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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Prestonpandemonium 3
A reminder for those readers in the south east of Scotland and the north east of England that Saturday 31 May sees the return of the Prestonpandemonium comic mart to Prestonpans just off the A1 near Edinburgh. The third PP… Read More ›
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Mike Western: 1925 – 2008
Following the death of British comics artist Mike Western, reported earlier this week, we’ve published two new features on the main downthetubes site to celebrate his life and work. In Mike Western Remembered, Ian Wheeler pays tribute to the late,… Read More ›
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Bishop is Not The Weakest Link
Former editor of 2000AD David Bishop did comicdom proud this week by winning BBC contest The Weakest Link. In an episode broadcast on Friday 23rd May (available via iplayer for the next seven days), David beat a sports journalist for… Read More ›
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Manga Maniacs Day at Manchester’s Urbis
Crazy about Astro Boy, think you could make it as one of Gwen Stefani’s next Harajuku girls or would just love to star in your own version of Spirited Away? Manchester’s Urbis Centre is inviting manga and cosplay fans to… Read More ›
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Stick Man’s Adventures Continue
Lothian-based cartoonist Malcolm Kirk has been publishing his madcap Stick Man on ROK Comics for a while now. Check out the strip via this link — they’re all free to view online and on your phone. The strip has progressed… Read More ›
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In Memoriam: Mike Western
Sad news via Steve Holland’s Bear Alley: one of the giants of British comics, Mike Western, has laid down his pen for the last time. Mike, who suffered a heart attack in 2007 and was laid low by it for… Read More ›
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The Return of Paper?
British comic creator Adam York Gregory has just released his new book based on his webcomic, The Flowfield Unity — but has abandoned trying to sell it by Print On Demand in favour of a tried and tested distrIbution method… Read More ›
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C2D4 Launches new titles
Newly launched self-publishers C2D4 (an aliteration of Comics To Die For) enjoyed a successful launch at the Bristol International Comic Expo earlier this month, with Essex-based duo artist and writer Tony Wicks, and writer Martin Buxton unveiling three titles: Last… Read More ›
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In Review: Freddie & Me: A Coming-of-Age (Bohemian) Rhapsody
Freddie & Me: A Coming-of-Age (Bohemian) RhapsodyBy Mike Dawson US Release (Paperback, Bloomsbury): 27 May 2008UK Release (Hardcover, Jonathan Cape): 5 June 2008 The Plot: High Fidelity meets Wayne’s World in this graphic memoir about a young man’s life-long obsession… Read More ›
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Vampire Chiller joins ROK Comics
Check out this digital vampire comic by Rodrigo Diaz Ricci
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Free Tozzer!
Everyone likes free stuff, right? So to cater for all the cheapskates (I mean, you sophisticated members of the cultural elite), the the creators of the hilarious comic strip Tozzer, Rob Dunlop and Peter Lumby, launched a brand new Tozzer… Read More ›
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Indy Magazine and Comic Released!
Titan Magazines launches two official tie-ins with the new Indiana Jones film this week – and one of them is a UK-only comic title. The first issue of the Official Indiana Jones Magazine features exclusive interviews with the cast and… Read More ›
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DFC Launches
By Joel Meadows of Tripwire Magazine Taking over the BFI South Bank café in Waterloo in London, David Fickling Books launched The DFC, their new weekly comic for kids to some fanfare last week. Top names like Philip Pullman (The… Read More ›
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Parody Ad: Gremlins
The critters from the 1980s film Gremlins do their best to scupper a late night in the office for Dragons’ Den and American Inventor star Peter Jones in this BT ad, created by Swarm. Swarm have published a “Making of”… Read More ›
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Woolworths’ Darth Vader Spot
Long-running Wooolworths promotional characters Wooly and Worth (who even have their own ine of merchandise!) prepare for lunch Darth Vader in their flat. The Sith lord is making beans on toast but alas! No toaster. Wooly is sent out to… Read More ›
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New UK Comics Auction Opens
The Summer 2008 auction at comics auction site Compalcomics (www.compalcomics.com) is now open, with another great range of both British and US items on offer. There are over 300 lots in this catalogue. DC Thomson’s The Broons are once again… Read More ›
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ROK Signs Roy of the Rovers
ROK Comics has announced the official addition of the legendary Roy of the Rovers comic to its stable of classic comics for mobile phones, in partnership with Egmont UK, starting with a classic 1970s story featuring Roy as England Manager…. Read More ›
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Comics, Nerds and Spandex!
As promised: David Hailwood’s account of this year’s Bristol Comics Expo — although it seems he managed to do more avoiding of the event than actually being at it! (Which, by the way, is par for the course when you’re… Read More ›
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Ian Stacey’s Wet Paint
Much-praised cartoonist Ian Stacey has been in touch to say he has collected over 100 of his fab “Wet Paint” cartoons into a book. Priced at just £2, all proceeds of the sales will go to the Big Issue Foundation…. Read More ›
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Alan Moore in London
(via the Forbidden Planet International blog): Great Britain’s Comics Alchemist in Extraordinary Alan Moore will be appearing at London’s Orbital Comics (148 Charing Cross Road) on the 24th May to promote the new DVD The Mindscape of Alan Moore, a… Read More ›