Well couldn't decide which of the various Cinebooks threads to pop this into so decided to start a none series specific thread for all Cinebooks conversations and see if that suits.
The reason, well I've just finished Leo's Aldebaran collections and just wanted to add to the chorus of praise over various other threads for this wonderful story. As has been mentioned it does have some pretty clunky dialogue at times, then so did the Scorpion series and it didn't stop me loving that either. At times it reminded me of the dialogue in various 80s kids cartoons that had been translated also, Cities of Gold and Dogtanian spring to mind. More than likely due to difficulties in translation. whatever, that aside an absolute delight.
So far series from Cinebooks have been two for two and I've heard good things about the other stuff I have creeping up my read pile from them. Anyway since I'm not going to a convention for a wee bit I'm off to Amazon to get Leo's sequel to Aldebaran, Belelgeuse lined up...
The Worlds of Aldebaran series is excellent, I picked up the latest book - Antares, episode one - the other week and am now waiting impatiently for Cinebook to hurry up and translate the next one. The art is fantastic and the alien creatures are both truly alien and at the same same totally believable. Leo has done a cracking job of creating alien environments.
I've also got the four volumes of Orbital which is a good read, just hope there's more to come otherwise the series has a seriously downer ending and leaves more questions unanswered than it does answered.
I first started reading them when the local Forbidden Planet got a rather fancy carousel filled with a load of their titles at rather attractive prices (£6-8 a book), and I planned to work through a few series buying one or two books a month. Sadly the lazy buggers at FP haven't bothered to re-order any stock and the carousel is now slowly filling up with various Marvel and DC titles :( Fortunately Amazon seems to stock most of the range and if all else fails I'm thinking of buying straight from the Cinebook website.
Anyone got any suggestions of what I should go for next, XIII looks interesting as does the Chimpanzee Complex.
QuoteI picked up the latest book - Antares, episode one - the other week
That's been sitting by the bed with Lady S for about a month or so. Can't wait to get the time to read it.
QuoteAnyone got any suggestions of what I should go for next, XIII looks interesting as does the Chimpanzee Complex.
Both good calls. CC is only three volumes, so might be the easiest one to start with. XIII is generally very good too.
As mentioned elsewhere, Long John Silver is astounding, probably the best comic I have read in the last five years.
Western is worth picking up too.
And Orbital.
Well any excuse to talk about the wonderful Cinebook. CSBG have run an article reviewing a load of them and since I always complain about how inward looking the big America comics sites are I guess I should give credit there too (even if he did have to be given the books for nowt!).
http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2012/08/26/review-time-with-a-bunch-of-cinebook-comics/ (http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2012/08/26/review-time-with-a-bunch-of-cinebook-comics/)
Worth checking out I'd say.
Yep, ANY opportunity to mention Cinebook should be grabbed with both hands. And let me take this opportunity to publically thank MR KERRIN, who sent me the latter two thirds of long john silver and all of scorpion- and then i very rudely havent spoken to him since! They are magnificent, and i love them, and will be posting them back to mr kerrin as soon aim paid, as well as buying my own copies.
My favourite book remains The Chimpanzee Complex though- just a quality piece of comics storytelling, which i would urge anyone to pick up.
SBT
Hmm, looks like I'll be getting Chimpanzee complex at Thought Bubble then.
Cinebooks are a superb publisher and I'm very pleased to say that I've yet to read anything from them that I've not enjoyed. Especially Long John Silver.
Another shout for western, too- a great single volume story.
ALSO.
If you're an artist and do a sketch for you (in my case A TERRIBLE sketch) they'll give you money off - I got all Orbitals for hypercheap :D
Yes I've been wondering where to go next - as a consequence of being such fine and wonderful volumes they take a while for the next ones to appear so to keep my crack cinebooks addiction going. I heard the Scorpion is awesome.
Quote from: CrazyFoxMachine on 27 August, 2012, 12:23:26 PM
I heard the Scorpion is awesome.
It is, its a wonderful adventure romp and I love it and can't recommend it highly enough.
Me neither- fantastic comics, in a kind of nikolai dante mode. Anyone devastated at the end of dante in the prog would be advised to pick up scorpion. It's not the same, but it fills a gap.
SBT
Yup- the Scorpion is awesome.
Bolt - I've got all three volumes of CC. You can have 'em.
another vote for Long John Silver and Western, two crackers. Cinebooks are so far from the Double Gusset Brigade that you'd think Butcher was in charge of editing.
If you want some indepth reviews before you buy, Rich's Hi-Ex Blog does just that! I'm surprised he hasn't said :D
Be warned that there's some atrocious binding issues with a lot of Cinebooks to the point people on Amazon were marking them down to one star based on that alone - and it was when Chimpanzee Complex #3 fell apart in my hands that I called it a day with Cinebooks. You can tell they were aware of this because of how prominently the pages are numbered so you can stick the books back together with sellotape - oh how I wish I was joking!
I would also proffer caution that their translations are just that - literal translations with no concessions to localisation and some shocking proof reading in places. My impulse is to dismiss it as pandering to the same comics snobs who turned manga from an accessible breakout cultural phenomenon to a shrinking niche interest by insisting "it must be as true to the original text as possible or I shan't glance upon it!" but it's really just low-cost and low quality production dictating the end form. The last volume of Chimpanzee Complex suffers especially when it becomes an extended scene from the film version of Lost In Space, with the script making no attempt to make events coherent and relying on "isn't this freaky?" - it isn't. It was old hat as a plot when Lost In Space did it.
I would pay no more than what Amazon are asking for these - 3-4 quid, and would get them in your hands first - if possible - to check if they're the falling-apart ones or not.
The art on CC is gorgeous, though, and I stand by my description of "Greg Land gone right." It's great - shame about the script.
I too have had a couple of their books fall apart, on the very first read.
One was Aldebaran 1. I got this from their stand at Hi-Ex and emailed them about the problem and they were very quick to send me a replacement. They said they were aware that a batch of those had been bound wrong.
But.......it happened again with a Chimpanzee Complex book. I got this one from Amazon and it was also replaced very quickly.
I have enjoyed the books I have, including Long John Silver and the excellent Western, but I'm not sure about how many more I will buy but I will get the next Long John Silver book. Two problems out of nine books purchased is a bit off putting.
RAC- Woo hoo! Bring 'em with you and we'll sort that.
Quote from: Professah Byah on 27 August, 2012, 05:45:43 PM
I would also proffer caution that their translations are just that - literal translations with no concessions to localisation
Agreed, I gave up on the otherwise great Blake & Mortimer series because of this: Long speaches which should have been blue penciled describing what you could see going on in the panel, other text that dragged on for half a panel slowing the story flow right down that could have easily been edited down to a couple of sentences without losting the meaning, A British Officer/toff in London during the 1950's saying 'the sidewalk', strange talking patterns especially from Policemen that obviously worked in the original langauge/culture but translated as stilted and awkward.
Which was a shame as the stories were fine, the art great but the text became too much of a bind for me. I'd happily offer my services to edit these free of charge just to see these books lifted to where they should be!
Having said that no such probs with either LJS or Western, and I'm never had a problem with unglued spines :D
It was the stuffy, unrealistic and often childish dialogue in Chimpanzee Complex that derailed the story completely for me, especially as it was a story where the sci-fi element was of secondary concern to the writer compared to the family melodrama playing out with the main character and her estranged daughter, and that is fine as sci-fi works best as a means of delivery for stories about human concerns - but what should have been a humanistic fable about the enduring bonds between individuals in societies overriding the territorial concerns we have as a species is instead a story about some cunts in a spaceship.
