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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Robot Archie Needs You!
(with thanks to Leah Moore and John Reppion): Back in 2005 and 2006, British comic creators Leah Moore, John Reppion and artist Shane Oakley had the opportunity to resurrect a big gang of classic UK comics characters in their dad/father-in-law… Read More ›
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thingNY’s Call for Comic Artists
We don’t normally circulate much non-British news, but this US-based music project posted their international appeal for artists on our events page, so we thought we’d repost the information here. A New York-based xxperimental music ensemble, thingNY is looking for… Read More ›
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Macbeth – The Interactive Motion Comic!
(With thanks to Birmingham Mail‘s “Speech Balloons”): British publisher Classical Comics has just launched a series of interactive motion comics, starting with its award-winning Macbeth. “It’s been nearly a year in the making — and still isn’t quite finished!” say… Read More ›
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Transformers assume iPhone disguise
After the global success of their Wallace & Gromit iPhone comic app (see news story), Titan Publishing has announce the arrival of its first Transformers iPhone comic. Based on Hasbro’s Transformers brand, each comic download includes an awesome action packed… Read More ›
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Skyjack Publishing launches Megaton magazine
Skyjack Publishing, run by Matt Yeo, the brains behind Egmont’s TOXIC title and producers of The Official Ben 10 Magazine have just launched Megaton – an all-new video game magazine for kids aged 8–12. Priced at £2.99, the magazine features… Read More ›
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Ron Embleton’s Wulf the Briton
Express Weekly’s “Wulf the Briton” in the spotlight
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Into Action with new Commandos
Attention, troops! the latest Commandos from DC Thomson are on sale now, as follow… Commando 4271: An Inch from DeathStory: Ian Clark Inside artwork: Ricardo Garijo Cover: Ian KennedyOriginally No 2592 from 1992 In the shadows of the old sawmill… Read More ›
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Necessary Monsters storm the airwaves
Concluding webcomics month on his Strip! radio show, Alex Fitch catches up with immensely talented comics duo artist Sean Azzopardi and writer Daniel Merlin Goodbrey as the first series of their epic spy-thriller-horror webcomic Necessary Monsters comes to its conclusion… Read More ›
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British Comics Shop turns Comics Maker!
Lancaster based comics retailer First Age Comics isn’t just selling comics – its making them. Earlier today, shop owner Mark Braithwaite announced via Twitter that he’s looking looking for 1-5 page stories over the coming weeks for First Age Comics… Read More ›
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Ronald Searle Exhibition celebrates a Graphic Master
London’s Cartoon Museum will host a major exhibition celebrating the life and work of graphic master Ronald Searle from 3rd March 2010, marking the talented artist’s 90th birthday on the same day with a more than well deserved bang. Regarded… Read More ›
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The Losers signing in London
As the big screen release of The Losers draws ever closer, Titan Books and Forbidden Planet have announced creators Andy Diggle and Jock will be signing copies later this week at FP’s London store on Thursday 25th February. The Losers… Read More ›
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Daleks and cheetahs, oh my!
The catalogue for the Bonhams Doctor Who auction, which takes place 24th February in London, is now online. Included in just over 160 lots are a huge range of costumes from modern era stories, including the Doctor’s costumes and outfits… Read More ›
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Harry Brown film writer announces Madam Samurai graphic novel
Gary Young, writer of UK film box office hit Harry Brown, has announced that his next creative release will be Madam Samurai, a two-volume graphic novel featuring art by Eagle Award Winner David Hitchcock The first volume is due to… Read More ›
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New Sylvester McCoy and Dalek Figure Set
New Doctor Who figures are ten a penny these days but downthetubes is particularly excited to see the release of two stunning new Sylvester McCoy figures – one complete with Imperial Dalek, on sale soon as an exclusive release from… Read More ›
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First Look – Torchwood 20 by Minchin, Yeowell, Workman
Titan Magazines Torchwood title has hit Issue 20 and the comic strip is sure to appeal to 2000AD fans – it’s drawn by Steve “Zenith” Yeowell. Written by Brian Minchin, a Script Editor and Assistant Producer on the Torchwood TV… Read More ›
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Asterix in Britain heads for the cinemas
Goodness gracious! A round of hot water for the entire Gaulish village! The long best-selling Asterix story, Asterix in Britain, is to become a movie. Earlier this month, Les Editions Albert René and the Fidelite production company announced an agreement… Read More ›
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Valentine Chronicles Comic Art Gallery Opens
The web-based story site The Valentine Chronicles is celebrating its third birthday with a brand new gallery featuring artwork by top UK artists like Alan Davis (ClanDestine, Excalibur, Marvelman), Dylan Teague (Judge Dredd) Duncan Fegredo (Hellboy, Judge Dredd), his image… Read More ›
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London International Creative Competition Launched
The London International Creative Competition for 2010 has just been announced and is calling for entries. Described as “a vehicle for facilitating contact between uniquely talented artists and an international audience”, work is juried by a board of internationally esteemed… Read More ›
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In Review: Nikolai Dante – Amerika
Writer Robbie Morrison’s roguish Nikolai Dante character has been a success for 2000AD from his first appearance in Prog 1035 in March 1997 and with Amerika the Rebellion reprint books of his ongoing adventures have reached number 9. It is… Read More ›