Cinebook Ltd: Yoko Tsuno 20 - The Gate of Souls

 

Author: Roger Leloup
Age: 8 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
£8.99 incl VAT

ISBN: 9781800441606

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/yoko-tsuno-gate-souls-p-4578.html

Yoko and her friends – both Earthlings and Vineans – are back among the stars, cruising near the mysterious Ultima and its atemporal mists. Long ago, refugees fleeing their home world Vinea were lost in them. Their souls are said to still haunt this now sacred place, and an ancient law prohibits Vineans from entering. But when a probe coming from Ultima zooms past her ship, Yoko doesn’t hesitate to disregard the interdiction – after all, she’s not Vinean, is she?! 

When I first got Yoko Tsuno sent to me I didn't think it was going to be that impressive -and it was a kiddy book. That shows how wrong you can be. Tsuno does follow a trend that you see in creators' work. For instance John Creasy (who created The Baron, Gideon of the Yard, etc) started out in the  1930s with his Department Z and later Dr Palfrey books all firmly based in the world of spies or crime but then evolved into ecological themes and even science fiction style stories (The Unbegotten). Tsuno started as an adventurer and slowly jumped into science fiction and we now have her travelling through space.

I love the art style from the characters to the craft and scenes and the use of colour is superb and adds so much more to the story.  And these are good stories with great pacing and I can see why so many adult readers get this series.

If you are thinking about getting the series for younger readers then there is nothing to stop them enjoying things -no over the top violence or unsuitable panels/pages just pure fun and adventure.  With 20 albums in this series so far kids are not going to get quickly bored (and I do know that there are kids out there reading).

Black Tower: Streamline 2 The Dr Rose Agenda

 

Ben R Dilworth writer/artist

24 pages

A4

Black and white

£8.00 UK

https://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-hooper/streamline-2/paperback/product-yvyd549.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Keenan King aka Streamline of Earth Parallel 669 meets agent Grimes of MI5 in Westminster Abbey for a briefing. A briefing that seems to indicate that the man who helped King and gave him his powers, Dr. Rose, has mass produced the formula used on him.

If the man who helped give him the powers of Streamline has turned rogue for money or other reasons he has to be stopped.

An army of Streamlines would be unstoppable and a threat to not just the UK but the world.

Slick Fun 1

 

 

Pages

34

Binding Type

Paperback Saddle Stitch

Interior Color

Black & White

Dimensions

A4 (8.27 x 11.69 in / 210 x 297 mm)

£8.00

https://www.lulu.com/shop/terryhooper/slickfun-1/paperback/product-gjymqp2.htmlq=&page=1&pageSize=4

You like your Fun to be Slick? You like your Slick to be slick? Well her you have Slick fun -and with a little added "Wahoo!" from the star himself -Dr Atomutt! You will also see The Iron Boy on his never ending quest to find and consume metal. Not to mention GoBo And Gobo and Captain Cardiff Oh, and if you like your Westerns anthropomorphic then there is Sheriff Merrybark! As GoBo says "Pi Quo Bo Bo!" -wise words (which means there is more inside)

Cinebook Ltd: Spirou & Fantasio 22 - In the Clutches of the Viper

 

Author: Vehlmann & Yoann
Age: 8 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
Publication: June 2025

ISBN: 9781800441620

£8.99 incl VAT

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/spirou-fantasio-clutches-viper-p-4580.html?osCsid=m659099cballl8gnr7rigibes7

Back from their adventures on Zorglub’s lunar base, Spirou and Fantasio find themselves in a new pickle. Spirou Magazine is being sued for immorality and irresponsibility. The punitive damages bleed the coffers dry, and the two reporters have no choice but to sign a contract with an American corporation, the Viper, to bail the magazine out. 

But Spirou soon discovers that they’ve been tricked, and that in one stroke of the pen, he may have signed away his whole life! 

Everything I wrote about visual gags and crammed in artwork on Gomer applies here. However, despite it being a fun book there is always a semi serious threat awaiting Spirou and Fantasio.  "In The Clutches of the Viper" gets my attention straight away. Throw in a secret rendezvous with an old guy in a trench coat smoking a pipe who is identified as Gil Braveheart "The Detective Explorer" and you have crank up my underwear to warp 4! (Having written that, perhaps I should have chosen my words).

Anyway, when things seem to be going well you can bet that there is a very big kick in the pants coming (I need to stop referring to underpants). Oh, and if you throw in Batguy that trouble is bound to be a lot of fun. And it is. Things get better but then there's a twist.

