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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Pat Mills Zarjaz Special Planned
Zarjaz, the high quality 2000AD-inspired fan-magazine, has announced their next issue, due for release in May, will be entirely dedicated to the work of 2000AD co-creator Pat Mills. Wrapped in a stunning Slaine cover by by Dave Kendall, whose first… Read More ›
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New Watchmen In-Film Clips Released
Three in-film clips from Watchmen featuring Night Owl have just been released on YouTube… “We Can Break Into the Pyramid” featuring Night Owl and Rorsharch: “Rescue…” — and, finally, “Attention Citizens”: a chance to see the Comedian in action… •… Read More ›
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Britsh Comics Art on EBay
Artwork from Steel Claw from Valiant, Robot Archie from Lion and Black Bow from Eagle is currently on sale on eBay, more work that was sold off by IPC a couple of years ago when it cleared its archives. The… Read More ›
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Missing in Action: Off the Frame
One casualty of the delayed publication of Comics International was a special “Off The Frame” cartoon by John Freeman and Paul Harrsion-Davies, the brief to note news of a proposed Weerewolf by Night film project and tie in with issue’s… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: 17 February 2009
• Veteran 2000AD artist Cliff Robinson just posted this specatcular Judge Death illustration on his blog… • Talking of 2000AD, on Saturday 21st March between 1 and 2.30pm, the Forbidden Planet Mega Store in London is having its 30th Anniversary… Read More ›
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Battling MS: Here’s Johnny
2000AD artist Johnny Hicklenton features in a documentary on More4 tonight about his lengthy battle with multiple sclerosis, which we reported on last year. Johnny lives in an increasing state of immobility and frustration, escaping the confines of his front… Read More ›
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Into the Whispering Gallery
US publisher IDW release a special one-shot Doctor Who title later this month. Titled The Whispering Gallery, superstar artist Ben Templesmith tackles his first full Who project, alongside comic book writers Leah Moore & John Reppion. In The Whispering Gallery,… Read More ›
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John Barrowman’s Comic Strip Adventure
As we reported yesterday, Issue #14 of the official Torchwood Magazine goes on sale on Thursday and plays host to an all-new and exclusive Torchwood Comic strip adventure penned by Captain Jack himself – John Barrowman. Written in collaboration with… Read More ›
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Comics International #207 – On Sale At Last
Much delayed, Comics International #207 is now on sale, offering a variety of comics features, reviews and news items covering comics on both sides of the Atlantic (and beyond). Alongside features on the new Watchmen movie, out next month, Marvel… Read More ›
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Torchwood Strip on Watch Web Site!
Titan Magazines, publishers of Torchwood Magazine, have partnered up with UK digital channel Watch to offer an exclusive Torchwood strip on their web site, as part of their promotion for the screening of Torchwood Season Two. The strip has been… Read More ›
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Something Useful from the European Union…
— Well, sort of… it’s in beta at present but the European Union is assembling a huge online digital resource, which includes imagery from publishers as well as museums at: www.europeana. eu/portal You can search for subjects etc and results… Read More ›
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Beating Up Baddies, Watchmen Style…
A new Watchmen viral has just been launched, hot on the heels of the Watchmen TV channel, all to promote the upcoming release of the eagerly-anticipated Watchmen movie. This time, it’s a Watchmen arcade game, retro-styled like the classic 1980s… Read More ›
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Kiwi Comic Creators Join Copyright Protest
New Zealand comic creators have joined a nationwide protest this week (16-23 February) protesting against new copyright laws there, that could see anyone perceived as infringing copyright lose their internet connection — including schools and libraries. The Guilt Upon Accusation… Read More ›
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Alternative Press Anthology 2009: More Details Emerge
Jimi Gherkin, one of the organisers of the recent Alternative Press Fair in London, has revealed more for the plans for an Alternative Press Anthology, to be released later this year. “The Alternative Press Fair was great,” he reports. “We’ve… Read More ›
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Lancaster Comics Event
Lancaster’s comics fans gather at the northern town’s Gregson this week, for an event organised by First Age Comics, which is based in the Assembly Rooms in King Street. The Uncanny League Of Astonishing Amazers will kick off at 8.00pm… Read More ›
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Garen Ewing Interviewed
Forbidden Planet International has a very special treat for you today, as Matthew Badham sits down for a good, long chat with The DFC and Rainbow Orchid artist Garen Ewing, looking back to what drew him into creating comics, his… Read More ›
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Shades of Milligan
(with thanks to Reuben Willmott): Yesterday, we gave passing mention to Peter Milligan‘s new project for DC Comics’ Vertigo crime line, The Bronx Kill, working with James Romberger. Coincidentally, Milligan, whose past work includes 2000AD‘s Bad Company and Shade: The… Read More ›
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Doctor Who: The Anime
(With thanks to Frank Garcia, via Topless Robot and Japanator): Expect this stunning piece of work to go hugely viral — and if BBC Worldwide don’t pick up the phone to Sheffield-based artist and animator Paul “Otaking” Johnson and offer… Read More ›
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Seventh Doctor’s Adventures Collected
Panini, the publishers of Doctor Who Magazine, will release the first volume of the Seventh Doctor’s collected adventures in May, compiling eleven stories under the umbrella title A Cold Day in Hell, the comic strip adventure written by Simon Furman,… Read More ›
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Adrian Tomine on Strip!
Continuing Indie comics month on the radio show and podcast Strip!, Eagle Award winning writer and artist Tom Humberstone will be talking to American comic book creator Adrian Tomine who writes and draws the comic book Optic Nerve, originally self… Read More ›