Lady S. – Game of Fools

Lady S. – Game of Fools

Authors: Aymond & Van Hamme
Age: 15 years and up
Size: 18.4 x 25.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
paperback
Publication: October 2011
ISBN: 9781849180962
Price: £5.99 inc. VAT

Suzan and her father are taking a well-deserved break in the south of France. But their holidays are cut short when several men burst into the house and kidnap James Fitzroy. What Suzie doesn’t know is that the attackers are actually CIA operatives: The Agency is offended by the existence of an unofficial European counter-terrorist outfit. But in their attempt to use Lady S. to draw her employers out, it’s the American spooks who may be made the fools…

What can I write?  This is Van Hamme at his usual best (I’ve not come across anything written by him that is weak in anyway) pacing the action well, giving good characterization and the usual dirty dealings, deceits and betrayal that we come to expect.

And the art?  Beyond fault.

It’s very annoying really. Olivier Cadic chooses books that he likes and believes have potential and despite waiting a few years now, as a reviewer I have to say I’m annoyed. Nothing poor or trashy published.  But then, he has the cream of the European comic industry.

This is highly recommended.  I still wait, though, for Van Hamme to write the story of Mavis who works as a supermarket cashier but is also a part time super secret agent.  It could happen.

Tops for action and story.

Cardiff and Comic Expo -The Big February Events

CICAE Webpage now open Cardiff International Comic & Animation Expo is back 25-26th Feb 2012 Holland House Hotel  comicexpo@hotmail.co.uk Sunday 19th February 2012 Rougemont Thistle Hotel

Long John Silver III -The Emerald Maze. Yaahr!

Long John Silver – The Emerald Maze
Authors: Dorison & Lauffray
Age: 12 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 56 colour pages
Paperback
Publication: October 2011
ISBN: 9781849181051
Price: £6.99 inc. VAT

The bloody mutiny was a success, and Long John is now in command of the Neptune. Following their native guide, the survivors find the mouth of the Amazon and sail on towards Guiana-Capac. But after the dangers of the open ocean, it’s the unknown terrors of the jungle they must now face ̶̶̶ with a damaged ship and a reduced crew. To what doom will the lush labyrinth of the Amazon lead Long John, Lady Vivian and Dr Livesey?

Now come on: is that a great cover or what? The ship sailing through the jungle into the kingdom of Emperor Viracocha is pure childhood fantasy for me (I’ve not developed much since I was ten years old).  Now, combine pirates and native treasure, add in that jungle, the betrayal and deceit and…POW!

I wrote before that this series was a high budget movie in comic form. I still stand by that.

Dorison and Lauffray have given us, in this series, something that you can’t say about every comic series (even European) –a classic.  If I’d had this book as a child my brain would have exploded with the possibilities.  This is a series that keeps me waiting very eagerly for the next part!

Absolutely wonderful….now, where’s my pirate outfit….

Lucky Luke 31:Lucky Luke Versus The Pinkertons

Lucky Luke Versus the Pinkertons
Authors: E. Benacquista, D. Pennac & Achdé in the Style of Morris
Age: 8 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
paperback
Publication: October 2011
ISBN: 9781849180986
Price: £5.99 inc. VAT

It’s the start of the 1860s, and the Old West is changing—a change that comes as a shock to the Daltons when they’re arrested not by Lucky Luke, but by… Allan Pinkerton! The man is determined to turn bandit-hunting into a modern, rational business—even at the cost of the American people’s personal freedom. It’ll be up to Lucky Luke to ensure that the USA is protected against all evil-doers, rascals and lawmen alike…

I opened this up and started reading it but only at around page 28 did I think “There’s something odd here” –I really am that ‘bright’!

This is, of course, the first Lucky Luke by the team of Achde, Benacquista, Penna with colour work by Anne-Marie Ducasse.  All the jokes and puns are still there and the art is spot on (if looking a bit crisper?).

The 31^st volume of Lucky Luke. That is far more than have ever been published in English in the last 50 years!  Oh, where are the doubters now?  This will be the first generation that can finally read all the books –and the, uh, “more mature” kids can now read them without struggling with the French language!

Definitely for kids of all ages!