In all honesty this has been a very fun series since volume 1 and there is one thing we need these days and that is more fun. As always I recommend this volume and the series so do not miss out!

Cinebook Ltd: Gomer Goof 12 - Twenty-One Goof Salute

 

Authors: Franquin
Age: 8 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
£8.99 incl VAT

ISBN: 9781800441613

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/gomer-goof-twenty-goof-salute-p-4576.html

At Spirou magazine, life goes on, punctuated by the occasional bouts of insanity of Gomer’s cats, attacks by Gomer’s gull, and disasters caused by Gomer’s latest invention … In other words, business as usual. And at least his coworkers can have some peace while he nods off at his desk! 

Outside of work, though, peace is not an option. Between Goof and Officer Longsnoot, the Parking Meters War has begun – and the winner will receive a twenty-one-goof salute! 

As is always the case it is hard to pinpoint exact "things" in a book that contain a lot of visual gags and humour as well as some very weird incidents. The pages, as always, are crammed full of art and I really do want to know what size the original art is drawn on because if even A3 it is crammed -at times almost insanely.

Gomer delivers as always and I always recommend giving any Cinebook title, particularly the humour books, at least a try because if you find the one that is "yours" you'll want the series. Stylish humour and art and colour work that just adds to the whole package. My initial response to seeing Gomer in a batch of books years back was "oh, gods, this looks frightful" (boring). That attitude changed quickly!

Cinebook Ltd: Emilie's Inheritance vol.3 - The Exile & 4: The Dreamer

 

Author: Florence Magnin
Age: 8 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
Publication: March 2025

£8.99 incl VAT

ISBN: 9781800441583

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/emilies-inheritance-vol3-exile-p-4571.html?osCsid=afuhbkjt5s1bf0uj1obh9bqh13

As Emilie comes to explore the Irish estate she’s inherited, she’s forced to face a startling truth: there, ghosts, fairies and gateways to other worlds aren’t mere legends, but rather the reality! 

Then there are the other residents, all of them strange, creepy at times, and who seem to hide a terrible secret. But there is a greater mystery still: who is the man who, from the shadows, manipulated the young woman into coming to Ireland – and for what purpose?

You have to admit that there are beautiful covers to this series. Having written that the interior art is absolutely perfect and fits this story well. Magnin weaves the alien world, Earth and other scenes into one fascinating book and a story that keeps you guessing at what is going on.

I was going to mention various points but that would all involve spoilers. Really no one should ever spoil the twists and turns especially in a series like this which is probably one of the best Cinebook has published and that is a high compliment. The characters are all well drawn and nicely detailed and the colour work is almost, dare I write "perfection"? The buildings and interiors are so lovingly detailed I keep going back to look them over.

Just how long does it take Magnin to draw a page let alone 48 and then colouring them??

Author: Florence Magnin
Age: 8 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
Publication: July 2025

£8.99 Incl VAT

ISBN: 9781800441651

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/emilies-inheritance-vol4-dreamer-p-4581.html

The man who manipulated Emilie into coming to the Hatcliff Estate, and then kidnapped her so she would open its gates to him, has revealed himself as an extraterrestrial exile.

 Meanwhile, the strange phenomenon that had stopped the passing of time within the bounds of the estate has ended, and winter comes, aging its inhabitants at an accelerated rate. 

In desperation, they’ve sent Bran, Emilie’s lover, to fetch Hatcliff back from ‘Fairyland’ – in actuality, another planet. Can the process still be halted?

Everything I wrote above I could only repeat here. Flying ships, sea monsters,alien world,  The snow and ice pages 14 and 15 I was stuck on and taking it all in (several times in fact). I had a thought that, once the 5th volume is out, this would be an excellent series to sit down with on a quiet Christmas or winter day and binge read. If I had gotten hold of these volumes as a kid no one would have seen or heard from me for a week.

This is all well plotted and written, drawn to a very high standard and coloured to perfection.

If you want a hands down recommendation for a series then this is it. Why are we not seeing this series praised more?

Superb.

BUY IT!

Black Tower: The Attacker -Dark Origins

 

 A4

25pp

Black and white

£8.00 UK

https://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-hooper/the-attacker-dark-origins/paperback/product-8458282.html?q=&page=1&pageSize=4

When urban crime seems to be out of check with the police unable to handle every incident and people too scared to even walk along the road what happens?

