Planet International blogs who spotted this first): DC Thomson has just revamped its web site for its Scottish newspaper The Courier – and included a fantastic gallery of comic work by Dudley… Read More ›
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Frank’s Fantastic Send Off – thanks to his fans
We’re pleased to report that the late comedian and comic creator Chris Sievey, aka Frank Sidebottom had the fantastic send off he would have wanted thanks to his fans last week – rather than a pauper’s funeral. The comedian’s financial… Read More ›
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First 2000AD Dredd cover to go under the hammer
Judge Dredd hits the big time
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Bosnian publisher announces Strip magazine for the UK
Bosnian-based comics publisher PrintMedia has announced plans to move into the UK market with a new comic magazine later in 2010. The title, which is still in development, will include new strips by creators such as PJ Holden (2000AD, Battlefields,… Read More ›
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Madame Tussauds Marvel Superheroes 4D Winners
The winners of our Marvel Superheroes 4D competition, run in partnership with SciFiPulse.net, were Yvonne Clark from Bridgend and Andrew Dommett from Tividale, who each won a pair of tickets to the new exhibition at Madame Tussauds in London. Congratulations… Read More ›
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Tripwire returns with Futurama, Straczynski, Cornell and Michael Moorcock goodness
Ace media magazine Tripwire is back with another info-packed issue! The Eagle Award-nominated British-American magazine about comics and genre culture returns this July bringing even more of the quality features you’d expect from their previous issues. Beneath an exclusive Futurama… Read More ›