Picks: 2005

These are my "comic picks", largely from the UK indie scene, which appear on the front page of the downthetubes.net web site.

COMICS
Jump to review of: •  Albion #1 • Freakshow • Louis • Negative Burn • Wilderemere

BOOKS
Jump to reviews of: Bolland Strips • Brodie's Law • Devilchild • The Tides of Time • WebComics • The Essential Guide to World Comics

MAGAZINES
Jump to reviews of: Comics International • Fusion • Omnivistascope • Spaceship Away

• 2006 Picks

Comics

Albion #1
US Comic.

Reviewed July 2005: To be honest, this almost wasn't my pick of the week. As a fan of British comics and characters from the age of five, I would personally have preferred a more "in your face" treatment of some of of my favourite heroes, perhaps in the style of Alan Moore's "Tom Strong" books rather than another "conspiracy" storyline.

That said, I am intrigued by this strange world where heroes exist side by side with their comics, and enjoyed the mainly one frame "guest appearances" that will fly over the head of many readers (The Dolls of St. Dominics bullies, the Cloak) but don't impinge on the story itself.
Shane Oakley's art suits the mood of the strip perfectly and writers Leah Moore and John Reppion have acknowledged he added many visual gags and refrences to Britain's past comics legends himself.

This is "Pick of the Week" partly because I want to see it succeed, and lead to a return of The Steel Claw, Kelly's Eye, The Spider and Robot Archie. I have my doubts this is the book to do it, but I'll reserve finals judgement until this six issue mini-series is completed.

Web Links:
Official site: http://www.dccomics.com/features/albion/
Leah Moore and John Reppion's web site: http://uk.geocities.com/moore_reppion@btinternet.com/news.html

Freakshow #5, 6, 7 8
Written by Robert Curley
Artists: Stephen Mooney (#5, #8); Stephen Thompson (#6, #7)
Publisher: Atomic Diner, 2 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Contact: robatomicdiner@eircom.net
B&W, US Size

A group of people come together to investigate the weird, joined by a ghost with a grudge against one of the party. These four issues comprise disparate tales inspired by pulp fiction, The X-Files and, I suspect The Avengers, as the investigators tackle a time-jumping thief, move to New York and take on an unfriendly ghost, a killer undertaker and, it seems, Egyptian deities.

There's a clear love of Americana and plenty of enthusiasm behind these stories, but I found some of the scripting in need of good editing and a demand for better exposition, and the art incredibly stylised and stilted, for all its strong figure work and faces. Of the two artists, Thompson seems the more accomplished, using more blacks and a stronger inking style; but both suffer from a lack of depth to establishing shots, and action sequences need more work. (Both artists remind me of American artist Gene Day on an off day). That said, the stories have an intruging ongoing back story and the women of the strips are engagingly drawn. There's also a good use of  "change of camera angles" from Mooney, which makes "talking heads" scenes much more interesting. Sadly, he over uses close ups, and should pull away from the central action to break up pages more.

There's a strong sense of design to Freakshow but my feeling is that all concerned should loosen up a little and have even more fun with the characters and settings than they are doing.

John Freeman

• Update: Trade Paperbacks of Freakshow - 14 issues of the title have been published as of January 2007 - are available from Silver Bullets
• Other views on Freakshow on JinxWorld
• There's a 6-page story created by Curley and Mooney in aid of Amnesty International posted on the web at: www.engine4.net/bristolpreview/?q=node/71

Louis: The Clown's Last Words
Creator: Metaphrog
Publisher: Metaphrog
Web Link:
• www.metaphrog.com
• www.louisandfc.com
Contact: metaphrog1@hotmail.com
Graphic album, colour
Paperback: ISBN 0953493296

This is a strange, bizarre graphic novel, just one in a series that has attracted sponsorship from the Scottish Arts Council and high praise from many quarters, on both sides of the English Channel – and the US.

There's no way you can pigeonhole Louis, an allegorical, haunting series that begins with Red Letter Day and continues with Lying to Clive and this volume, the Clown's Last Words (Dreams Never Die, a fourth book, has also been released. While the world of Louis – a world where anthromoprhised, distorted and unique creatures are spied upon, terrorised and confused – can be enjoyed as a strange children's story, the tales work on many levels, which has prompted the attention of critics not normally linked with comics reviews.

The art is child-friendly and accomplished, the colouring simply beautiful and the storytelling – well, unique would be the only word I could use to describe it. Alice in Wonderland, Phillip K. Dick, Wallace and Gromit (on acid, maybe) – such comparisons barely scratch the surface when it comes to describing this fantastical saga.

I heartily recommend checking out the Metaphrog web site if you’re intrigued by this series, which includes some stunning animation and plenty of more information about Louis and other creations. This is a stunning, ground-breaking comics project that well deserves the attention it has received from many quarters.

