Cinebook Ltd

I'll be honest, I'm not too sure what to make of this as it's the first time I've seen the American Civil War treated this way. This is certainly an amusing read and borders on farcical at times, reminding me of Asterix & Obelix in so many ways -but that is probably down to the style of illustration than anything else.

Well, this story doesn't disappoint. The intrigue keeps building as the tale unfolds, but rather than answering all the questions it poses many more, allowing the narrative to unfold in an almost dreamy pace. The artwork is uniformly superb and heightens the atmosphere adding so much character and realism to the story.

But, yet another cliff-hanger!!! This, to me, is the one downside to these graphic novels, they need to be far longer. Just when I've gotten into the story, the chapters over and I have to wait for the next one to be released!

I enjoyed this - Blake & Mortimer seem to be the French Equivalent of Holmes and Watson; but with far friendlier banter and no constant grandstanding from "Holmes". In this episode, their "Moriaty" Olrik escapes and steals a priceless necklace and flaunts this in front of the press threatening to create a very nasty diplomatic incident.

I Really enjoyed these mini-delights.. Each of these stories are extremely funny and really well paced. The artwork is spot on, and the dynamics between the family is so well observed (my favourite character has to be the Grandfather!). In some ways Cedric is a cross between Calvin & Hobbes and Dennis The Menace and manages to carve a niche for himself as he seems to mean well... sometimes, at least. It's also interesting as the other characters have foibles all of their own as well, they don't just act as foils in Cedric's story -as Dennis's family does.

Damn it, I want to know what happens next!!! This is a very well crafted story which poses more questions than it answers and entices the reader in with it's sumptuous, almost dreamily realistic artwork. It's subtle and has taken great pains to introduce the characters rather than bombard the reader with action, action, action - which makes me think this story is going to have far reaching consequences for all characters concerned.

I really enjoyed reading this book and would very much like to read the next instalments.

This took a little of getting into as it's number 6 in the series, and it doesn't offer any kind of backstory -so it's best to start at the first in the series. However, in saying that I'm glad I persevered. The story resonates at a mythic level and has the feeling of an old Larry Buster Crabbe "Flash Gordon" as it's got a charm to it that's difficult to forget. The artwork is quite stylised and really helps move the story along and also manages to handle the more wordy scenes without losing any of the momentum -which is really hard to do!

This has a style that is so reminiscent to me of Tin Tin. The story is like something of an old 1940's time capsule - it has a charm all of it's own. With gentlemen spies and attempts at world domination through the weather; Arch villains who explain their master-plans just in time for the hero to save the day after figuring out the all-important-clue.

Lucky Luke, Morris and Goscinny's answer to the "wild" west - a funny look at "Billy The Kid" and at the laid-back and supremely confident "Lucky Luke". Nothing ruffles his feathers - attacked by Indians or being held at gunpoint, knifepoint or even having to escort the worst criminal in the history of the West, the aforementioned "Kid". This a funny story, filled with Goscinny's trade mark wit and caricatures, and if you loved Asterix The Gaul then you'll love this!

The Hour Of The Tiger is a different take on comics - a more euro-centric approach to the story. Based on a series of novels written in 1970's Belgium the story follows Largo Winch as he fights to keep hold of his company Group W. The plot normally revolves around espionage, double dealings and a fair amount of daring do, and involves two "albums" (collected editions) - one in which Largo gets put in an impossible situation and the other where he is able to escape or triumph over the adversity. ..read more

From the same chap that brought us the wonderful Asterix the Gaul, and Lucky Luke - Rene Goscinny brings us Grand Viser Iznogoud whose one main aim is to become Caliph any way he can. As you'd expect from the man who gave us such names as Vitalstatistix and Cacaophonix the Bard, word play is rife in these stories, with many in-jokes and visual puns. This is a collection of vignettes as Iznogoud hatches plan after plan -all of which fail miserably (and comedically). If you like Asterix then you will enjoy these.