Archive for ‘Review’

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Review: The Chimpanzee Complex 3: Civilisation

by Admin on January 31, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Posted In: Blog, Review

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.

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Review: Yoko Tsuno: Electronics Engineer – The Dragon of Hong Kong by Roger Leloup

by Admin on January 25, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Posted In: Blog, Review

The Dragon of Hong Kong from Cinebook

Yoko Tsuno: Electronics Engineer – The Dragon of Hong Kong
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

Review: Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapel

by Admin on January 17, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Posted In: Blog, Review
GHOSTOPOLIS
Doug 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.

Review: The Happy Prince: Oscar Wilde’s Fairy Tale by TpCat

by Admin on July 29, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Posted In: Blog, Review

Happy Prince CoverThe Happy Prince: Oscar Wilde’s Fairy Tale

TpCat

sepia tone, 32pp

www.tpcat.net

Reviewed by Selina Lock

Having read the original short story by Wilde after reading this comic adaptation, it seems to be a fairly faithful adaptation, apart from making all the characters anthropomorphic. The use of cute animals makes the tale even more poignant, and contrasts well with the reality of the poverty being portrayed. For those unfamiliar with the story, it revolves around a statue of The Happy Prince, who really weeps to see the suffering of those around him, and enlists the help of a swallow to spread a little joy and salvation.


The main reason I picked up the book was the gorgeous artwork. TpCat excels at adorable animals, using a sepia pencil technique that adds to the softness of the creatures. She also adds interesting touches to the comic, such as comments by background characters about wanting an iPhone, and an amusing guide to rodents at the back of the book. Overall, a lovely, fun and moving adaptation.

This review originally appeared in Prism; the newsletter of the British Fantasy Society.

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Review: Ukin by Josceline Fenton

by Admin on July 26, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Posted In: Blog, Review
Ukin coverUKIN by JOSCELINE FENTON
MILD TARANTULA, B/W, 112PP
WWW.MILDTARANTULA.COM
Reviewed by Selina Lock
Teenage girl Ukin is afraid she is developing a brain tumour after suffering from severe migraines,  though her Doctor is less than sympathetic. The truth is stranger than either of them expected as Ukin sprouts antlers, making her a target for the press, public, and a mysterious figure who’s following her. The story examines how the appearance of antlers affects Ukin and the relationships with those around her.
Fenton has developed an interesting art style, which is based on manga crossed with a scratchy cartoon influence. The art conveys extreme facial expressions and emotions to match the drama inherent in a tale of teenage woe. This is not just melodrama though, as Fenton deftly deals with concepts of family and acceptance. Recommended for those that like a little surrealism and mystery anchored by strong characters.

This review originally appeared in Prism; the newsletter of the British Fantasy Society.

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Review of Dark Places

by Admin on July 23, 2010 at 1:00 am
Posted In: Blog, Review

Dark PlacesDark Places: The Well of Stars & Dark Places: Hearts of Dragons by Steve Dismukes

Danger Orange Comics, b/w, 16pp/24pp

Http://darkplacescomic.com/

Reviewed by Selina Lock

Dark Places is set in a dying world most similar to the Mediaeval period. It follows the fortunes of those looking for solutions through ancient treasures or magic.

The Well of Stars sees a Magus, Initiate and Novice performing a rite at a sacred well in an attempt to turn the Initiate into an oracle. Things do not go to plan with painful consequences for some of the group.

Hearts of Dragons has a group of knights hunting for dragon in an abandoned mine. One of the knights, Evan becomes trapped inside the mine. He receives help from an unexpected source in exchange for killing the really dangerous creatures living in the mine. We also get flashbacks to Evan’s childhood and his links to the characters in The Well of Stars.

The series wears its Hellboy and Mike Mignola influences on its sleeve, from the stories it tells to the art style. For a small press comic, the production values are good, and although the artwork is not yet up to Mignola’s standard, it has potential. Dismukes makes good use of a blocky black and white style to create atmosphere and depict action. Recommended for those who like dark fantasy, or fancy supplementing their Hellboy/B.P.R.D reading. You can also read the stories in full via the webcomic version.

This review originally appeared in Prism, the newsletter of the British Fantasy Society.

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Review: Dear Diary by Sarah McIntyre

by Admin on May 6, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Posted In: Blog, Review
Dear Diary Cover

Dear Diary Cover Image

Dear Diary: 1988-1990 by Sarah McIntyre

What’s it all about?

Sarah takes entries from one of her childhood diaries and provides amusing illustrations to accompany them.
What do I like about it?

A charming little mini-comic, which captures the feel of growing up in the late eighties/early nineties. There is an emotional honesty to the comic, plus the sense of melodrama associated with teenage years.

The diary entries Sarah has chosen to illustrate give a taste of her life from family relationships to boy trouble to school, and even the fears she then had about the future.

Dear Diary sample page

One of my favourite pages from Dear Diary.

What about the artwork?

Sarah uses a minimalist cartoon style, that works well, as it focuses on the people it portrays. There are lovely little touches, such as an intricate pattern on a dress or the iconic appearance of school desks.