John Freeman

Negative Burn: Winter 2005
Creators: various
Publisher: Image/Desperado
Web Link: www.desperadopublishing.com
Black and white, US-sized collection

The first new Negative Burn collection for over seven years, the assembled strips don't fail to disappoint, encompassing a terrific range of storytelling styles and genres. From the humorous Quorzar 13, Honorable Conqueror of the Galaxy (Zander and Kevin Cannon & Shad Petosky) to the samurai tale Heaven and Earth (Ron Marz, Luke Ross and others) the sheer range of creators is a highly enjoyable anthology highlighting some great talents. I particularly enjoyed the autobiographical Thoughts on a Winter Morning (Kurt Busiek, Steve Lieber) and Erik Larsen's The Wish -- both stories, for me, providing a very different pace and setting to what you normally expect from such creators.

This is a fantastic collection, a snapshot of creative talent distanced from superhero shenanigans (although Rob Burdern and Andy Kahn's The Gasser is an amusing pastiche of that genre). If you’re scared by anthologies, fearing you're buying a collection you may not enjoy large parts of, Negative Burn does not fall into that category. Buy it. Enjoy.

John Freeman

Wildermere #1 & 2
Creator; "Chronic Fatigue"
B&W, US Size
Publisher: The Glass Shore Press
Web Links:
• www.manydeadthings.com
• www.myspace.com/glass_shore_press
Contact: glass_shore_press@yahoo.com

The Glass Shore Press comprises a Britain-based co-operative of artists set up to distribute artwork, comics, books and prints in a fair and co-operative way. Wildermere is the work of 'Chronic Fatigue', also behind the equally splendid Mixy. Strangehaven creator Gary Spencer Millidge says that although neither work is distributed widely, his titles have sold surprisingly well and has established a enviable following, apparently consisting mainly of teenage girls.

Wildermere is a haunting gothic tale, a town isolated from elsewhere with the arrival of a strange device which melds realities and corrupts the remaining existence. The human population is deeply affected, mentally and physically by the device, with only the young 'hero' – I use that term guardedly – remaining 'pure', and the focus, the hope, perhaps, for a better future.

With its scratchy, haunting art style and near-poetic storytelling, Wildermere proves a haunting, edge-of-madness setting for an intriguing story, which, despite some intense storytelling and exposition, particularly in #1, flows nicely. CF's imagery is both beautiful and horrific but lovingly rendered. This is a book for anyone who loves a good horror tale, of worlds corrupted, or worlds to be saved… but you may find it is not for the nervous.

John Freeman

Zarjaz #1

A triumphant return for the 2000AD-inspired fanzine, firing on all cylinders with contributions from Al Ewing and Arthur Wyatt, who both wrote for the recent 2000AD Winter Special.

With just one exception -- I wasn't keen on the art for the bad Company strip but the script was enjoyable -- I enjoyed every strip in this new issue, especially the Judge Dredd story About Face drawn by David Gray (watch out for this guy, he's going to be big!) and a hilarious poke at the Judge Dredd movie, Doppleganger - the Dredd strip that got Boo Cook his job on the real 2000AD!

The issue also features short interviews with artists Ian Gibson and Boo Cook.

To order either send a cheque (payable to Underfire Comics) to:

Zarjaz
57a Langney Road
Eastbourne
BN21 3QD

Or pay by PayPal to: zarjazcomic@yahoo.co.uk
The price is £2.50 + 50p P&P - so Three pounds of your earth money!

Bolland Strips!
By Brian Bolland

Reviewed May 2005: In the late 1970s Brian Bolland left an indelible mark on the minds of many a comic fan with his stunningly original work on 2000AD's Judge Dredd. He went on to attract a large US readership with Camelot 3000 and Batman:The Killing Joke and remains a very popular and much sought after cover artist on Animal Man, Wonder Woman, Batman, The Flash and many other titles. This collection of short strips includes the Actress and the Bishop in their classic adventures set in a strange suburban idyll and Mr. Mamoulian, Bolland's alter ego, an observer rather than an actor in life, in a state of constant bemusement at whatever is presented to him.

• Buy the book from Amazon.co.uk by clicking here!
Adults only!

Brodie's Law: Project Jameson
Story by Daley Osiyemi and David Bircham; Script by Alan Grant
Art: David Bircham
Cover by Simon Bisley
Introduction by director Renny Harlin (Cliffhanger, Die Hard 2, Deep Blue Sea).
Publisher: Pulp Theatre Entertainment
Out: September 2005

"What would the law mean if everyday had a different face?"

Already one of the UK's most successful indie exports, the first six issues of this hard-hitting tale of gangland war and bastard science are now being released as a collection.

