Reasons To Be Cheerful?
Okay,CBO has just had its biggest hit at 120,812. Not bad,eh?
So things should be looking cheery? For some,yes.
Manga/Manhua/Manhwa has been a constant big-hitter and this doesn’t just mean Dr Master or Udon [though not heard from the latter in a looong time!] but UK Manga creators such as Sonia Leong or Emma Viecelli and Sweatdrop Studios.
Then we have creators such as Kate Glasheen of Hybrid Bastards fame from Archaia. Still getting regular hits,though I’ve heard nothing of issue #2 and the promised copy of #1 from Archaia still hasn’t turned up. Guys?
Image and Dark Horse are two regular hitters on CBO and I’d like to thank Image for joining our little club -hi,guys!
Cinebook -The 9th Art is doing well and I hope to meet Olivier Cadic and the team at the UK Expo in Bristol during May. Cinebook,as a UK based publisher, has produced some of the highest quality books from Europe I’ve ever seen and they’ll be worth checking out if you go to the Expo.
Classical Comics has now produced two great books of which any publisher could be proud. Along with Cinebook they have shown that the UK can produce quality books. Classical Comics will be worth visiting at the Expo.
Willie Hewes and Vanessa Wells have both produced great series/books in the form of Amaranth [Hewes] and Shrouded -both will be attending the may Expo -you did know there was an international comic expo in May,in Bristol?
Yishan Li,another attendee,is certainly getting the recognition she justly deserves and her fellow Manhua artist,Jian Yi and Wang Peng,are scoring success in France with some truly beautiful art.
Archie Comics are still riding high and making more frequent appearances in UK comic stores -I notice our Indian members are very keen on the latest company news -Archie is BIG in india after all.
Graphic Classics was a new publisher on me but this US company is also producing some fantastic books -sadly,I don’t believe they’ll be at the Comic Expo.
But mainstream UK comic-wise? We have 2000 ad,which at least improved by getting John Cooper to draw Armitage -I’m hoping the promised John Cooper interview will be on site soon.
D.C. Thomson showed that it could produce action strips with Billy The Cat and the 2007 Annual Billy The Cat vs General Jumbo. Dandy vanished into an insert which was sad news. Perhaps Thomson needs to realise just what it is youngsters want in a comic today by looking back at its old editions?
Panini [Marvel UK] is doing well,but there is no new material just reprint of US comics.
All-in-all it looks cheery to a degree but surely someone out there has the cash and guts to publish a new UK comic for the news stands? If there is someone –get in touch!
I would like to hear more about your views and maybe a few comments but if you’re shy,you can always get in touch at:
As a man once said:”Be seeing you!”
T
Comic Bits Online is the web version of the Comic Bits magazine Edited and run by Terry Hooper. Currently Interviews Editor at Manga Life,Terry has over thirty years experience in the comic industry as script writer,artist,freelance Editor,publisher and much more. But if you want the facts:
Curriculum vitae Name:Terry HooperDob:6th June 1957 [50 yrs]Currently living Ashton Vale,Bristol,United Kingdom ...
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