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On A Creator Deal -Artist Are Not Always Honest

Posted by hoopercomics on January 26, 2023
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I have been asked twice now so will respond.

“What deal did you have with artists -financial and creative?”

Right. The deal was usually that any money made would be split 50-50. The artist, obviously, retains all rights to the artwork but not to publish as a full book. Usually artists can sell pages of artwork which makes up for no big earnings. This is comics after all. In the past I have given artists who were struggling a 70% deal so I lost out.

I create characters, write the scripts then do any editing and then push any finished project to publishers that pay. All of the costs of doing this come out out my pocket. I kept artists informed of who packages went off to, when that publisher received the package and as soon as a response came back.

There are no ifs, buts or maybes and if you work with someone you have to be 100% honest and up front.

Unfortunately the biggest, only really, thing that has gone wrong originated with artists. I have worked with some that find completing 20pp of art per month “too much”. I have worked with artists who have fallen behind on work (big time) as they “had a skinful with some mates so took a few days to recover” -yeah, a publisher will say “good for you” if an artist falls behind on work because they spend most of their time getting drunk!

Another artist working on a four issue mini series was very happy when I got a deal for us and he had 9 months to produce issues 2, 3 and 4 (I never pushed a project unless issue 1 was fully drawn). So I waited. I waited some more. The publisher asked how things were going? I checked with the artist who took a lot of finding (he moved without telling me) and I asked how far he had gotten with the work? “Is that still a thing? Have we got any money?” he replied. I had to explain to the publisher that the artist was no longer interested. How do you make money from doing nothing??

Another artist had a great style. Another publisher loved it and the look. We got a deal for a six issue series. First issue done. Second issue done. Then silence but I let the fella get on with it until I had a phone call from the publisher asking what the hell was going on? I asked “in what sense?”  I was told there had been a complete style change and “it’s goddam awful! Its crap!”  I was faxed a copy of one page. The artist had bypassed me completely and sent issues 3-4 directly to the publisher and had decided that a form of abstract style was best. I explained that he could not do that as we had a deal based on what we presented to thye publisher. “It’s my artwork and my style they can publish that or nothing”. Nothing.

How many times have I had artists doing “the dirty” on me? A few times. I submitted a one off 23pp story to a publisher and got an email back saying this strip had already been submitted twice. I phoned him and said that he must be mistaken as I had never submitted it to him before. He then told m,e he had been talking to another publisher and shown him the strip and was told “Oh, yeah. I’ve had that submitted a couple of times this last year”. I asked whether he could send me a page of what had been submitted. He sent me the full pdf. Yes, it was the character I created, the story I wrote and it was drawn by the artist I worked with. However, he had removed my name from the credits and had himself as creator/writer/artist. When confronted he told me “I didn’t know how to contact you and thought you’d left comics” which is pure vbull shit as I am the easiest person to find on the internet. He then went quiet.

Another was making a deal behind my back with another leech publisher (someone who grabs the rights to anything he can then exploit for t-shirts, mugs, posters and more) and was quite willing to sign away all rights for nothing except a promise of any money made “might” be forwarded based on what the publisher thought it deserved -or not because signing away the rights and him publishing for 6 years meant it was ‘his’ property. This happened twice and in both cases the artists had “no idea if he (me) is still contactable”…..

The final straw was when I found that Fleetway had artists submit my created work. Gil Page actually showed me the letters from the artists and the photocopied art.

Publishers you keep an eye on as they will screw you over but when you cannot trust the person you work with….

An answer and a moan!

Mcfarlane Retro Batman 66 Catwoman, Riddler and Penguin review

Posted by hoopercomics on January 26, 2023
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Black Tower Silver Age Volume 1 -Electroman featuring Electro Girl

Posted by hoopercomics on January 26, 2023
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

A4

B&W

52pp 

£8.00

https://www.lulu.com/en/en/shop/terry-hooper/black-tower-silver-age-volume-1-electroman/paperback/product-wqmp6m.html

1951 at the start of the UK Silver Age of comics appeared Electroman! 

Then he vanished to become a legend. 

After 70 years he is back -Dan Watkins a criminal wrongly accused of murder and given the electric chair by the State. 

But then…Dan did not die. He was a reformed person and what is more he had a double existence as newspaper boy Dan Watkins and righter of wrongs – Electroman! 

