Posts Tagged ‘Ellen Lindner’

2 results.

Say Anything

by Admin on April 9, 2010 at 1:00 am
Posted In: Blog

Girly Book at GoshAfter our trip to London we asked if anyone could post a picture of The Girly Comic Book on the shelves at Gosh, and as you can see, Kyle Rogers kindly obliged.

You can also find The Girly Comic on the shelves at Nostalgia & Comics in Birmingham.

As I won’t get the chance to review all the comics I picked up at The UK Web & Mini Comix Thing, here’s a round-up of some of those I’ve enjoyed reading so far:

TozoTozo: The Public Servant, Chapter 3 by David O’Connell. I follow Tozo online, but it’s always nice to pick up the paper copy and remind myself of what’s happened so far. Highlights of this issue include Tozo finding his lost love, the party scene which includes other small press creators and characters, and all the extras at the back, including the fold-out map and attached Bank of Venezia money.

 

 

Chimpanzee Democracy by Andrew Livesey. Monkeys, aliens, zombies, and taking the mick out of the latest cultural trends. What more can you want from your full colour (mainly six panel) humour strips? I particularly liked the real life Facebook poke stick.

Mugwhump the Great in The Show Must Go On, Chapters 2 & 3 by Roger Langridge. The tale of one ventriliquist and his sentient dummy. Roger does a great job of mixing loveable losers, sinister baddies, and Laurel & Hardy type Vaudeville comedy.

Curtis and Terrorist by Oliver Lambden. Fun one panel or short gag strips around stereotypes and juvenile humour. Great original hand drawn covers. My favourite panel: “Terrorism funds pineapple on pizza. It’s just wrong.” Well, it is just wrong.

Train Lines by Ellen Lindner. Beautiful little colour sketchbook mini, containing portraits sketched on trains in New York and London. Made using a Gocco printer. My favourite is probably the lady gazing wistfully out of the window, but they all have great character and life.

The Unfeasible Adventures of Beaver & Steve, Volume 2 1/2: The Owl of Regret by James Turner. Fun, often surreal humour strips often featuring dinosaurs or mythical creations.

West: Distance by Andrew Cheverton & Tim Keable. A intriguing glimpse into West’s past during the American Civil War, and the love that haunts him. Love the new cover design and colours, plus some lovely layouts contrasting war and nature.

Prick by Tpcat. A wonderfully illustrated book of philosophical comics strips starring fluffy animals, but don’t be fooled by that awfully cute hedgehog on the cover. Oh no, this is one darkly humorous look at the meaning of life,  involving small creatures doing very nasty things to one another. Completely overturned my expectations in interesting ways!

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Review of Undertow by Ellen Lindner

by Admin on March 24, 2010 at 7:00 am
Posted In: Blog, Review

Cover of Undertow Graphic NovelUndertow by Ellen Lindner 

Available via Lulu. Read the first chapter for free.

What’s it all about?

Undertow follows the fate of teenager Rhonda, as she struggles to escape an  alcoholic mother, the gang culture, and the encroaching drug problems of 1960s Brooklyn.

What do I like about it?

Lindner creates an interesting character piece, which provides a compelling glimpse into another time and place. The title is very apt, as it’s the literal cause of a tragedy that happens early in the story, and also reflects all the issues that are dragging Rhonda down, such as her family ties, neighbourhood poverty and lack of opportunities.

However, it isn’t depressing or worthy, as we see Rhonda dancing, swearing and drinking. As well as sharing her dreams, hopes and ambitions, while dealing with grief and an increasing attraction to Chuck the social worker.

I wasn’t sure about Chuck as a character to start with as he seems a little too much of a do-gooder but his character grows more complex as his (slightly creepy) interest in Rhonda grows. I could take or leave his female photographer friend, though contrasting Chuck with another character from the rich set does show he is more earnest about his intentions  to help the people of Brooklyn than she is. The photographer seems more interested in exploiting the grief of Rhonda and her friends in the interest of ‘art’.

Lindner uses subtle storytelling, epsecially in the use of dialogue, as the characters leave things unsaid rather than blurting out all their feeling, and uses body language to convey some of the feeling instead. The subtlety takes a little getting used to when we are so used to stories that spell everything out, but this work rewards the attentive reader.

What about the artwork?

Lindner’s art makes good use of expressions, movement and texures in what could easily have been a talking heads story.

Rhonda Dancing

I love the panel above, as it portrays so clearly the movement and the joy of finally mastering dance steps, particularly when contrasted with the awful realisation that grips Rhonda in the following panels.

The buildings, cars and scenery in the backgrounds also help conjure up the 1960s atmosphere and setting of the story.1960s Scenary

Why might Girly Comic readers like it?

It gives us a rounded female character who is trying to live life on her own terms, rather than taking the so-called easy option which others are trying to push her towards. Plus cool dresses and cars!

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