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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Gingerbread TARDIS
With the BBC ramping up its publicity for the fourth season of Doctor Who of the ‘modern era’, what better time to celebrate with a special TARDIS cake? Which is exactly what one enterprising fan has done, and a smashing… Read More ›
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Dan Dare at the Science Museum
The Eagle‘s Dan Dare will be the focus of a new exhibition at London’s Science Museum later this month. Titled Dan Dare and the Birth of High-Tech Britain, Dan Dare enthusiast Dave Britton, who, among other things, has helped organise… Read More ›
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If only it would happen here…
News this week that the US courts have ruled that Time Warner, owner of DC Comics, is no longer the sole proprietor of Superman must be be good news for the heirs of Jerome Siegel — who 70 years ago… Read More ›
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It’s a Science Fiction World…
— or at least, that’s the view of a leading American professor, talking about a new article he’s written for Indiana’s Martinsville Reporter-Times. “Science fiction is no longer kids’ stuff, but serious literature,” acclaimed Jules Verne expert Arthur B. Evans,… Read More ›
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The Other Side of Harry
Friend, bodyguard, martial arts master, stunt man and actor John Carrigan, a regular cast member of recent fan produced Star Trek movies and more, has been in contact with downthetubes to tell us about The Other Side of Harry, a… Read More ›
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Modesty’s Yellowstone Booty
The dark underworld of espionage and crime is lit up once more by the fatal charms of the gorgeous Modesty Blaise — high priestess of pulp crime and goddess of cult thrillers. Titan Books collects three more classic, hard-to-find stories… Read More ›
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Stranded gets TV pilot
Mike Carey (X-Men, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Voodoo Child) and creator of Virgin Comics series The Stranded will be developing the story into a television series for SCI FI Channel. “One of the purposes of our SCI FI partnership is to… Read More ›
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Oli’s Comics Reviews for Cross Hatch
(Updated after short break 27/3/08, with apologies to Oli Smith and Oliver East): Trains Are Mint creator Oliver East is letting UK small press publishers know someone at alternative comics blog The Daily Cross Hatch “has taken leave of their… Read More ›
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A Demon Regrets…
Take some fallen angels, a bit of fire and brimstone, a disgruntled immortal, a plan to out-deceive the Great Deceiver himself; throw in a slew of Michael Golden covers; and you’ve got the upcoming, highly anticipated mini-series Demon’s Regret nailed… Read More ›
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Comix Thing in London today
Just a quick reminder that today (22 March) sees the 5th UK web comix Thing, a gathering of the British and overseas small press en masse to present their wares and promote new work, at the Great Hall, Queen Mary… Read More ›
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VIOLENT! Gets Virtual – and Girly Goes Global
This Saturday (22nd March 2008) sees the official launch of British indie press publisher Factor Fiction’s The Girly Comic and Violent! titles as webcomics (factorfictionpress.co.uk). To celebrate the launch, a brand new full colour comic strip Sisters of the Head… Read More ›
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Alan Moore Interviewed for Inside Out
Alan Moore has been interviewed for BBC East’s The Inside Out show, to be broadcast on tonight (Friday 21 March). The interview can also be viewed on the Inside Out website. Alan talks candidly about his work, revealing he was… Read More ›
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Happy Birthday, Number Six!
Number Six turned 80 yesterday, so belated birthday wishes to Patrick The Prisoner McGoohan. Perhaps it was no coincidence there was a documentary about The Prisoner on Radio 4, ‘Britan in a Box’ and you can hear it on the… Read More ›
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Book Now for BICS
Retailers and publishers are being urged to get tables booked for the Birmingham International Comic Show, which doesn’t take place until October – but spaces are booking fast. The event takes place on 4th and 5th October 2008 and is… Read More ›
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A Criminal Collaboration!
An ex-career criminal and cartoonist have come together to launch a true crime cartoon website (www.smugglingvacation.co.uk) which introduces two unique drug smuggling anti-heroes the like of which may never have been seen before. The site serialises the story of a… Read More ›
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Cartoonist Jim Medway interviewed
downtheubes contributor Matthew Badham has just interviewed cartoonist Jim Medway, a self-published cartoonist whose comics might best be described as anthropomorphic, all-ages fun. He has recently been invited to pitch ideas to the new anthology comic from Random House, The… Read More ›
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Torchwood from Titan – Brian Williamson’s New Strip
The latest issue of Torchwood from Titan Magazines went on sale in the UK today, featuring a new comic strip, “Jetsam”, written and drawn by Brian Williamson, whose numerous credits include newspaper illustration for DC Comics, The Sunday Times and… Read More ›
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Tin Man to premiere in May in UK
The UK Sci Fi Channel has announcded the top-rated mini series Tin Man, inspired by The Wizard of Oz and screened on SciFi Channel US last year, will air in May. As we reported last month and last year, the… Read More ›
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Actor Brian Wilde dies
Brian Wilde, best known for his roles of Foggy in some 100 episodes of BBC comedy Last of the Summer Wine and Barrowclough in Porridge, but whose credits included several cult TV appearances, has died aged 80. Brian last appeared… Read More ›
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Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge
The deadline for the next Star Wars Fan Movie is approaching. If you don’t have it circled on your calendar already, the due date is 27th May 2008. Get creative, get some friends together, get your cameras rolling or get… Read More ›