As for the unglued spines, of the six Aldebaran/Betelgeuse books I've bought, four have fallen to bits the first time I've opened them. They're just low-quality books, I'm afraid, and you only have to look at the censorship to see the lack of thought and effort involved: someone gets impaled, their hand chopped off or their head squashed like a ripe melon between the jaws of a space dinosaur and we see it in full, uncensored technicolor, but matter-of-fact nudity is clumsily censored even though it's directly referenced in the text of the story several times by the characters. The "editors" couldn't even be bothered to edit the text when it draws attention to something they've removed from the books entirely...
All of which is a shame, as Orbital seems pretty great high-concept sci-fi - I'd be lying if I said I didn't find the first volume an impressive mix of Mike Zeck-style characters in a Kev Walker-designed version of the Foundation, with a hefty chunk of TOS Trek thrown in.
Quote from: Professah Byah on 28 August, 2012, 01:02:36 PM
It was the stuffy, unrealistic and often childish dialogue in Chimpanzee Complex that derailed the story completely for me, especially as it was a story where the sci-fi element was of secondary concern to the writer compared to the family melodrama playing out with the main character and her estranged daughter, and that is fine as sci-fi works best as a means of delivery for stories about human concerns - but what should have been a humanistic fable about the enduring bonds between individuals in societies overriding the territorial concerns we have as a species is instead a story about some cunts in a spaceship.
As for the unglued spines, of the six Aldebaran/Betelgeuse books I've bought, four have fallen to bits the first time I've opened them. They're just low-quality books, I'm afraid, and you only have to look at the censorship to see the lack of thought and effort involved: someone gets impaled, their hand chopped off or their head squashed like a ripe melon between the jaws of a space dinosaur and we see it in full, uncensored technicolor, but matter-of-fact nudity is clumsily censored even though it's directly referenced in the text of the story several times by the characters. The "editors" couldn't even be bothered to edit the text when it draws attention to something they've removed from the books entirely...
All of which is a shame, as Orbital seems pretty great high-concept sci-fi - I'd be lying if I said I didn't find the first volume an impressive mix of Mike Zeck-style characters in a Kev Walker-designed version of the Foundation, with a hefty chunk of TOS Trek thrown in.
Wow! Great to see fellow Cinebook fan's and a Cinebook thread here! I'm an avid fan of Cinebook, in particular the Aldebaran Saga and Orbital. I read one of the volumes of Aldebaran, which I borrowed from my library and instantly fell in love with it! I then proceeded to order the whole lot from Amazon and The Book Depository! I've read Antares Episode 2 last and loved it. It ends on a big cliffhanger, and I cannot wait for the next episode to come out. It really is an awesome series. Theres a really 60's/ 70's feel about the comic and the artwork and story has a dreamy feel to it.
Orbital was another series I loved, the artwork is absolutely brilliant. Sort of like a cross between Moebius and Masamune Shirow. But one, actually two problems I had with Cinebook and which you guys have mentioned too, is the censorship and the really piss poor binding. Other than that its been a joy reading these stories.
I still haven't read Western, and Scorpio and will definitely check them out in the future. : )
Was only made aware of Cinebooks after looking around for any and all english publishers for the french comic "XIII".
Found a copy of the first volume in my local library and was thoroughly pleased with it. My only complaints were the use of very bold use for emphasizing. Still, being the only english publisher of the series I have to take what I can get and be grateful at that.
What is it with me and Cinebooks?!
In the past I had two fall apart and now I've started reading the books I got at Thought Bubble I have another faulty book. >:(
I read Thorgal Book 1 last night and had a flick through Book 2 and found eight blank pages. They aren't random blank pages, which I could have put up with, they are actually eight pages of missing content as the page numbers don't add up.
I've got fifteen books from them this year and three have been faulty. I was a bit wary of buying from them again this time and now this happens. :(
Time to email them again then.
Quote from: Albion on 26 November, 2012, 07:41:14 AM
What is it with me and Cinebooks?!
In the past I had two fall apart and now I've started reading the books I got at Thought Bubble I have another faulty book. >:(
I read Thorgal Book 1 last night and had a flick through Book 2 and found eight blank pages. They aren't random blank pages, which I could have put up with, they are actually eight pages of missing content as the page numbers don't add up.
I've got fifteen books from them this year and three have been faulty. I was a bit wary of buying from them again this time and now this happens. :(
Time to email them again then.
I hear this sort of complaint a lot, but I have honestly never had a book from them that's fallen apart or had a printing problem.
Maybe it *is* just you..? ;-)
Bizarre ain't it? I know of a few people who buy their stuff and have had no problems.
It is very strange I also have never had a problem, but you hear time and again of other folk have repeated issues with the binding in particular. Never heard of blank pages before.
Really hope these are just freak happenings as its a great product they have and it'd be a shame if their production values affected their business... though judging by the number of books they have oit it can't be too bigger an issue?
An hour after emailing them about my faulty book I get a reply saying they will send a replacement.
I must say their customer service is good though (as it was last time).They are quick to respond and replace. :)
Quote from: Albion on 26 November, 2012, 09:22:20 AM
An hour after emailing them about my faulty book I get a reply saying they will send a replacement.
I must say their customer service is good though (as it was last time).They are quick to respond and replace. :)
Thats great to hear. I also had a few problems: my Aldebaran book 1 started falling apart before my bewildered eyes! Like Colin says they have great products on show but they need to sort out the binding.
They also said that their supplier in Spain now uses a different printer so maybe there will be less problems now.
WTF!!!
if i had knew about cinebooks five years ago i wouldn't have to have waited for a family holiday to france to get some books, or learn french.
but from what iv'e read of these problems itthink some BD straight from the original publisher would do me alright.
angouleme is the place to be
www.mdkennedyia.wordpress.com
Replacement book arrived this morning and looks fine. I must say that Cinebooks are great at dealing with these problems.
I look forward to reading it tonight and drawing my own version on the blank pages of the faulty book. :D
Quote from: Albion on 28 November, 2012, 09:51:55 AM
I look forward to reading it tonight and drawing my own version on the blank pages of the faulty book. :D
That should be a whole new marketing thing - DRAW YOUR OWN AMAZING FRENCH COMIC.
You can draw the nudity back into the books.
Or give the book to a school library and wait three weeks and someone will do it for you.
So anyone else pick up Crusade or S.P.O.O.K.S? Have read the latter yet, I like the eeriness of the former.
Quote from: Ancient Otter on 28 November, 2012, 10:07:29 PM
So anyone else pick up Crusade or S.P.O.O.K.S? Have read the latter yet, I like the eeriness of the former.
Have the first two volumes of both and Crusade is getting close to the top of my ridiculous reading list. Love the idea but unlike almost all the other series the art looks a bit dodge to me. A little too Jim Lee. Still we'll see when I read it and have a proper look. Can't wait to get to Spooks that looks amazing.
I have the first Crusade book but I didn't like it so I won't be buying anymore.
If anyone wants it PM me and for postage costs it's yours.
From my recent purchases I've enjoyed the first two Thorgal books. The story in the first one jumps around a bit but it's good and the art is lovely.
I also read Berlin - The Seven Dwarves. An excellent World War 2 story. I think this and the superb Western have been my favourite Cinebooks.
