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Terry Hooper-Scharf

Thursday 30 August 2018

Anreise zum Werner-Rennen - Weitere Pilger zur Comic-Kultstätte werden e...

Cinebook the 9th Art: Newsletter 128 - August 2018


Dear Reader,
We're debuting a new series this month with the first volume of IAN. If you like I, Robot, Westworld or Humans ... if you have questions about the nature of humanity and the soul ... or if you like a solid adventure story with plenty of futuristic action, then this series is definitely for you. Ralph Meyer's gorgeous art is a nice bonus, too!
For the kids of Alone, the future is ... well, nebulous, and full of things from the past, like castles and spears and torture racks ... Their 'life' is getting more and more complicated, but the time has come for a big reveal that'll change everything.
Lucky Luke, on the other hand, remains his usual stalwart, unflappable self as he lends a hand to the Earp brothers during one of the most famous kerfuffles in US history – the famous gunfight at The O.K. Corral!
Finally, volume 6 of The Complete Valerian will soon grace your bookshelves with more gorgeous content in hardback format. Only one more to go after that!
August with Cinebook – laughs, deep thoughts and plenty of thrills!


Alone 9 
Gazzotti & Vehlmann
Before the Midnight Child
In the arena, the Campton kids have won their 'citizenship' of the In-Between-World's strange society. Now free to come and go as they please, they've left town for the mountains, following Dodzi without really knowing why ... Read more

IAN 1 
Meyer & Vehlmann
An Electric Monkey
Intelligent Artificial Neuromechanoid... Ian. It's the name of the newest recruit in Team 21 of the SRS — the 'Special Rescue Section'. Ian is an android, impossible to tell from a human being with the naked eye, and his creators claim that he's controlled by a true artificial intelligence.. Read more

Lucky Luke 70 
Morris & Fauche and Adam
The O.K. Corral
Everyone's heard of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral: the most famous shootout of the Old West, between the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday on the side of law and order, and the Clanton brothers and their gang. A legend told many times in books and films, in sometimes contradictory versions ... Read more

Valerian 
Mézières & Christin
The Complete Collection 6
With volumes 16 to 18 collected here, we find Valerian and Laureline suddenly rich beyond their wildest dreams, and this new situation brings the differences in their personalities in stark contrast: where Laureline remains true to herself and her love of life, Valerian finds himself idle and disoriented ... Read more
Distant Worlds 1
Episode 1
Largo Winch 17
Morning Star
Lucky Luke 71
A Cowboy in Paris
Valerian
The Complete Collection 7

North-American readers, to locate a comic book shop near you that stocks or can order these titles and many more, us this handy Read more 

Or, if you're a retailer yourself, please go to: Read more

22 and 23 September, 2018: Cinebook will exhibit at Thought Bubble, Leeds City Centre, Leeds, UK
https://www.thoughtbubblefestival.com

Werner-Rennen in den Nachrichten - Comic-Kult in Schleswig-Holstein

Book Imprint Launch 1st September, 2018


After re-organising the online store it was decided that Black Tower Comics & Graphic Novels would be treated as a separate imprint from the company.

The re-organisation has led to the following imprints being created and which will launch on 1st September, 2018:

Nature Series -Wildlife related books

World Mysteries -encompassing everything from the paranormal, cryptozoology, ufology and more.

Technical Study Books -the first is UFO Contact? and would be considered far more in depth (at 500+pp) on subject matter.

All of the books -Some Things Strange & Sinister   Some MORE Things Strange & Sinister   Pursuing The Strange and Weird   The Truth About Spring Heeled Jack and Mysterious Beasts & Creatures - have had re-writes to some degree and extra photographs and other images added and all carry the "World Mysteries" logo.

More information on 1st September.

Monday 27 August 2018

They never even tried half the things I did.

I say that I have given this comic business everything -and I have tried everything to promote Black Tower.  There is, of course, the online store and all the prose books, comic albums and graphic novels.

