IRT Magazine

Recently some good graphic novels have come my way that are worthy of mention.

God Save The Queen – A hardcover graphic novel written by Mike Carey and illustrated with beautiful paintings by John Bolton. Of course the title is referring to the Sex Pistols song which is fitting as a great deal of the plot takes place in London’s junkie-punk scene and the rest of the plot takes place in Fairy. Anybody familiar with Neil Gaiman’s work will recognize some of the characters such as Queen Titania, Oberon, Puck, Nuala and Cluracan from the Sandman and Books of Magic comics (as well as from Gaiman’s original source of inspiration Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream). Sex, drugs, rock n roll, magic and darkness all abound in this little story that follows a young London punk as she discovers her true destiny. Mike Carey is very talented writer and does a magnificent job of both capturing the nuances of punk youth (at one point Linda dismisses the Sex Pistols as “her father’s music”) and weaving in the characters Gaiman created in ways that won’t make readers unfamiliar with the Sandman feel lost. But the true stand out feature of this book is John Bolton’s photo-realistic paintings. Each character has facial features that are unique and the use of shading provides a better use of mise-en-scene than most Hollywood films. Go ahead and get a copy for your goth girlfriend, but don’t be surprised if you like it so much you keep it for yourself.

Y The Last Man Vol. 9 Motherland – The adventures of Yorick and his monkey Ampersand, the last surviving male mammals are almost to an end. Writer Brian K. Vaughn is trying to break in to Hollywood now with a gig as a writer on Lost and screenplays for Both Y and his other comic masterpiece Ex Machina. At least Y seems to be going out with a bang. In the penultimate graphic novel of the series, Motherland, we learn what caused every male mammal to spontaneously die as well as why Ampersand’s monkey feces protect both him and Yorick from the same fate. Along the way we also learn a lot more about Dr. Allison Mann’s family. Although I felt the ultimate cause for the plague was a bit anticlimactic it does not take away from the story as a whole or this graphic novel. A lot of loose ends are tied up and the only remaining unanswered question is whether or not Yorick will be reunited with Beth in Australia. Of course if you are not familiar with the series jumping on with this graphic novel is not a good idea. I recommend you start with the first volume – Unmanned.

Hellblazer The Devil You Know – The latest collected edition of Hellblazer collects some of John Constantine’s earliest hell raising. Writer Jamie Delano’s run on Hellblazer is part of Vertigo’s first golden along with Sandman and Swamp Thing. Edgy occult stories aren’t exactly an easy sell especially when told in a medium that is often dismissed as children’s stories, but John Constantine has always been one of adult comic’s success stories and tales like this are why. Also included in this volume is the Horrorist originally published as a two issue miniseries and illustrated by V For Vendetta co-creator David Lloyd. This collection is a must have for any Hellblazer fans and also a good jumping on point for new readers.

Re-Gifters – Re-Gifters is one of the first releases for DC comics new Minx line. This fun little graphic novel is easily some of Mike Carey’s most accessible work. Telling the story of a Korean-American high school student and what she does for her first love. Of course there are annoying brothers, martial arts tournaments, school work and over protective parents. But it’s all in a days work for our hero Jen Dixon (her friends call her Dixie). This graphic novel is begging to be made in to a movie. It would be the perfect “family” picture truly appealing to young and old alike. Plus you’ll learn some really neat facts about Korean culture.

The Plain Janes – Also part of DC’s Minx line, The Plain Janes a re a group of high school girls who are fed up with the lack of creativity and encroachment of big corporations in their small town neighborhood create the P.L.A.I.N (People Loving Art In Neighborhoods). guerilla art clique. Part Pump Up The Volume, part Heathers and part Mean Girls this graphic novel should be required reading for the young creative type in your life. The art pranks that writer Cecil Castellucci comes up with are ingenious. All of us who know the redemptive power of art can relate to the books mantra – art saves

- Brad Filicky

Last Modified : May 18th, 2007
Filed under : THE RECORD BIN
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