Well have been reading a load of Cinebooks that have finally got to the top of my read pile. Darwin Diaries very good, Crusade not good (in fact they'll be up for sale soon, really didn't get on with them) but its Thorgal I come to praise. Just finished the first three books and my what fun. Loved the first book, thought it was brilliant, reminded me a lot of Mezolith. The second book was considerably weaker (I'll come back to that), but the third book was back on fine form. I think I'm in for the whole series now.
So anyway what struck me most was the nature of the first book. It just didn't feel right and a little investigation explained just why. While its the first book chronologically, in terms of Thorgal's life, it consists of the 7th and 14th books of the original French series. To be honest it really shows. It clearly reads like something filling in mysteries and holes in something that should have gone before. It seems a strange decision to have just cranked it to the top of the pile for the sake of some chronological imperative.
This is made all the more confusing when the next book skips ahead to books 3 and 4 of the series missing out, what I assume (as I've not read them though I can't be sure) is a set of stories set chronologically before them. A set of stories that I guess explain quite a lot, which by the reading in the Cinebooks series leaves a bloody great gap. Still since books 3 and 4 are such a dip in quality (they aren't bad, just not as good) its possible that books 1 and 2 (all this original French numbering) are not very good? So its been decided to jump ahead and get to the good stuff as soon as possible... who knows. Anyway by books 5 and 6 it seems like the creators have done their learning and the quality is up there with book 7 (and 14), or book 1 of Cinebooks... still following all this....
... mind either way its all very good fun and the art is quite exquisite and as I say I'm on board for the rest of the series (11 books now in English I think?). Highly recommended.
Oh and another thing, had my first dodgy spine experience that I've heard mentioned here quite a lot. It held together, but the pages have split from the spine and I wonder if it'll last another reading?
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 17 March, 2013, 09:07:50 PM
Oh and another thing, had my first dodgy spine experience that I've heard mentioned here quite a lot. It held together, but the pages have split from the spine and I wonder if it'll last another reading?
If it falls apart let them know, they are great at replacing them.
I've read the first two Thorgal books. Very interesting to hear about the chronology thing. I enjoyed them and may get more.
I also enjoyed Darwins Diaries.
Whoops and I've made that classic error and said Thorgal's French when of course its Belgian.
Looking at this thread i just remembered that the 3rd episode of Antares should be out this month. I've really been enjoying the series, starting with the whole Aldebaran and Betelguese arc. The ending of the last Antares book left me on tenterhooks!
Well while the first two books of Orbital were fantastic, they and possibly all the Cinebooks I've read to date pale when it comes to Long John Silver. Genius and beautiful. I love pirate's but mainly I've enjoyed non-fiction books dealing with them as most pirate fiction is a bit rubbish. This is the exception and really is a quite wonderful, compelling read, with some of the best art I can remember.
I honestly can't wait for the final book and can't recommend this highly enough.
Seconded. I bloody love Long John Silver, it's truly gorgeous and is fantastically told. Many many thanks to the ever-brilliant Bolt for turning me on to it - !
Quote from: Mabs on 17 March, 2013, 10:07:17 PM
Looking at this thread i just remembered that the 3rd episode of Antares should be out this month. I've really been enjoying the series, starting with the whole Aldebaran and Betelguese arc. The ending of the last Antares book left me on tenterhooks!
Volume four is scheduled for August, according to Amazon.co.uk (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antares-Vol-4-Leo/dp/1849181667/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364164833&sr=1-1).
Long John Silver is getting a new volume (http://www.dargaud.com/long-john-silver/album-5725/guyanacapac/) in France next month, but I imagine it would be a year at least until it gets released in English.
Quote from: Ancient Otter on 24 March, 2013, 10:54:18 PM
Quote from: Mabs on 17 March, 2013, 10:07:17 PM
Looking at this thread i just remembered that the 3rd episode of Antares should be out this month. I've really been enjoying the series, starting with the whole Aldebaran and Betelguese arc. The ending of the last Antares book left me on tenterhooks!
Volume four is scheduled for August, according to Amazon.co.uk (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antares-Vol-4-Leo/dp/1849181667/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364164833&sr=1-1).
Long John Silver is getting a new volume (http://www.dargaud.com/long-john-silver/album-5725/guyanacapac/) in France next month, but I imagine it would be a year at least until it gets released in English.
That is welcome news - thanks for that, mate. I still haven't ordered the 3rd volume, might wait for this then get them both together.
Long John Silver has got me really intrigued! I haven't read it yet but going on the good word of mouth around here i might have to order it. It's funny 'cause i've been preoccupied with pirates in one form or another this week; Red Seas Vol. 1 (which was awesome by the way), and Ice Age 4 (the monkey pirate and his crew!) which my kids have been hooked to since i purchased the film a few days ago! :D
Mabs, if pirates float your boat, Cinebook will be releasing another pirate series, starting in July: Barracuda (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Barracuda-Vol-1/dp/1849181659/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364166861&sr=8-1-spell)
Quote from: Ancient Otter on 24 March, 2013, 11:16:11 PM
Mabs, if pirates float your boat, Cinebook will be releasing another pirate series, starting in July: Barracuda (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Barracuda-Vol-1/dp/1849181659/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364166861&sr=8-1-spell)
Wow thanks again, Ancient Otter! That looks very promising. I'll definitely keep an eye out when it comes out. It's funny that in the description it says "6 pages "- i hope i don't end up paying £8.00 for a six page book, lol. I'm sure it's a typo or something.
Cheers!
Quote from: Albion on 29 November, 2012, 11:08:15 AMI also read Berlin - The Seven Dwarves. An excellent World War 2 story.
I just read War Stories Volume 2 (the one with J for Jenny) and Berlin - The Seven Dwarves in the same week, I thought it was pretty good both authors took a pretty narrow setting and come out with two different stories. Haven't read read Battlefields: Happy Valley yet.
Cinebook marketed Berlin as a stand alone book, but there are sequels: volume 2 (http://www.amazon.fr/Berlin-2-Reinhard-goupil-Marvano/dp/2505000042/ref=la_B004N2PNBC_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1364167885&sr=1-5) and volume 3. (http://www.amazon.fr/Berlin-3-Deux-enfants-roi/dp/2505002347/ref=la_B004N2PNBC_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1364167885&sr=1-3)
Quote from: Ancient Otter on 24 March, 2013, 11:16:11 PM
Mabs, if pirates float your boat, Cinebook will be releasing another pirate series, starting in July: Barracuda (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Barracuda-Vol-1/dp/1849181659/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364166861&sr=8-1-spell)
Yeah I'm looking forward to Barracuda and hope it hold up against Long John Silver. Its in a long list of items from the publisher I hope to get hold of. I'll be saving up for the next convention I get to which they are attending as they always seem to have a 3 for 2 offer on and it means I can stack up with loads in one go (hence getting through a lot in one go now, currently half way through Western and the the latest Scorpion is next).
Mabs its funny you mention Red Seas as while it clearly is I never really think of it as a pirate story. More a comic version of a Ray Harryhausen adventure fill. Its closer to a Sinbad adventure in my mind, just happens to have pirates as the leads.