This collection contains: 

The Birth of Electroman 

The Treasure of El Chimborazo 

The Million Dollar Robbery 

3 Ring Circus 

Electroman and Tim meet Benjamin Franklyn 

The Great Train Robbery 

plus – Electro Girl Battles the Gremlins’ Pot-War Plot

Halcon Lord of the Craterland No. 1

Posted by hoopercomics on January 26, 2023
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

A4
24pp
B&W
£6.00
https://www.lulu.com/en/en/shop/terry-hooper/halcon-lord-of-the-craterland-no-1-july-2020/paperback/product-7jy675.html

Halcon Lord of the lost craterland. Created by Nat Brand (Len Fullerton) in 1940 for Swan Comics and seen occasionally in various Black tower titles now gets his own one off books thanks to Ben Dilworth. 

Action and fun all the way with stories such as – 

“Alligator”, “Lake Monster”, “Monkey”, “Pteranodon”, “Into the Moon” and “Alien”. 

The twist ending to “Werewolf” even had the old bearded one surprised!

Merriwether: God’s Demon-Thumper -Single or Collected?

Posted by hoopercomics on January 26, 2023
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

A4

B&W 58pp Price: £6.00 (excl. VAT)Prints in 3-5 business days http://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-hooper-scharf/merriwethergods-demon-thumper/paperback/product-12101586.html

The complete Merriwether series,originally published in Black Tower Adventure and A Little Midnight Horror–but with three strips never before published:including the Reverend’s battle with the ultimate Evil!

From The Horror Of Hob Street to The Village Of Demons and Varney the Vampyre to The Fallen Angel himself,see how one Church of England vicar deals hard-fisted [and various spiked objects] justice to the ungodly…and the ultimate price!!!

If you were into Charlton Horror Comics or any horror comic then this one is for you!

Cover by the sensational Paul (Chemical Brother) Ashley Brown!

A4
Black and white
27pp
Price: £6.50 (excl. VAT)
Prints in 3-5 business days
http://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-hooper-scharf/merriwetherthe-test-of-satan/paperback/product-12987682.html


At the end of Merriwether:Gods Demon-Thumper, the Reverend had been confronted by Satan and as a consequence lay fatally injured.


Star of 1980s comics,Benjamin R. Dilworth, takes us through the fleeting seconds before death as Merriwether has flash backs showing just why he took on the career he did.


Be prepared for horror and a little tongue-in-cheek humour.


Horror fans will love this.

Or, if you want your Merriwether in one complete dose…


A4
B&W
85pp
£6.00
https://www.lulu.com/en/en/shop/terry-hooper-scharf/merriwether-gods-demon-thumper/paperback/product-1rejer94.html

The complete Merriwether series, originally published in Black Tower Adventure and A Little Midnight Horror–but with three strips never before published… 

including the Reverend’s battle with the ultimate Evil! 

From The Horror Of Hob Street to The Village Of Demons and Varney the Vampyre to The Fallen Angel himself, see how one Church of England vicar deals hard-fisted [and various spiked objects] justice to the ungodly …and pays the ultimate price!!! 

If you were into Charlton Horror Comics or any horror comic then this one is for you! 

At the end of Merriwether:Gods Demon-Thumper, the Reverend had been confronted by Satan and as a consequence lay fatally injured. Star of 1980s comics, Benjamin R. Dilworth, takes us through the fleeting seconds before death as Merriwether has flash backs showing just why he took on the career he did. Be prepared for horror and a little tongue-in-cheek humour. 

I Really Doubt Anyone Reading This Cares

Posted by hoopercomics on January 25, 2023
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

It’s quite interesting that, suddenly, people are writing blog posts and making You Tube videos about how corrupt the comic industry is and how creators are being ripped off (“even by Marvel and DC!”) by companies and threats to creators who threaten to expose this stuff that they will never work in comics again. Oh, and good quality creators having to take jobs in retail because the year has dragged on and they are not being paid. And, guess what? It’s the creators’ faults for turning a blind eye to all of this.

I was writing this stuff twenty years ago. Back in the late 1990s/early 2000s there were three businessmen (from outside the UK) who wanted to invest in a new comics line. One had their top man attend cons, speak to “creators” and see what was going on. The project was shelved because “the creators over their seem to be the nastiest, back-stabbing and downright poisonous people in any comics industry” to that was added “it may explain why the UK has no comics industry to speak of”.  And he was right.

When a certain artist was mentioned to one of the creators as someone they would like to use that person was slapped down. All sorts of things were said.  What everyone found incredible was that these were ‘friends’ sticking a knife in creators backs.

