ZINE ZONE

Sunday, 31 December 2017

Maakika Art

Being the sort of person who trusts no one I double checked the stats from my Art Wanted page.
690Yes, in a week there have been 690 views of my non-comic art, mainly the Maakika artwork. So, you all know there is a book, right?

Whenever I try to explain to someone the origins of The Maakika I get odd looks. I have no idea why, unless the people I'm explaining this to have no artistic minds and have never known a fevered mind!

However, the story I told on the original Maakika Art site in 2008 is factual. These pieces have been called some of the best work I've done -my comic work getting swiftly dismissed! I'm also told, though I never saw it that way myself until I went through all the pieces again, that the pieces seem to form a type of mythology or at least hint at one. I'll let YOU decide.

The Origins

"What is Maakika Art?" I get asked that a great deal and to be honest it is a very brief story!

In 2006 I had a serious respiratory infection. It came and went but,in 2007,it came back with a vengeance over several months and with complications I thought it would see me shift this mortal coil -and I am NOT joking!

Around May, 2007, it got really bad. Then, suddenly,pouring with sweat, while seated on a bus, my mind started getting a rush of images -maybe 50-60. I got home exhausted but I sat down and began to draw. Honestly, at 50 years of age I had drawn many things but these new images were so out of my usual frame of image reference that I was stumped.

I drew a few, sat back and thought "What the bloody hell have I drawn?!" Almost instantly the word "Maakika" [pronounced "Mah-kee-kah"] came into my head. At the same time I got the definition "solid black and white art under guidance from the Maakika". Ahh, a fevered mind -and no drugs involved!I've searched the word on the internet, in books and anywhere else I can but it seems not to exist. I cannot find anything similar.

And with each came a title or description.

So,a divine gift from the Maakika pantheon seems credible!

And lucky.

The original images are all 21x29cms and though I've not parted with the first "inspired" drawings which look crude to my eye, several were sold for between £150-£300 each.

I still have the original images in my mind [they won't shift!] but I've been inspired to work on larger images [60x42cms].
So,if you have any questions or comments get in touch!

And remember:only one person does Maakika art -me (and I have absolutely no idea what's coming next!)
The Maakika Art ~ you can buy the book!

Paperback,A432 PagesPrice: £10.00 (excl. VAT)Prints in 3-5 business dayshttp://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-hooper-scharf/maakika-art/paperback/product-21849434.html
According to one review:

By J Stransky
"Unique and eye catching. It is equal parts disturbing and wonderful. I've cut a few out and put them in frames on the wall in my work room. They are, I tell you, really quite though provoking. Recommended to someone with an interest in primitive art or hypnosis-state painting. Look at these images deeply for a while, they will seep into your soul."Can you resist?

Friday, 22 December 2017

Small Press and Indie Comics Events in 2018

Please remember that if you know of any events for 2018 let me know. I can publicise them here and on the main Comic Bits Online website.

Also, if you or anyone you know publishes a Small Press or Indie comic then I will review them and on CBO that's 2-3000 plus views a day. ONLY hard copies and no pdf for various (legal) reasons. Drop me a line at hoopercomicsuk@yahoo.com about where to send review books.

Cheers and have a Good Christmas and Smile in 2018!
Terry

Thursday, 21 December 2017

Fred Egg Comics WOW! RETRACTED

A5
110pp
Perfect bound
B&W/Colour
£10.00
http://fredeggcomics.bigcartel.com/product/wow-retracted

Comic book with stories written and drawn by David Robertson and includes contributions
from by Eileen Budd, Marc Casilli, Zu Dominiak, Damon Herd, Olivia Hicks, Rebecca Horner, Paddy Johnston, Tim Kelly, Neil Paterson, Ludi Price, and Pam Wye.

There can be a problem when you get a book like this. Firstly, it is an anthology and I have found that in the past highlighting the work of specific contributors has led to complaints. You know, like "I contributed a piece to that book so what was wrong with it?" I normally point out that a reviewer has to try to highlight the best of any anthology whether professional or small press. Pressed further and depending on my mood my response could be "Well, firstly, you cannot draw. Would you like a further critique?"