Since 2010 I have offered the books at 50%   cover price off to promote them (losing me money)....not a single sale.

I then  reduced prices on the larger books like Return of the Gods....not a single sale.

I offered the books for sale (again reduced cover prices) direct from CBO (5 times)...not a single sale.

Twitter, Google+, Face Book and so many other anti  social media networks....not a single sale.

I've gone into this before but until I moved a rather large package this afternoon I had forgotten the number of special offers made.



Break Out!  and Black Tower Block Buster -two comics offered at £1 each...promoted as much as possible. Not a single sale and you are not going to find cheaper comics.


How about the £1.20 Black Tower comic?  Offered on CBO and via all the usual places.  £1.20...not a single sale.


remember Come On! Action Comic at £2.00?  The Bristol Comic Book at £1.00?  Black Tower Block Buster -Roar!....not ring any bells?

There are others put together with Ben Dilworth.  We tried everything. Even...get this...even as give aways at a Small Press event Black Tower Block Buster could not get rid of any copies.  No one even looked at them when offered.

I have three big cardboard boxes full of stock and I've had those full boxes since 2013.

I had two phone calls last Saturday (long phone calls, to!) each from a publisher now giving up. They asked why comics as an industry and fandom in particular had "become so toxic"?  Why is no one buying comics now even after special offers?  I could not answer those questions though we know comics in the UK died after the fan boys got into running them.  Same thing in the United States but they JUST managed to survive.

As for the toxicity of comics and fandom...the internet and millennials.  It is as simple as that. Before the internet we had fanzines and the odd spat (via letters of comment) snuck in but that was it.  Now all the lazy little bastards don't even have to write on paper and post their turds. Rather than read and enjoy comics you have every little shit head wanting to attack some aspect of it.

It is NOT the fault of the internet.  It is the people using it.

There are real comic fans out there but their lack of support means the internet asses win the day.

Those two publishers who spoke to me were breaking down -you could hear that.  The truth is that in the UK there are no comic fans nor is there an industry of any kind (apart from the one that has people blatantly ripping of project submissions I made in the 1990s).

I am shocked that American comic buyers and those in Europe appear to0 have no interest. I guess the same applies there.  Further afield, in other parts of the world it might be that there is no local printer working with the Print On Demand company I use.  I just do not know because absolutely no one out of the 3+ millions who have visited CBO even leaves a comment.

I need to plan for 2019 and that will not include the UK.

For now, for my own enjoyment, I am putting together a big 50th Anniversary D-Gruppe book.  guess what? The first D-Gruppe book (in new format) was published in 2010.  German super heroes and the posts on them get very high views (especially from Germany) and I have sold....not one single copy.

I feel very sorry for all the small publishers who went out of business in 2017/2018.

They never even tried half the things I did.

Saturday 25 August 2018

How Can You Go On?

O-kay.

I just spent two-and-a-half months pushing and promoting my books -comics and prose.  Working 18-20 hours a day (don't worry I really paid for it physically).

I up-dated books. adding new material. Dropping some prices.

Posting daily to the three blogs -AOP, Black Tower and CBO as well as Face Book page. Google+, Twitter and gods know where else.

That is thousands of views from all around the world and I'm not kidding -I've looked at this before on CBO- including "the" comics country, the United States.

Reactions?

Not one single comment.

Not one single sale

I was going to write something...really you do not care.  You come here for what you want then leave. Sorry but you are the one killing independent comics and the comics industry.

Go watch your SJW/anti-SJW videos and then read your Big 5 comics.  Nothing here for you

Friday 24 August 2018

Bemalung: Nighthaunt / Geister / ghosts für Age of Sigmar (Tabletop-Mini...

Digesting Dreams - Sandman Universe #1

D-Gruppe -created while The Beatles were still music chart toppers!