As for Berlin - The Seven Dwaries good to hear positives about that as that one dallies around my far too long Cinebook wish list. Might pick it up next time I get a load in.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 25 March, 2013, 08:39:05 AM
Quote from: Ancient Otter on 24 March, 2013, 11:16:11 PM
Mabs, if pirates float your boat, Cinebook will be releasing another pirate series, starting in July: Barracuda (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Barracuda-Vol-1/dp/1849181659/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364166861&sr=8-1-spell)
Yeah I'm looking forward to Barracuda and hope it hold up against Long John Silver. Its in a long list of items from the publisher I hope to get hold of. I'll be saving up for the next convention I get to which they are attending as they always seem to have a 3 for 2 offer on and it means I can stack up with loads in one go (hence getting through a lot in one go now, currently half way through Western and the the latest Scorpion is next).
Mabs its funny you mention Red Seas as while it clearly is I never really think of it as a pirate story. More a comic version of a Ray Harryhausen adventure fill. Its closer to a Sinbad adventure in my mind, just happens to have pirates as the leads.
As for Berlin - The Seven Dwaries good to hear positives about that as that one dallies around my far too long Cinebook wish list. Might pick it up next time I get a load in.
Aye, without doubt me hearties! :D
Seriously though, reading the excellent foreword by Edginton in the TPB version of Red Seas, he name checks Ray Harryhausen as an influence (along with the novels of H.G Wells and Jules Verne)! It's not surprising really because both you and i have been banging on about how Red Seas is evocative of Harryhausen's work, in this forum! But it was very heartening to see Mr. Edginton mention the great master; ''the genius that is" as he puts it.
It was an absolute blast reading Red Seas, after finishing the book i had a huge grin on my face; the same grin i used to have when Sinbad or Titans/ Argonauts was on telly when i was a kid. And i shall hopefully foreword my indepth views of Red Seas in the forum soon.
As well as Barracuda they will releasing two other new series this year: Wayne Shelton (http://www.cinebook.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=4103) by Jean Hamme & Christian Denayer and The Lament of the Lost Moors (http://www.dargaud.com/complainte-des-landes-perdues-cycle-1/album-4115/sioban/) by Jean Dufaux and Gregor Rosinski.
Here is there a preview (http://www.dargaud.com/wayne-shelton/album-3522/mission/) of art from Wayne Shelton volume 1.
Quote from: Ancient Otter on 24 March, 2013, 10:54:18 PMLong John Silver is getting a new volume (http://www.dargaud.com/long-john-silver/album-5725/guyanacapac/) in France next month, but I imagine it would be a year at least until it gets released in English.
Looks like I called that one totally wrong as Cinebook will release volume 4 later this year along with
Orbital Volume 5,
S.P.O.O.K.S volume 3,
The Scorpion Volume 7,
Lament of the Lost Moors - Siobhan. Check out the release schedule. (http://www.cinebook.co.uk/coming_soon.php?osCsid=1e1af75fa97c4df7804e93b1169d1745)
Quote from: Ancient Otter on 29 April, 2013, 09:49:10 PM
Orbital Volume 5,
Sweet! I had thought that series was over given the ending of Volume 4.
Quote from: Tombo on 29 April, 2013, 10:33:12 PM
Quote from: Ancient Otter on 29 April, 2013, 09:49:10 PM
Orbital Volume 5,
Sweet! I had thought that series was over given the ending of Volume 4.
Wow. Volume
5? brilliant news!
Quote from: Ancient Otter on 29 April, 2013, 09:49:10 PM
Quote from: Ancient Otter on 24 March, 2013, 10:54:18 PMLong John Silver is getting a new volume (http://www.dargaud.com/long-john-silver/album-5725/guyanacapac/) in France next month, but I imagine it would be a year at least until it gets released in English.
Looks like I called that one totally wrong as Cinebook will release volume 4 later this year along with Orbital Volume 5, S.P.O.O.K.S volume 3, The Scorpion Volume 7, Lament of the Lost Moors - Siobhan. Check out the release schedule. (http://www.cinebook.co.uk/coming_soon.php?osCsid=1e1af75fa97c4df7804e93b1169d1745)
There's some great stuff lined up there. Two Scorpion books in one year is a bonus!
Looks like the LJS wait is over:
(http://www.cinebook.co.uk/thumbs.php?src=images/9781849181754.jpg&w=350&h=400&fit=1)
November, i hope they have it early at the Lakes gig
SWEEEEEEEEEEEET.
If it's Nov and Lakes is in Oct then probably not, no. But TB YES.
The January & May 2014 releases are listed on Amazon.co.uk (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_adv_b?search-alias=stripbooks&unfiltered=1&__mk_en_GB=%C5M%C5Z%D5%D1&field-keywords=&field-author=&field-title=&field-isbn=&field-publisher=cinebook&node=&field-binding_browse-bin=492564011&field-subject=&emi=&field-dateop=&field-datemod=&field-dateyear=&sort=-pubdate&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=21&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=5) but for the months in between, nothing strangely....perhaps it will be updated soon. No new series to report on so far.
I was digging around the internet for any mentions of any series from Cinebook and I found a mention from an article from 2011 talking about getting XIII spinoff XII Mysteries on the 2014 schedule, wonder if they're still doing that. It's mentioned at the end of this article (http://downthetubescomics.blogspot.ie/2011/06/xiii-questions-about-cinebooks-xiii.html).
Amazon.co.uk have listings (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_adv_b?search-alias=stripbooks&unfiltered=1&__mk_en_GB=%C5M%C5Z%D5%D1&field-keywords=&field-author=&field-title=&field-isbn=&field-publisher=cinebook&node=&field-binding_browse-bin=492564011&field-subject=&emi=&field-dateop=&field-datemod=&field-dateyear=&sort=-pubdate&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=68&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=11) for releases up to March 2014, no new titles.
The Wikipedia page for Orbital mentions that a volume 6 is due for release in early 2014, no idea when that might turn up for English release.
Cinebooks tweeted today that they hoped to get Long John Silver #4 by thought bubble.
Phwwaooorr.
Quote from: CrazyFoxMachine on 25 October, 2013, 11:39:43 PM
Cinebooks tweeted today that they hoped to get Long John Silver #4 by thought bubble.
Phwwaooorr.
Spoke to the chap from Cinebooks at the Lakes Con, he seem to think LJS4 would be out by then too, so fingers crossed
Just announced on the Cinebooks Thought Bubble event on Twitter...
"we'll be bringing these books to Thought Bubble"
(https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1450859_748862075128274_1302059601_n.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1455159_748861965128285_1599066141_n.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1461055_748862015128280_1319857383_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1458578_748862055128276_569776955_n.jpg)
Droooool
Quote from: CrazyFoxMachine on 09 November, 2013, 01:44:55 PM
Just announced on the Cinebooks Thought Bubble event on Twitter...
"we'll be bringing these books to Thought Bubble"
(https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1458578_748862055128276_569776955_n.jpg)
Droooool
Wow! That new Orbital book has got me dead excited! :D
LJS is the one for me. A simply superb story.
Looks like pirates might be a recurring theme for the event, eh?
My copy of LJS4- which Amazon still reckon is due to be delivered on Monday- has not been dispatched as yet. Seeing as all my other purchases have delivery estimates covering a couple of weeks, and LJS is very specifically one day only, I shall be interested to see what happens.
SBT
Long John Silver and Orbital both do it for me. Really hope I can make Thought Bubble again this year and I've got money set aside for these as well as a few other Cinebook volumes I've been waiting on (I assuming they'll run their normal buying from them at an event deal) and no doubt I'll succumb to temptation and get some more Thorgal volumes - way behind on those!
Was looking forward to one pirate GN at Thought Bubble, but now with LJS coming out I'm ridiculously excited.
Plus with their usual offer I can stock up on Scorpion books.
