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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Jim Krueger scripts Stand In for Ardden
A new project from best-selling writer Jim Krueger
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Pens, Pencils and Photocopiers: Alternative Press Fair 2009
The Alternative Press Fair 2009 in London has just been announced, bringing together the worlds of alternative comics, zines, self-produced art-books, poetry and diy/punk culture for one amazing day, like a great colourful blacmange that you can’t eat. It’s a… Read More ›
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Commando – as you’ve never seen it before!
Here’s a bit of comics-related fun from a recent edition of FHM magazine (not that we here at downthetubes read such things, cough, cough). To illustrate a piece about common men’s problems (cancer, bereavement, being dumped by a woman etc),… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: 24 November 2008
• Kieron Gillen talks about writing the new Warhammer Crown of Destruction comic series from Boom Studios over on comiccon.com, the series inspired by on Nottingham-based Games Workshop’s hugely popular gaming system and figures. “It’s a world that lives on… Read More ›
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Captain Eager comes to DVD
Anyone who’s a fan of Dan Dare, Rick Random, Flash Gordon and perhaps even Captain Scarlet might not want to check out the new DVD Captain Eager and the Mark of the Voth, unless of course they’re prepared to enjoy… Read More ›
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Review: The Most Natural Thing in the World by Frances Cassavetti
Right, time to review cartoonist Francesca Cassavetti’s The Most Natural Thing in the World (hereafter referred to as The Most Natural Thing). Ok, here goes… The Most Natural Thing is a joy. One of the best comics I’ve read all… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: 23 November 2008
“It’s a cracking read, Gromit”. Having appeared on the cover of the 70th anniversary Beano and with their next adventure due to be broadcast on BBC1 this Christmas, Wallace and Gromit’s popularity is being used to give a boost to… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: A Thought Bubble Comic Con Special
It’s been a week since the Thought Bubble comic con’ in Leeds and it seems that the fuss is only just beginning to die down, with many exhibitors and punters naming it as their con of the year! “There was… Read More ›
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British Zombies Boom!
A few months ago, up and coming British comics artist Paul Harrison-Davies promised a sneak peak of a comic he was working on before finding out sneak peaks were not allowed. “Well, I’m told the comic’s out so I guess… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: 21 November 2008
• King Features Syndicate, the world’s premier distributor of comics (including Hagar the Horrible, Popeye and more), columns, editorial cartoons, puzzles and games to newspapers worldwide, is launching Comics Kingdom, a first-of-its-kind digital platform it says provides a revenue-driving business… Read More ›
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Hine, Braithwaite on Brave and Bold
British creators David Hine and Dougie Braithwaite team up on DC Comics Brave and the Bold title for the next four issues, delivering a story which begins with a strange child channeling the Green Lantern oath and scrawls it on… Read More ›
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Commando Webbing
The backroom boffins on the Commando Mag website have been adding to the site and trying a few new tactics to entice readers to enter on a regular basis. The ongoing series of Commando cover wallpapers chosen by editor Calum… Read More ›
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Name, Rank and Issue Number!
In 1992, Scott Montgomery was at the Glasgow Comics Convention listening to writer Alan Grant as he gave advice on how to get into comics. Today, Scott is chief sub-editor on DC Thomson’s Commando comic, having previously worked on The… Read More ›
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Cartoon Art Trust Award Winners Announced
The 14th Cartoon Art Trust Awards were presented at an entertaining fundraising dinner at The Mall Galleries in London yesterday, an event which celebrates and coincides with the opening of Giles – One of the Family exhibition at The Cartoon… Read More ›
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Oliver Frey at ComICA
Exciting news just in: outstanding illustrator Oliver Frey, whose work includes The Trigan Empire has agreed to join the Great British Comics panel at ComICA next Sunday (23rd November), London to discuss his work, which is featured in David Roach’s… Read More ›
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DFC in Tescos Next Week!
The DFC, the weekly British comic until now only available on subscription is to be trialled in a major British supermarket next week. The DFC is normally only available by subscription, but for one week only (26th November to 2nd… Read More ›
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Tube Surfing: 18 November 2008
• Happy Birthday, Alan Moore. The comics legend and mage, writer of Top Ten, Lost Girls, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Swamp Thing, Doctor Who, Maxwell the Magic Cat, Watchmen and much, much more is 55 today. • (via Kasterborous): Would… Read More ›
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Grab yourselves some The Beano and The Dandy collectables
If you’re looking for something a little bit special for the British comic fan in your life this Christmas, how about one of these limited edition The Beano and The Dandy figurines from Robert Harrop Designs?
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Kev’s Comic Art MasterClass: 2009 Dates
Beano comics artist Kev Sutherland has been in touch to say he has a fair cluster of his Comic Art Masterclasses in 2009 that will be open to the public, rather than just being in schools and colleges. Wednesday 18th… Read More ›
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Creature Comforts USA Released on DVD
Creature Comforts USA: Complete Series 3 has just been released on DVD in the UK by 2Entertain, offering more unscripted voices of the great American public hilariously brought to life with animated animals and wildlife. Based on Aardman Animation’s original… Read More ›