Books: A BLAISE OF COMIC GLORY: KERPOW.Byline: LORNE JACKSON ONE thing I can't stand is clueless clue·less adj. Lacking understanding or knowledge. clueless Adjective Slang helpless or stupid Adj. 1. geeks desperately trying to dignify dig·ni·fy tr.v. dig·ni·fied, dig·ni·fy·ing, dig·ni·fies 1. To confer dignity or honor on; give distinction to: dignified him with a title. 2. their comic book comic book Bound collection of comic strips, usually in chronological sequence, typically telling a single story or a series of different stories. The first true comic books were marketed in 1933 as giveaway advertising premiums. obsession by comparing every publication in the field to great works of literature. You know the type: ``Wow! I loved Watchmen. Reminded me of that classic 20th century novel, Ulysess, by James Joyce.'' Yeah, right - only with brightly coloured pictures of men in capes and tights. Now I've got that off my chest we can get on with the reviews. First up: Seaguy by Grant Morrison and Cameron Stewart Cameron Stewart is an Eisner Award-nominated Canadian comic artist who has worked for DC, Marvel, and Dark Horse. Biography Along with Kagan McLeod, Ben Shannon, Steven Murray, and Chip Zdarsky, he is a co-founder of the studio The Royal Academy of Illustration and (Titan Books, pounds 8.99). Wow! This crazy fantasy reminded me of that classic 20th century novel, The Third Policeman, by Flann O'Brien. Sorry, folks, couldn't resist. But this time I think comparisons are justified. O'Brien's legendary work was a mad mix of surreal events, with a twist ending which brought everything into horrific perspective. Writer, Grant Morrison pulls off a similar trick with Seaguy, set in an Alice In Wonderland type of world, populated by talking tuna fish and bearded women. Seaguy - an old fashioned superhero-type - floats through this dream landscape with a dazed grin. However, soon he's involved in a dangerous adventure, andrealises his world is not as cartoon-cute as he once believed. Morrison can sometimes be accused of sloppy surrealism. His anything-goes attitude is often an excuse to ignore character development and structured plots. But Seaguy sees him in top form, ably abetted by Cameron Stewart's childlike illustrations. If you prefer more traditional cartooning, Modesty Blaise is your gal. Modesty was the heroine who starred in a classic British strip from the 60s. Bad Suki (Peter O'Donnell & Jim Holdaway, Titan, pounds 10.99) is the latest compilation of her adventures, in which she tracks down drug dealers. There's nothing modest about modesty - a killer chick with killer kicks, she even makes Bond look bland. The artwork, by JIm Holdaway, is clean, sharp, angular... and sexy. Modesty never looks less than luscious in slinky slink·y adj. slink·i·er, slink·i·est 1. Stealthy, furtive, and sneaking. 2. Informal Graceful, sinuous, and sleek: wore a slinky outfit to the party. , figure hugging jump suits. (Any movie version of this classic comic would HAVE to star Angelina Jolie.) Peter O'Donnell - one of the last of the great pulp writers - wrote the original Modesty Blaise, and also provides scripts for these elegant comics. Each one is never less than literate and always action packed. Hopefully these new editions will find a whole new market for Modesty |
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