Go Cinebooks.
Dunk!
Can anyone remember what the event deal is? I have 10 for 5 in my head but that seems too good a deal!
342 and far as I remember... but there has been drink involved
Quote from: Ancient Otter on 25 October, 2013, 10:55:25 PM
I was digging around the internet for any mentions of any series from Cinebook and I found a mention from an article from 2011 talking about getting XIII spinoff XII Mysteries on the 2014 schedule, wonder if they're still doing that. It's mentioned at the end of this article (http://downthetubescomics.blogspot.ie/2011/06/xiii-questions-about-cinebooks-xiii.html).
Sorry for the necropost but I thought it best to keep this Cinebook thread going instead of starting a new one. Looks their planning for releases 3 years ahead worked as
XIII Mysteries will start publication from them this year. Down The Tubes has news about it and news of digital editions from them. (http://downthetubes.net/?p=14312)
Really liking these covers for The Red Baron series:
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/p261x260/10154116_262131267302261_708338061926911482_n.jpg)
As Thoughtbubble creeps ever nearer, I start to save in my little piggy bank for those lovely Cinebook deals I have heard so much about.
Just received the first two volumes of Lament of the Lost Moors, now to find time to sit down and read them :)
filippo
I.R.$ is coming back later in the year along with another sci-fi series from the author of The Chimpanzee Complex - Sam (this is another European series with a Chinese artist, Shang Xiao). Two new series by Leo: Kenya and Aldebaran: The Survivors and a modern fantasy series called Wisher. And this is not including all the other ongoing series!
Quote from: flip-r mk2 on 27 April, 2014, 08:16:32 PM
Just received the first two volumes of Lament of the Lost Moors, now to find time to sit down and read them :)
filippo
how was it?
Here is Cinebooks catalogue (http://www.cinebook.co.uk/file/Catalogue-17.pdf) for Summer/Autumn 14.
had a read of Crusade I, which was surprisingly good, these library's are really a spiffing idea :D
OK, so i've started on Cinebook at last with the first volumes of Spooks, Blake and Mortimer, and Orbital. I'll get back here as soon as i've read them all.
Well i've already talked about the first SPOOKS book which I really enjoyed, and luckily it wasn't susceptible to the spine issues previously mentioned. Sadly, upon inspecting Orbital volume one it was not so fortunate. It crumbled. As such i've returned it and will wait till i've seen a copy to be certain it's from a new stock using the better glue.
That being said, i've taken a great interest in Aldebaran and it's sequels. Looks like more to be added to the TB pile for bulk buys....
Quote from: Hawkmonger on 28 June, 2014, 08:39:45 PM
That being said, i've taken a great interest in Aldebaran and it's sequels. Looks like more to be added to the TB pile for bulk buys....
It is rather good and Betelgeuse is getting pleasanty close to the top of my to read list.
I love me some crazy yet some how not un-plausable aline flora and fauna.
So yesterday was a success at the cinebooks table. Nabbed myself the first six volumes in the worlds of Alderberan series, the third and fourth volumes of SPOOKS, and the first two volumes of Lament of the Lost Moore. I'm a very happy comic reader this weekend.
At TB I picked up the first volume of Wisher. The only time I have 'ever' left the table with a single volume...
Mind, I bet they'll get me next time.
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 19 November, 2014, 03:35:06 PM
At TB I picked up the first volume of Wisher. The only time I have 'ever' left the table with a single volume...
Mind, I bet they'll get me next time.
Same here at The Lakes, was hoping for another great discovery like the Long John Silver story, but left (almost) empty handed.
'Sobs into key board'
You bastrads told me Aldebaran was good, but not THIS good for fucks sake!
A new volume of Valerian and Laurelia is billed for next month. It's a series i've been pondering getting into for a while, and seeing as I don't won't to get Antares until the 6th volume is released, is it worth me picking a half dozen of these up at thought bubble this year?
Anyone read Thorgal?
Yeah I have and I'm a fan. Only read the first 3 books but have another 4 making their way up my reading list. I made put some thoughts here previously about one issue and rather than bother to try to say anything new I'll just copy and paste those here ... I'm lazy like that!
QuoteSo anyway what struck me most was the nature of the first book. It just didn't feel right and a little investigation explained just why. While its the first book chronologically, in terms of Thorgal's life, it consists of the 7th and 14th books of the original French series. To be honest it really shows. It clearly reads like something filling in mysteries and holes in something that should have gone before. It seems a strange decision to have just cranked it to the top of the pile for the sake of some chronological imperative.
This is made all the more confusing when the next book skips ahead to books 3 and 4 of the series missing out, what I assume (as I've not read them though I can't be sure) is a set of stories set chronologically before them. A set of stories that I guess explain quite a lot, which by the reading in the Cinebooks series leaves a bloody great gap. Still since books 3 and 4 are such a dip in quality (they aren't bad, just not as good) its possible that books 1 and 2 (all this original French numbering) are not very good? So its been decided to jump ahead and get to the good stuff as soon as possible... who knows. Anyway by books 5 and 6 it seems like the creators have done their learning and the quality is up there with book 7 (and 14), or book 1 of Cinebooks... still following all this....
... mind either way its all very good fun and the art is quite exquisite and as I say I'm on board for the rest of the series (11 books now in English I think?). Highly recommended.
QuoteSo anyway what struck me most was the nature of the first book. It just didn't feel right and a little investigation explained just why. While its the first book chronologically, in terms of Thorgal's life, it consists of the 7th and 14th books of the original French series. To be honest it really shows. It clearly reads like something filling in mysteries and holes in something that should have gone before. It seems a strange decision to have just cranked it to the top of the pile for the sake of some chronological imperative.
:o Didn't pick up on that at all :o I just blithely accepted that it made little to no sense like a nutter.
Can't tell if that's reassuring or troubling.
Quote from: CrazyFoxMachine on 24 February, 2015, 07:13:31 PM
QuoteSo anyway what struck me most was the nature of the first book. It just didn't feel right and a little investigation explained just why. While its the first book chronologically, in terms of Thorgal's life, it consists of the 7th and 14th books of the original French series. To be honest it really shows. It clearly reads like something filling in mysteries and holes in something that should have gone before. It seems a strange decision to have just cranked it to the top of the pile for the sake of some chronological imperative.
:o Didn't pick up on that at all :o I just blithely accepted that it made little to no sense like a nutter.
Can't tell if that's reassuring or troubling.
LOL. Me too mate.
Just read the first two volumes of Red Baron a historical based on the famed pilot (not the long eared one) from the first World War and what a fantastic read they are. From the very first scene we are introduced to a truly compelling and frightening led and the rest just falls away. It really is one of the best openers I've ever read in a comic. The action and aerial hijinks are handled very well, very well indeed, but its the study of this brutal, elegant warrior that makes the book tick. The first volume does that quite exquistity, with plenty of space. The second tries to cram in a little too much history and back story and that clots thing a little. Its still very good just not quite as exceptional as the first.
The art is lush, at times a little two photoshoped-photo-esque but really very good. Another trimpuh for Cinebooks can't wait to get my grubby mites on the next volume which hopefully won't be long in coming.
If you like your comics dark and chilling I really can't recommend these volumes highly enough.
Sounds great! I'll add it to the list of "Aeronautically based historical dramas" list. Right at the back. Behind Johnny Red. Which is next on said list.
....
Their just aren't enough comics based on dog fights if you ask me.