Look at the number of contributions in this book:

01. NANDO.

02. INK DRIVE. 03. PATRIOTISM. 04. REVENGE ON THE ORBITING SPACE POD. 05. ENDLESS LOVE. 06. NEWS FOR THE DEAF. 07. MISSILE ATTACK CONCORDE. 08. RODOLPHE TOPFFER’S REVERIE. 09. I LIVE WITH A KILLER. 10. IN CONCERT. 11. HOOVERING. 12. PEZZ. 13. TH:12:43. 14. I LIVE WITH A KILLER 2. 15. LADY MASQUE. 16. THE MAKING OF SPACE FILM EPISODE 7. 17. META AF (art: Zu Dominiak). 18. HORRIBLE PUPIL (art: Neil Paterson). 19. VISUAL MUSIC (art: Rebecca Horner). 20. MILDEW (art: Paddy Johnston). 21. TURBO-SLUSH (art: Tim Kelly). 22. DEADLY DEODORANT (art: Eileen Budd). 23. ASS/U/ME (art: Olivia Hicks). 24. GRAFFITI WALL (art: Pam Wye). 25. TEENAGED TARGETTED TERRORIST TARANTULAS (art: Damon Herd). 26. I DON’T SEE DIFFERENCE (art: Marc Casilli). 27. THE FUTURE (art: Ludi Price). 28. FUMETTI. 29. UNEXPLODED GRENADE. 30. HOMELESS. 31. I LIVE WITH A KILLER 3. 32. ORCHESTRAS. 33. LIVE EVERY DAY LIKE IT’S YOUR LAST. 34. FB -- OUT! 35. SMALL WORLD. 36. MOUSE. 37. SHOPPING FOR TUNA. 38. GEORGE VS. HERBERT. 38. HOURLY COMICS DAY 2017. 39. ROBOT // MONSTER. 40. INTERSECTIONALITY.

Not all credited though there is something about contributions in 2 or 3 point font size and that is no good for a reviewer or someone glancing through it. Here is what should be done:

26. I DON'T SEE DIFFERENCE script:---- art: Marc Casilli

Where David Robertson writes the scripts then it should read "D. Robertson" or "Robertson" because tucking that away in tiny text is very amateur. My new spectacles show the tint text reads "stories 1-16 and 28-40" are by Robertson. No. Credit next to the story, please. I just spend an hour going through the art pages trying to see if there was any script or art credits! It highlights a very big problem for a reader, too. If he/she is reading a strip and likes it the automatic thing to do is flip back to page 1 of that strip to see who drew or wrote it. Having to flip back to page one of the book itself and squint at tiny text is not on. Credits for writer and artist ON the strip.

It is a niggle and I have taken larger publishers to task on this.

But "Uncle Terry is in a mood" is not what you want to read, right?

Nando is a bit of a bleak strip to start on: plane crash on a mountain, cannibalism...one man left. Ink Drive still has me wondering what the hell the ending was about as it seemed messy. I read it at 01:00 hrs and at 11:45 hrs but same impression. Not sure if I missed something. Deadly Deoderant drawn by Eileen Budd was a nice colour strip and Pam Wye's Graffiti Wall was a nice style. Intersectionality by Robertson had some nice work. Teenage Targetted Terrorist Tarantulas also had some promising art by Damon Herd. Olivia Hicks, Neil Patterson and Rebecca Horner are also notable contributors.

Is the book worth buying? That depends on whether you are only interested in super heroes because if so -no. You only buy full colour comics -no. If you want to buy and read small press books and see what new creators are up to then -yes. And for the contributors I've noted it is worthwhile -Budd, Wye, Hicks, etc. I would like to see more of their work.

There are preview pages on the Fred Egg Comics page so check it out.

Comics should not just be confined to the slick, full colour companies or even Independents. If someone wants to draw or put together for fun or as a hobby then why not? There is a degree of snobbery from all quarters but the point is creativity and having fun.

Support the Small Press and Independent Comics.

Friday, 6 October 2017

BRISTOL COMIC AND ZINE FAIR TOMORROW!!

BRISTOL COMIC AND ZINE FAIR CELEBRATES THE WORLD OF DIY AND INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING.

The fair brings together artists, writers, and publishers from across Bristol and further afield for a one-day market. 2017 will be our 7th year.