One day I received an email from a publisher who told me that his bosses (the money men) would not be going forward with a certain project which would have employed several good artists because “Your old pal that you recommended as a writer stabbed you in the back. In fact he stabbed you in the back and twisted the knife in a piece of character assassination I have never seen the like of in comics before”. I keep that email plus the forwarded piece referred to.

Well known UK comic editors (they are “legends” now) were ripping off new and established creators to line their own pockets and when I asked the late Gil Page about this near legendary “secret warehouse of comic art” that Fleetway had. He told me that only certain people knew where it was “the editors don’t” because at the old one “editors ‘borrowed’ artwork  regularly. Those in comics and old enough will recall the tale of Brian Bolland’s missing 2000 AD art.

When Egmont moved in and took over Fleetway I worked on Revolver and the editor was quite open about his deputy editor stealing my theme for a series of stories. And there were other dumb acts on his part. In fact, one day I had to travel from Bristol to London to Egmont offices with all of my receipts as I had been stiffed out of £5000 in payments. “Oh you need to take that up with the editor” I was told. I asked where he was and the response: “He doesn’t work for Egmont any more so we could not tell you.” The intimation was that they had been told I was paid by the editor -so where was the money??

Oh, and I am old enough now to admit I did hold that Marvel UK editor out of the window because he was incompetent and a crook.

With Art Wetherell and David Gordon I did work for Fantagraphic Books adult Eros line. We had a contract. First printing rights ONLY. 2nd, 3rd, 4th printings without consulting us and then a trade without telling us or renegotiating. I only found out by accident that there was a trade. Come the internet and quite by accident I find our books were sold to foreign publishers -expressly forbidden in the contract as Fantagraphics had first print, English language rights only. It took a lot of chasing and phoning and faxing then emailing and I was called all sorts of names (apparently “More Hooper hyperbole” was their way of saying “**** you”). I knew people in Fantagraphics warehouse who told me a new printed batch of the books had just arrived. Printing was moved to Hong Kong and Mexico to throw us off the scent. For the two French editions (France and Canada) as well as the Spanish edition (serialised in a magazine and then sold as a trade) I got the same as the artists £75.00 -totally incompetent publishers?

My work on US independents stopped as I was told that Fantagraphics publication and personal attack platform, The Comics Journal “could destroy us”.

Gerald Swan published pulps from the 1940s to early 1960s as well as comic books. Do you know how he attracted so many writers and artists when Amalgamated Press and D. C. Thomson could not?  He paid on submission of work  not a couple months after. He may not have been fond of his comics later but he was competent and honest. My comic book relative Lou Diamond was screwed over by Amalgamated Press and they treated him badly.

There is nothing new in this and, yes, creators keep their mouths shut it will go on.  Fans or comic buyers don’t care. A comic company is going out of business “So what -we’ll still get the movies and TV shows, right?”  The fairest deal creators got at Marvel comics was under Stan Lee who made sure they got every penny they were owed because he knew them and their backgrounds and they were friends.

If -IF- you want to see comics continue then go to the small, independent companies. Not Image, not Boom!, not Valiant but the small companies where creativity is still ongoing. I have known big name creators who have even had to get a job cleaning toilets because the company he worked for did not pay and he was on the verge of homelessness.

But then, I doubt any of you really care.

The Vigilant: I Have A Personal Opinion. You Do Not Like It -sail on!

Posted by hoopercomics on January 24, 2023
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In this day and age it seems that if you have a personal opinion you have to keep your mouth shut. Just say what everyone else is saying and if you don’t -you are EVIL

Scarily enough I find that I have been in comics for 50 years now. Yes, that is scary. I was a kid during the great days of the Silver Age of British comics and there in the Bronze Age until we got….well, I think we can all quit pretending we are in an age where the UK has a comics industry.

Before I start let me put something to rest. People have deliberately miss-read or twisted things I write. They know what is in my mind when I wrote those things. In fact, I appear to be living rent free in a few peoples heads. I call this my unofficial fan base. Here is the fact:no, I do not buy 2000 AD and I do not, therefore, read it., Apparently, this means I hate Rebellion Studios who publish the title. Sure, that is probably why I have a shelf full of their books (most given to me as gifts but a good few I purchased).

“Rebellion really dislike him!” was what was written on a UK comic forum that someone sent me a screenshot of. Really?  Well, I doubt that statement because we just take the particular Midlander’s word on it as no source is given. I have had absolutely no interaction with Rebellion Studios and just because I do not buy 2000 AD does not mean I am at war with them! 😂

I do have opinions on how old characters have been used but they are the publishers not me. My opinion is my opinion and to be honest if you are the kind of arschloch who feels a person must have no opinion you can go 😱 off.