(http://i2.cdnds.net/14/40/618x819/comics-wisher-cover.jpg)
Wisher Vol 1- NigelRead this earlier this week and it was a treat, I'm not normally a fan of your fantasy based stories- I like my fiction to have a bit of science in; but this is a cracking little strip. The artwork is astoundingly good and the plot just rattles along.
Just finished the first book of Leo's (with Rodolphe) Kenya and well its very very good. Not at all dissimilar in tone to his Aldebaran books, which of course shouldn't be a surprise and is about as big a compliment as I can think of.
Another Cinebook winner!
New Fabien Vehlmann series coming in July, Marquis of Anon, I look forward to any books by this author.
Quote from: Ancient Otter on 06 March, 2015, 11:37:24 PM
New Fabien Vehlmann series coming in July, Marquis of Anon, I look forward to any books by this author.
Still not read Green Manor, is it good - well I assume youi reckon so! Looks like he's done something with Sean Philips - interested to see that...
Was Kenya book 1 a self contained tale or the beginning of a two-five part story? I tend to buy cinebooks series in complete arcs rather than one book at a time.
I think its a pair of five book cycles, Kenya and Namibia. There's not many English sources on the net, Cinebooks only covers the volumes they've translated.
Yeah Kenya is 5 books and I think you are right about the second cycle from what I've been able to dig out. I think Cinebook have all of Kenya out now, or will ahve soon. No doubt Numibia will be along shortly?
Volume 3 of Kenya is due in a month or so I think. If it's released entirely by Thought Bubble it's a deffinet purchase, seeing as book 6 of Antares is MIA and I don't want to be left wanting it. As it is, Red Baron, Valerian, and Long John Silver are all deffinelty on the cards.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 07 March, 2015, 07:00:07 AM
Quote from: Ancient Otter on 06 March, 2015, 11:37:24 PM
New Fabien Vehlmann series coming in July, Marquis of Anon, I look forward to any books by this author.
Still not read Green Manor, is it good - well I assume youi reckon so! Looks like he's done something with Sean Philips - interested to see that...
Green Manor is great fun. I think I heard somewhere that there's a third volume awaiting translation.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 07 March, 2015, 07:00:07 AM
Still not read Green Manor, is it good - well I assume youi reckon so! Looks like he's done something with Sean Philips - interested to see that...
Green Manor is great fun - essentially a series of locked-room-type murder mysteries/Victorian-era Future Shocks. So no recurring characters, no ongoing plot of any kind, but a lot of twist-in-the-tale vignettes.
The third book has been 'awaiting' translation since 2008, though, so I'm not holding my breath for that one.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 07 March, 2015, 07:00:07 AMLooks like he's done something with Sean Philips - interested to see that...
7 Psychopaths was a very offbeat WWII story, it's alright.
Did anyone pick up Barracuda? Recommended?
I've got the first volume of Barracuda waiting for me in my reading pile. It looks superb.
Picked up the four volumes of Long John Silver, I assume there was only the four?
Also tempted to get all the XIII volumes. Read a sample years ago that came with Comic Heroes and liked it so will check that out.
Any other recommendations?
Almost too many to mention but Leo's Aldebaran series is pretty fantastic comics. I'm also a bit fan of Scorpion.
There are many more, just look through this thread.So far to be honest of the volumes I've read I've only not loved Crusade and I know that has fans here.
I really love Orbital as well and Thorgal for my Viking fix.
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 21 April, 2015, 02:36:35 PM
I've got the first volume of Barracuda waiting for me in my reading pile. It looks superb.
This is good enough for me. Ta mucho Bolt.
Was just looking at getting volume 1 of Barracuda, could be due to the fact of coming off a reading binge of Long John Silver.
Also looking at picking up Red Baron and SAM and see what those are like.
Yeah Red Baron is very good.
I picked up the first two volumes of Alone over the weekend. Really good comics of a kind that transcend generations. On a simple level they're clearly boys-own childrens comics, but they are beautifully drawn, the characters have some complexity and the story, although simple, is very moving. Thoroughly recommended, and I think volume 3 is imminent.
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 10 March, 2015, 07:24:43 PM
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 07 March, 2015, 07:00:07 AM
Still not read Green Manor, is it good - well I assume youi reckon so! Looks like he's done something with Sean Philips - interested to see that...
Green Manor is great fun - essentially a series of locked-room-type murder mysteries/Victorian-era Future Shocks. So no recurring characters, no ongoing plot of any kind, but a lot of twist-in-the-tale vignettes.
The third book has been 'awaiting' translation since 2008, though, so I'm not holding my breath for that one.
I know. I'm hoping they will since Vehlmann is a big name thanks to
Beautiful Darkness making a lot of best-of lists for 2014. The last volume of Insiders was released in 2010 and that is getting a new volume in October...
New folk to Cinebooks should check out SPOOKS, a really enjoyable supernatural western series with some damn nice watercolour art work.
A second vote for LEO's Worlds of Aldebaran series. Some of the best sci-fi in comics i've ever read. Very, very good indeed with a strong eye towards world building. You really do feel like the hostile planets are alive.
Recently got Green Manor from Bolt and have to say its quite fantastic. A series of short murder myterious which all have a lovely upper class victorian villiany throughout. The art is simply fantastic too. Can't wait to get hold of the second volume.
On a none Cinebook note I also read Swords of Rome, a series from iBooks (a publisher I don't know other than this) this series didn't take off this time but its perfect, PERFECT Cinebook fodder, so would love them to take up the mantle. Based on the rise of Nero a period of history I'm particularly fund of brilliantly realised.
Just this second finished all 5 books in the Kenya series by LEO and Rodolphe. By christ that LEO is fast becoming one of my favourite names in comics, crafting another superb sci-fi comic. Also, one of my all time favourite extinct perissodactyles, Indricotherium plays a key role! I'm such a nerd for finding joy in this but you can tell LEO knows his stuff, a big reason why I praised Aldebaran so much was the functionallity of the flora and fauna, and he applies this equally well with real life extinct mega herbivores.
I mentioned it over in the "comics for 2016" thread and I'll repeat it here - Vol.1 of Namibia (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Namibia-Vol-1-Episode/dp/1849182817/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=11K264QPRG743V7Y1D3R) and Vol.3 of Survivors (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survivors-Vol-The-Episode/dp/1849182949/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_img_12?ie=UTF8&refRID=02HTD7AYJRYA794DGY23) are both due on the 3rd of March 2016.
Quote from: Hawkmonger on 24 April, 2015, 09:25:00 AM
New folk to Cinebooks should check out SPOOKS, a really enjoyable supernatural western series with some damn nice watercolour art work.
A second vote for LEO's Worlds of Aldebaran series. Some of the best sci-fi in comics i've ever read. Very, very good indeed with a strong eye towards world building. You really do feel like the hostile planets are alive.
Was reading your comments as
LEGO's Worlds of Aldebaran (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldebaran_in_fiction)[/url] and knowing that last word from
Hitch-Hikers Guide to the GalaxyAldebaran's great, okay, / Algol's pretty neat, / Betelgeuse's pretty girls / Will knock you off your feet. / They'll do anything you like / Real fast and then real slow, ...
Just got a tidy little package containing Spooks #5, Lost Moores #3 and Antares #6. Thats tonights reading sorted!
Wow has it really been 5 years since we played here... next someone will be saying something daft like its been 8 years since 'Day of Chaos' or other such tomfoolery.