BCZF was established in 2011 to give artists interested in self-publishing a chance to sell their work and to invite new audiences to see what the UK’s vibrant DIY arts scene is up to.

BCZF 2017 returns to The Station, Broadmead, a city-centre space run by The Creative Youth Network to provide a place for young people to meet, develop their talent, and get advice and support.

HTTPS://BCZF.CO.UK/

Thursday, 5 October 2017

Browner Knowle 9...A Game of Chess Is NOT Involved

A5
36pp
black and white
Double cover
£5.00
http://www.paulashleybrown.co.uk/about

Paul Brown writes:

"BROWNER-KNOWLE 9 launches next Saturday at BRISTOL COMIC & ZINE FAIR at The Station Bristol. Note cynical-sellout Double Covers to con idiot comic geeks into buying two copies. If it works for Marvel & DC.....

(actually, each issue has both covers, and it probably still wont make a blind bit of difference to sales!!!)"

I hate cynical advertizing by big power companies,,,but let's get back to the doyenne of the Immaculate Wrist and Razor.

Firstly, the covers. Some will have one variant and I have to say that I like the beach one ~it goes well with the strip inside. Cover and interior paper stock are high quality, almost glossy. The printing is lovely and crisp and, if you care about these things, it makes for a great book.

"What The Stones say" was so odd that I thought it was a graphic novel based on a Swedish movie. However, there was no Max von Sydow. Some nice detail in panels and on characters' clothing which most people forget about. "The Piano" (no, nothing to do with the movie, that's what I thought but no Holly Hunter) is a poignant little piece about someone playing piano in a hospital while a certain artist was waiting to see whether he'd lose his leg. No, I shan't say Mr Brown so there.

Then we have "The Once" which is a one pager and, again, was like a scene from some Skandiwegian art house short. A theme appears to be developing in this review. A bit philosophically heavy on the interpersonal relationships stuff. This is why I never do the interpersonal relationship stuff.

We then have Mr Brown's tour de force ~"The Eternal" which is 12 pages of ...bleakness. Bleakness coming from a relationship in which one partner tries to help the other who is lapsing into altzheimers. I don't do soppy stuff but if you like a good story with some good art then the price of BK 9 is worth it for this story. I'll give this one 9 out of 10.

"The Problem With Relationships (& Drawings)" is another one pager and, seriously, do I have to explain a one pager with that title? Oy.

"Flash back to Misery"...oh, it's another one page illo titled...er..."Untitled" and that is where I may have made my title error. Nice little sketch and a childhood memory.

Then we have "Polly On the Beach" which, if I continued my original review theme would have been "The Beach" (yeuch). But there is some nice black and white work here as well toning that give the strip its feel. I make a guest appearance...nah, beard is too short. But the main character reminded me of a couple of people I've known. Mr Brown being atmospherically thought provoking and making it work.

Things I learnt from this zine and the review is "Skandiwegian (Skandinavian~Norwegian) is a thing. Second, movies keep popping up in my head. Thirdly, Mr Brown should be producing the BKs in a trade book or at least submitting his work to one of those trendy publishers into paying someone to publish their graphic novel. Most of those graphic novels that I've seen have not been good and this issue of BK with just The Eternal kicks seven shades of crap out of them.

I know what you are thinking...."How the hell do I get a copy?!" Well, firstly, if you are in Bristol Saturday check out the Comics and Zine Fair. Yes, Mr Brown will be there and will even sign your copy if you ask him.

For £5.00 this is cheap. Good art. Good story.

No Max von Sydow nor Holly Hunter are on the negative side of things.

Buy a copy and help support a leg.

Tuesday, 3 October 2017

BRISTOL COMIC AND ZINE FAIR CELEBRATES THE WORLD OF DIY AND INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING.

The fair brings together artists, writers, and publishers from across Bristol and further afield for a one-day market. 2017 will be our 7th year.

BCZF was established in 2011 to give artists interested in self-publishing a chance to sell their work and to invite new audiences to see what the UK’s vibrant DIY arts scene is up to.

BCZF 2017 returns to The Station, Broadmead, a city-centre space run by The Creative Youth Network to provide a place for young people to meet, develop their talent, and get advice and support.