Wednesday 31 May 2023
Tuesday 30 May 2023
Cinebook Ltd Newsletter 185 - May 2023
Dear Reader, |      |
This month is going to be a treat for lovers of World War Two era warplanes – both historical ones, and some that never quite did get made. Let’s start with the return of Bear’s Tooth after a long hiatus. When we left Max/Werner, he’d apparently been flattened by Allied bombers along with Hanna Reitsch, the Luftwaffe secret base and the terrible secret weapons it contained. As it turns out, and as was common at the time, the effectiveness of the bombing was rather … overestimated. Bad news for New York City, designated target of the Nazis’ dreams of revenge, but good news for us, since that means another three volumes of exciting adventures! Then we have the second two-part story of the Buck Danny Classics series. After the Korean War last time, these two books take us back to just after the end of the Second World War in Japan. The atomic bombs have been dropped, the Emperor has surrendered his country, and there is peace in the world again at last … or at least there should be, but a few die-hard Japanese officers have other ideas – and they intend to make America pay for the dishonour visited upon the Empire of the Rising Sun … It’ll be up to Buck and his friends to stand in their way. May with Cinebook – take to the skies! |        |
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 | Bear’s Tooth 4 Henriet & Yann Amerika Bomber Allied bombers have flattened the secret base that housed the Amerika Bomber project, destroying both the infrastructures and the prototype flying wing that was to annihilate New York City. They did not, however, manage to kill either Anna Reitsch or Max/Werner … Read more |
 | Buck Danny Classics 3 Arroyo & Zumbiehl and Marniquet Ghosts of the Rising Sun September 1945. Japan has just capitulated, and World War Two is officially over. Buck, Tumb and Sonny find themselves on a flight to Tokyo where they are to receive a well-deserved medal. But while the Emperor himself ordered his country to surrender, there are still die-hards in the Japanese military … Read more |
 | Buck Danny Classics 4 Arroyo & Zumbiehl and Marniquet Devil’s Island While searching the Sea of Banda with his friends, hoping to find the third American atomic bomb stolen by the Japanese die-hards, Buck finds himself marooned on a small island. The good news is that it he has, in fact, found the secret base he was looking for … Read more |
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 Highlands |  Redbeard 1 |  Rin Tin Can 1 |
Monday 29 May 2023
The Most Read CBO Interview?
Asked elsewhere, of course, but I thought I would check (though I knew already just not checked views in a while).
David Gordon's 2011 interview has so far racked up 53.4K views. Most posts on CBO get high views but for interviews none beat this one.
Sunday 28 May 2023
Phantom 2040: Episode # 16 (The Magician)
Do I Still Interview Creators?
Well, yes. I just stopped posting interviews though. The reason why I stopped I ought to explain.
I never do over the phone interviews (the Marv Wolfman interview was the last one and if you read The Hooper Interviews you'll know why that was a pain!)
I tend to send written questions and interviewees reply to those in writing so no one can say there was a misquote or they had something taken out of context. With artists I tend to like to show a progression in their work from strips or illoes in fanzines (if anyone remembers those) up to their current work. If and interview covers the start of a career from Year One to Present that is how it is done (or used to me).
Back in the early 2000s the "up their own arse" creators appeared. I would send the questions and tell them that their answers could be as long as they liked or as short. I sent them the illoes that I wanted to use to get approval which, I ought to point out, is not the norm as other publishers decide what they are going to use and the interviewee has to suck it up and like it.
I did one interview with a female artist and once completed I did what I always do; I sent a copy of the to be published interview complete with added art and asked for approval and pointing out that any changes or illoe choices they did not like to just say and they would be changed. So in total she had three opportunities to ask for a change. Nothing. Interview was published and a link sent. After a day I heard from someone that the interviewee was unhappy with what was posted.
I assumed that something said by her had been misinterpreted so I visited her blog.... "I have no idea why he used those pieces of art!! and three other moans or complaints were there. So I contacted her and asked her why she had said nothing and again explained the first to latest strip art choices and the reply was basically showing that she was just whining for the sake of it, I offered to remove the interview but that seemed to offend her more.
Then I interviewed a male creator. Same process and this interview was for online and the paper version of Comic Bits. All went fine and it was a long interview. However, then he complained. Apparently (even though he had received a copy of the previous CB magazine) he was unimpressed with the publication and had expected something more extravagant for his interview and he was also not happy that I had not pushed his arguments with certain publishers which were covered but I think he wanted me to attack those involved which is not the job of an interviewer covering someone's career. In other words he had a hissy fit.
