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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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 ›
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Book and Magazine Collector 318
The latest issue of Book and Magazine Collector is now available and features the first part of a series of articles entitled Forgotten British Comics on the titles of the so called Pirate Publishers, those companies that produced often one-off… Read More ›
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Al Davison offers Life Drawing Master Class
Comics artist Al Davison has just announced he’s running an all-day Life Drawing Master Class in Coventry in April. An all-day life drawing extravaganza, it’s the opportunity of expert tuition by the very talented Al, in the beautiful surroundings of… Read More ›
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Compalcomics Auction offers rare Beanos, Frank Bellamy Art, Dick Tracy
The Spring 2010 auction at British comics auction site Compalcomics is now open. The catalogue for the auction – one of four held every year – includes a rare copy of The Beano Issue 5 (expected to sell for between… Read More ›
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Comic Cat Music…
Since it’s the weekend, we thought you might have time to enjoy this animated treat, Edgar the Cat by Rodrigo D. Ricci, an artist we’ve been working with here at downthetubes on other projects. The music is by his brother…. Read More ›
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TimeBomb’s "Bomb Scares" set to disturb minds!
Leicester-basd British indie TimeBomb Comics has launched Bomb Scares, their first horror anthology collection. Best described as “disturbing horror in a twisted vein” this 56 page one-shot features 10 stories by 18 talented creators from across the globe: Shane Oakley,… Read More ›
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Are You a Tempolush?
London based comic creator Richy K. Chandler has just launched tempolush.com, a new website showcasing his artwork and comics. downthetubes readers may have seen his work in titles published by Titan, Accent UK and Factor Fiction Press, and can now… Read More ›
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Complete Frank Hampson Story Book Announced
PS Publishing has just released details of Tomorrow Revisited: The Complete Frank Hampson Story, scheduled for release in April – the 60th anniversary of Eagle. Written by Alistair Crompton, with art contributions from Don Harley and Andrew Skilleter, the book… Read More ›
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Torchwood Comic Goes Online
UK TV channel Watch has teamed up with Titan Magazines to offer an exclusive Torchwood online comic. Drawn by ace comic artist Brian Williamson and written by Oli Smith, the story is set at Pontyvale Golf Club, where the post-Christmas… Read More ›