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Terry Hooper-Scharf

Tuesday 26 March 2024

Stats 26 03 2024

 

Hong Kong
15.2K
United States
527
Canada
207
United Kingdom
120
Sweden
92
Philippines
50
Israel
41
Germany
40
France
24
Ukraine
18
Australia
14
Russia
11
Netherlands
10
Japan
8
Singapore
8
New Zealand
7
India
6
Brazil
3
Mexico
3
Other
1.55K

Monday 25 March 2024

UNEXPECTED VINTAGE OVERLOAD! Toy Hunting at Glitchmania!

50,985 Views

 It is the 25th and so far this month CBO has had 50,985 views. 

So THANK YOU for visiting and I hope you enjoy the content as there is 14 years worth here! 😄

 Oh...and I have an online book store if you want to support an old comic fart.

https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/hoopercomicsuk/


Never EVER Ask Me To Advertise Your Business or Events For Free. Here Is Why


 Here are some examples of what I mean by everyone wanting to get something from CBO (me) but return no favours. No names because that gives them free publicity.  I got a Face Book message from the owner of a comic store. 

Oddly it was one I tried about 5 years ago to get some of my books into but was told (rather bluntly) that if it isn't from the main distributor it is not getting in their shop. If you have no idea I should point out that comic shop distribution in the UK is a monopoly and even though a business monopoly is supposedly illegal after 30 years no one does anything. 

The fella wanted me to give his store a mention as quite a few of his regulars mention CBO. He asked whether I would put up one of his store flyers. That is a free ad to a world wide audience of 2500-3000 visitors a day. So I asked about a reciprocal deal where I posted the flyer and he take some of my books to sell. "No. I can't do that or everyone would be asking me for that" and after that I responded: "About your free advert on CBO: No. I can't do that or everyone would be asking me for that."  

He never responded.  This fella was not the first store owner to ask this "favour" because paying for an advert where so many people would see it is expensive and I mean expensive. They want that free publicity because they want more customers. I want to sell my books because I want to earn money(they get a reduction in book price) but, no. 

One way deals. The same applies to shops who say they will take the books but five I think are the best. Free of charge and they will see how they sell at a price they set and then if they sell will order some at a price they want to pay.  If you ask for that kind of deal go 😡off. It is me paying for printing and postage so a shop has something to sell and I doubt very much they will order books and "at a price we like" is pure crap. Again, books cost money to print and post out so, no I am not ever going to do that. No wonder these people need more advertising because their business sense is non-existent or they are just "rip him off" minded.

The same applies to UK comic events where for the last decade I have been blocked from having a table to sell my books (because of bully pressure put on spineless organisers) but they want their event organised. I think it was almost 10 years ago now that I said enough was enough and I would no longer publicise UK comic events -why should I when they were stopping me from selling at the events.

The UK is dead when it comes to comics and I have no interest in helping comic shop owners keeping their businesses going or giving them £50 worth of free stuff.

Cinebook Ltd: YAKARI 21 - FURY FROM THE SKIES

 


Authors: Derib & Job

Age: 6 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages

£8.99 incl VAT

ISBN: 9781800441194
Publication: November 2023

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/yakari-21-fury-from-the-skies-p-4534.html

It’s summer on the prairie, a hot, oppressive summer that has everyone’s temper flaring. While Yakari’s family, eager to find the buffalo they are tracking, has moved some distance from the other Sioux, nature suddenly unleashes its rage, and a tornado tears through the main camp. Tipis torn, supplies scattered, the tribe must now rebuild … but there are also several people missing, blown away by the twister and perhaps injured or trapped. Yakari sets out to look for them …

Aside from the spy thrillers, science fiction, pirate and other genres Cinebook publishes they also cater for youngsters. Lucky Luke, Iznogoud, Gomer Goof and...Yakari.

Don't be fooled into thinking this is a silly kids series because there have been a few darker moments but nothing that kids (young or old) should not see. This was meant for a young audience after all.

Things do start jolly and comedic and then, suddenly, the tornado! Things get serious but still with a light side -and some info on tornadoes. The story is enjoyable and the art as always colourful and well drawn. 

Sunday 24 March 2024

Cinebook Ltd: XIII 26 - CUBA, WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

 


Authors: Yves Sente & Youri Jigounov

Age: 15 years and up
Size: 18.4 x 25.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages

£7.99 incl VAT

ISBN: 9781800441187
Publication: October 2023

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/xiii-26-cuba-where-it-all-began-p-4530.html

After the terrible attack on the Capitol, the Mayflower Foundation, now under the sole leadership of Janet Fitzsimmons, succeeded in taking over the US government. As for Jason McLane, he has become a puppet controlled electronically by Janet – and is now also her husband, as well as one of the new president’s closest advisors. 

When XIII goes to Cuba in order to covertly spring a Russian hacker from prison, he has no idea his past will once again come back to haunt him …

I waited and waited for the original series to conclude. It was something I started reading in Germany decades ago but never knew what happened. Cinebook gave me the full story! Then, out of the blue a second series!

Well, I was not happy. As you get older longer series you have to wait for the next volume of tends to make you wonder whether you'll live long enough to see the end 😂

No more Vance or Van Hamme but do Jigounov and Sente make adequate replacements? The story has plenty of twists and turns and action the double and triple betrayals all work well and I found it best not to think of this as XIII that I knew but a younger fella learning his trade. The artwork is detailed and that means everything from apartments, aircraft, etc. The details of military gear ...there is nothing to fault here and the superb colour work by Bruno Tatti sets the atmosphere for each of the scenes.

So, yes, this is a good read especially if you are into action spy genres and I know that there are a lot of you out there. Yeah, good read.

Was this even a CON? Metrocentre Comic Con Weekend Visit

ionnalee; allting vill rinna ut i sand

Jane Penny - Wear You Out (Official Video)

"What the hell are you doing?!"

 Back in the late 1980s I watched Ben Dilworth draw out the musculature and detail on the figure for this promo ad. I recall then asking him; "What the hell are you doing?!" as he covered it all in solid black inks. 

I know this was in late 1987 on one of his visits to Bristol because the ad refers to Comic Zone coming in early 1988.