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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Fab Holiday
Just back from a terrific holiday in Turkey. Yalikavak, on the Bodrum penninsula is very pleasant, quietish resort: we have been twice and rarely re-visit resorts but our first experience of the place two years ago was marred by a… Read More ›
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Battles in Time gets national launch
Battles in Time, the Doctor Who part work combining articles, a Customisable Card Game and comic strip by a variety of creators including artists John Ross and Lee Sullivan, is now on sale. The game doesn’t look too bad but… Read More ›
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Breaking into comics – 2000AD’s David Bishop speaks
Former 2000AD editor David Bishop recently posted a revealing interview outlining how he broke into comics and thoughts on how to get work in the industry on his Vicious Imagery blog. As usual, he’s very candid about his work, which… Read More ›
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Austen Baker Strikes Back
Oh dear, I seem to have upset Mr Austen Baker after I reported on his letter to Private Eye bemoaning public transport and bus lanes (he gets a right pasting in the current edition from other readers, so it would… Read More ›
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Freak Brothers pilot online
The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers pilot is online at last: this is being made in Bristol by Celluloid Dreams. if you’re not familiar with the Furry Freak Brothers this is probably meaningless to you, but it’s quite fun regardless! 2021… Read More ›
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ComicPal Auction features Beano rarity
The Autumn 2006 auction at Compalcomics (www.compalcomics.com) closes soon. One of four auctions held annually, this one features 273 lots in their Autumn catalogue including what the company describes as two particularly “exceptional” items; a Beano Comic No 1 and a… Read More ›
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Look and Learn web site due to launch soon
Over on Bear Alley, comics expert Steve Holland reports that the Look and Learn web site, with which he is heavily involved, officially launches in a matter of days. This is run by a company which now owns the publishing… Read More ›
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Lancaster Comics Festival plugged
Three cheers for local journalist James Griffiths, who got in touch with me via virtual-lancaster, another site I work on that has nothing to do with comics, asking about upcoming events in the Lancaster area. Thanks to him the Lancaster… Read More ›
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Rich People must come first on transport says lecturer
This got right up my nose this week: a Lancaster University lecturer has declared rich people should come first on matters of transport. Law lecturer Richard Austen-Baker, who works at Lancaster University’s law school, took magazine Private Eye to task… Read More ›
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WebFinds: Walls and Bridges
Walls and Bridges is freelance writer Joel Meadows‘ new blog — he’s previously edited a comics magazine, Tripwire, and writes features on comics for a variety of publications, most recently The Times and The Observer. I’ve known Joel for many… Read More ›
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ParcelWorst (or ParcelFarce)
I’ve just sent an e-letter to Parcelforce regarding their appalling service in delivering a parcel to my work address. The parcel’s finally arrived, three days late, banged about and only now reached me because the driver “found it in the… Read More ›
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US Newspaper polls readers on cartoon choice
Can’t see the the UK Guardian ever doing this: or getting as much feedback — some 5000 readers replied – on a newspaper’s plans to alter its comic strip section. www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/entertainment/comics/15254126.htm Strips to vote on here: www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/entertainment/comics/15244087.htm
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Inspirational Star Trek posters
Some don’t work, but when they do, they really do. Plenty more of these unofficial images at: echosphere.net/star_trek_insp/star_trek_insp.html
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Links section revamp
There might not seem to be much going on at downthetubes — but you’d be wrong. It’s all “under the bonnet” stuff though — tidying up images folders, a revised links section which hopefully makes more sense to visitors. The… Read More ›
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WebFinds: Andrew Orton’s Doctor Who wizardry
Comics writer David Bishop’s unearthed some groovy Doctor Who art: check out Vicious Imagery: Andrew Orton is a fecking genius – or visit Andrew’s web site here
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In Review: Kickback by David Lloyd
Kickback By David Lloyd Publisher: Dark Horse ISBN: 1 59307 659 2 Joe Canelli is a corrupt cop in a corrupt force in Franklin City, a mythical American metropolis dominated by powerful drug lords. He tries to ignore recurring dreams… Read More ›
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Is there such a thing as a free comic?
I’ve just been sent an email by wowio, an ad-based service offering downloadable e-books – including comics from UK publisher Markosia and others. It all sounds fine and dandy but the stumbling block came when I tried it out, only… Read More ›
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Stupid Cycle Lanes
Just been sent this great site (www.warringtoncyclecampaign.co.uk/facility-of-the-month) with a plethora of examples of silly cycle lanes. The one above is in York (pic credited to one Ian Bromsgrove). You can click on the left arrow at the top of the… Read More ›
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New SF: Infoquake by David Louis Edelman
My friend Lou Anders, who works over at science fiction & fantasy publisher Pyr (www.pyrsf.com), just sent me some info on a book that just came out which is very different from the usual SF novel, one he hopes will… Read More ›
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Mike Conroy on the BBC
Well, sort of… longtime Comics International contributor Mike Conroy has just done his first job for the BBC, providing research for Waiting for Superman. Broadcast on Radio One on Monday night, it includes input from Dan Jurgens, Denny O’Neil and… Read More ›