The story centres on Jack Brodie -- a mean-spirited man, a thief who runs foul of gangland bosses. They try to kill him; they execute his ex-wife, kidnap his son and frame him for the murder. Meanwhile, Brodie acquires a formula, PM13, which enables him to take revenge on his enemies with a frightening anonymity, possessing the power to "suck your soul dry" by stealing a person's thoughts and identity before returning it.

Unfortunately, this bizarre power has a price: every time he takes on someone else's body he also absorbs their minds -- or at least, parts of minds. Those minds stay with Jack, increasing daily the chance he'll become a schizophrenic psycho on a quest for justice that makes Dirty Harry look like pussycat.

With an action-driven storyline and characterisation developing as that story becomes ever more involving -- and includes some nasty twists -- Brodie's Law has certainly caused plenty of excitement from comics fans who've given it a try. While many of them may have been persuaded to pick up the book drawn because of Grant's undisputed track record of powerful storytelling, I'm sure Bircham's energetic art style has helped keep them reading. I particularly like his character work, his faces -- male and female -- a step away from the often simplified styling of many US strips.

This is a terrific non-stop gangster story, all the better for being collected, as many plot points are not revealed util way into the latter part of the story. You're simply dropped into the action from page one and well, hold onto your proverbial hat from there.

I have some issues -- I''d prefer some stronger "establishing shots", Bircham's style tends to lean toward mid shots and close ups, and some action scenes could benefit from wider perspective and "dead space" to accentuate action. Story and script-wise, plotting and characterisation would be hard to beat and the concept has plenty going for it. But the remorseless misery of Brodie's situation and resulting character might grate with some. Brodie doesn't live in a pretty world and Messrs Osiyemi, Bircham and Grant shine a dark light on a very murky world with aplomb.

If you like your comics mean and moody, Brodie's Law is a must buy.

Buy the book from Amazon.co.uk: Click Here
Web Links: www.pulptheatre.com

• Dirty Dozen

Recently released by Carlton Books, Dirty Dozen is a huge collection of Commando strips selected by DC Thomson’s current Commando editor, George Low. A stonking 784 pages for just £14.99, the collection is features 12 gung-ho stories of war heroes battling the Nazis of World War II on land, sea and air.

With stories selected from the first 1000 issues, this an excellent collection for anyone who’s ever picked up a Commando in the past 40-plus years of the title, featuring impressive art and tight writing, backed by meticulous research. For my money, the collection’s best stories are the eerie Riley’s Rifle -- a gypsy soldier takes revenge on his murderers from beyond the grave -- and March of the Monsters, in which a disastrous forced beach landing in German-held territory by experimental tanks sees Nazis panic when they think invasion is imminent.

The only disappointing aspect of the title is the complete lack of credits for any of the creators -- despite the fact that editor George Low, who introduces the book, reveals he often informs readers who drew what strip if they wrote in. This lack is perhaps not surprising given DC Thomson’s traditional reluctance to credit any of their freelancers, but for those of us who like to know who penned the stories we’ve read, it’s a surprising omission in this deluxe format and a bit of a slap in the face to the hundreds of creators who have worked on the title since it began in 1961.

That said, Dirty Dozen is a a terrific value for money collection and well worth seeking out if you grew up reading Commando.

John Freeman

STRIP CHECKLIST
Here’s a complete list of the stories featured in Dirty Dozen, together with artist credits courtesy of Vic Whittle, who runs the brilliant Commando web site www.www.britishcomics.20m.com, which also features information about Hotspur, Rover and other DC Thomson titles.

• GLIDER ACE
First printing: #132 First published: September 1964
Artist: Gordon Livingstone
In a period spanning 39 years from the title's inception, Gordon drew over 360 original issues of Commando until he retired.
• TROUBLE SPOT
First printing: #327 First published: April 1968
Artist: Eustaguio Segrelles
• MAN OF IRON
First printing: #358 First published: September 1968
Artist: Eustaguio Segrelles
• DEATH PATROL
First printing: #404 First published: May 1969
Artist: Sanches Cortes
• BATTLE WAGON
First printing: #422 First published: August 1969
Artist: Matias Alonso
In addition to his Commando work, Spanish artist Matias drew Hazañas de la Juventud Audaz for Valenciana publishers.
• ACES WILD
First printing: #489 First published: July 1970
Artist: Jose Maria Jorge
An Argentinian artist who specialises in combat art and aviation. Check out Jose’s official web site at www.josemariajorge.com.ar
• THE SHIP BUSTERS
First printing: #657 First published: June 1972
Artist: Jose Maria Jorge
• MUSTANG PATROL
First printing: #700 First published: December 1972
Artist: John Ridgway
John, whose credits also include Doctor Who and Warrior, is currently colouring Hal Starr for Spaceship Away.
• INLAND NAVY
First printing: #882 First published: October 1974
Artist: Arthur Fleming
• MARCH OF THE MONSTERS
First printing: #885 First published: November 1974
Artist: Gordon Livingstone
• THREE... TWO... ONE... ZERO!
First printing: #974 First published: October 1975
Artist: Gordon Livingstone
• RILEY’S RIFLE
First printing: #994 First published: December 1975
Artist: Galindo

