Stupid songs in my head al day by Lee Kennedy originally appeared in The Girly Comic #1.
THE CHIMPANZEE COMPLEX: 3: CIVILISATION
Richard Marazano and Jean-Michel Ponzio
Cinebook, colour, 58pp, pb, English Translation 2010, (Original French, 2008)
Reviewed by Selina Lock
Helen awakes from cryosleep in an unknown quarter or space, not knowing how long she has been asleep. She soon discovers most of her shipmates are dead, and one is missing. The search for the missing crew mates, and a possible way home leads her to another spaceship and even greater mysteries. All the while she is haunted by messages sent from Earth decades ago, which are the last link with her daughter Sofia.
Being the final book in a trilogy, references to previous events were a bit lost on me, but despite this I found the story gripping. Helen is portrayed as a determined and multi-layered character, which made me root for her to survive and find a way out of a seemingly impossible situation. It certainly made me want to seek out the earlier volumes too.
The art is highly atmospheric. Close-ups highlight the sense of claustrophobia the characters feel in their spacesuits, while panoramic views of space show their isolation and desolation. Faces are drawn in a detailed and realistic manner, helping you empathise with the characters.
Recommended for sci-fi fans who like a bit of mystery and beautiful art.
This review originally appeared in Prism, the newsletter of The British Fantasy Society.
Since writing the review I’ve bought and read the first two volumes in the trilogy. The whole series makes much more sense now I’ve read all three volumes together. One of the most atmospheric and intriguing sci-fi stories I’ve read/seen in any medium in recent years.
Review: Yoko Tsuno: Electronics Engineer – The Dragon of Hong Kong by Roger Leloup
on January 25, 2011 at 2:58 pm
The Dragon of Hong Kong from Cinebook
Roger Leloup
Cinebook, colour, 50pp, pb, English Translation 2010, (Original French, 1986)
Reviewed by Selina Lock
Yoko Tsuno is visiting Hong Kong, but on her boat journey across the bay they are attacked by a giant lizard, which leads to her investigating how such a creature could exist. Along the way she meets an unusual little girl with a special relationship with the lizard, and finds herself in deep trouble when they are also attacked by a dragon. The story mixes adventure with scientific crime investigation and a little sci-fi/fantasy. It’s aimed at a younger audience (8+), but due to some of the dialogue and themes would probably suit an ambitious younger reader best.
The art style, bright colour palette and action reminded me of adventure cartoons, though this has more emotional depth than your average cartoon. I was impressed with the characterisation of Yoko as an independent, resourceful young women, who would have appealed to me as a role model when younger. As an adult it was a fun enough read, with Godzilla versus Mechazilla overtones, but not the first thing I’d reach for from the Cinebook range.
This review originally appeared in Prism, the newsletter of The British Fantasy Society
GHOSTOPOLISDoug TenNapel
Scholastic, b/w, pb, 268pp,
Reviewed by Selina Lock
Frank Gallows is an alcoholic ghost hunter whose day goes down the pan when he accidentally sends Garth Hale, a boy who’s still alive, to the afterlife that is Ghostopolis. Garth soon finds that being alive in a world of spectres, will’o'the’wisps, mummies, goblins, skeletons, zombies, and bogeymen has its ups, in the form of special powers, and getting to meet the ghost of his Grandfather. Also, its downs, in the form of the evil overlord of Ghostopolis trying to destroy him. Frank tries to rectify his mistake by following Garth into the spirit world, with help from his ex-girlfriend Claire.
The story has some wonderful moments, from the opening pages where Garth is trying to gross his Mother out, to Frank’s relationships with the ghosts he’s exiling, to rioting mummies and skeletal horses acting in a lovable manner. The story moves along at a good pace, with all the characters learning something from their quest to get Garth safely home, and being changed by it: visibly in the case of Garth’s Grandfather.
TenNapel produces characters that you instantly warm to, fighting against their own foibles and hang-ups. The art is cartoony, but with highly expressive faces, and a lush colouring job. The characters design are all distinct, and the art focuses very much on the characters. However, Ghostopolis itself an intriguing backdrop and a good sense of movement comes through in the fight scenes.
Overall, highly recommended as a fun, all-ages graphic novel
This review originally appeared in Prism, the newsletter of The British Fantasy Society.