Basically, this all became standard with new creators from the ones bragging they intended to be the next DC/Marvel super star (after 20 years I hope they are not holding their breaths) or it was a case of (in four interviews with small press people) telling me that their creations were going to be the next big movie sensation so to make sure I really pushed them in the interviews. Again, I hope none of them was holding their breath and the claims were sheer fantasy on their parts as there was nothing in their work (a good deal of it derivative) that looked as though Hollywood producers would be chasing them.
The final straw was a British creator who kept dodging interviews and when I met him at a comic con he he was handed the questions, looked over them and said "Fine. Give me a week" then...silence and then I read a comment he made online that CBO was not a big enough platform for him to be interviewed on. He had his five minutes and now most people ask "Who?" when he is mentioned though I am still a fan of his work. I write that was the final straw but there was worse.
Remember that I am referring to people publishing small press comics not major stars here. I was asked by two small press creators how much I paid for interviews. Apparently, their interviews would be hits and draw in far more people I was told. As they had to answer questions that took time (for reference both were unemployed at the time) and also if I was going to use any of their art that would require financial compensation. I explained what an interview was but no: no money no deal. So I dumped the idea.
Oddly, a year later one of the fellas contacted me and asked to be interviewed and to promote his new zine. I told him that I charged £100 per interview and £50 for reviewing a book -after all it took up my time. He realised that I was joking and that I was not joking when I told him that I had no interest in interviewing him but I reviewed any book sent in. He never sent his book.
In total it's over 40 years of interviewing creators -writers, artists and publishers- but when it moves from being an interesting job to a nightmare because of the interviewee it's time to stop....unless someone or something really interesting comes along.
Saturday 27 May 2023
Friday 26 May 2023
Uncle Terry Has A Wish List -Can You Help??
Still alive, barely, and I've gotten to a computer that works. Now, based on past experience I expect nil responses but this is Christmas! Wishes may come true...or not but you gotta try, right?
I've totally given up on trying to get scans of William A. Ward's The Bat artwork and the original Krakos the Egyptian book -though I have samples of the various Krakos strips. So I'm not going to ask for the impossible.
I know some of you belong to old Boys Papers groups, etc., so here is the list of old comic strips I'm looking for and if you can find any examples PLEASE let me know.
Abra and Cadabra -Puck 1926-1935
Bob The Pet Navvy -Jester and Wonder 1903-1906
Freddie Fluence -Favourite 1912
Professor Radium -Puck 1904-1916 (the image at the top is all I have and is VERY low res)
Merry Margie -Knockout 1939-1940
That's it.
Now, have a good Christmas and READ COMICS!!!
Thursday 25 May 2023
Seoul Graphics
To answer a question so everyone knows. Yes, the Korean Seoul Graphics blog was set up by me for Jeeyon Kim's Seoul Graphics based in the UK. WEhen you see "Posted by Seoulgraphics" that is me.
I did a lot of promotional work and talked to distributors and the whole kerfuffle. A good few months work.
Jeeyon then returned to Korea for a holiday and became a born again Christian and never returned to the UK. Which, of course, left me to explain to everyone I had been talking to and making deals with why Seoul Graphics was no more.
This was 2010 so a lot has gone from the site since but I was rather frustrated that there was a chance to introduce South Korean comics to the UK (and US) bhut it never happened.
Wednesday 24 May 2023
The Green Skies Vol. 3 Part III: The Gathering
A4
B&W
208pp
£16.00
The gathered Sol Defence fleet is prepared to make its final stand led by Johnny Apollo the Z Man. If it fails to halt the invaders then the doomsday weapon will be detonated and destroy the entire Sol System.
Meanwhile, unaware of the threat in space, Jack Flash, the Avenger and others prepare for a final show down with the Many Eyed One; a final confrontation they know they do not have the power to win.
Is this Humanity...the Earths...final day?
The Green Skies Vol. 3 Part II: Promises and Beginnings
A4
B&W
126pp
£15.00
Following on from events in Green Skies V. 3 Part I the Clone Zone Boyz are increasing in number while those who created them, the Vampirons, continue to plot and await the arrival of their 'God' -The Many Eyed One.
The Druid finds that his physical and mental state are deteriorating and even the Rev. Merriwether cannot help him.
Shockingly, the Clone Zone Boyz claims someone close to Merriwether and this leads him to team up with two 'unsavoury' characters.
In space Krii and Tyn hrrn face a seemingly unstoppable enemy.
On The Moon the Selenites and representatives of other worlds meet and decide that Johnny Apollo, the Z-Man, is the only one who can lead the counter invasion fleet.
With the enemy striking Mars and then the Moon things look grim
The Green Skies Vol. 3 Part I: Beginning of the End
A4
B&W
124pp
£15.00
It all began in 1987 and the Black Tower Universe has seen alien attacks, heroes kidnapped to be put into the middle of a war of the gods.