The Best American Comics 2011

Editor  Alison Bechdel
b&w/colour
Hardcover
332pp
$25.00
ISBN  978-0-547-33362-5

I’ve noticed a couple of people have been outraged at what they call “genre snobbery” in the introductions because super heroes are dismissed for various reasons.  This has always gone on.

People putting together books have told me I was rejected “because you do super hero comics” -ignoring the fact that I also do slice-of-life, horror and the decidedly weird. It’s ignorance because, when you look at it, comics survived in the United States because of the super hero genre, then horror, then Westerns and then back with super heroes.

The snappy response to such snobbery is always “Well, super heroes is a multi media genre that has made millions more than any Independent comic. Word to you mother.”

Personally, I don’t give a flying nun on a rocket powered tricycle riding around the rings of Saturn what Jessica Abel or Alison Bechdel (whose great work I noted many years ago online) write in these books.  I always think that what speaks volumes are the contents.

Firstly, this is a lovely packaged book, nice hard cover and reproduction inside in both black and white and colour is excellent.

Gabby Schulz (aka. Ken Dahl) has an excerpt from Monsters which made me smile.  Joe Sacco’s Nov. 3, 1956, on the other hand was pretty ****** grim and not designed to make you smile. I did have a problem, because of the style of lettering used, to understand the strip by Robert Sergel -it’s Up Up Down Down.  That said, the crisp black and white art work was really good.

Out of the colour strips Michael Deforge’s Queen stands out.  Almost Brendan McCarthy-esque. Then there is Angie Wang’s very stylish Flower Mecha –very stylish.

Now, when I was publishing Zine Zone International and then when I moved onto the web, I was criticized for being “female creator biased”.  So?  I think that with Girl Comic, Jess Bradley’s very popular work, Sonia Leong, Emma Viecelli, Nuala Murphy as well as the continuing success of Donna Barr, the fact that women can draw comics and popular comics to boot has been proven. Apologies to Roberta Gregory for almost leaving her out there!

This current volume contains no contribution from any of those latterly named creators (NO Donna Barr or Roberta Gregory???) but does have contributions from Gabrielle Bell, Sabrina Jones, Jillian Tamaki, Julia Gefrorer and, as mentioned, Angie Wang.  Now, some may be tempted to say that female creators need a book of their own. I used to at one time until I realised it gave the impression that female creators could not compete with male creators.  Of course they can -this book proves it.

Personally, I still find it almost dumbfounding that Roberta Gregory and Donna Barr have never had contributions included.

This book would make a wonderful gift to introduce someone to the world of Independent comics and it may also inspire a few people out there standing on the lines the push they need to get creating.  Various styles and story types.

And in case you think I might be a bit biased there is a review on Comic Girl:

http://www.comicsgirl.com/2011/10/09/review-the-best-american-comics-2011/

and the BAC 2011 page:
http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/hmh/bestamerican/comics

News From The Krah

Lots of new paintings and a new Art print, come to the opening of my next Art shows this week Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

This week it’s a double whammy with two shows opening on Thursday 3rd of November… I will be showing lots of new paintings at the: LAVA Gallery | Group show The Rag Factory, 16-18 Heneage Street, London, E1 5LJ Exhibition from: 3rd-6th November 2011. Opening party: 3rd November, 6-10pm. Then open daily, 12-7pm Artists:  The Krah, Stik, Otto Schade, Ashes57, Forged Signatures, Lucas, Neas & Emma Dexter. Room 2: Art Splash Charity Auction Help our friends Eska and Pikto raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Alekano Gallery November the 3ed 3-7 M0WLEM ST, HACKNEY E2 9HE (just off Vyner street) nearest station: Cambridge Heath A WEEK LONG SHOW, KICKING OFF THURSDAY NIGHT The second Art show is called: Alice in Conspiracy Land show I have a new screen print realise made especially for this show. Limited edition of only 10 prints… And will be showing some original artwork. A group show exploring the interesting, entertaining and fast growing subject of Conspiracy Theory. For more info and to view more of my artwork visit my website: http://www.thekrah.com Artists: Dr. D – The Krah – Otto Schade – Cosmo Sarson – ColourKid – Thomas Dowdeswell – Android Jones – Hugo Fergusson – Ali Hamish – Elizabeth Eisen- Ricky Richards – Dot Connector – Scarlett Monahan and more..