Anyway we're neglected the wonders of Cinebooks for too long (I know the 's' shouldn't be there but I hate that its not!). Anyway was thinking about what to get the boy child in these times of isolation and remembered some of the Cinebooks that I've never picked up, aimed at kids and we looked through the catalogue and he liked the look of Lucky Luke (very pleased about that myself!), Yakari and Marsupilami so contacted them checked they were still able to deliver and they are, so ordered a couple of each for him to try out.
Of course so he didn't feel bad about me buying all that stuff for him, kind Dad that I am I order the next bunch of various series for myself and a few new one's to try.
ANYWAY point is at times like this I ordered a LOAD of albums from them and sat back and expected to wait a while for them to come. BUT no - just two days, count um TWO DAYS after the order went in books land and boy do they look wonderful. Along with a few volumes of regulars - including 'Return Aldebaran book1' WAYHEY I'm giving Islandia, Bear's Tooth and The Route 66 List a go.
But really the thing I wanted to say is WOW what service, what wonderful service. At times like this delivery faster than Amazon - very pleased I went straight to them. In another thread we're discussing the fate of the comics market in these times and how it will look when we're all plagued out and assuming, as looks likely now, the bloody zombies never bother to show up. And this has reminded me, if the US market collapses (it won't, but IF) I'd be very sorry for the wonderful creators, I'd miss certain characters and ideas. I'd be very sad that some stories never finished - mind that often happens anyway BUT we'll not be short of actual comics to read as there's a whole world of stuff out there and from a selfish point of view a move away from the US market would do me the world of good and drive me to these beauties on a more regular basis. And that friends would be no bad thing.
SO if you are looking around for things to read and have drunk fully at the well of Tharg AND have your Phoenix subscription in place and a healthy selection of their back catalogue ordered, the next place to go (or even the first if you so fancy) is Cinebook as there is an absolute wealth of simply wonderful material to be had there.
I would strongly recommend The Mermaid Project too.
Quote from: Timothy on 09 April, 2020, 09:36:43 AM
I would strongly recommend The Mermaid Project too.
This is what I mean there's so much good stuff there and stuff to get to... sometimes I wonder why I still play with American comics...
Bringing my collection out of storage for the move post lockdown has made me realize how many Cinebook series i've got but need to actually read. Antares, Namibia, Lament of the Lost Moores, and the 4th Spooks book. Happy weeks reading ahead.
I highly doubt Thought Bubble will be happening this year which make me sad, it's been a good three years or so since I checked out the Cinebook stand, shame on me.
Hawk, don't think that way. November is a long way off. I'm hopeful for Thought Bubble 2020.
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 13 April, 2020, 04:33:24 PM
Hawk, don't think that way. November is a long way off. I'm hopeful for Thought Bubble 2020.
It's not so much to length of time on it's own, where it so i'd be certain it was still a-go. It's Harrogate Convention Complex being used as a Nightingale Hospital. Though not confirmed yet it seems to be mostly agreed none of the MCM complexes will be hosting comic cons this year because of...well, the whole morgue aspect, being deeply upsetting and concerning for both organizers and attendees.
A bit macabre and pessimistic maybe, and I truly want nothing more right now than to know be in the pub come November, nattering over some zines and comics. But man, 2020 is putting everyone through the ringer.
Anyhow, just read Spooks Book 4 and it's brilliant, so Books 5 and 6 will be on my shopping list! Ah hah!
Shame. Mind whatever gets to be the first con post all this is going to be a nerdy riot!
Cinebooks were absent from Thought Bubble last year. It was my one disappointment of the con.
Quote from: Timothy on 14 April, 2020, 10:16:04 AM
Cinebooks were absent from Thought Bubble last year. It was my one disappointment of the con.
I've not bought direct at a con from them for over 2years (or more) now. They always had such fantastic deals though. To the extent if you bought 10 half were free. SUCH a great deal. Don't know if they still do that at shows?
So with a lack of my regular haul I'm reading the albums I got from Cinebooks as if they were my new comics and the first I've read is Islandia volume 1 (of three - I think) by Marc Verdrines and its quite superb.
Set in 17th century Islandia it follows Jacques as he stows aboard a French fishing vessel to try to get to Iceland, for reasons that aren't entirely clear. On his travels and after his eventual landing Jacques seems to bring misfortune to those who show agression towards him, or otherwise threaten him and mysterious as intrigue unfold. This is a wonderfully atmopheric folk horror, or at least has that vibe. The art is sublime and has a quiet energy, while capturing the harsh beauty of its setting.
Really looking forward to the remaining 2 volumes - well I assume there are three, certianly two more are on their way.
Next up we have 'Bear's Tooth - 1. Max' by Yann and Alann Henriet, another three part story and another trimuph. Set in two times 1930s Poland - a region called Silesia where three child share an eventual childhood with two joining the Hilter Youth, not on idealogical groups, rather to get the chance to glide. The eponymous Max is excluded as a he is jewish.
We also see Max as a pilot during the second world war, but he's arrested my the military police and the two storylines start to align.
The key theme of war ruining childhood friendship is one thats been played out before and to some degree feels tired, but its played out well. It powerful without being cliche and thrilling without overly relying on meladrama. The art is crisp and precise and carries detail of the time perfectly.
Bear's Tooth is a great series. Get the other 2 quick
Final one of this bunch is 'The Route 66 List - Illinois' a political thriller, Hitchcock, brutal crime story in a yarn about fathers and son. And somehow it fits all that in comfortably with room for some character moments allowed to breathe.
To be fair it does it, to some degree at least - by throwing you in and leaving you to swim up stream while you try to grab hold of the branches of the story as they flood past. Its wonderful stuff. The art is sublime too. To me it has real hints of Barry Windsor Smith. Its not quite a keen and stylised as his best work, but I see ticks of what he does in there, adding to a typically BD clean storytelling style. Its really quite wonderful.
So there we go three for three on the new titles I'm trying. All utterly different in story and theme, if they do share a commonality in style and tone... remind you of anything else! These are why whenever I read a bunch of Cinebooks I begin to wonder why I've not moved away from US titles and dedicated my time and money to these lovelies!
Another Cinebook made the way towards the top of my To Red Spreadsheet and got a boost to replace my regular comic hauls missing during these plague times.
And SAM is another hit. Post robot apocalypse a band of kids barely manage to survive and Ian seems determined to be more proactive and find a change. That comes when he stumbles across a seemingly friendly giant robot. But this creates tension in the group of survivers. Its really really good.
The broken robot ridden world is wonderfully realised. The fear and tension in the kids and the interactions that leads to feel strangely real and its all quite thrilling... even if not a great deal seems to happen. The biggest event is arguably Ian sleeping for 20 hours!.
But its brilliant and another one on the definate list.
Chuff my nerd shop better open soon or I'm going to ditch american comics altogether!
SAM is chuffing brilliant. A wonderfully whimsical little bit of sci-fi you don't really see too often anymore.
Quote from: Hawkmumbler on 14 June, 2020, 10:18:19 AM
SAM is chuffing brilliant. A wonderfully whimsical little bit of sci-fi you don't really see too often anymore.
Turns out I have the second volume as well. So that's added to my pile to read instead of my monthly haul. Really looking forward to it and will be snapping up the last two when I go again. Which might be very soon.
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 14 June, 2020, 10:37:49 AM
Quote from: Hawkmumbler on 14 June, 2020, 10:18:19 AM
SAM is chuffing brilliant. A wonderfully whimsical little bit of sci-fi you don't really see too often anymore.
