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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Beano 70th Anniversary Exhibition
After their successful Comics Day as part of the Dundee Literary Festival, Dundee University will be hosting Happy Birthday Beano which is described as the official 70th anniversary exhibition for the comic. In association with the Beano’s publishers, DC Thomson,… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: 27 June 2008
Archaeologist and TV presenter Neil Oliver’s latest book, Amazing Tales For Making Men Out Of Boys, tells historical tales for courage and sacrifice from Sparta, through the Second World War to Apollo 13. The book contains reprinted illustrations from Look… Read More ›
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21st Century Dare Merchandising
With the new Virgin version of Dan Dare drawing to a close with issue 7 of the limited series, Virgin have jumped onto the merchandise bandwagon with an item about as far removed from the metal toys and bagatelles of… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: 26 June 2008
• Writer Mark Millar has just been interviewed for Scotland’s Evening Times, just back from the opening of Wanted in Hollywood (Check out this viral site inspired by the movie…).“To see it polished and finished up on the big screen… Read More ›
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WebComic Spotlight: The Ten Doctors
An ace Who fan-produced web comic
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Comic Creator first for ICA
Paul Gravett has been in touch to tell us about a pretty special event, Between The Panels 3, which will take place on 2 August 2008 at the ICA in London. ComICA will be hosting the first ever in-depth discussion… Read More ›
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In Review: Dundee Literary Festival Comics Day
Like its 2007 predecessor, Biff! Bam!! Crikey!!!, the 2008 Comics Day of the Dundee Literary Festival was held at Dundee University and was again organised by Dr Christopher Murray of the university’s English Department. While the previous year was a… Read More ›
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Redick Slices into SliceofSciFi
There’s a new podcast interview at SliceofSciFi.com with ROK Comics creator David Reddick, also the cartoonist behind LegendofBill.com, along with Roddenberry Productions COO Trevor Roth, talking about his webcomics Gene’s Journal and Rod & Barry for Roddenberry.com
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Caption Guests Announced
The 17th annual Caption comics convention taking place in Oxford in August has just confirmed a few more guests for the Timewarp, with representatives from classic magazines Escape and Deadline as well as a veritable golden horde of creators involved… Read More ›
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Eleventh Hour In Shops Now
Eleventh Hour Volume 1, the anthology title created by Orang Utan Comics Studio and published by AAM/Markosia hits retail stores worldwide this week. Featuring twelve stories by the creative minds at Orang Utan Comics Studio with art by artists from… Read More ›
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Blank Slate Are Mint!
New British publisher Blank Slate (www.blankslatebooks.co.uk), the brainchild of Forbidden Planet International founders James Hamilton and Kenny Penman, kindly sent us review copies of the first two graphic collections in their range. The new company has an ambitious publishing program,… Read More ›
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Dare, Mekon T-Shirts On Sale Online
In our recent review of the Dan Dare and The Birth Of Hi-Tech Britain exhibition at London’s Science Museum, Jeremy Briggs mentioned the Dan Dare/Mekon t-shirts and how they weren’t in the online store. Peer Lawther, E-Marketing Executive at the… Read More ›
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Japan’s Mobile Comic Frenzy
Mobile comics seem to be growing in popularity worldwide, bouyed by better screen resolutions and the growing number of comic creators experimenting with the form. Further growth in the market might come from the increasing sales success for mobile comics… Read More ›
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Lloyd in Highgate
Kickback and V for Vendetta artist David Lloyd is giving a talk at the Highgate Library in London at 7.15pm on Wednesday, 25th June. Admission is fre but to book a place call 020 8489 8772 David will be talking… Read More ›
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Read More Calvin and Hobbes, Government Urges
(with thanks to Matthew Badham for the initial lead): The British government says young boys should be encouraged to read Calvin and Hobbes and comic-book annuals such as the Dandy and Beano to get them into the reading habit young… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: 23 June 2008
• Comics writer Jason Cobley is a guest on the BBC Radio 4 show The Learning Curve at 8.30pm tonight, Monday 23rd June, discussing using Classical Comics’ Shakespeare books in the classroom with the legendary Libby Purves. “I’m not sure… Read More ›
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Creating WebComics: A Brief Guide
In 2007, I was part of a panel at the Birmingham International Comic Show and there was plenty of advice offered on web comics creation, and I figured it was high time I shared some of it on downthetubes. Many… Read More ›
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Creating WebComics: A Brief Guide
In 2007, I was part of a panel at the Birmingham International Comic Show and there was plenty of advice offered on web comics creation, and I figured it was high time I shared some of it on downthetubes. Many… Read More ›
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Shoot Shot Down
IPC Media has announced the closure of Shoot! after 40 years, a victim of stiff competition from rivals. The Guardian reports the cancellation of the IPC Media title, which once rubbed shoulders with sports-dominated comics such as Roy of the… Read More ›
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Knight Rider Car Sold on eBay
A rare version of KITT, the iconic talking black car from the US 1980s TV show Knight Rider has just been sold on the internet auction site eBay. The KITT model, built from a Pontiac Trans Ams — and most recently… Read More ›