Hexagon Comics: Ivan Karine, The Original Captain Ukraine

 

squarebound trade paperback, 

64 p. 

b&w
ISBN-13: 978-1-64932-462-7. US$12.95

https://www.hexagoncomics.com/shop-ivan-karine-the-original-captain-ukraine.html

IVAN KARINE, THE ORIGINAL CAPTAIN UKRAINE CLASSIC

 THE DEMONS OF AZOV

- YEGOR BORKINE

Art by Vincenzo Chiomenti

cover by Alfredo Macall

With this special issue, we commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the character of Ivan Karine, which first appeared in the pages of Rodeo No. 138 in February 1963, under the pen of the great Italian artist Vincenzo “Enzo” Chiomenti.

Those ignorant or gullible enough to believe the current Russian propaganda to the effect that Ukraine was merely an administrative division of Russia, and not a people in its own tight, with its own culture and tradition, should reflect upon the fact that 62 years ago, between drawing two western series, a great Italian artist felt sufficiently inspired by the great Ukrainian people to devote an entire series to the adventures of their heroes.

Ivan Karine takes place in 17th century Ukraine and Russia, two vast lands populated by Russians, Tartars, Poles, Ukrainians, Jews, Turks, Romani and Cossacks, all ruled by the Tsars. It is in this exotic setting that its hero, Kochevoy (Captain) Ivan Karine, a Zaporozhian Cossack, seeks to uphold justice and protect the proverbial widows and orphans. Ivan also operates as a secret agent for Tsar Peter the Great (1672-1725). Ably assisted by the gigantic Cossack Piotr Mironov, and the young and ingenious Pavlo Gavrile, he undertakes mission after mission, each one more dangerous than the last, in the service of good.

Now travel back in time to the turbulent 17th century and let’s enjoy the adventures of the first, the original Captain Ukraine

Someone told me they would not buy the Captain Ukraine comic because of the current "problems" in that region. I asked whether he had actually looked the book up online to see what it was about? He had not.  So I explained and even sent a couple of scanned pages to show him.

Folks, this a good old fashioned historical adventure comic and that should be enough. There's a nice cover and inside you can see  Macall's pencil illo it is based on -that is some fine pencil work.  Vincenzo Chiomenti's art is nicely done and is the kind of style you might find in British or some European comics of the silver age when black and white ruled supreme.

Chiomenti's stories are fun and full of action and some readers not familiar with European history might be surprised by the Tartars and Turks and their involvement in the region. Did I just make this sound like a dull history book??  It is not.  I love the big trap that opens up and sends the enemy into the moat. It's more a cross between the movie Taras Bulba and the TV serial The Flashing Blade (but without the groovy theme song).

Nice informative intro and a text feature on Chiomenti and, something I really like to see, a photo of the man himself.

Lovely fun read.

Please remember if you can order direct from Hexagon.