Turns out I have the second volume as well. So that's added to my pile to read instead of my monthly haul. Really looking forward to it and will be snapping up the last two when I go again. Which might be very soon.
Which is also brilliant - SAM vol. 2 that is. This series is turning into another absolute winner.
Also picked up The Regiment vol. 1 at my LCS the other day and yep not wishing to repeat myself but fantastic. Its a dramatised history of the SAS's origins during the Second World War. And while I have no idea it sure reads like its more histroy than dramatised - which isn't to say its not dramatic and exciting, which given its subject matter it absolutely is.
Another one to collect then.
This weekend I'm going to put another bulk order in Cinebook are so good and I don't want to lose the momentum early lockdown gave me.
Have to be honest I was a little disappointed in the last two volumes of SAM. The final volume especially. I mean this is fantasy sci-fi and all but the gang's journey through the tunnels to their final destination stretched credulity almost to breaking point.
Also Ian's need to keep it all secret until the end didn't wash - event though they tried to address it. It was still fun, it was certainly gripping but it shuck me out of the story a couple of times.
What I did love was the art. It was much looser in the final volume and even as the final volume progressed that I assume was simply artist development by Shang, rather a reflection of the return to more 'organic' ways as the robot's grip is loosen. The art is stunning throughout.
Overall very moving and still enjoyable, but alas not the total trimuph the first couple of parts promised.
Read all 8 albums of Orbital over the last few evening and they are excellent. It feels a little compressed at the end and there are many mysteries that remain and strong hints that the downbeat ending may not be all there is, though I think this is an planned ending.
Overall the art and design are stunning. The plot roams across worlds and themes. It has interesting develop from a down and dirty settler western in the first two volumes. To exploration of human isolationist attitudes (hhhmmm that's hitting home!) and developing consequences in 3 + 4 to interstella civil war in 5 + 6 until the final 2 are more metaphysical exploration of worlds, curious like a down to earth(ish) Incal.
So yeah it flys all over the place at quite some speed. The book at its heart remains the odd couple buddy story that keeps it all feeling coherant.
Wonderful stuff and another recommendation.
If one man reads Cinebooks and reviews them on a forum does he make a sound?
Who cares.
What you should care about is Leo comics. I've just read the Antares cycle all 6 volumes over the last few nights and its really rather good. Kim Kellers reluctant adventures continue with the typical blend of fabulous ecosystems and 2001 alien science shapes and intrigue. Okay so Jedidiah, the religious fanatic is a bit cliche and two dimensional to say the least and he is used to rather hammer home the theme of the dangers of religion and in all honestly is an annoying distraction from the more interesting relationships and mysteries.
Its wonderful stuff.
It is indeed. I've been reading the Worlds of Aldebaran for some years now- and a smattering of Leo's other works for good measure (I recommend Kenya and Namibia for starters)- and I'm fully invested in all the characters. Later today, I have Return to Aldebaran vol 3 turning up, which will be read tomorrow night.
Cinebook are just marvellous. I've got Islandia vol.1 coming in the post, and I keep discovering things that appeal. But the Worlds of Aldebaran is truly one of my favourite long-form sf stories, in any medium. It's just a shame Cinebook's translation is written in awkward dialogue lacking any elegance. I'm assuming the original language version (as well as being uncensored) is better. But that would mean learning a language that experience has proven is beyond me.
SBT
Quote from: SmallBlueThing(Reborn) on 04 August, 2021, 02:14:27 PM
I've got Islandia vol.1 coming in the post,...
Its great.
Quote from: SmallBlueThing(Reborn) on 04 August, 2021, 02:14:27 PM
... It's just a shame Cinebook's translation is written in awkward dialogue lacking any elegance. I'm assuming the original language version (as well as being uncensored) is better....
Yeah the translation are a bit flat and ackward at times. Especially when you think of books like Asterix and the translation (which I imagine has a MUCH bigger budget!) there.
There are also art changes to remove nudity which can be a little clumsy at times.
I am a big fan off the Blake & Mortimer series.
Quote from: broodblik on 04 August, 2021, 02:41:34 PM
I am a big fan off the Blake & Mortimer series.
Interestingly that's one of the few I've struggled with. I also didn't get on with IR$ and Crusader. Other than those the one's I've read have all been winners.
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 04 August, 2021, 02:55:05 PM
Quote from: broodblik on 04 August, 2021, 02:41:34 PM
I am a big fan off the Blake & Mortimer series.
Interestingly that's one of the few I've struggled with. I also didn't get on with IR$ and Crusader. Other than those the one's I've read have all been winners.
I think one off the biggest reasons is that the art reminds me of Tintin. Originally Edgar P. Jacobs worked in the Tintin studio hence the likeness.
the 5 book 'kenya' epic is truly awe-inspiring ...
what a magnificent publisher.
Another Blake and Mortimer fan here. The Jacobs stories are a bit hit and miss plot wise, but the art is superb. The later follow-on stories have got some great writing that is true to the tone of the originals but pleasantly modernised. A personal favourite is The Francis Blake Affair.
Mine is The Secret of the Swordfish, I just loved the scope of the whole thing but The Francis Blake Affair was pretty good as well.
Just read the whole of Red Baron (had only read the first two volumes before now, and it really is a masterpiece. In some ways it does indulge the art a little and the story could feel slight for the three volumes it appears over. However the art is astonish and the use of the pages masterful, as thought he story is slight the atmosphere and dark tension is supreme.
And the art. wow. just WOW. Its stunning. The closest comparison I can think of is George Pratt (who interestingly enough did an Enemy Ace comic for DC), but it cleaner, while not losing a drop of the energy.
Its an absolute wonderful comic and I can't recommend it enough.
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 23 September, 2021, 09:24:03 PM
Just read the whole of Red Baron... It's an absolute wonderful comic and I can't recommend it enough.
COR! Just had a Google, and that does indeed look gorgeous. Thanks for the heads up, Colin. 👍
Next up Kenya - another story from Leo (of Aldebaron fame), this time teamed up with Rodolphe. A story of incredible beast in Africa, mysterious lights in the sky and international espionage. For all that its still a surpirsingly considered and steady read. Largely avoiding meladrama and instead focusing on character and a building mystery. It goes cover a great deal of ground and leaves a nice open ending after Book 5 (leading into Nambia I believe).
Leo's art can be a little stiff at times but does convey moments of mood and emotion really well, clear precise line and storytelling. Again there are some wonderful creature design and wrapped all together this is another fantastic read.
I really must get around to actually reading NEMIBIA as I enjoyed Kenya a few years back. Hoping to pick up a few things at the Cinebooks table at TB next month, been a hot few years since I had the pleasure.
Quote from: Hawkmumbler on 14 October, 2021, 08:56:39 AM
I really must get around to actually reading NEMIBIA as I enjoyed Kenya a few years back. Hoping to pick up a few things at the Cinebooks table at TB next month, been a hot few years since I had the pleasure.
Yeah I bought a load during the first lockdown as they were still going on their webshop and wanted to support them but I'm still behind on a number of title and really need to catch up. Still haven't got off my arse to sort TB but this would be a good excuse to get there and, hopefully, take advantage of the deals they normally have at cons.
Quote from: broodblik on 04 August, 2021, 02:41:34 PM
I am a big fan off the Blake & Mortimer series.
i really went off these as the text was so badly written, it read like it was done by machine. Also simple things like English people in the 50s talking about 'the sidewalk'.