Friday, 31 August 2018
Thursday, 30 August 2018
Cinebook the 9th Art: Newsletter 128 - August 2018
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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.
Tuesday, 28 August 2018
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 otheranti 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.
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.
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
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.
Sunday, 26 August 2018
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
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
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
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.
Wednesday, 22 August 2018
Monday, 20 August 2018
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.
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.
Thursday, 16 August 2018
Monday, 13 August 2018
Saturday, 11 August 2018
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.
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!
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!
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!).
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!).