Despite the deaths and losses the heroes -crime fighters, super powered and members of the magical union have come back but now unaware that alien races are escaping through the Sol system and that a mysterious space fleet is heading towards the inner planets, they find themselves trapped or distracted.
The Many Eyed One is finally coming.
The Multiversal Council has quarantined Earth and forbidden any to help.
The evil has spread and there is treachery striking at the very core of Earth's defenders
Tuesday 23 May 2023
Monday 22 May 2023
Corporal Religion!
A4
B&W
20pp
£7.00
https://www.lulu.com/en/en/shop/terry-hooper/corporal-religion-no-1/paperback/product-nj4yw7.html
Over thirty years since Corporal Religion Against the Pinko Commie Menace and the world thought that it was safe.
It was wrong!
His religion is Hard Capitalism
His dream is total anarchy
And his motto is:"American Might Is Always Right"
No, this is not the Trumpster.
This is....well, it's...complicated.
The Masked Marshal & Friends
A4
B&W
18pp
£7.00
He rode the Wild West dispensing two gun justice and wore a mask. Driven by the need to exact justice and bring law to the West, the Masked Marshal had no idea the cost he would eventually pay.
In this comic the Marshal is joined by other popular Black Tower characters such as The Iron Warrior, The Clock, The Owl and the Purple Hood.
Dilworth, Stransky and Labatt producing more action and fun
Dene Vernon: Ghost Investigator -The A-Z Case Files No. 3 (of 3)
Writer-Artist Benjamin R Dilworth
A4
B&W
28pp
£7.00
Elliott O’Donnell? Amateur.
Harry Price? Playing at it.
Dene Vernon? Dedicated professional putting his life (and probably soul) on the line in his search for knowledge and to defend the “innocents”
From the things lurking in the shadows and blackness of the night.
Things hiding and waiting in stately homes and council estates.
Waiting to consume or corrupt.
In the final part of the A-Z Case Files we find:
*The Knight of Knowle Manor
*The Graveney Wood Abduction Case
*The Threat of the Underwood Circle
Accounts that can only be presented now!
Dene Vernon: Ghost Investigator -The A-Z Case Files No. 2 (of 3)
Writer-Artist Benjamin R. Dilworth
28pp
A4
B&W
£7.00
They tried to get him with daggers and gunbs and fast loose succubi but they ain't got him....yet!
Dene Vernon thefirst UK comic book investigator of the weird, occult and other worldly (in every sense of the phrase) is back as his companion Dick opens up more old cases including:
The Mystery of the Red House
The Sharktopus Murders
The Case of the Hiulkingthorpe Dead
and the inevitable had to happen...
The Son of Bong Encounter
Ben Dilworth, now covered by Pax occultae, can safely reveal some of the most incredible adventures that Jock McCail could not. Are you ready for Son of Bong?
Dene Vernon (The A-Z Files) 1 of 3
A4
B&w
28pp
£8.00
“The Ghost Hunter” “The Demon Stalker” “The Walker Amongst The Dead” “The Man of Dark Mystery” -he was called many things by journalists in his time. If he heeded a call for help then that person was saved...or doomed. Whether in the East End slums, Corridors of Power or mansions of the Blue Blooded: if the preternatural was at work no one stopped him.
Until that one night.
During periods of dark melancholy, Dick uses the A-Z Case files to try to revive Vernon’s spirits (no pun intended). For the first time ever read about -
E –The Case of the End Room
V –The Rescue of Verity Brown
I –The Horror of Inglenook Hall
P—The Paddington Sewer Incident
Comic Bits: THE British Golden Age of Comics magazine!
A4
B&W
80pp
Text, comic strips and some rare photographs!
£8.00
The return of THE British Golden Age of Comics magazine!
Interviews with Mike Western, John Cooper and Jon Haward plus a look at Ally Sloper on film, Defining the Ages of British Comics, William McCail plus a lot of art and stripwork.
Comic Bits No. 2
Ed T Hooper-Scharf
A4
B&W
80 pp
£8.00
https://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-hooper/comic-bits-no-2/paperback/product-2ed6pe.html?q=&page=1&pageSize=4
The second issue of the magazine celebrating creators, titles and characters of the British Platinum, Golden and Silver Ages of comics.
In this issue William A. Ward finally gets some long deserved recognition for his contribution to comics John McCail gets "bigged up" something rotten!
We look at comedian and actor Bob Monkhouse's comic creation career
Steve Dowling -Father of the Garth newspaper strip speaks to Denis Gifford (the ONLY interview he ever gave)
There is a look at Dennis M. Reader and his comics work that spawned some of the UKs first super heroes.
also a look at William Fletcher Thomas, Ernest Wilkinson, Jos Walker, Mary Byfield and William H A Chasemore... oh, and LOTS of lovely art and stripwork!