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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Hammer Films Update
The official Hammer Films website has today launched a new online shop selling items associated with the vintage British film studio. Items for sale include DVDs, books and T-shirts, along with some new reproduction film posters. But that’s not the… Read More ›
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Exeter Expo Incoming
Hot on the heels of what sounds like an amazing SFX Weekender – which included appearances by Tom Baker, Dez Skinn and Paul Cornell and many other top talents – there’s a smaller but nonetheless eagerly-anticiapted event next weekend: the… Read More ›
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The Four Doctors for 2010!
Big Finish, the company licenced by the BBC to produce audio dramas based on Doctor Who, have confirmed that they will be releasing a multi-Doctor story in December 2010 entitled The Four Doctors, starring Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy… Read More ›
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In Review: Paragon 5
The latest issue of UK indie title Paragon, Issue 5, edited by Dave Candlish is out now. Featuring the work of artist Stephen Prestwood and writers Dave Candlish (who also provies some art) and The Emperor, with additional contributions from… Read More ›
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Dan Dare Revived – in Bosnia!
Dan Dare is back in a regular comic – in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After a long time off the shelves, publishing company PrintMedia has just relaunched Plavi Vjesnik, which first published the Eagle space hero (and other Eagle strips) in… Read More ›
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Michael Rosen heads up new writing competition
Michael Rosen, Children’s Laureate 2007-2009, is heading the panel of judges in a new short story competition for children and young people just launched by children’s charity Jigsaw4u (www.jigsaw4u.org.uk). Entrants have the option of sending in an illustration. Launched in… Read More ›
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DC Thomson launches Official Jacqueline Wilson Magazine
DC Thomson, publishers of The Beano and award-winning teen title Shout, have announced their biggest girls’ magazine launch of 2010: the Official Jacqueline Wilson Magazine, based on the life and works of the popular and acclaimed children’s author and former… Read More ›
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Commando Webbing: Ian Kennedy
In case it has passed your notice, Commando have been having a mini celebration of Ian Kennedy’s work for the title as it is 40 years since he first produced a cover for them. As we have previously reported, the… Read More ›
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Titan launches Shaun the Sheep on the iPhone
Quickly following up from the hugely successful launch of the Wallace & Gromit digital comics, Britain’s Titan Publishing is now bringing another Aardman creation, Shaun the Sheep, to the iPhone. Shaun, the star of the hit BBC animated show, is… Read More ›
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Commando Strikes!
Here’s the rundown of the latest Commando titles on sale now from DC Thomson, which continue in part to celebrate artist Ian Kennedy’s 40-year plus career… Commando 4263: Fury StrikeStory: Alan Hemus Inside artwork and full wraparound cover: Ian Kennedy… Read More ›
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Alex Ronald’s Red Sands Resurrected
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Book and Magazine Collector 317
The latest issue of the A5 size monthly Book and Magazine Collector is now in the shops with two British comics creators being covered. The magazine includes an interview with artist and writer Garen Ewing on his work on The… Read More ›
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New Starblazer Comic?
As much as we would like to tell you that DC Thomson have published issue 282 of their science fiction digest Starblazer, we can’t. However we can show you artist Graeme Neil Reid’s idea of what the cover of Starblazer… Read More ›
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Latest Production from Time Bomb Comics
Congratulations from all here at downthetubes go out to Steve and Suzanne Tanner of Time Bomb comics on the arrival of their very own little bomblette. Sasha Joyce Tanner was born in the early hours of 31st January and weighed… Read More ›
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Bonhams auction house celebrates Doctor Who
Marking the upcoming auction of BBC Doctor Who memorabilia at the world-famous auction house later this month (24th February), the latest issue of Bonhams Magazine (Issue 21) features an engaging feature on the series by Benjamin Cook, alongside the publication’s… Read More ›
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Win an original sketch by Graeme Neil Reid
Throughout December and January artist Graeme Neil Reid posted up 18 different ink sketches ranging from comic superheroes, sci-fi film and Doctor Who characters on his blog, now you have the chance to pick one of theses sketches and have… Read More ›
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Colchester’s firstsite puts out Call to Comic Artists
(with thanks to Smallzone and Bryan Talbot): Colchester-based visual arts organisation firstsite wants to hear from artists working with comic imagery and media, who are interested in undertaking a unique residency as part of their next project… here’s the details… Read More ›
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British FX designer Mike Trim headlines Andersonic Nine
The latest issue of the brilliant Gerry Anderson ‘zine Andersonic (Issue 9) is now available and features a new, nine-page interview with designer Mike Trim, who discusses his work on the Anderson series from Thunderbirds through to UFO. His latest… Read More ›

