Sunday, 6 December 2015

The Marquis of Anaon 2 - The Black Virgin


Authors: Vehlmann & Bonhomme
Age: 12 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
Publication: October 2015
 ISBN: 9781849182652
Price: £6.99 inc. VAT

Jean-Baptiste Poulain comes to Auvergne in central France to investigate the deaths of two young women. Both were killed one year apart in the same barbaric, ritual way, their bodies left near the Black Virgin Chapel ... and the day approaches when another victim could turn up. Unfortunately, he’s going to have to struggle against the locals’ superstitions, the hostility of the authorities, and the hatred all seem to direct at the neighbouring gypsies.

I have to say that the art is almost a simplistic style but works very well.  And the superb colouring style, using tones to set the various scenes, by DELF (cover credit, maybe? ) adds a great deal more impact. The story is VERY good.  I'm not sure what I could write without having to add "SPOILER" beforehand.

It all seems to be the work of the Romani, of course....but just what is the priest's secret? Is he a "wrong 'un?" and will our hero survive being lashed to a tree in the freezing Winter with a killer's knife at his throat???

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIEEEEEE!

Sorry. Scared myself a bit there.  Still, didn't wet my pants.

A very enjoyable read and my only gripe is that Colourist, Background Artist or Letterer -ALL need to be credited.  Not doing so is an insult to their work -or just credit everyone on the inside page NOT the cover.






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