Last time (June) I tried to contact German comic events regarding 2019 and a table I got zero responses.  Two friends (Germans) and some of my family there pointed out that Germans were "still pissed at the English over Brexit".

Hey, I'm half German and I never voted for Brexit.

I was planning on doing something with D-Gruppe since it's over 50 years since I created the heroes and team.  Yes, someone pointed out to me that if I created them when I did that is well over 50 years...I'd sooner not think about that!

I was thinking about translating the work into German but my German is NOT that good!  Also, enough German comic fans buy US comics, which are in the English language, so is there that big a need to translate? I’m still in two minds over this aspect of the project.

At 04:15 hrs this morning I was even reconsidering redrawing everything (again) but decided "It is what it is -move on".  I have never claimed (despite what some claim –they know who they are) to be the greatest comic artist around and I drew the series out of necessity after one artist after another decided to move on for various reasons. To me the style I was happiest with was the one of my pencils with Ben Dilworth inks –to me that defined “the look”.

Another month and it will be a year since I last heard from Ben Dilworth in Japan. There were things planned but to be honest I have no idea if he is still alive!

But things are so far behind schedule with D-Gruppe: although the team has appeared in Return of the Gods –part of the team vanishing while chasing a UFO which would have led to –D-Gruppe: Lost in Space. They also feature in The Trial (in Black Tower Super Heroes) and The “other guys” –Task Force Germany- should have been integrated into D-Gruppe after The Days of Darkness story.  Both teams do appear in The Green Skies but all plans can be chopped and changed.

Things have changed since the 1960s.  No, really they have.  I come from the past and can confirm that.  I think the “top tech” D-Gruppe had in the 1960s was the telephone (not the mobile ones), walkie-talkies and meeting room with video-link monitor.  Although the stories (in drawn form) no longer exist the stories are still gathering memory dust in my head.


Yep. 2019 I have to do something special!


Thursday 23 August 2018

Dragon Ball Band 1 - Das Geheimnis der Drachenkugeln | Manga Review | De...

ComicIn! Shopping-Tour #40 - Ich surfe wieder durch das Marvel-Universe...

Comic Book Palace (Ep. 27)

Books Launching 1st September, 2018






On the 1st September, 2018, I will be publishing the up-dated versions of the following books under the World Mysteries imprint:

The Bizarre Legend, Crimes and Truth about Spring Heeled Jack

Some Things Strange & Sinister

Some More Things Strange & Sinister

Pursuing the Strange and Weird: A Naturalist's Viewpoint

"World Mysteries" was chosen as the books are not classed as solely cryptozoological, Ufological, paranormal or whatever. They cover all of these and more from around the world.

UFO Contact? is in a separate category of its own since the intention was that this be a technical paper that got kind of out of hand!

Mysterious & Strange Beasts is also covered by the World Mysteries imprint.

The Girt Dog of Ennerdale and The Red Paper: Canids are all classed under the Nature imprint


Cruisers of the Clouds comes under the History imprint, naturally.

Monday 20 August 2018

Comic Book Reviews - Disconnect

No One Noticed, Did They?

Yup. Not been posting here but still plenty of views.  Like that fella said, people out there (you) would sooner see CBO vanish than comment or show support.

For THREE SOLID MONTHS I posted to all my blogs, promoting my books and even reducing the cover prices of some. Not one sale.

Somehow I think the Print On Demand sales graphic says it all!


And those books listed note the 0.00 value.  Those were review books sent to people who asked for them...then never reviewed or responded to emails.

You get the CBO you deserve.

Saturday 11 August 2018

Ghost Critic's The Collection - Fantastic Four '60's & 70's, 80's pt 1 & 2 and '90s pt 1





Superman (Rebirth) #12 | Comic Review | Neue Superman History verständlich?

