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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In Review: The Best Of Battle
It feels like it has been a long time coming but Titan’s Best of Battle has finally hit the stores and surprisingly, for a “Best Of” book, the wait has been worth it. Battle Picture Weekly was IPC’s answer to… Read More ›
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Comic Conference Announced at Manchester University
Manchester Metropolitan University will host an academic conference on comics next April, with deadline for papers in January – and report that a new academic journal about comics will be published next year. Grandly titled The Graphic Novel and Comic… Read More ›
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Don’t Forsake The Prisoner
Fans of The Prisoner reading this blog might want to check out the various web sites of US band Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, which has a new music project in the works inspired by the show aptly… Read More ›
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In Review: The Chimpanzee Complex – Paradox
The latest science fiction offering in Cinebook’s increasing number of translated bandes dessinee albums from France is The Chimpanzee Complex. Unlike Aldebaran or Orbital this is a story that takes place in the near future of 2035 and begins on… Read More ›
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Emma Vieceli’s Dragon Heir: Reborn
British artist, writer and general ambassador for all things Manga, Emma Vieceli, has added a webcomic to her website. Dragon Heir was the first comic series that she worked on providing the story and art with Andrew Ruddick providing the… Read More ›
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FAB Gerry Anderson Comics
The latest issue of FAB published by Fanderson, the Gerry Anderson Appreciation Society, is now out. FAB is a 64 page A5 full colour fanzine published quarterly and available exclusively to Fanderson members. Issue 64 includes the third part of… Read More ›
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Matters of Convention: UK Web ‘n’ Mini Comix Thing
Continuing our series of interviews with British comic convention organisers, for this seventh instalment Matthew Badham talks to comic creator Patrick Findlay of the UK Web ‘n’ Mini Comix Thing, which is being held annually in London. These convention features… Read More ›
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Ricardo Garijo: The Commando List
A checklist of the Commando comics drawn by Ricard Garijo, first compiled by Vic Whittle in 2009
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In Memoriam: Ricardo Garijo, Commando Artist
We’re sorry to report the passing of Argentinian comic artist Ricard Garijo, aged just 55
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Accent UK Releases "Fastest Man" One Shot
A quick round up of news from top British indie Accent UK, whose latest Western anthology has now shipped and is in comic stores across the globe (Diamond Previews Order reference JUN090671 for those of you wanting to order from… Read More ›
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Exeter Comics Expo Announced
Ever a glutton for punishment, Mike Allwood, considered the driving force behind the Bristol Comics Expo team, has announced he’s also working on a one-day Comics Expo in Exeter, Devon, for early 2010, with artists Mike Ploog, David Lloyd and… Read More ›
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Comics Revue Goes Bi-Monthly
Fans of US newspaper comic strips such as Flash Gordon and Al Williamson’s Secret Agent Corrigan will already know about Comics Revue, but you may not know Manuscript Press has just re-launched the long-running magazine as a bi-monthly, with double… Read More ›
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Leopard of Lime Street Fun…
A few years ago, UK indie publisher Starscape, run by Chris Smillie, licensed some of Buster‘s Leopard of Lime Street strips from Egmont. “I made an ad for Starscape by using some images, making an animated comic,” says Chris,… Read More ›
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NASA’s Hitch Hiker Fans ‘Tweet’ Their Praise
Penguin Books and NASA have very different ideas about celebrating the 30th anniversary of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. NASA did it by having their LCROSS (Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite) vehicle tweeting lines from Hitchhiker’s, just before it… Read More ›
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Visiting Artists Petition Close to Target
The petition against the British Home Office’s ludicrous restrictions preventing non-EU artists and academics from participating the UK’s cultural life – rules which could affect visiting comic artists to conventions in future – is getting closer to its target of… Read More ›
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Matters of Convention: The Alternative Press Fair
Continuing our series of interviews with British comic convention organisers, for this sixth instalment Matthew Badham talks to comic creator Jimi Gherkin about the The Alternative Press Fair, which is being held annually in London. These convention features are being… Read More ›
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Fifth Temple Spotlights Comics Talent
The Temple Issue 5 is now complete and available to download for free from the British comic creators group’s forum. Compiled by John Kirkham, at 80 megs and over 160 pages it’s the biggest issue yet, with class contributions inside… Read More ›
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Commandos At The Ready
A new batch of Commando issues from DC Thomson goes on sale tomorrow (8th October) in all good newsagents. As usual, the releases are a mix of new and reprint titles, with Issue 4235, “Desert Dispatches”, a continuation of a… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: Doctor Who, Gnasher and Dave Gibbons
• Ace media site Den of Geek has the latest pics from BBC TV’s Sarah Jane Adventures here. Panini, publishers of Doctor Who Magazine, have just put out a great special on the show, featuring a full rundown of episodes… Read More ›
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Grab the new TOXIC!
The latest issue of Egmont’s TOXIC title, featuring humour strips by Lew Stringer and others, is on sale now. As well as strips and features, the issue comes with three free gifts: a Grabbing Hand, Star Wars Magnets and a… Read More ›