General omnibus & hardcover discussion vol. II

[Balakin]

Honestly I doubt Crepax will be your thing if you're not really into erotic/porn comics, although his art and command of the medium might override your aversion to that kind of material.
Crepax and Manara are pretty different though (aside from the fact that they're both Italian and make "porn" comics). Manara is more straightforwardly erotic and Crepax is more comparable to Steranko on the storytelling front (it wouldn't surprise me if they read each other's comics back in the day) only most of his comics are erotic (with a SM edge). I haven't read the books that Fanta will be translating first but Bianca (which Horrocks wrote about) is an amazing kaleidoscope of a comic. Tashen did a pretty nice HC a few years ago collecting that together with "Emanuelle" and "Venus in Furs" which might be a good one to pick up to see if it's your thing if you can find a cheap copy.

cheers for both opinions

is the Taschen book in english? Can't seem to find it.

[aaltomuoto]

Yup, it's in English. It's published by Evergreen, which is a sublabel of Taschen IIRC (they also did a Little Nemo collection under that label). It's been OOP for a while but cheap copies turn up quite regularly (at least in these parts).

Anyway, I'd recommend reading that comicsalliance article. it's a good primer on Crepax and his work.

edit: if you're into podcasts this one is definitely worth checking out, once again crepax vs. Manara

[Balakin]

Yup, it's in English. It's published by Evergreen, which is a sublabel of Taschen IIRC (they also did a Little Nemo collection under that label). It's been OOP for a while but cheap copies turn up quite regularly (at least in these parts).

Anyway, I'd recommend reading that comicsalliance article. it's a good primer on Crepax and his work.

edit: if you're into podcasts this one is definitely worth checking out, once again crepax vs. Manara

ah, fund it, cheers. Well the cheapest is 46 pounds right now so not so cheap around these parts unfortunately :P
I listen to podcasts regularly so I think I will give this a shot thanks.

On the Vampirella topic, I think I will try this, looked up a few pages and seemed interesting I'm just affraid there will be too much sexy posing without purpose.

[Stargasm]

Guys, I remember some of us talking about the 2nd volume of the Kabuki Library collection, and that apparently it would follow the same artsy style of the second half of the first book (i.e. almost no story whatsoever).

Well, I'm 2/3 of the way through the 2nd volume, and I'm loving each amazing page of it! The story isn't really moving forward per se (at least not as much as in the first half of the first book), but it reads so well, and the art is so amazing that it makes for it big time! Balakin, if I remember correctly, you didn't pick it up but I'd really advise to try and find an online preview (DH website?).

[Balakin]

Guys, I remember some of us talking about the 2nd volume of the Kabuki Library collection, and that apparently it would follow the same artsy style of the second half of the first book (i.e. almost no story whatsoever).

Well, I'm 2/3 of the way through the 2nd volume, and I'm loving each amazing page of it! The story isn't really moving forward per se (at least not as much as in the first half of the first book), but it reads so well, and the art is so amazing that it makes for it big time! Balakin, if I remember correctly, you didn't pick it up but I'd really advise to try and find an online preview (DH website?).

cheers! Yeah it was me who had concerns, I will check it out, my vol 1 is a bit lonely on the shelf :P
edit: just remembered that I've read the Kevin Smith Daredevil ohc a few month ago and it collected the Echo issues written by Mack as well and...well I couldn't finish it. It was just stupid. But that's his mainstream work and Kabuki is creator owned and there is plenty of examples when a writer just can't write for the big two but brilliant on his/her own.
Checked the preview pages on the DH website and it doesn't look bad.

[jadekite22]

Great recommendations all around! I love Sarah Horrocks's blog and Trash Twins podcast and Crepax and Manara and Mack (sometimes).

Sean Witzke, who produces/edits Trash Twins, also co-hosts two other comics and movie-related podcasts on the Factual Opinion network. Both are favorites of mine.

I also purchased those Crepax Evergreen volumes a while back and managed to score the English Justine & The Story of O for under $40 and the Italian Venus in Furs, Emanuelle & Bianca for $15. I always meant to track down an English version of the latter, but the stories in that one seemed much less literary than the the first, so I was satisfied enjoying it for the art. I'm guessing the new HCs will eventually get to those stories, so now I can wait patiently.

[MartinNL]

Got these books today. That Lone Sloane was published by Titan Comics recently too. Looks pretty awesome inside! Also really looking forward to reading the Rosalie Lightning book. That's a graphic novel about Rosalie, Tom Hart's daughter, that died quite untimely. It's about his and his wife's ongoing search for meaning in the aftermath of Rosalie's death, exploring themes of grief, hopelessness, rebirth and finding hope again. Supposedly it's quite heartbreaking and emotional. Just the book you need to read every once in a while.

[MartinNL]

And these also arrived today, the first 2 volumes of The Walled City Trilogy. Volume 2 came recommended on Paul Gravett's Top 10 of 2015 for Best International (non-US, non-UK) graphic novels. I really dig the art. As for the story: As one character observes, “Hong Kong is intimate”, and Nocturne brings you up close to the city’s places and peoples, observing them with detail and sensuality and awakening all your senses. (it's actually softcovers but with French flaps sssttt...)

[krylox]

And these also arrived today, the first 2 volumes of The Walled City Trilogy. Volume 2 came recommended on Paul Gravett's Top 10 of 2015 for Best International (non-US, non-UK) graphic novels. I really dig the art. As for the story: As one character observes, “Hong Kong is intimate”, and Nocturne brings you up close to the city’s places and peoples, observing them with detail and sensuality and awakening all your senses. (it's actually softcovers but with French flaps sssttt...)

wow, those look amazing!

[Balakin]

Listened to the recommended podcast about Crepax and Manara. Manara still sounds like just how I imagine it but Crepax is really intriguing. I'm thorn now, thanks guys :P

[LordJulius]

Latest:





Loving Cartland and Rampokan, even though the art styles couldn't be more different. Also looking forward to finally reading X-9. Such great art.

[Balakin]

Latest:





Loving Cartland and Rampokan, even though the art styles couldn't be more different. Also looking forward to finally reading X-9. Such great art.

Wish Dick Tracy would be bigger. Is it the same size as the IDW Steve Canyons? (mine is still on its way).
I'm interested in X-9 as well, looks great.
Btw, did you get the Vampirella Archives 8 from amazon.it? I can't remember in which thread I mentioned it, it was 6,3 euros+shipping, now it went up again but it worth keeping an eye on it if you are interested in the material.

[LordJulius]

Wish Dick Tracy would be bigger. Is it the same size as the IDW Steve Canyons? (mine is still on its way).
I'm interested in X-9 as well, looks great.
Btw, did you get the Vampirella Archives 8 from amazon.it? I can't remember in which thread I mentioned it, it was 6,3 euros+shipping, now it went up again but it worth keeping an eye on it if you are interested in the material.

Dick Tracy has the exact same dimensions that Tatp and Steve Canyon have, yes.
Not interested in Vampirella in the slightest. I know that it has some great art, but I always thought the series' main intention was to give little boys something to, you know... A bit similar to all the Zenescope titles today.

[Balakin]

Dick Tracy has the exact same dimensions that Tatp and Steve Canyon have, yes.
Not interested in Vampirella in the slightest. I know that it has some great art, but I always thought the series' main intention was to give little boys something to, you know... A bit similar to all the Zenescope titles today.

cheers, at least it's not digest size
thought the same about Vampirella but figured it's worth a shot, there were some great names working on it, so who knows.

[MartinNL]

Those Rampokan books have been on my wishlist for like forever. Such a big part of (dark) Dutch history. Glad to know you're loving the books LJ.