Cinebook: BUCK DANNY CLASSICS 2 - DUEL IN MIG ALLEY

 

Authors: Frédéric Zumbiehl; illustrated by Jean-Michal Arroyo

Age: 10 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages:  48 colour pages
Publication: November 2022     

ISBN: 9781800440838

£7.99 incl VAT

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/buck-danny-classics-2-duel-in-mig-alley-p-4500.html

Soviet spies are running amok. On top of a series of acts of sabotage, they’ve also managed to provide their side with the plans for Buck’s major operation. But for the commander of the newly arrived veteran Soviet squadron, Colonel Korsakov, ambushing outclassed American jets isn’t enough, no matter how successful. What he must do is defeat Buck Danny himself … in a duel! Even if that means cheating to ensure a victory vital to maintain troop morale  … 

Oh boy.

Not just action in the air enough to make you giddy but plenty of ground based action not to mention spies and intrigue all the way. Great story with twists and incredible art and, of course, colour work that makes this Buck Danny Classic series probably one of the best from Cinebook.

I think we all know where I stand on this and I do recommend this highly for war comic fans and people who love seeing great art involving vintage aircraft!  The cover blurb says it all so fasten your seatbelts and grab your joy-sticks (oo-er)!

There is a great Wikipedia entry on Buck Danny and as always -check Cinebook's site for previous Buck Danny books https://www.cinebook.co.uk/buck-danny-c-143_362_158.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck_Danny

Cinebook: THE BLUECOATS 16 - SALLIE

 

Authors: Lambil & Cauvin

Age: 8 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
Publication: January 2023

£7.99 Incl VAT

ISBN: 9781800440890

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/the-bluecoats-16-sallie-p-4503.html

A quiet day in the Union Army … Soldiers are resting, Blutch and Chesterfield are arguing, and the generals are plotting strategy. Things change suddenly with the arrival of a new regiment, sent as reinforcements to counter the imminent arrival of the Confederates. With them is a young dog, Sallie, who’s been on every battlefield with her uniformed masters, and who takes an immediate liking to Chesterfield, to the point that she accompanies him on a dangerous scouting mission …

Aww. That ending. Brings a tear to the eye (lot of dust in the room I guess). The Bluecoats have become a firm favourite over the years because it is far from a straight out funny book as it shows the serious side of the American Civil War and there are lots of lovely details..

If this one don't make you choke up at the end...you are dead inside!!

Cinebook: BUCK DANNY CLASSICS 1 - SABRES OVER KOREA

 

Authors: Frédéric Zumbiehl; illustrated by Jean-Michal Arroyo

Age: 10 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages:  48 colour pages
Publication: November 2022     

ISBN: 9781800440821

£7.99 incl VAT

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/buck-danny-classics-1-sabres-over-korea-p-4499.html

War has engulfed Korea, where the great powers are fighting to ensure the domination of their ideology. With the introduction of the superb MiG-15, the North Koreans and Chinese are on the verge of gaining air supremacy. Even American jets can only compete because of the superior training of their pilots. With the threat of veteran Soviet pilots tipping the balance, Buck is tasked with testing a new, far more formidable version of the F-86 Sabre in combat conditions. But saboteurs lurk  … 

I have been waiting for this for a loooong time. These are the stories I read in German when I was younger (along with Dan Cooper adventures). The story is great but the art can astonish at times -but then the series is known for accuracy in depicting not just military procedures (Danny never rose above rank of Colonel as that would stop his being a combat flier) and uniforms but also the vehicles and, of course, the aircraft.

If you watch any old Korean War movie or even had the opportunity to watch the old aircraft like MiGs or Sabres then you have seen how they could move and you have to remember that these were aircraft "flown by stick" -there were no onboard computers or other high-tech gadgets. Just a man sat inside an aircraft and those fliers were the best, hence many becoming test pilots and later astronauts.

The colour work helps push this story along though I will admit that a lot of the time I was just stopping to look at the aircraft more!

Do I recommend this book? Hmmm. Lemme see.....YES! And the menace value at the end of the book is worth waiting for!

