by Scott Tilson
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Bryan Talbot isn't exactly the most prolific author & artist. His reckless disregard for Sturgeon's Law may have something to
do with that. Best known for The Adventures of Luther Arkwright and The Tale Of One Bad Rat, with Heart of Empire he has
added another outstanding book to his select body of work.
Set in the same alternate reality as Luther Arkwright, it stands on its own, looking at that world a generation later. In this reality
the British empire never fell. Society is a strange mix of contemporary and quaint, and all too sadly of Dickensian haves and have-nots. Those
who lust for power rarely share it. And this Britain's reigning Queen revels in it, even more fearsome for the extraordinary powers she
is one of very few to personally possess, used to brutal decadent indulgence. Nations are warred upon and held hostage, rebellion boils to the
breaking, and there are others who lust to rule.
Caught up in it all is the heir to the throne, Princess Victoria, who suffers increasing unexplainable headaches, feels out of place
and alone, that there's something wrong with the world, even thought it's the only one she's ever known.
You'd think resolving that was enough. No. As the conflicts bear fruit, the scope turns out to be more than merely the
rise and fall of nations.
Heart of Empire is layered, vulgar, intelligent, grisly, and stands as arguably Bryan Talbot's best effort to
date. The confidence of the clear detailed visual storytelling and the complexity of the story leaves the reader simultaneously
shocked and satisfied.
More info and related links at Bryan Talbot's page.
Being an evil wizard isn't all blood wine and barbed roses. It takes a real knack to be a plague upon the land, you
know. Author Kurt Busiek and artist David Wenzel introduce us to the realm of Ever-Night, in no short supply of sorcerous
scourges, casting the land into constant darkness and misery.
The hero -- or is that villain? -- of the piece is the latest of a long line of horrible personages, the terrifying Bafflerog Rumplewhisker! Or,
at least, he tries to be. He put his best efforts to bring gloom and destruction to his little corner of Ever-Night, the village of
Grumbling-By-The-Sea. It's just that, well, he's not very good at being evil. His spells never turn out right... for
him, that is.
The final straw is a torrential thunder storm spell that produces a brief summer rain, not to mention a joyous rainbow for the villagers
below. In punishment he is charged by the Darksome Council with finding the stolen Book of Worse. Or else.
Busiek's informed and fluid script and Wenzel's rich expressive painting make the bumbling do-badder Bafflerog instantly
sympathetic, making it hard to resist cheering him on even when he desperately wants to just fit in and have the worst of
intentions. The Wizard's Tale is unfailingly charming and involving. Preview some art at David Wenzel's site.
Here are some suggestions from Brenda W. Clough:
Previews recent issues: Official sites: Fan sites: Brenda W. Clough is the author of several critically acclaimed novels, including How Like A God and Doors of Death and Life.
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In over two decades of reading science fiction & fantasy, prose or sequential art form, Scott has come to see there's an inversion of Sturgeon's Law: ten percent of everything is at least good or better. He is also a regular panelist at Canada's largest SF convention. Will Eisner is the creator of Spirit and one of the founders of the original graphic novel form. He called comics "The Sequential Art" and it is to him this column is dedicated. |
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