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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Visit from a Princess

by Admin on July 21, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Posted In: Blog

You Can't Eat A PrincessWell, a visit from Sarah McIntyre resplendent in her Princess outfit of green dress, pearls and funky tiara. Sarah was visiting Leicester to run several workshops for the Leicester Libraries Space Hop summer scheme, and based around the children’s books she’s illustrated: You Can’t Eat a Princess.

I arrived at Beaumont Leys Library just in time to catch the last few minutes of Sarah’s session. The room was packed out with kids, either watching Sarah doing live drawing and/or drawing their own aliens. Looked like they’d all had a great time and several parents bought books, while kids got their drawings signed.

Sarah McIntyre & Indian Sweets

Sarah marvels at the Indian sweets from Bobby's

Later we whisked Sarah off to Bobby’s Indian Restaurant, the most famous restaurant in Leicester. Bobby’s does a wonderful range of vegetarian dishes, from various regions of India. We partook of Jeera Mogo, Akhu Shak, Palak Paneer, Aloo Pili Pili, Pilau Rice & Peshwari/Garlic Naan. It was superb and topped off by meeting Bobby himself* on our way out, and being presented with a free box of Indian sweets.

A lovely evening of fine food and conversation. Sarah left us this morning to go gadding about on the Leicester Libraries book mobile and to do a workshop on her DFC Library Comic: Vern & Lettuce. You can also catch Sarah at Caption on 31st July & 1st Aug.

*Bobby’s is actually named after a Bollywood film rather than after the owner Mr Bhagwanjibhai Lakhani.

Edit: Read Sarah’s account of her trip, with lots of photos.

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Terror Scribes Gathering

by Admin on July 19, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Posted In: Blog

Mark West & Morgan Phillips

On Saturday the 17th July there was a small Terror Scribes Gathering in Leicester. We became aware of the Terror Scribes group through friends in the British Fantasy Society and attended the Leicester meet last year too. Being the most local attendees we were of course the last to arrive! After a little chatting, and climbing over sofas to get to seats, the talks/readings commenced.

First up was John (?) who gave us an impromptu talk on the relationship between physics and horror writing. He made some interesting points about how new theories (such as quantum mechanics) unsettled many educated Victorians, and made them fear their universe was being undermined. So, this may have influenced writers like H.P.Lovecraft.  I’m afraid the loudness of the air conditioning, and the introduction of geometry into the talk, made me lose the plot a little after that.

Simon Marshall-Jones

Next up Mark West read his short story Risen Wife, originally done for a zombie anthology and now available in his chapbook Life Once Lived. An enjoyable little short with vivid characterisation. (Edit: Mark read the first third of his story, apparently it gets much more gruesome!)

Sue Phillips read some excerpts from her longer work Diamond Geezer, about a disreputable man getting his comeuppance in an interesting manner. I was pleased to win Sue’s chapbook in the raffle so that I can enjoy reading the whole of this story.

Then Simon Marshall-Jones talked on the theme of Appearances can be Deceptive. Simon chose this theme due to the fact that people often make assumptions about him based on his appearance, mainly due to the fact that he has several tattoos, including one on his head. He told us about some of the reactions he often gets, such as people thinking he must be thick or a criminal and their surprise at finding out he is a writer and artist.

Curry!

A thought provoking talk, reminding me of times I have made assumptions about people based on their dress etc. It is easy to fall prey to our own prejudices if we don’t question our own assumptions and reactions.

I bowed out after the talks/readings to nip home and walk the dog, but got back in time to wander down to one of our favourite curry houses,  Agra. Much curry was consumed and fine conversation talked.

Simon has also written about the event on his blog.

Edit: Mark has also blogged the event.

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