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.
-
Wolfman: Sneak Peek
Courtesy of Universal Pictures, here’s an advance look at their new Wolfman, from their upcoming The Wolfman film, currently scheduled for May 2009 release in the UK. The make-up is the work of six-time Oscar-winning special effects artist Rick Baker,… Read More ›
-
Freak Angels Live
While we’re on the subject of digital comics (see Elfquest story below), just a reminder that Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield’s new digital project via Avatar Press, FreakAngels is now live. FreakAngels is a free, weekly, ongoing comic, which Warren… Read More ›
-
Elves take Over the Internet
(via BoingBoing): Every issue of Elfquest — perhaps the oldest independent US comic — is to be made available free online, part of an initiative by Wendy and Richard Pini, owners of Elfquest publishing company Warp Graphics, to celebrate their… Read More ›
-
Captain Kronos Reunion
Next weekend sees a special reunion of the team involved in the Hammer Films feature Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter in London (29 March 2008). There are still a few tickets left, and anyone interested should contact organiser Don Fearney immediately…. Read More ›
-
Our Own Space Odyssey
With the sad passing of Arthur C Clarke much has been said of the future that he envisaged with television news showing his fictional spaceships dancing to the strains of the Blue Danube from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Yet we… Read More ›
-
In Memoriam: Sir Arthur C. Clarke
It seems to be a really bad few weeks for the science fiction and comics medium, with yet another reminder that my generation is in “mortality country” (as Alan Moore describes it). Today comes the news of the passing of… Read More ›
-
The Saint Returns – Again!
Gentleman criminal and adventurer The Saint is to make a comeback as a two-hour TV film, reportedly starring James Purefoy (pictured), that could lead to the production of a new show. Media reports picked up by saint.org indicate Sir Roger… Read More ›
-
UFO and Battle of Britain Dinky Toys on eBay
A few Dinky toys for sale from me on eBay at present, with just one day to run, some of which may be of interest to readers here: • Dinky UFO InterceptorDinky Toys 351 – UFO interceptor from Gerry Anderson’s… Read More ›
-
Art Reviw – 30 stars of tomorrow
Glossy art magazine the Art Review showcases 30 stars of Tomorrow in its March 2008 edition and, although he’s not featured on the actual list it self, 2000AD artist Ian Gibson makes a play for some of Charles Saatchi’s spare… Read More ›
-
In Memoriam: Cover Artist Walt Howarth
Cartoonist Lew Stringer reports that Walt Howarth, the prolific artist of many British annual covers of the 1960s and 1970s has died, aged 80. This is Lancashire reports Walt, whose credits include work on Doctor Who, The Lone Ranger, Dempsey… Read More ›
-
Keep Me In Caramacs!
Sparked by a quick debate on a Yahoo comics group comes news that the British small press might be failing in its legal obligations by not sending copies of their magazines – however short the print run – to the… Read More ›
-
Titan’s Top UK Sales
London-based Titan Books, well known for its comics collections and which recently announced a publishing deal with Egmont for new Roy of the Rovers and Battle titles, topped sales in two categories UK sales in the week ending 2nd March…. Read More ›
-
Third Heavy Metal Film Planned
A new animated ‘anthology’-styled movie inspired by the Heavy Metal SF and fantasy comics magazine and directed by David (Zodiac) Fincher is in the works from Paramount. Los Angeles-based animation studio Blur, whose credits include graphics for games such as… Read More ›
-
A Gaffe of Media
Over on socksandbarney.com, top artist Steve Conley recently delivered a telling blow on the US mainstream media with a fun cartoon, just one of his very funny “Socks and Barney” strips he’s been keeping far too quiet about, in my… Read More ›
-
Red Dwarf’s Holly on Tour!
Both incarnations of Red Dwarf computer Holly, Norman Lovett and Hattie Hayridge, are to tour UK theatres in their new stage show Double Header. The actors will perform comedy stand-up as well as talking about Red Dwarf, celebrating its 20th… Read More ›
-
Platinum Studios’ Comic Book Challenge Opens
US publisher Platinum Studios, also owners of the Drunk Duck webcomics site, has announced the launch of The Comic Book Challenge 2008 – a Pop Idol-styled comic book contest – at www.ComicBookChallenge.com, coinciding with the release of Jorge Vega’s 2007… Read More ›
-
Sean Azzopardi Interviewed
With the release of his new book, Twelve Hour Shift, Matthew Badham has just interviewed London-based cartoonist Sean Azzopardi and both have kindly given permission for us to republish the piece here. Sean Azzopardi is a self-published cartoonist living and… Read More ›
-
Paul Cornell Interviewed
British podcast producers Geek Syndicate have just released an epic 90 minute journey through time and space and into the mind of comics and TV writer Paul Cornell, whose credits include Doctor Who, Primeval, Wisdom, Robin Hood and a host… Read More ›
-
In Memoriam: Dave Stevens
Writer Mark Evanier has paid tribute to Rocketeer artist Dave Stevens, who died this week after a long battle with leukaemia. He was just 52. A tributes page has been added to the American artist’s official web site, and in… Read More ›
-
New Columbo DVD out 31 March
The next volume of Columbo DVDs is due out in the UK on 31 March. The Season 8 box set comprises the four episodes which made up the 1989 season – at the time of broadcast they were the first… Read More ›