The Tides of Time
Written by Steve Parkhouse Art by Dave Gibbons, Mick Austin, Steve Dillon and Paul Neary
Published by Panini Books
ISBN 1-904159-92-3
Available from book and comic shops across the UK and elsewhere

This is a stonking collection of Doctor Who strip, comprising all the Pater Davison strips published during the tenure of the Fifth Doctor on TV back in the 1980s. There are no whining companions in this superb volume, or brilliant writing let down by the kind of low-budget visual effects and other production factors which so damaged the reputation of the TV show. When writer Steve Parkhouse demands an invading army battling Panzers he gets them, and more, from Dave Gibbons, who recently described his Doctor Who work as some of the best he's ever done. It certainly is.

While many fans take issue with Mick Austin's interpretation of the Doctor -- every character appears shorter than you'd expect and more 'realistic' than Gibbons' version -- the stories throughout this volume are of a consistently high standard. (Austin's Ice Wariors remain one of the best comics versions of the Martian villains, too). Parkhouse's scripts, benefitting from being able to be read in one sitting, rather than eight-page installments as they were originally published, simply shine as the Doctor takes on deadly time-altering demons, dark fears from the dawn of time, the deadly Dogbolter and even his own people, the Time Lords.

There's plenty of evidence of roads not taken in this volume, secondary characters created that perhaps should have had opportunity to spin off into some Marvel UK anthology that never happened. A psi-powered military unit, for one. But perhaps I'm reading too much into Parkhouse's scripts: perhaps he just threw these things in for one or two stories only simply because he could, and have fun with them along the way.

This third new volume of Doctor Who strips is rounded off with a wonderful eight-page homage to the first four Doctors: "Timeslip", drawn by Paul Neary. It's a beautiful tale, lovingly restored by designer Peri Godbold, with the kind of "continuity porn" that any Doctor Who fan will enjoy.

All in all, despite the mix of artists, this is a terrific collection of strips comprising over 200 pages for just £14.99. Recommended!

Web Links:
Panini UK: www.paninicomics.co.uk
Buy The Tides of Time from Amazon.co.uk: Click Here

Also available: The Iron Legion and Dragon's Claw

Comics International #186

Reviewed June 2005: The latest issue of this excellent no-nonsense comics news magazine features no less than eight pages focusing on Alex Ross's new DC project, Justice, featuring 25 exclusive character images which will not appear in the series. Most of them are fantastic detailed pencil sketches, character studies of the major supervillains who'll be appearing in DC's 12 part series, as well as six colour JLA hero shots.
The sketchbook is accompanied by a 2000 word+ Q&A with Alex, giving his thoughts and insights on the project.
Highlight of the issue though is the second part of a new Jack Staff strip by Paul Grist. I've always thought it strange when a magazine about comics doesn't feature a comic strip and I'm glad publisher Dez Skinn does, too. The strip's a slow burn but well worth reading.

Fusion 4
52 pages b/w, colour cover, £3.00.
Reviewed May 2005: A special free preview edition of Fusion 4 was produced for the 2004 London Comic Festival. Now, a remastered edition of F4 is available from Engine Comics, with all new art and stories, including the first part of Garen Ewings' simply beautiful Tin Tin-inspired strip Rainbow Orchid Book 2. It's worth grabbing this magazine for Ewings' work alone, but also included are James Fletcher's Freak; Adam Bealby and Ed Traquino's Mr Glee; Steve Causer and Jamie Bakers The Corpse; plus a special showcase section, containing work produced exclusively for the Anthology 05 Project, with new material from Roger Langridge, Lee Kennedy and others.

Spaceship Away #6
Full Colour £6.99

A lovingly rendered new strip by Don Harley featuring the original Dan Dare may be the biggest reason to buy Spaceship Away, but there's plenty of other excuses to part with £6.99 for this high quality magazine: a stunning pin up by John Ridgway and Dan Dare's horoscope are just two!
While this magazine still has some rough edges -- editor Rod Barzilay would I'm sure be the first to admit he is still on a learning curve -- the production values on this title are simply breath taking and more than justify the high cover price which enables Rod to pay professional artists to draw the fully licensed strip. With a Syd Jordan strip being added to the mix soon, there's never been a better time to subscribe.

• Click here for the Spaceship Away web site
• Read an interview with Spaceship Away publisher Rod Barzilay, which was first published in Eagle Flies Again #9: Click Here