Cinebook: BEREZINA BOOK 3/3

 

Authors: Frédéric Richaud, based on the novel by Patrick Rambaud; illustrated by Ivan Gil

Age: 15 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 72 colour pages
Publication: January 2023

£10.99 Incl VAT

ISBN: 9781800440906

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/berezina-book-33-p-4504.html

The terrible Russian winter has engulfed the retreat, and the Grande Armée is no more. Mercilessly harassed by the fierce Cossacks, a few thousand men only continue to trudge forward, weak, starving, emaciated, leaving a trail of frozen dead behind. And as Russian regular forces prepare to surround and trap them, the weather suddenly turns warmer, making rivers impassable. To escape, they will have to somehow cross a river whose name would soon become synonymous with tragedy: the Berezina … 

The previous two volumes were reviewed here:

Book 1

https://hoopercomicart.blogspot.com/2022/05/cinebook-ltd-berezina-book-13.html

Book 2

https://hoopercomicart.blogspot.com/2022/12/cinebook-9th-art-berezina-book-2-of-3.html

Most people thinking of the Napoleonic War tend to think of the huge set piece battles such as Waterloo. In fact there were many smaller battles and engagements -"skirmishes" not grand enough to include in the big history books. I think that this series has shown this well.

There are plenty of small set pieces featuring the characters and this is not just a war comic with pretty uniforms. It shows the hard marches and the toll those take as well as the effect on the men and just how low war and starvation can take people -cannibalism. Meanwhile Bonaparte still seems to cling to the mad hope of rallying forces. 

The final page is quite poignant.

If you want to learn more then there is a brief text feature that adds to the work. The series is highly recommended.

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Cinebook: YAKARI 20 - THE CLOUD MAKER

 

Authors: Derib & Job

Age: 6 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
Publication: November 2022

£7.99 incl VAT

ISBN: 9781800440746

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/yakari-20-the-cloud-maker-p-4498.html

After a long rainy spell, large stretches of the prairie are flooded, much to the displeasure of most of its inhabitants. Yakari visits his friends to make sure everyone is all right, then falls asleep that night and dreams of clouds mysteriously coming out of the water. The young Sioux’s dreams are not always completely random, though, and the next day he rides out in search of signs. What he will find will soon unite all his friends in a desperate rescue mission …

There are some very nice touches in this book. The threat of rising flood water and the risk to animals as well as humans is something that gives Yakari some bad dreams. As he does his patrol he comes across a newcomer -a whale and then the fun starts -until things turn into a race to save the whale!

This is a fun read for kids but also a valuable lesson in wildlife and the environment and not done with concrete boots. 

Cinebook: LUCKY LUKE 82 - RIN TIN CAN'S ARK

 Authors: Jul; illustrated by Achdé

Age: 8 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
Publication: Dcember 2022

£7.99 Incl VAT

ISBN: 9781800440845

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/lucky-luke-82-rin-tin-cans-ark-p-4502.html

Arriving in Cattle Gulch, Lucky Luke runs into an unexpected scene: an apparent crackpot called Ovid Byrde is about to get lynched. The man’s revolutionary opinions – animal welfare and the sanctity of life – aren’t particularly well-received in this town full of ranchers and cowboys! After Luke intervenes, though, the locals simply ignore Byrde … until he suddenly finds gold, and a pack of unscrupulous bandits take advantage of the poor idealist to establish a vegetarian dictatorship!

There were the two serious takes on Lucky Luke but something seemed off about the volume numbering here....apparently I never saw 79 so that explains why something was niggling my mind! The problem was, after my recent "brain fog" I was positive Lucky Luke was past 100😂

Not complaining as 82 is still a great run.

You know the routine by now -gags, gunplay and lots of visual humour. I like the way that colours are used every so often to great effect -a figure wholly yellow with a red panel background or even orange figure with a white or yellow background. Page 18 has a very dramatic and effective silhouette on white. I notice these things.

Also a nice brief bio of Henry Bergh (1813-1888) the founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,

A serious message but a great deal of fun an d gags -a good one about having to wait 150 years before they dish up vegetarian meals in schools made me laugh. recommended as always.

I'm Still Alive?

 After being very ill for 16 days I am finally getting back to a semblance of normality. Mind you I did tell that to myself 10 days ago and things went bad!  

