SKILLS
Author, script-writer (comics and TV/radio), penciller, inker, letterer and editor. In these days of specialisation, I can take a project from start to finish. Either as an editor, or undertaking any one (or more) of the tasks required to produce a superb finished product.
From flyers and advertising materials to blogs, newsletters and comics, I can move a project through from an idea to delivery, providing quality at every stage.
I began in the era of photocopy-cut-and-paste. Although things have developed and I now use a computer to put together publications, press releases and promotional material the old skills are still useful when a computer breaks down –usually at the most awkward time.
My reputation has been built on the ability to meet and more often run ahead of deadlines. On more than one occasion, when something or someone has fallen through at a publisher’s, I’ve been asked to put together comic scripts and other material within a few hours.
Having interviewed many creators and publishers and talked to comic buyers/fans as well as retailers, I have a good grasp of the current market. This is helped by running Comic Bits Online which currently has had more than 12 million views world wide since 2011. I have also previously put together British Comic Industry reports, accurately predicting future trends. The last report [2007] looked at various age group breakdowns in European countries supporting comic industries and analysed the sustainability and viability of a rejuvenated British comics industry based on UK age groups. This was later up-dated for the 2016 industry paper UK Comics Looking For Long Term Investment (of which there were English and Chinese versions).
I am perfectly able and willing to work as either part of a team or by myself. My commitment to a project is always 100%.
In twenty years of packaging and publishing books, as well as distributing in the UK and beyond, I have come across most of the problems and hazards of the industry. My contingency planning is excellent.
As a talent spotter I have helped various creators break into the comic industry, names such as John Royle, Jon Haward, Duncan Fegredo, Art Wetherell, Matt Brooker et al.
Outside of comics I have worked with companies such as Yorkshire Television and HTV to create ideas and programmes, for example Channel 4’s “Carry On” Film weekend in 1999. I have also featured in documentaries and TV/Radio news programmes in my capacity as a naturalist and Police Consultant.
CAREER
I’m currently working on the comic and 3D animated series, The Paranormals (based on the work produced for Fleetway after it lost the Tonka Toys Supernaturals licensing) as well as a series of short TV horror stories, Tales From The Grave. Other projects are currently optioned for, or being looked at by various TV companies.
1976- 2015 As a field naturalist I was an exotic animals consultant for UK police forces, farmers groups and other organisations.Also worked as a trainee printer and book archivist.
1982-2008 Began working in self publishing and from 2000 --- I have worked as an interviewer for SBC Online and currently am owner/Editor of Comic Bits Online [CBO] www.comicbitsonline.com . CBO is tagged as “highly influential” by comic fans and publishers as well as by comic store owners. The site has attracted over 8 million views (since 2011).
1984-1994 worked freelance as a writer/artist/editor/agent in comics as well as
comics journalism for MU Press, Calibre Press, Blue Comet Press, Fantagraphic Books, Eros Comics, Dorne, Fleetway, Egmont UK, Marvel UK, IPC and others in the United States (MU Press as a comics journalist for Comic FX and written for Amazing Heroes).
2008-2023 Began publishing a new line of black and white comic albums, comics and graphic novels. These can be found listed here: http://www.lulu.com/hoopercomicsuk In 2009 my first book, Some Things Strange And Sinister, was published. The follow-up, Some More Things Strange & Sinister, was published in January, 2010 while The Hooper Interviews containing the best comic creator interviews from 35 years of journalism was published in 2011 and the wildlife book The Red Paper in 2012 while Pursuing The Strange and Weird: A Naturalist’s Viewpoint was published in 2014. As of 2023 there are some 200 titles listed at my online store front.
All cover designed by and interiors edited by myself .
I am a recognised as a British comics historian, having met and interviewed many of the creators who worked for comics in the UK and have also traced the history of UK comic publishers and German comic book history.
2000-2005 I produced packages of work for companies in India, Hong Kong and China. As an industry advisor I have worked for smaller companies in countries such as India, Canada, Singapore, China, Europe and the US.
1992-2004 published Annual Reports On The British Comics Industry looking at trends and sales as well as predicting trends, carrying out comic buyer surveys and so on. These began with 75% accuracy but by 1997 were between 89-97% accurate on predictions and trends.
1984-2012 self publishing comics as well as publications on a wide variety of subjects under the Black Tower banner. 1983 saw the first printed story of the recognised first German super hero characters and team, D-Gruppe, which saw its first German printing in the TV, Films and Comics publication Watcher in 1989.
During this period I also produced large numbers of single panel gag cartoons for agencies in Germany such as Boiselle-Lohmann and the Baaske Agency –these going to magazines and publications around Europe and with the latter agency these were collected in book form. I also worked as a freelance editor in comics and publications ranging from wildlife to astronomy and science fiction.
1982-1984 took over the running of Comic Haus comic store in Detmold, Germany, which was failing badly in an unstable market. I turned the store into a profit maker and was then given control of the Hameln Comic Haus, whose situation was also turned around; both stores became very profitable.
1979-2004 I have published numerous papers on the topics of both wildlife and history
1978-1983 worked at Silver Surfer Comics shop, Totterdown, Bristol.
1974-1978 worked within the printing industry, beginning as a paste-up assistant, designing and then laying out/pasting up newsletters, commercial flyers,etc.,etc..,I swiftly moved on to designing and compiling publications as well as advertising material.
During the late 1970s, I was employed as a sales representative, helping to promote toys such as The Micronauts, Atlantic Soldiers, Action Force figures and other products. This involved visiting retailers, setting up displays, promotional material and so on. This led to my designing a series of toy soldier style sets for Hong Kong manufacturers such as “Dawn of Man” and “Space Frontier.”