Do the police give up as resources are over stretched while the public scream for action? How can the police be everywhere: at every location where there is going to be a minor or serious crime? They can't.

Is vigilante action required?

The early 1980s created Attacker could have been anybody. He appeared in a series of no text strips dishing out violence for violence. 42 years later his/her identity is still unknown. With some takes on the character by Ben R Dilworth and a Preview to the Return of the Gods series this is action all the way.

Black Tower Super Heroes No. 8

 

 A4

B&W

84pp

£7.00

https://www.lulu.com/en/en/shop/terry-hooper/black-tower-super-heroes-no-8-feb-2021/paperback/product-k6y4d7.html?page=1&pageSize=4

This is it! Issue number 8 and Rodney Dearth and his Iron Warriorface...DEATH!

 1995 and Major Victory, Hero of the Soviet Union confronts a would be alien invader! 

The Zine Zone Zoot Suit Crew BEFORE the Dark Crisis! 

The Purple Hood needs to find the DoubleAgent! 

Halcon needs to track down and fight the man-killer! 

In Texas yet another would be alien invader lands! 

In Germany D-Gruppe's Panzer handles another extra terrestrial biological entity....

 One month in and Captaion Cosmic is under assault again by aliens wanting the Di of power! 

All this and The Boy Fish, Bring 'Em Back Hank, Presto, Crasher Cave, Argo Under The Ocean, The Werewolf, Wavell and more. 

All leading up to...The Green Skies! and no one asks WHY all these aliens are coming to Earth.

Black Tower Super Heroes No. 7

 

A4

B&W

60 pages

£8.00

 https://www.lulu.com/en/en/shop/terry-hooper/black-tower-super-heroes-no-7-september-2020/paperback/product-7jdewj.html

The penultimate issue of Black Tower Super Heroes! 

Featuring Herne the Hunter, Kangy and the Iron warrior!

 The conclusion to The Trial appears to be a verdict of "Death", however, who is the new arrival at the Cosmic Fulcrum and just what is going on?

Also, can any of the magic men help the Druid or is his future looking bleaker by the page?

Black Tower Super Heroes No. 6

 

A4
B&W
80pp
£8.00
https://www.lulu.com/en/en/shop/terry-hooper/black-tower-super-heroes-no-6-august-2020/paperback/product-g92k5d.html

Two issues away from...The Green Skies!

 The Druid (having helped rescue the Zero Heroes last issue) takes a walk to the local chippe with The Avenger. What can go wrong? Well, the ttle reads "In The Hands of Chung Ling Soo" so guess? 

The Z Man tries to waren everyone about The Trial but seems to just confuse people. Meanwhile, the German superheroes who survived Zeit Geist (even if their parallels did not) gather together. Something is going on,,,but what? 

Herne the Hunter continues on his quest while Ace Hart is setting about righting wrongs in his own way. Of course the Iron Warrior is putting in an appearance...as is Ghost Investigator Dene Vernon -but if he survives this one...welll... 

Jasmine deals with Kathatakathalaka in her own way...now but not now -long time ago. Zom would understand! He might also understand Zark in a text story last seen in 1951. Considering he may be a Martian if he's still around his future might be a bit bleak. 

Supernatural justice with The Bat and Madam Foretell is predicting everything but what happens when the skies go green! And there is more but you'll need to buy the book! 

Described as "A solid, cracking read from cover to cover" this is probably the best British anthology out there...all 80 pages of it!

Black Tower Super Heroes No. 5

 

A4

B&W

80pp

£8.00

https://www.lulu.com/en/en/shop/terry-hooper/black-tower-super-heroes-no-5-july-2020/paperback/product-m54m6n.html

It had to happen! Straight from the pages of Zero Heroes "the other guy" becomes....

CAPTAIN COSMIC!! 

No joke. 

Not an imaginary tale! 

Will Earth be happy with its new defender? 

You think it cares?? 

Also features Jack, The Iron Warrior, and enough action (with a touch of humour) to keep you happier than an adult entertainment channel (whatever they are) during lockdown!

Black Tower Super Heroes 4

 

A4
B&W
80pp
£8.00
https://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-hooper/black-tower-super-heroes-no-4-2020/paperback/product-ejq7y4.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Hot off the presses! 

Yes, the fourth issue of BTSH is here and it is so crammed full of eye boggling action that we had to use adamantium staples to keep it all together! 

Kotar, Sabuta along with Tarot and Lady Silvana face the werewolf while the Zero Heroes are in a church surrounded by zombies and what happens to "the other guy" at the end...I'm asking -what happened? 

