Author Archives
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan - his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War" and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of "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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Convention Report: Raptus, Norway, 2003
Here’s a quick report on my trip to Raptus 2003 in Bergen, Norway. This feature is an overview of the Norwegian comics scene itself rather than a report on the Festival itself which was great fun and included UK comics… Read More ›
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Paramount Heads for Rama?
Paramount Pictures will decide whether or not to make Morgan Freeman’s long-percolating Rendezvous With Rama, a proposed film adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke’s 1973 SF novel, Variety (subscription required) has reported. Freeman and producing partner Lori McCreary, through their Revelations Entertainment… Read More ›
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Ripper still Go?
Anthony Stewart Head, who plays Giles on UPN’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer, told SCI FI Wire that plans are still in the works for a British spinoff series based on his character, despite reports that the show was on hold…. Read More ›
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Not Just A Bunch of Pretty Faces!
Comicraft founders Richard Starkings and John ‘JG’ Roshell have announced the forthcoming publication of a full colour, 64-page book which provides an insight into the processes and inspirations behind the curtain of the award winning studio. If you’re not… Read More ›
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Pantheon Books to publish “Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross”
Pantheon Books, a division of the Knopf Publishing group, is proud to announce plans to publish a coffee table book showcasing Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Justice League, and other DC Comics icons as envisioned by Alex Ross, who at… Read More ›
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Ridley Scott Calls T.I.M.E.
Variety (subscription required) reports that film making brothers Ridley and Tony Scott, better known for directing such big-screen movies as Gladiator and Top Gun, respectively, are developing three drama projects for CBS — one of them a SF project. Under… Read More ›
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Conan the Barbarian cones to Dark Horse
Dark Horse Comics have today announced a new publishing program featuring the legendary adventures of Conan the Barbarian. The monthly ongoing series — which will launch in mid-2003 — will include all new stories based on the classic Robert E…. Read More ›
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Doctor Smith is Dead
We’re sorry to report Lost in Space legend Doctor Zachary Smith — actor Jonathan Harris — is dead. The 87-year old actor died on Sunday of a blood clot. He was a veteran of hundreds of films and TV shows, including… Read More ›
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Walt Simonson signs Exclusive with DC
Walt Simonson, one of comics’ most acclaimed and accomplished writer/artists, has signed a one-year exclusive with DC Comics. “For the past four or five years I’ve worked primarily for DC,” says Simonson. “Partly, it’s because I enjoy the company of… Read More ›
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Smallville Sets US Ratings Records
ICV2.com reports (29/10/02) that Warner Bros. has announced that Smallville is setting new ratings records in its target demographic groups. Two weeks ago, the show delivered 8.9 million viewers and the highest ratings ever for The WB in adults 18-34. It… Read More ›
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Borderline Issue 16
The first pay issue of online comics Borderline Magazine has just been published. The magazine includes interviews with Marvels’ editor-in-chief Joe Quesada and Oni’s boss Jamie Rich, plus much more. Since August 2001 Borderline has been bringing comics fansa professionally… Read More ›
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downtheubes Archive News: October 2002
SCOOBY DOOBY THREE! 15/10/02: Hollywood Reporter (subscription required for full story) has revealed that with a sequel to Warner Bros. Pictures’ Scooby-Doo on the fast track, the studio is already moving forward on a third instalment, hiring scribes Dan Forman… Read More ›
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Unofficial Doctor Who Television Companion Republished
The acclaimed Doctor Who reference book The Television Companion is being reissued next year by Telos Publishing. Rather than being a straight reprint authors David J Howe and Stephen James Walker intend to rework some of the material from the… Read More ›
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Timberwolf Press signs Seven Book Deal with Bill Baldwin
US audio book publisher Timberwolf Press and author Bill Baldwin have reached an agreement to re-launch the best-selling military Science Fiction Helmsman saga. The first six books in the series, The Helmsman, Galactic Convoy, The Trophy, The Mercenaries, The Defenders, and The Siege will be re-released… Read More ›
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Top Tips: Insider’s Guide to creating comics published
Just published by A & C Black, Robin Hall’s Trade Secrets is an excellent book about how to become a successful cartoonist or comics artist, featuring tips from a huge number of professional artists. It also features, with my permission,… Read More ›