Copyright © *|2011|* *|THE KRAH|*, All rights reserved. Copyright © *2011 THE KRAH STUDIO*, All rights reserved Our mailing address is: *|LIST_hello@thekrah.com_HTML|*

ROK Comics Launches first iPad Comics – STRIP Magazine and ‘The Iron Moon’‏

ROK COMICS RELEASES STEAMPUNK GRAPHIC NOVEL THE IRON MOON

Lancaster, England, 28th October 2011: ROK Comics, Britain’s dedicated mobile comics publisher, is pleased to announce the launch of a digital edition of the graphic novel The Iron Moon, a creator-owned comic story by acclaimed Commando comics artist Keith Page and film writer Stephen Walsh.

Described as ‘Rorke’s Drift in Space’, The Iron Moon is a fast-paced steampunk-inspired adventure starring no-nonsense adventuress Charlotte Corday and is now available worldwide for iPad from the Apple iTunes store.

In the story, the twentieth century is just around the corner and Queen Victoria is hale and hearty as she heads into the second century of her reign. The British Empire stretches from the white cliffs of Dover to the red skies of Mars. Go-getting men and women of the imperial dominions flock to the colours, eager to make reputations and fortunes in the wilds of high space.

Take lieutenant Charlotte Corday, for instance. Born in what used to be known as France, she has risen to prominence through the ranks of the Royal Space Navy and now finds herself up to her neck in her greatest escapade yet. Watch as she travels to the mysterious Iron Moon! Marvel as she grapples with a conspiracy that may see the galaxy plunged into war! Goggle as she meets new and strange races, both mechanical and biological! Ponder how she manages to put away so many cups of tea! And prepare to have your brain scrambled as she scoops us up and carries us to the very limits of this universe… and into the next!

ROK Comics partnership with Stephen and Keith is one of several new agreements with comics publishers and comic creators. These include the release of an iPad edition of the first issue of the adventure anthology comic STRIP Magazine, published by Print Media Productions, which includes a special ‘prequel’ strip for The Iron Moon.

ROK Comics recently launched its first fully originated comic, TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E. which is initially being published as a weekly web comic (at www.theteammobile.com), followed by roll out on iPad and other devices.

ROK Comics has previously published creator-owned and licensed strips for mobile, with three iPhone apps – Ligeia the Vampire by Rodrigo Diaz Ricci, The Mobile Gospel by Rich Diesslin and Madd Science by Steve English.

Further iPhone and iPad apps, working with a number of different publishers, are in development.
ROK Comics, part of ROK Global PLC, continues to provide mobile comics content for WAP subscription services across the globe and is currently working with partners in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
• The Iron Moon can be downloaded for £4.99 at: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/the-iron-moon/id472627046?mt=8
 
• Visit ROK Comics at: www.rokcomics.com
• A print edition of The Iron Moon is available from Print Media Productions – www.printmediaproductions.com

Guerre Des Boutons -The War Of The Buttons

Guerre Des Boutons

Newman – Follini- Orbe (A)

Editions Jungle

46pp

Full colour

Album (A4)

Hard Cover

Available November, 2011-10-26

Company website:  www.editions-jungle.com

This book arrived as a complete surprise to me. Now, my French is very basic so I was a bit worried as to whether I’d be able to tell what was going on. I need not have worried.

I had no idea that Guerre Des Boutons (War of the Buttons) was a novel written by Louis Pergaud in 1912.  I also never knew that the current film was the latest of five to be based on the book –the first in 1935 and a better known version from 1962. The book is still, apparently, in print so it can’t be that bad –we are talking a hundred years now (gulp!).

War of the Buttons, a novel of my twelfth year (full title) was described by Pergaud as being about the “war” being by gangs of children from two rival villages -Longeverne and Velrans, in the French countryside and originally set in the late 19^th century.  This BD sets the story in April, 1944 (presumably as in the film).

Every Autumn the children go to ‘war’.  Those from Langverne led by Braque and those from Velrans led by Aztec:’war’ without mercy fought with sticks, fists, feet and stones.  The defeated have their buttons cut off –hence the title.  And, of course, a kid returning home with torn clothing and all the buttons removed usually gets a scolding from their parents.