Jack finds that he could have had a fatal dose, while The Trial continues and the mystery deepens. 

There is more -much much more! 

Blue Saviour is the cover star and a tribute to creator David A. Johnson who brightened up Bath comic marts with his Blue Saviour, Madame Mystery and Enigma comics! 

Black Tower Super Heroes 3

 

 

A4
B&W
80pp
£8.00

https://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-hooper/black-tower-super-heroes-no-3-june-2020/paperback/product-4jvpgd.html?page=1&pageSize=4


Collecting together the best of the British Golden, early Silver and contemporary ages comics

Black Tower Super Heroes No.2

 

A4
B&W
80pp
£7.00
https://www.lulu.com/en/en/shop/terry-hooper/black-tower-super-heroes-no-2-june-2020/paperback/product-48pdw5.html

Bringing the best of the British Platinum, Golden and early Silver Ages as well as contemporary

Black Tower -The Independents and How You Can Submit Work

 

A4
B&W
94pp
£9.00
https://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-hooper/the-independents/paperback/product-22522001.html

Collected together a selection of the best Independent comics from Black Tower 

- Jemma Webster's AUTOPSIA 

Small Press Guru Uhuru Paul Ashley Brown's now out of print big seller THE TALL TREES 

A selection from the legend that is Ben R. Dilworth 

Oh, and Terry Hooper-Scharfs "Go Bo Explains Einstein."

As an add on to this I will add a post from the Zine Zone blog:

 I was asked by someone how I deal with comic strip submissions and what my deal is with creators.  

I will point out from the outset that even I work for free!  

With comic events restricted there is little chance of selling a lot of books to cover costs then leave a profit. For people who just want to find some place to get their first strip published I have The Independents an anthology meant to give new creators a chance to see their work in print. Anything submitted is owned by the creator and not myself or Black Tower the deal is published once and two free copies of the title the strip appears in.

You are not being ripped off. I pay for the copies you get (and any tax) after all the editing work. You get a comic with your work in that you can show around.

In case anyone wonders I edit (and all that involves), publicise and even pay US taxes on books sold. I write and draw.  Ben Dilworth, Our Man in Osaka, does likewise. Neither of us sadly get paid. It is just how comics are at the moment when people are brainwashed that there is only Marvel, DC, Image, Oni et al.  Maybe in the future comic buyers will realise there is far more out there -it's why I am thinking of organising a one day comic mart.

Black Tower: Chronos The Watchman

  

A4

B&W
40pp
Price: £7.50 (excl. VAT)
Prints in 3-5 business days

https://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-hooper-scharf/chronos-watchman/paperback/product-18941673.html

John Tempus, a world travelling adventurer travels by ship to Gull Island, a desolate place
on which stands an ancient, war-scarred tower, left to him by an uncle he never knew.

An uncle that he soon finds is far from dead.

An uncle who reveals to him a family curse that he cannot avoid. A duty he
will carry out until his death.

John Tempus has now become the next Chronos Watchman and he is all that
stands between our world and that of...

KAOS!

Cinebook Ltd: Amazonia 4 - Episode 4

 

Authors: LEO & Rodolphe; illustrated by Bertrand Marchal
Age: 15 years and up
Size: 18.4 x 25.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages

£7.99 incl VAT

ISBN: 9781800441637
Publication: June 2025
 

Lost in the middle of the Amazon rainforest along with Brazilian Navy officer Délio, Kathy Austin did manage to establish contact with the being she came to investigate – though not for long enough to ascertain whether he’s of alien origin or not, as the strange individual immediately ran off to assist the Germans about to be slaughtered by the Natives. What is his connection with those former Nazis desperately looking for a lost submarine full of gold? …

After the last page of the previous volume I had expected our rather "Germanic" duo to be dead with native arrows in them. But, no, and we find out more about the Doktor and his connection to Jo which still does not clear up the question of what Jo is? An alien that was caught and ended up in a freak show? A genetic experiment of some sort?  There is still a lot to be learnt (no spoilers).

And as the plot twists in the US and elsewhere our two jungle stranded heroes come across their prize -the much discussed submarine.

At one point I thought "Oh, they are explaining who Jo is" - but then I am not getting caught out like that. Past stories have thrown up unexpected surprises and this story is developing well. The art is great and the colours by Sebastien Boulet adds much more atmosphere to the scenes.  

So.... I wonder what we will learn next about the enigmatic Jo?