No, NOT covid either. We'll see how it goes. Well, I will since no one has ever had any interest in the past😝

Kult Creations - HELGA FRANKENSTEIN: BOOK IV HERE BE MONSTERS

  

W: John A. Short

A: Gabrielle Noble

44pp

Full colour

US comic size

£7.00 UK -see link below for offers etc

https://helgafrankenstein.blogspot.com/

The fourth self-contained comic strip book adventure of HELGA FRANKENSTEIN is out now! 

PLUS... The four issue set is also available to buy just incase you need the full story! Also to your right! 

This time in the lost European land of Golgothica... Someone recognises where Helga's face has been stolen from and they aren't happy! This time Helga finds herself up against, witches, trolls and cursed werewolves in a fight for her life... and love! 

For me this series is a comic book version of Tudor Gates' The Karnstein Trilogy for Hammer Horror (The Vampire Lovers, Lust for a Vampire and The Twins of Evil). You never expect a new Helga Frankenstein book -it just turns up to delight you with a new plot twist. 

In this instance, after a rooftop chase and escape, part of Helga is recognised by...uh..that "parts" former father. That leads to the father asking some awkward questions of a witch and once he has the answer things take a turn for the worst for Helga.  Question: if you are made up of various previously un-associated body parts can things really get worse?

 

The answer is, of course: yes. Helga's (or part of her) love interest is involved and, yes, I know how "yucky that can sound but you can blame John Short as well as your own dirty mind. My mind is pure😝

And do not think for one minute that if Helga finds a solution to the current threat that everything will be wonderful.  Remember the father (see, not as bad as when you have to write "the mother" -Americans have totally ruined the innocence of that word for us) well he decides that keeping his hands clean (remember this is set well before social distancing and personal hygiene so it never mattered 😒) is not going to be an option. So I am guessing there may be a fifth Helga Frankenstein in the works?

The story and script are just dandy as you might expect with Short. Also there is a growing cast so that keeps things rolling along smoothly.

The art? Well, any excuse to see more good Noble art in full colour is good enough for me. Design and layout as well as the colour work is excellent. For me if I enjoy it then it is more than acceptable and I know there are a lot of people out there following Noble's artwork and that type of encouragement means a lot to a creator.

Obviously a book I recommend.

As mentioned, this is the fourth book in the series and if you want to buy all four then visit the link above and treat yourself!

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Hexagon Comics - KABUR #4: RETURN TO THULE

Stories by Jean-Marc Lofficier; ; cover by Manuel Martin Peniche.

7x10 squarebound comic, 

84 pages 

b&w
ISBN-13: 9778-1-64932-152-7. 

US$12.95

https://www.hexagoncomics.com/shop-kabur-4-return-to-thule.html

18 . THE TOWER OF VOLODYANE art by Manuel Martin Peniche (Dialogues by J.-M. Lainé)
19. THE WRATH OF KIMERA art by Manuel Martin Peniche
20. RETURN TO THULE art by Manuel Martin Peniche,  Juan Roncagliolo Berger

AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MURKY SEA art by Marta Bonfil

THE FOUNTAIN story & art by Angelo Sierra de La Mar


One hundred million years before the world we know, the continent of Hyperborea existed. Kabur, the rebellious young prince of Ultima Thulé and his companion, the beautiful ex-slave girl Lagrid, thrived there.
 
After defeating an evil doppelganger, Kabur must now return to the city of his birth from which he was banished by his father, the King. The journey, however, is long and fraught with many perils!
 
In this collection of three new episodes, Kabur will successively encounter the diabolical wizard Volodyne, his childhood love, Princess Kimera, before finally returning to the court of Thulé and reconciling with his father.
 
Stories by Jean-Marc Lofficier, illustrated by Manuel Martin Peniche and Juan Roncagliolo Berger.

Okay, 100 million years ago? Well new evidence says there were unknown hominids using tools 450,000-550,000 years ago so who's gonna argue?  And before we get into human ancestry...the book itself!

Barbarians (sort of) plus an evil wizard I mean if that was not here you might question things, right?  Deception! Treachery! Fighting! Oh, and even a mermaid so all bases covered.  That cover alone must make a comic reader want to look inside, surely? Okay...if I mentioned there was also a giant spider5?

Damn. You are a tough audience!

