Well here we are at the next instalment. In this one I tackle the thorny subject of Graphic Novels. Yes, I totally understand that the term is rather nebulous and idiotic. Yes, I know that ‘It’s all comics baby’ as I am often heard to say. But it does allow me to shoehorn some more comics into my list.
As Europe Comics got their own category in Part 1 of this list I have purposely left them out of the running.
Graphic Novels.
In Waves - AJ Dungo. Still one of the best books that I have read this year or any year. The story of a relationship, a tragic one and the world of surfing that touchingly and beautifully swirls around the lives of the writer and his partner. Add to that a playful and engrossing history of surfing and you’ve got something that even this ancient west Londoner can enjoy. A book that if there is any justice in the world should be appearing on the awards circuit next month! Full disclosure that I work at the company that puts this book out and even a year after it went to print we still talk about how much we love it!
(Published by Nobrow)
Poochytown - Jim Woodring. Yup, I am well aware that this came out in 2018 but I didn’t get to it until 2019 so in my books that counts. Visually stunning and your mind is swept along with the bonkers storyline. Woodring doesn’t put a foot out of step throughout. I still dip back in every few weeks to marvel at the art. The use of black and white in this and other books in this series will blow your mind as it did mine at a ‘table for one’ in January this year. (Published by Fantagraphics).
Maggie Garrison - Lewis Trondheim and Stéphane Oiry. This is a book that was initially put out by Europe Comics and then picked up for a physical release by Self Made Hero. Although it was written by Trondheim it is at it’s heart a Private Investigator story that takes place in central London and Brighton. The titular hero is a boozy street smart investigator who takes the reins when her boss can’t at her new job. A really well written and engaging story that moves rom real moment to real moment. I managed to get an interview with Lewis Trondheim at the NCS Festival this year and he steadfastly insists that there will be no sequel and that he has moved on....
(Published by Self Made Hero.)
Sons of El Topo: Volume Two ‘Abel’ - Written by Alejandro Jodorowsky and Illustrated by José Ladrönn. This was the second volume in the series that has been released by Archaia Comics and it is as nonsensical and transgressive as you would expect from Jodorowsky. A writer who always walks that line between strangely interweaving and a chaotic accident of a scene/story/metaphor/cosmic realignment. I find this series hugely interesting but morally challenging, not the least of all. For his treatment of certain females within the story. The narrative makes little sense but it’s often Ladrönn who makes it all worth while with his detail and scope. The art captures the acid western setting and also revels in the nature in this wild and dangerous kingdom of Jodorowsky’s imagination. It’s a hard one to recommend to those with a sensitive nature but if you know what you are getting tonally in advance it is worth the punt.
(Published by Archaia).
Marble Cake - Created by Scott Jason Smith. This is a book that struck a chord for me in part due to the fact that it is a love letter to the streets of South London that I spent many of my formative years walking. Marble Cake has a realistic grounding in it’s scene settings and it’s relationships. This is also a comic of layers that features a mystery at it’s heart but also a cast that meet and interact cleverly throughout. The art has an indie illustrative flair of a type that Avery Hill promotes so well with other creators like Tim Bird. I’ve been reviewing their books for quite a few years. now and this is one of my favourites so far.
(Published by Avery Hill.)
Many thanks for reading. Next up..... Conventions.
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