LUCKY LUKE 69 - KID LUCKY


Authors: Jean Léturgie and Pierce; illustrated by Morris and Pierce
Age: 8 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Paperback
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
Publication: June 2018
TOTAL: £6.99 INC. VAT


We all know Lucky Luke, the man who shoots faster than his own shadow. But even he was once a child, and back then he was already having grand adventures in the Old West! The young boy is travelling with an old, grumpy, alcoholic prospector in search of gold, when a conflict with the local Indian tribe leads to kidnapping – and he now finds himself the adopted son of a nagging native mother!

I am one of those people who HATES it when they do "Young -whatever" (but not Young Frankenstein!) and I saw this cover and title and said something rude. But I have to review what I get so....

It was not as bad as I expected! Lucky Luke but at a younger age and it was good to see his early connection to not just the Indians (native Americans) but the US Cavalry.  Connections that were a staple part of the LL series.  And, yes, this is album number 69 so the next one -O.K. Corral- will be number 70....without being too sarcastic that wasn't that difficult to work out, was it?

I do have one hope, though, we see Young LL here but one day I hope Cinebook can get together a collection of the early strips from the late 1940s -you know Morris created the character in 1946, right?  He looked a tad different 70 years ago!
But for now we have volume 69 and I think most fans are waiting for Lucky Luke 70 at 70 (or something like that).  Yeah, I know I may be a year or so off but I don't care. The series is still great fun for all the family.

LUCKY LUKE 68 - BRIDGE OVER THE MISSISSIPPI


Authors: Jean Léturgie and Xavier Fauche; illustrated by Morris
Age: 8 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Paperback
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
Publication: April 2018
TOTAL: £6.99 INC. VAT



In 1874, President Grant authorises the construction of a bridge over the Mississippi. Until then, passage between St. Louis and East St. Louis was only possible on ferries. But the ferry company is owned by two brothers who have been getting rich by forcing passengers to wait in the hotels and restaurants they own on both sides of the river.

The two crooks are doing everything in their power to prevent the bridge from being built – until Lucky Luke arrives, of course...

I was amazed when the Lucky Luke comic album series hit number 20.  That had not been achieved in the English language before. With number 30 another milestone was made. Then 40...50 and 60 -now the series has reached 68 (hehehehe -that's going to change with the next post!).

With this album we see the usual action but also the verbal and vizual gags.  What more can you wrtite about Lucky Luke after 68 albums?  The colour work by Studio Leonardo is really nice and clean and I like that the cover looks very much like a "vintage" cover style.

In all honesty, if you have not purchased a Lucky Luke book yet you may need to seek the help of a psychiatrist.  Anyone claiming to be a comic fan needs at least two LL books in their collection...oh -and there is a page of "proper history" at the back of the book. Educational, too!

CLIFTON 8 - SIR JASON


Authors: Bob de Groot; illustrated by Turk
Age: 8 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Paperback
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
Publication: June 2018
TOTAL: £6.99 INC. VAT



Holidaying in the country, Clifton receives the unexpected – and unwelcome – visit of a MI5 bigwig. He finds himself reinstated against his will, and tasked with finalising the training of a promising new recruit of the Intelligence Service: Sir Jason. The young man is sharp, well-educated, knows both techniques and theory like the back of his hand... The problem, as Clifton soon discovers, is that when the time for action comes, he is inevitably paralysed by fear!

James Bond was never like this.  Welcome to the world of Jimmy Edwards moustached village bobbies and where Mission Impossible would probably start the way this book does -with an argument over the right temperature toast should be served to a guest. Hey, it's a big problem.  Hot beans on toast means you'll not notice as the sauce will give the toast that soggy consistency.  With poached egg on toast (yeuch) you get soggy toast but the heat from the freshly poached egg.  Cheese on toast is a ....oh right.

Uh, comic album. considering this is a humour comic you would be surprised at the amount of fighting, gun-play and car chase scenes.  European creators seem to be able to balance the action comic-mixed-with-humour genre well but this is Turk and deGroot so what would you expect? Fun for all the family -kids and parents (and grandparents....just don't mention the EU!).