This is a fun read and all nice artwork as well as a good 84 pages to read and I do know there is a large Barbarian comics sub-culture out there so if that's what you are into here is a book for you -and back issues too....

https://hoopercomicart.blogspot.com/2011/06/enter-kabur.html

https://hoopercomicart.blogspot.com/2021/04/hexagon-comics-kabur-2-kabur-zembla.html

https://hoopercomicart.blogspot.com/2022/03/hexagon-comics-kabur-3-zothaqa.html

Are you man (or woman) enough to delve into the world of 100 Million years ago? You are? Good -there are books here to buy. Buy.

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Hexagon Comics - WAMPUS #3: THE END TIMES

 WAMPUS #3: THE END TIMES

Stories by Jean-Marc Lofficier; art by Luciano Bernasconi; cover by Ladrönn.
7x10 squarebound trade paperback, 

170 pp. 

b&w
ISBN-13: 978-1-64932-153-4. US$15.95

https://www.hexagoncomics.com/shop-wampus-3-the-end-times.html

Contents:
- Foreword by J.-M. Lofficier
8. THE SACRAMENTOF EVIL
9. ENTER: DRAGUT
10. THE FALL OF CAMELOT
11. THE MARK OF ROME
12. THE POWER OF KABUR 
13 & 14. THE END TIMES

EPILOG: DRAGUT. art & dialogues by Jean-Marc Lainé

EPILOG: GALLIX. story by Nathan Legendre; art by Marco Lataste

Annotations by Jean-Marc Lofficier


Wampus was the herald of a second generation of comic heroes and magazines launched by Editions Lug in 1969, which eventually led to Jaleb, Homicron, the Time Brigade, Kabur, Jeff Sullivan and many more.

Wampus is a shape-shifting monster sent to Earth by an evil cosmic power called The Great Mind to sow havoc and destruction. He can change into any form by merely touching water, and revert to type by coming into contact with fire. His only adversary seems to be a French ex-secret agent named Jean Sten, whom, in typical Invaders tradition, no one believes.

In this third and final issue, Wampus travels to the ends of time for his final duel with Jean Sten, which will decide once and for all the fate of the Earth. Guest-stars: Kabur, Gallix, C.L.A.S.H., the Time Brigade and more.

Six thrilling stories by Jean-Marc Lofficier, illustrated by Luciano Bernasconi, plus two extra bonus stories.

"Wow!" was my reaction. Wampus and his evil plans spanning thousands of years and the number of characters involved and locations from London, Paris and the Vatican....

I first saw images of Wampus... eek -40 years ago (I refuse to believe that it was any further back) and the look of the character was , to me, amazing but I could never find out anything in English and my French is basically "Parlez vous a cuppa?" and I learnt that from one of the PG Tips chimpanzees. Then the internet came along and one of the good things I found was Cool French Comics -I think it was last updated in 2013 but it is still there and contains a lot of info on old French characters -pulp and comic. And there was Wampus.

And that was it; I was hooked even more and seeing the actual books (plus a Nexus v Wampus strip from Image Comics). My reviews are linked below.

I think the first Wampus book from 2014 us book 1 as I cannot find anything other than that reviewed on CBO or on my shelf:

https://hoopercomicart.blogspot.com/2014/03/wampus-french-classic.html

Wampus 2 Doomsday March

https://hoopercomicart.blogspot.com/2022/03/hexagon-comics-wampus-02-doomsday-march.html

This book is a classic and the character interactions and plot are wonderful -as is that final warning. I will put it to you this way: I just read Marvel Avengers #66 and as a lifelong Avengers fan I can tell you it is a mess. Art and story -a mess. This Wampus book outshines the Avengers and, let's face it -Hexagon has been outshining Marvel titles and the other factor is that the characters are not rebooted rebooted to a point where you do not care; you are with the heroes all the way.

As I always write: try something from Hexagon and if I had to recommend a book -this is it.

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Hexagon Comics: KIT KAPPA #1

Story by Michele Gazzarri; art by Luciano Bernasconi; cover by Alfredo Macall.

7x10 square bound trade paperback, 

80 p. 

b&w
ISBN-13: 978-1-64932-174-9. 

US$12.95.

https://www.hexagoncomics.com/shop-kit-kappa-1.html

Contents:
1. Kit Kappa: The Hidden City

The only survivor of a plane crash over Tibet, young Kit Marson was raised by the Sages of Mohenjo Dar, descendants of Atlantis, living in the secret city of Kappa, hidden deep in a lost Tibetan valley.
 