She is happy to lampoon herself, but also tries to keep it consistent with how she viewed herself then, and how she draws herself in more recent sketches (as seen on her livejournal). There’s also a couple of pages of character sketches at the end of the comic showing how she arrived at the image for her younger self.

Why might Girly Comic readers like it?

It should resonate with those who’ve been a teenage girl, or anyone that kept a teenage diary. It’s a fun, interesting, autobiographical mini-comic, which shares insights into the life of American girl.

You can also read the diary entries online.

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Review: The Green Lady Mystery

by Admin on April 28, 2010 at 1:00 am
Posted In: Blog, Review

The Green Lady MysteryQueen Mum adventure No.2, The Green Lady Mystery by David O’Connell

What’s it all about?

It’s 1987 and the Queen Mum has decided to get away from it all at the Castle of Mey. However, her holiday doesn’t quite go to plan as her arch-nemesis Princess Alice shows up, along with the pesky ghost of the Green Lady.

What do I like about it?

It’s a delightfully cute A6 mini-comic, with a gently mocking tone. Whatever you may think of the Royal Family, how could anyone resist a fun adventure starring a tipsy Queen Mum, giant cyber-corgis and old rivalries.

What about the artwork?

The deceptively simple cartoon style David employs here conveys a wealth of atmosphere and immediately endears you to the characters. The use of tones and spot colour adds an extra dimension to the black and white line art, and continues the theme of fun running throughout.

I particularly like the blue colours and textures of the Queen Mum’s outfit, as it makes her look adorable, even when brandishing a glass of G&T or a sword!

Why might Girly Comic readers like it?

It’s  really good fun, full of strong female characters, and even includes short biographies about the real women the story is based on.

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Reviews: Coupledom

by Admin on April 14, 2010 at 1:00 am
Posted In: Blog, Review

Coupledom CoverCoupledom by Andrew Waugh

What’s it all about?

Autobiographical strips highlighting incidents in Andrew’s relationship with his girlfriend.

What do I like about it?

It made me laugh. There were moments of recognition, that anyone who’s been in a long term partnership will empathise with, which gives the humour a personal touch.

Andrew successfully portrays various aspects of a relationship, from tenderness to exasperation. Dialogue is used sparingly, as most of the feelings in the strips are conveyed via facial expressions.

Example of a strip from CoupledomWhat about the artwork?

The pages are all laid out in a six panel grid, with very little use of background, but that means the reader’s focus is completely on character interplay and that wonderful range of expressions. The pared down, cartoony style draws you into Andrew’s life and how the couple feel about each other. Sound effects and symbols are also used effectively to add to the humour.

Why might Girly Comic readers like it?

It provides a loving, amusing look at the reality of living together. Likely to appeal to fans of autobiography and/or short comedy strips.

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Review: Harvest by Asia Alfasi

by Admin on April 7, 2010 at 1:00 am
Posted In: Blog, Review

Harvest CoverHarvest: The Collection by Asia Alfasi

What’s it all about?

A collection of three short strips, which Asia has released to plug the gap while she works on her long awaited graphic novel for Bloomsbury.

Beginnings is her Manga-Jiman award winning strip about her childhood and the influence manga has had on her life.

A Drought of Another Sort is a strip which was produced for the Creativity and Economic Development Exhibition. A mainly wordless strip about the effect a child and an inkpot have on parched earth.

The Non-Savvy; Non Commuter was a Platform-for-art piece commemorating a hundred years of the Piccadilly Line. An autobiographical strip about Asia’s experiences with the London Underground, and the reactions of commuters to a Muslim woman.

What do I like about it?

All the strips in the collection can be read on Asia’s website, but the lovely thing about this mini-comic is the handmade feel. The thick texture of the main pages, the delightful semi-translucent orange endpapers and the whole thing being bound with string makes it a more fulfilling sensory experience then your average comic.

Two of the stories provide an interesting and illuminating insight into Asia’s life as a Muslim Libyan Arab British woman. Her personality shines through the strips, and we see some of the ways that personality has been shaped.

Asia shares how she has sought to overcome prejudice via many routes, including manga and sweets!

I prefer her autobiographical strips to A Drought of Another Sort, as I didn’t really understand that strip. However, it is still a beautiful little piece, which conveys joy and playfulness. and she does ask at the end of the strip “What is YOUR interpretation”, so perhaps I wasn’t meant to understand it so much as interpret it?

Art from BeginningsWhat about the artwork?

Asia’s style is most definitely manga and she uses its grammar to her advantage.  Movement lines accentuate the flowing feel of the clothes, and the interesting panel layouts give the strips a variety of pacing. Inset panels focusing on facial expressions, or significant background details, pull you into an intimate relationship with the unfolding events.

Use of grey tones or colour shading, and traditional manga textures gives the artwork extra depth, without the need for exceptionally detailed backgrounds. 

Why might Girly Comic readers like it?

We get a glimpse into the life and work of a complex, modern woman. If you liked Persepolis, then you should certainly check out Asia’s work, to get another perspective on the world of a Muslim woman.

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