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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Commando Webbing
DC Thomson’s official Commando website have just completed their first web version of a Commando comic. Wall of Death was originally published in July 1966 in Commando issue 221, written by Redbridge and illustrated by Cortez. The website has formatted… Read More ›
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New Hammer and Carry On stamps from Royal Mail
2008 is the fiftieth anniversay of both Hammer’s classic Dracula movie and the Carry On films (although in the case of the latter you’d be forgiven for not knowing that giving the lack of fanfare over such a milestone!). To… Read More ›
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In Person – Ray Harryhausen In Edinburgh
There are few movie makers other than some actors and a few directors that could be said to have become legends in their own lifetime. Special effects creator Ray Harryhausen is one of those select few with his skeleton fight… Read More ›
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Highway Robbery Comics
British creators David Hailwood and Tony Suleri (artist on Cosmogenesis) have a a new webcomic online via Bulletproof Comics (www.bulletproofcomics.co.uk). Highway Robbery features the adventures of ape bounty hunter Pubba Gintaro, as he defends the population of Hounddog City from… Read More ›
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Illustration House Auction
New York auction company Illustration House has announced a fine selection of paintings and drawings with its new Auction of Illustrative and Cartoon Art, which takes place tomorrow, 7th June, at their Manhattan Gallery. Absentee bidding available. The works, which… Read More ›
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Torchwood Sigining News
Gareth David-Lloyd, best known to a legion of Who-iniverse fans for his portrayal of the super-efficient Ianto Jones in Torchwood, will be making not one but two personal appearances on Saturday 28th of June. The first will be at Nostalgia… Read More ›
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Ian Rankin and Alan Grant
(with thanks to Matthew Badham): Author Ian Rankin returns to the Borders Book Festival in Melrose, Scotland later this month, but not, this time, to talk about Inspector Rebus. Instead he will pose questions about Judge Dredd, Batman, The Terminator,… Read More ›
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Comic Creator Hannah Berry Interviewed
Over on the Forbidden Planet International blog, Joe Gordon has posted an interview with Brighton-based Hannah Berry, author of the recnetly-published Britten & Brülightly from publishers Jonathan Cape, a film noir-styled debut graphic novel that centres on ‘Private Researcher’ Fernández… Read More ›
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In Review: Rumble Strip
If you want to get away with murder, buy a car. That could easily be the “message” of Woodrow Phoenix’ latest graphic novel, Rumble Strip – except that of course, the reality is never that simple. The truth is far… Read More ›
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ROK Drops Crumb Into China
ROK Comics has announced that several top comic creators are having their work translated for distribution in China as part of the company’s ongoing development — with over 30,000 downloads delivered in one weekend. Crumb, created by top cartoonist David… Read More ›
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Gordon Brown, Superhero…
As trailed yesterday, Blink Twice artist Lawrence Etherington appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning, as part of the BBC’s coverage of Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s role in Marvel’s new Captain Britain and MI13 comic, written by Paul Cornell. (Brown is… Read More ›
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Monkey Nuts Breakfast Cereal!
Here’s on for those early risers among you! Word reaches us from the Blink Twice studio (creators of Monkey Nuts! for the new DFC comic) that Lawrence Etherington (“Lorenzo” to some) will be appearing on BBC Breakfast tomorrow (Wednesday 4… Read More ›
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In Review: Omnivistascope
The latest issue of Omnivistascope, Paul Scott’s stunning-looking SF anthology comic, was released at the Bristol Comics Expo last month but what with one thing and another — among other things, scripting Ex Astris, writing a story for an upcoming… Read More ›
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In Review: C2D4
Last month, newly launched publishers C2D4 (an aliteration of Comics To Die For), the brainchild of Essex-based duo artist and writer Tony Wicks and writer Martin Buxton launched their first three titles: Last of the Chickenhads, Jack in the Box,… Read More ›
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Titan Celebrates Golden Age Comics Legends
Titan Books have announced the acquisition of the rights to a series of books celebrating the life and work of US Golden Age creator Joe Simon and his collaborations with comics legend Jack Kirby. The first volume in the set,… Read More ›
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Jeff Hawke’s Cosmos 4.3
The latest issue of Jeff hawke’s Cosmos is now out. The magazine (exclusive Sydney Jordan painted cover artwork shown left) has bulked up for this issue, pushing the page count up to 80 A4 pages and going perfect bound. The… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing – Monday 2 June 2008
• There’s a lengthy Pat Mills interview and appreciation in UK magazine Death Ray (issue #12, cover dated June 2008, Katee Sackhoff on the cover), co-creator of 2000AD and writer of strips such as Slaine and Nemesis the Warlock. However,… Read More ›
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Superman: Man of Style Contest
Ready to tug on Superman’s cape? Heck, tear it off and take the tights back to the drawing board! Project: Rooftop is teaming up with the Pulp Secret site and the Jim Hanley’s Universe stores for a new drawing contest… Read More ›
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Colan Auction Results
An Iron Man cover donated by top British comics artist Jon Haward to raise money to help veteran comics artist Gene Colan who is very ill and has no medical insurance has raised $290 for the cause. “I wish it… Read More ›
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downthetubes joins Comic Blog Elite
We’re pleased to report that the hard work of the downthetubes team has been rewarded with acceptance by Comic Blog Elite (comicblogelite.com), an “aggregator” site that delivers a league chart of some of the best comics blogs — of varying… Read More ›