Upon reaching adulthood, after having mastered the martial arts taught by his teachers, and awakened the power of his third eye, Kit and his friend Tapley are sent into the world outside by the High Lama to fight the renegade Kappan, Darma.
 
Inspired by the wave of martial arts films of the 1970s, Kit Kappa features a wandering master of kung fu in the tradition of Bruce Lee and David Carradine. This popular comics series was created in 1978 by writer Michele Gazzarri and artist Luciano Bernasconi.

Oh yeah. I was there in the Concorde Cinema, Eastville4 chicken calling, chopping and kicking along with Bruce Lee in Enter The Dragon! I was asked to leave for annoying other patrons. Sad story😥

No idea what this has to do with anything but...oh. Kit Kappa. That name just rolls off the tongue like a comic book martial arts sound effect -KIT-KAPP! Some of Bernasconi's best art and Gazzari's story  just about covers all the basics for a 1970s Kung fu hero wandering the world and getting pulled in to right wrongs. Kung fu with a touch of mysticism

And that Macall cover -far superior to the one for Yuma no. 7!

Looking at this book I think it fair to say that this was Bernasconi at his peak and I say that with Wampus The End Times next to me ready to read and I have only quickly peeked inside. I know there are people out there who only collect martial arts comics or who  will grab any comic with kung fu (there are so many fan cliques out there). Well this is one for you good folk!

Hexagon Comics: STRANGERS #9: THE FALL OF ATLANTIS

 Hexagon Comics USA now offers a growing catalog of translations of selected titles from the library of a 70-year-old French comics publisher.

You can order our books from our website at www.hexagoncomics.com or through amazon.

Retailers can purchase the books directly from us at a 40% discount from our website or from distributor Ingram. Contact us at jm@hexagoncomics.com

 

 

7x10 square bound trade paperback, 

88 p. b&w

ISBN-13: 978-1-64932-162-6. 

US$12.95

https://www.hexagoncomics.com/shop-strangers-9-the-fall-of-atlantis.html

Stories by Jean-Marc Lofficier; art & cover by Alfredo Macall. Additional art by Gabriel Mayorga, Manuel Martin Peniche, Juan Roncagliolo Berger.

Will the Towers prove true to their word and release Starlock? 

Will Homicron return in time to help her fellow Strangers? 

Will Atlantis fall as it was preordained? 

All our heroes are on stopping the evil Twilight Lord Kruge from using the all-powerful weapon Kera to rewrite the course of history.

Starlock, Starcyb, Homicron, Tanka, Count Saint-Germain, Dick Demon, Kit Kappa, the Zorr-ko, the Time Brigade and more are fighting a hopeless battle to thwart Kruge’s mad plan. But what if the weapon had its own plans?

Suddenly, it is no longer only the history of Earth which hangs in the balance, but that of the entire universe!

Jean-Marc Lofficier & Alfredo Macall team up again to craft this cataclysmic conclusion to the third “season” of Strangers. Plus two bonus stories: the origins of Starcyb by Manuel Martin Peniche and two agents of CLASH on the planet New Camelot by Juan Roncagliolo Berger.

Just look at that cover! Lovely design and the colours are well balanced and atmospheric -it's almost like a movie poster.  I would love to see more of Gabriel Mayorga's art though I am not complaining when I have Macall's artwork to sweep me though all of this. I am still not sure why Macall's art appeals to me so much but I always tend to smile when I see his work and feel disappointed when he isn't contributing to a book (there are one or two!).

When it came to Juan Roncagliogo Berger's artwork..clean line work, solid black and white and looking gorgeous -at one point it reminded me of the work of the great Romero with an added twist of Alex Raymond. Nothing can be faulted here.

All written and overseen, of course, by Lofficier. Then we have the Starcyb story with plot and art by Peniche. The artwork with its strong use of negatives  (black and white) worked superbly for a story set in space.  That final panel was very effective leaving a lot of questions.

I will freely admit as a life long Marvel Avengers reader that these books are far more entertaining than what Marvel is currently producing and DC has its own problems so if you want good, entertaining comics here is a starter for you. Great comic entertainment does not have to be in full colour and if that is all that is holding you back then you are punishing yourself!  Check out Hexagon's site and look around and something is bound to catch your eye.

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