I think that the rebooting and the way the old IPC/Fleetway characters were treated was awful.  Really, really awful. Build up how popular these characters were and why they were popular and then…. ignore that and basically make it all Americanised”.

If that was an attempt to attract American sales it failed because the American comickers who know the old characters -and the old character fans in India- just said “no”. They collect the comics because of the characters as they were originally not some awful dross. As one American told me: “The *****? Adam Eterno is a cameo and in that he’s killed?” Yeah, well, of course he was for no real reason.

Did the writer(s) do a Leah Moore and Reppion (with Albion) and not really know the characters and did no research on them? At least with Albion the books were made looking through thanks to the artwork by a real fan -Shane Oakley. Turning the Steel Commando into a psychopathic killer with PTSD -it had character but was a robot ffs. Not a good idea. 

Before anyone says anything, yes, I do have The Vigilant series (1 and 2) and I have looked through them a few times but it’s all just dead with no real characterisation that anyone would see as even close to the originals.

With these old characters Rebellion could do a great deal and even bring them into 2023 without having to do what they already have.  Although he had no real knowledge of a lot of the actual original characters (Golden and early Silver Ages) look at what Grant Morrison did in Zenith: Phase Three and Steve Yowell’s black and white art made it all gel.

You need a writer who knows the characters. You need an artist who can draw the characters so that old fans will recognise them and new fans will become interested. Full colour? Why not but try black and white first.

So there are some of my opinions. Will Rebellion Studios start screaming? I really do not think they could give a toss!.

Obscure British Super Heroes….or Just Plain Nut Jobs?

Posted by hoopercomics on January 23, 2023
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Captain Lunatic’s Asylum Adventurers turned up in the post in 1988 and I found that Rich Holden had taken the two parts from Caged comic and combined them. I can only find this one issue, which does not mean that there is no second issue somewhere in Room Oblivion. 

The strip was written by and drawn by Dave Cross who readers may remember from the post on Unit 4

https://hoopercomicart.blogspot.com/2022/12/obscure-british-super-heroes-unit-4.html
The story is written by Pat Kelleher and I am sure I know that name from somewhere but whereas I can store lots of facts and info in my brain it just cannot remember names!

All you need to know is that the government man is “one of Those” and Those are aliens while They are demons and Them is a secret society and The Asylum Adventurers have powers or abilities and the long haired fella with the cane is NOT a young Alan Moore but “God”…no. I am not going there.

Is it a fun read? YES. The story was developing which is why I hope I have a second part somewhere. If not…well, not a lot I can do after 3 decades is there?

There were probably a lot of little gems like this in the zine world back then and if they are not in one of my boxes they may well be lost to time!

If you find any of Holden’s publications pick them up as they are well worth reading!

The Green Skies Vol. 3 Part III: The Gathering

Posted by hoopercomics on January 23, 2023
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 A4

B&W

208pp

£16.00

https://www.lulu.com/en/en/shop/terry-hooper/the-green-skies-vol-3-part-iii/paperback/product-kj6r7r.html?page=1&pageSize=4

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

Posted by hoopercomics on January 23, 2023
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

A4

B&W

126pp

£15.00

https://www.lulu.com/en/en/shop/terry-hooper/the-green-skies-vol-3-part-ii/paperback/product-nj7wqr.html?page=1&pageSize=4

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

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  • Recent Posts

    • On A Creator Deal -Artist Are Not Always Honest
    • Mcfarlane Retro Batman 66 Catwoman, Riddler and Penguin review
    • Black Tower Silver Age Volume 1 -Electroman featuring Electro Girl
    • Halcon Lord of the Craterland No. 1
    • Merriwether: God’s Demon-Thumper -Single or Collected?
    • I Really Doubt Anyone Reading This Cares
    • The Vigilant: I Have A Personal Opinion. You Do Not Like It -sail on!
    • Obscure British Super Heroes….or Just Plain Nut Jobs?
    • The Green Skies Vol. 3 Part III: The Gathering
    • The Green Skies Vol. 3 Part II: Promises and Beginnings
    • The Green Skies Vol. 3 Part I: Beginning of the End
    • Black Tower Comic Shop News..or is it?
    • A Folder of Comic Stuff
    • Hey, Marvel -Time For a Laxative? (it will make sense if you read on)
    • Kult Creations -Shokwave Book 1
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