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.

  • Do You Want To Kiss It Better?

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    Do You Want to Kiss It Better - Green

    Do You Want To Kiss It Better is a new charity comics anthology aimed at raising money for good causes. The first issue, Green, is on sale now from retailers such as Forbidden Planet Online and London comic shop Orbital… Read More ›

  • Another DFC Strip Revealed

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    Following up on yesterday’s post about Neill Cameron’s strip for DFC, Mobot High, comes this image of Dave Windett’s strip for the new British weekly, subscription-only title, Lazarus Lemming. Dave’s credits include Simpsons Comics, Korky the Cat for The Dandy,… Read More ›

  • Mobot High joins DFC title

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    British comics creator Neill Cameron has just announced that his new strip Mo-Bot High, and will be appearing in The DFC, the brand new weekly subscription-only children’s comic being launched in May 2008 by David Fickling Books, an imprint of… Read More ›

  • No Barcodes Event

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    Oli Smith has published this promotional video for No Barcodes, the Camden Comics Mini-Con from 10-6pm on Saturday 31st May. The event features cheap food, glorious scenery (see video for more on this), sketching tables, entrance is free, and exhibitors… Read More ›

  • Galleon 43

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    Comics creator Lewis has just released the above video promo for his new comic Galleon 43, which will be on sale at the Bristol Comic Expo next month. Written by Lewis and illustrated by Jacob Phillips, Galleon 43 follows Chris… Read More ›

  • More straight to DVD Stargate

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    Stargate - Continuum

    Stargate: Continuum debuts exclusively on DVD and Blu-Ray Disc in the US on 29th July, with members of SG-1 find themselves returning to a world where their history has been dramatically altered. Continuing the legacy of Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Continuum… Read More ›

  • Haunted Liverpool book materializes

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    John Reppion’s new book, Haunted Liverpool, featuring art by Andy Bloor, David Hitchcock, Declan Shalvey, Mo Ali, Oliver Redding and others has just gone on sale via the Leah Moore and John Reppion’s web site shop. On offer is the… Read More ›

  • Beano Reunion on Radio 4

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    Comics guru Paul Gravett is just one of many creators involved in a special comics-focused The Reunion show on BBC Radio 4 this coming Sunday (Sunday 20th April, 11.15 to 12 noon). “The Reunion is a fascinating series bringing people… Read More ›

  • Abadzis in The Guardian

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    Nick Abadzis, whose book Laika has drawn deserved critical acclaim from many quarter of late, has just announced that he has a a three-page strip in The Guardian from this Saturday (19th April)that runs for six weeks (every Saturday in… Read More ›

  • Lee’s Legion of 5

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    Image details: Stan Lee at the opening Reception For ”Stan Lee: A Retrospective” in February 2007. Image via picapp.com Marvel Comics Master Stan Lee and his Pow! Entertainment, along with Brighton Partners have teamed with CG producers Rainmaker Entertainment (now… Read More ›

  • HammerWeb Revamped

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    It’s been a long time coming, but the Hammer Films official web site (www.hammerfilms.com) has just been updated to fully reflect its new productions, while still celebrating its groundbreaking history as Britain’s favourite horror film company. The site has had… Read More ›

  • BBC Seeks New Writers

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    The next generation of TV writers are being sought by the BBC for its Drama Writers Academy, a unique course that equips writers with the skills to work on BBC flagship continuing drama programmes. The Academy is the only course… Read More ›

  • Cartoonists invade Shrewsbury

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    Shrewsbury will be invaded by all manner of cartoonists this coming weekend (18th – 20th April), intent on enjoying themselves to the maximum at the Shrewsbury International Cartoon Festival. Guests include Guardian cartoonist Steve Bell, Steve Bright, David Fletcher (creator… Read More ›

  • Exhibition Review: Make Mine Manga!

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    I approached the How Manga Took Over The World exhibition at Manchester’s Urbis museum, writes Matt Badham, with some trepidation. I’m not a massive manga and anime fan and certainly don’t know my shonen from my shojo. However, perhaps because… Read More ›

  • 2D Returns to Derry

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    2D, The Northern Ireland Comics festival, will return this year and will take place from the 5th – 7th June in the Verbal Arts Centre and other locations here in Derry, Northern Ireland. The festival is organised by the Verbal… Read More ›

  • Webby Awards Nomination for Ring Tales

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    The 12th Annual Webby Awards has nominated US company RingTales for the Best Animation Video of 2008, based on a selection of RingTales’ animated versions of the print cartoons from The New Yorker magazine. Winners will be announced on 6th… Read More ›

  • Septic Isle debuts

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    UK independent comic publisher Moonface Press will launch its new graphic novella Septic Isle with a limited edition of just 100 copies at next month’s Bristol International Comic Expo. In the 1970s and ’80s, Jacob Marley was MI5’s most revered… Read More ›

  • Torchwood Toys go Underground

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    BBC Worldwide has chosen Underground Toys as the North American and UK licensee for Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood, with several product lines planned, including mugs, key chains, plastic replica items, laying cards and resin busts. Expect products to start shipping… Read More ›

  • More Moore

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    Ronald D. Moore, that is – not Alan. US broadcaster Fox has ordered a two-hour sci-fi pilot, Virtuality from Ronald D. Moore (Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica) and produced by Universal Media Studios. Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun along with Ronald and… Read More ›

  • Twilight Zone and Flyings Saucers come to Comics

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    The newly revamped icv2.com reports that UK publisher Walker Books is launching a series of eight graphic novels based on classic episodes of Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone. The first two volumes will be out in October, just one year… Read More ›