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.

  • Bell Defends New Yorker Obama cover

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    Guardian cartoonist Steve Bell has sprung to the defence of the New Yorker magazine, currently embroiled in controversy for its latest cover depicting US presidential candidate Barrack Obama and his wife Michelle. Barack Obama supporters are said to be furious… Read More ›

  • BBC Issue a Comics Challenge

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    (with thanks to Robin Ashwell): The BBC online News Magazine has just published an article on newspaper comic strips — and is challenging readers to send in their own four panel creations. The article, published to publicise self-taught artist (and… Read More ›

  • Shatner on Your Mobile…

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    Thanks to a deal between ROK Media (publishers of ROK Comics) and top Hollywood photographer Sue Schneider, you can now buy wallpapers featuring some top SF TV and film stars — along with other celebrities — for your mobile. Mobile… Read More ›

  • No Heroics Reviewed

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    Over on Comic Book Resources, Rich Johnston has published a preview, complete with several photographs, of ITV2’s new superhero sitcom No Heroics, as part of his latest Lying in the Gutters comics news and gossip column. The show, set to… Read More ›

  • 2000AD Owners Interviewed

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    Game site Develop reports that British independent developer Rebellion, publishers of the Rogue Trooper and Judge Dredd games and also owners of cult comics 2000AD and Judge Dredd: The Megazine, has hit out at reports saying that the UK is… Read More ›

  • New Blake’s 7 Designer Speaks

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    (with thanks to Jeremy Briggs for the link): Scottish newspaper the Queensferry Gazette has just interviewed designer David Carey about his work for the new Blake’s 7 show in development for Sky One. The British broadcaster revealed back in April… Read More ›

  • Tank Girl: More Preview Art Online

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    (with thanks to Mattew Badham): Chris Ryall, Editor in Chief at US publisher IDW, has just posted a selection of art from their new Tank Girl series on his personal blog. Written by creator Alan C. Martin and drawn by… Read More ›

  • Grant Morrison: The Early Years Re-Released

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    Publisher Sequart.org has announced that a second edition of its first book, Grant Morrison: The Early Years, is now available exclusively through specialist comic shops via Diamond Previews (order code JUL084473). If you missed out last year, now is the… Read More ›

  • Britain is Broken…

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    British indie comics publisher Moonface Press has launched a website to support the release of its forthcoming graphic novel, Septic Isle. The site – www.britainisbroken.com – features a free PDF download of the book’s first 10 pages, plus information about… Read More ›

  • More from Blank Slate

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    New UK publisher Blank Slate has announced a further four graphic collections, following hot on the heels of their release of Oliver East’s Trains Are Mint and Mawli’s We Can Still be Friends. All four stick to the publishers hoped… Read More ›

  • The Surgeon Recut

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    Scottish publishers Rough Cut Comics, publishers of Rose Black, the Freedom Collective and more, are releasing a trade paperback compiling the original two-issue mini-series The Surgeon, featuring the early artwork of Jaeson Finn. The Surgeon, which ran ran for five… Read More ›

  • Jack Kirby Quarterly Returns

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    Jack Kirby Quarterly #15

    We knew Dez Skinn, former editor of Comics International, Warrior and many more Brtitish comics titles couldn’t keep away from good old print journalism forever. His next project is the 15th anniversary special of the world’s first-ever magazine devoted to… Read More ›

  • Tube Surfing: 12 July 2008

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    • Artist Rufus Dayglo has posted a message on the official 2000AD Forum revealing the new Tank Girl: Skidmarks series will begin will be making its debut in Judge Dredd Megazine #275.Meanwhile, Tank Girl – Visions of Booga #3 will… Read More ›

  • 2000AD Online Makeover Nears Completion

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    The 2000AD Online web site seems to have almost completed its month-long makeover, with a cleaner layout that integrates more obvious links to some of Rebellion’s other services such as ipod comic site Clickwheel. “About a year ago, we had… Read More ›

  • Happy Birthday Beano Event

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    As previously mentioned here, Happy Birthday Beano, the official 70th anniversary exhibition will be running in the Tower Building of the University of Dundee from from 18th July to 20th September 2008. The display will include original artwork from the… Read More ›

  • Indiana Interview On Geek Syndicate

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    The latest episode of the fab podcast Geek Syndicate features an interview with Rob Williams, the writer of the new Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones and the Tomb of the Gods) comic from Dark Horse. Direct Link: http://comicspodcastsuk.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/geek-syndicate-episode-88/

  • Crime Writer in the making

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    Our congratulations to downthetubes contributor and former editor of the critically-acclaimed fanzine Eagle Flies Again Ian Wheeler, who has just been announced as the winner of this year’s Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival competition, which takes place in his… Read More ›

  • Commando Shop – Summer Offer

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    DC Thomson’s official Commando shop is currently offering free postage on all its orders. The Commando Gear shop offers T-shirts and mugs in a variety of different colours and designs with the Commando logo and the familiar F-S fighting knife… Read More ›

  • Stealing Dilbert

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    When the G8 governments met in Japan this week, one of the items on the agenda that has been discussed in secret for months was signing an agreement that could enable customs officers and others to search your laptop or… Read More ›

  • Tube Surfing: 9 July 2008

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    Smuggling Vacation by Jason Wilson

    • Jason Wilson has sent me a copy of Smuggling Vacation, now available in all good bookshops. I’ll post a longer review later in the week as I’ve only had chance to flick through it today, but I love the… Read More ›