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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More Carol Day newspaper strip stories online
Fans of the classic Carol Day newspaper strip may be interested to hear that the strip’s official web site, www.carol-day. com has recently updated with new stories and art. The new stories are “Money Matters” and “Jimmy Hayes“. Carol Day ran from 1956-1967, and was… Read More ›
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Dan Dare Movie in the works?
Dan Dare movie rumours…
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Unmasking Corruption with Comics in Liverpool
Ctrl.Alt.Shift Unmasks Corruption comes to Liverpool this month, with an exhibition of political comic work to coincide with the release of their new comic book anthology. The free exhibition, at the Contemporary Urban Centre in Greenland Street, will take a… Read More ›
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WebFinds: Cliff Robinson’s Captain Britain
Regular readers of downthetubes will remember artist Cliff Robinson – one of many great creators on 2000AD down the years. He began his own blog some time ago, and has been posting some fantastic art, including this brilliant ‘faux’ Captain… Read More ›
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Troops to get a boost from King Kong and Friends
This month Britain’s Comic Book Alliance will be joining with the ‘Support Our Soldiers‘ charity to send thousands of comic books and graphic novels to troops stationed around the world and many miles from home. The CBA spoke to troops… Read More ›
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New Doctor And Companion To Visit Their Hometowns
As part of the pre-publicity for the new series of Doctor Who due to start on BBC1 at Easter, new Doctor, Matt Smith, and Karen Gillan, who plays new companion Amy Pond, will be undertaking a short publicity tour. As… Read More ›
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Scottish superhero film in the works from Mark Millar
Wanted and Kick-Ass writer Mark Millar has told Scottish TV network STV he is aiming big for his first directorial outing which will shoot later this year, taking his cues from the South African feature District 9. In a video… Read More ›
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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 ›