But there is more as the adults of Longeverne have to deal with their own bully –something that later involves the children to resolve the matter.  It is a bitter sweet tale and the thing is that before even attempting to read the book I knew what was going on just via the panels.

The story is presumably written well enough by Newman to guide the art team of Follini and Orbe in a way that tells the story in pictures alone.  The art style is slightly Manga influenced but is full of fun and some very eye-catching panels.

You should be able to order online and it is worth getting a copy even though on both the info sheet and online I cannot find a cover price.

One day, maybe, Cinebook will publish an English language version…?

and more relevant for our French friends..

Antares…Science Fiction In Comics At Its Best!

ANTARES –Episode 1
Authors: LEO
Age: 15 years and up
Size: 18.4 x 25.7 cm
64 colour pages
PAPERBACK
Publication: October 2011
ISBN: 9781849180979
Price: £7.99 inc. VAT

Humanity migrates to a new planet, the secrets of which Kim Keller will have to unravel.

After the failure of the Betelgeuse colonisation mission, Kim is back on Earth, where she is an increasingly popular figure. Meanwhile, advance scouts on planet Antares have witnessed some distressingly strange events. Worried about the future of this new mission, the sponsors of the Antares project call upon Kim to accompany the first colonists, offering legal amnesty for Alexa and Mark in exchange. It’s the beginning of a new adventure for the young woman and her friends.

This is, as stated, the follow up to the incredible Betelgeuse.  That series was hard to put down and I know I got to be boring recommending it to anyone I met but it was that good.  So, when Antares turned up I was a little reluctant to open it up.  Any follow-up to Betelgeuse had to not be very good. Right?

WRONG.

The cover grabs your eye and promises a few surprises inside. Does it deliver? Yes. The art is incredible –from the initial look at Antares to Kim’s public recognition in the Paris zoo, all the stuff that goes with fame such as tv interviews –drawn wonderfully. The clothes, figures, backgrounds and settings –none can be faulted. And where Leo really grabs you is with his imaginative alien flora and fauna.

And the story is great. We’re introduced to a strange phenomena/mystery at the start of the book and the book leaves off with the same thing –affecting one of the explorers.

I doubt comic sci-fi could get much better. Compelling from start to finish (well, up to “to be continued” at least!).

Dick Turpin and the Crimson Plague

Time Bomb Comics is delighted to announce that their next release, Dick Turpin and the Crimson Plague, is being released internationally as well as in the UK.

Dick Turpin and the Crimson Plague is being launched at the Leeds Thoughtbubble weekend of the 19^{th &} 20^th November, where the creative team will be conducting a mid-day signing session at the Time Bomb Comics table on the Saturday afternoon. 

One week later, Steve Tanner and Time Bomb Comics will be at the Malta Comic-Con taking place in Valletta, Malta over the weekend of 26^th & 27^th November to launch the book internationally.

The long-awaited follow-up to the critically acclaimed one-shot Dick Turpin and the Restless Dead,  Dick Turpin and the Crimson Plague features the notorious highwayman up against a nest of vampires in 18^th Century London.  Once again written by Steve Tanner, this second horrors and highwaymen mash-up from the Birmingham based company features artwork from rising star Graeme Howard – who is currently drawing Cy Dethan’s Cancertown 2 for Markosia – and lettering by the talented Nikki Foxrobot.

Dick Turpin and the Crimson Plague also contains The Rogues Gallery featuring exclusive Dick Turpin artwork from Keith Page, Stuart Tipples, Simon Wyatt, Alex Thompson, Josceline Fenton and Glenn Jones.

It has also been confirmed that Dick Turpin and the Crimson Plaguewill be available to order in the December 2011 Diamond Previews Catalogue.

DICK TURPIN AND THE CRIMSON PLAGUE, 56 pages, Graphic Album, perfect bound, full colour cover, black and white interior, retail price £6.99/$11.99, ISBN 978-0-9561822-4-1

For more information on this and any other Time Bomb Comics please contact stevetanner@timebombcomics.com

http://www.timebombcomics.com