Looking for Group. Ryan Sohmer August 3, 2010
Posted by Cyd in fantasy, graphic novel.Tags: fantasy, graphic novel, Looking for Group, parody, Ryan Sohmer
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Looking for Group, Volumes 1 and 2. Written by Ryan Sohmer, Art by Lar deSouza. Originally, and still, published online at Looking for Group.
Looking for Group is a humorous sort of hero quest that often slips right into direct parody. Our Hero is Cale’anon, an elf who seems to be the the only one of his race who isn’t evil. He’s on a quest to do good. From page one he is joined by Richard, an evil warlock who decides to follow Cale around just for the entertainment value. Cale gets them caught up in all manner of adventure, while Richard gets all the good lines.
Along the way they keep picking up more fellow travellers, and each task seems to lead them into yet another and another, until it’s hard to remember just what started it all. And that’s half the fun.
In addition to the fine and funny writing, the artwork is great. The characters change and grow as the story goes on, and the world is developed and expanded and becomes more interesting as the group continues on each quest. All in all a great read, and an antidote to far more common serious and dark fare.
The Surrogates. Robert Venditti January 13, 2010
Posted by Cyd in graphic novel, science fiction.Tags: future, graphic novel, near future, Robert Venditti, science fiction, Surrogates
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Written by Robert Venditti, art and colouring by Brett Weldele.
This is a near-future science fiction story in which everyone who can afford one has a surrogate – an artificial version of themselves that they control remotely. The surrogate allows them to do (and feel) things without leaving home. Needless to say, this has consequences on both individuals and society.
This story takes place after the use of surrogates has become deeply ingrained into society. In fact for some jobs, such as police, the use of a surrogate is required. The nature of crime has changed – physical assaults and even murder are now mere property crimes, because the actual people behind the surrogates are not physically harmed. The main character is a police officer attempting to solve a string of mysterious surrogate “murders.” His investigation reveals to us some of the darker aspects of this future world. Between chapters there are extras such as newspaper reports, and ads for surrogates which add to the story indirectly.
I enjoyed this story, and was left wishing that there was more of it. As with many graphic novels, the book is more like a short story than a novel – one plot and a small cast of characters. The theme of people being one step removed from their lives is an interesting one, worth further exploration. I see that there is a second trade paperback out now that is a prequel to this book. I think I’ll have to check it out.
I also liked the artwork. Brett Weldele has an interesting drawing style, and the monochromatic colouring gives the book a very noir look.
There is a section at the end of the book that shows the process of creating a graphic novel, starting with the script and moving through the stages to the finished page. It was very interesting to read – I’ve often wondered how the books are created.
Making Comics. by Scott McCloud May 23, 2009
Posted by kaslkaos in graphic novel.Tags: art, comics, drawing, graphic novels, reference, scott mccloud
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Full Title: Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels
This book did not immediately catch my eye. It’s done in comic format and when I initially flipped through it (something I’m in the habit of doing with reference books) it seemed both too busy and flip. Since it was at the library, borrowing costs nothing and I brought it home.
Wow!
Once I started reading it in the manner intended, I realized this book divulges in entertaining detail the innermost secrets of the graphic novel world. This is not a beginners art book, it will not teach you how to draw; it will teach you how to tell stories in words and pictures. How to express emotions through changes in facial expressions and body language, how to slow down time with wordless frames and how draw the reader into a created world with a panoramic scene. I would tell you more, but I’m breathless with wonder. All these secrets are revealed with fully realized examples in every panel, and detailed, but fun explanatory breakdowns so that even the most technical phrases are simple and memorable. If you are an artist, this book is a treasure, if you are a comics fan, this is a fascinating read. I’d buy it if I had too, but I’ll just keep borrowing. Don’t expect to find it in the Whitchurch Stouffville Library any time soon–it’s with me.
Wormwood, Gentleman Corpse – Vol. 1 and 2. Ben Templesmith November 6, 2008
Posted by Cyd in fantasy, graphic novel.Tags: apocalypse, Ben Templesmith, Birds Bees Blood & Beer, Calamari, interdimensional gate, It Only Hurts When I Pee, leprechaun, Medusa, Mr. Pendulum, Phoebe, Trotsky, Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse
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Volume 1: Birds, Bees, Blood & Beer, Volume 2: It Only Hurts When I Pee. Writing and artwork by Ben Templesmith.
I finally got my hands on the first two volumes of Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse, after already having read Volume 3: Calamari Rising. I had been wondering if the first volume provided back-story for Wormwood, but it doesn’t really. Instead, little bits of information about who he is and what he’s about are sprinkled throughout the stories. I prefer this approach, it’s more interesting than reading prologues or introductions.
There are a few main characters. Wormwood is a sentient slug living in the eye socket of an animated corpse. His friends include Trotsky, a ghost cop, Mr. Pendulum, mechanical sidekick who looks like a member of ZZ Top (circa 1985), and Phoebe, one of Medusa’s sisterhood of gatekeepers. Somehow, Templesmith makes all of this seem sensible.
Ben Templesmith is a hugely talented artist, and the artwork in the books is excellent. Rich, dark colours and odd looking characters inhabit a dreary world that wouldn’t be out of place in a Ridley Scott movie. His artwork sometimes reminds me of that of Dave McKean.
The stories, though, are the best part. They are funny, satirical, and very off-the-wall. The strangest things happen, and stories are resolved in most unexpected ways. He sneaks in some very subversive bits (for example, secret communications between the Vatican and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in “Segue to Destruction” in Volume 2) that are terrific.
I don’t want to spoil the fun for anyone, so I’m not going to go into a lot of detail. I’ll just say that reading these books was the most fun I’ve had with a graphic novel. I recommend them to anyone looking for something truly original.
Both books include extra artwork and cover art at the end. More artwork can be found on Templesmith’s website – it’s worth having a look.
Alan Moore’s Writing for Comics (volume one): Alan Moore November 1, 2008
Posted by kaslkaos in graphic novel.Tags: alan moore, comics, writing
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Given the title, I was expecting a useful “how to” book, something that would give me insight into the nuts and bolts of the industry; maybe even a sample page or two of a manuscript ready for artwork. I expected answer to a number of basic questions: does the author dictate panel size and layout, colour schemes and mood, number of panels necessary to execute a particular action sequence, angles from which characters are seen, etc. Does the author write up something akin to stage direction plus dialogue as in a play? I’ve read the manual, and I still haven’t a clue.
My only conclusion is that the true audience for this book is the rabid Alan Moore fan–while I consider him a genius of the graphic novel world, and love his thought provoking, experimental, insightful writing I am not so desperate for more Moore that I’ll happily read anything he cranks out. As a ‘how to book’, Writing For Comics doesn’t fit the bill. As an essay, I found it rambling and full of asides and divergences. If you are a rabid Alan Moore Fan maybe you’ll like it (and wish to crucify me). Me, I’d prefer to read his wonderful stories and find a more practical manual. Now, I think I’ll go find myself a copy of the Watchmen to re-read.
