Benny Breakiron 1

 

Benny1-COVWritten and illustrated by Peyo (aka Pierre Culliford)
Backgrounds by Will (aka Willy Maltaite)
Translation by Joe Johnson
Design and production by Adam Grano
Lettering by Janice Chiang
Associate Editing by Michael Petranek
Editing in chieferizing by Jim Salicrup
Published by Papercutz

the three cents.
Originally published in the early 1960s, Benny Breakiron presents the story of a young French boy who is well-mannered and studious, yet has problems with making friends, especially those his own age, because he hides a stunning secret…he is incredibly strong! This is actually a very inventive premise, with the boy’s awkwardness placing him in situations where his great strength proves more of a hindrance than a blessing. Despite his abilities to outleap anybody and to outrun anybody and lungs that would make any and every chain-smoker envious, things tend to break when he gets close, from toys to cleaning implements to vehicles to entire street corners. He means well though, always, which is where the real charm of the story comes to light.

I freely and miserably confess to not really being familiar with Peyo’s work. I never read any of his comic strips before, to be frank, although as was befitting my age group if something was animated at any point in the 1980s I saw all of it. So I’m no stranger to the Smurfs. This is a very different premise however, quick and constant in pace with a plot that leads Benny through a grand series of connected adventures. In this graphic novella-sized volume, his old cabbie friend is being pushed out of business by a new agency of taxi-cabs, with big thuggish drivers and a boss who, despite establishing a friendship with the local police chief does not seem like much of a nice guy by any definition. Benny’s friend learns a little too much about his new competitors, thereby prompting pages and pages of almost Hergé-levels of excitement that even take Benny and his pal rather far outside of their French town. All the while, Benny, who in spite of his powers is not exactly the cape-wearing sort, maintains his child-like grasp of right and wrong, proving as endearing and timely as it does just a fun and fun storytelling device.

The artwork is very stylized, with brushy sharpness and jagged dimensions, and loaded with copious detail. It is very easy on the eyes, with imaginative forms and figures that retain consistency throughout.There is a pretty broad range of settings in the story, and all are presented with much colour and zest. I never encountered Peyo’s work before, but that wasn’t necessarily by choice. I see now just how robbed I was by fate. Chiang’s lettering is complete aces here, giving what looks to be a hand-lettered approach that may well be her staying stylistically comparable to the untranslated original fonts. It is gorgeous work, very nonabrasive and to the point as gently as possible.

The second volume is already on the way, and I look forward to it. This is a really great package, of a super-strong boy in a light-hearted adventure engaging a world that seems oblivious to all of the above. As with the finest cartoonists, there are a few subtle jabs by way of loosely buried social commentary, but this would really be a good read for just about any age-group. Considering the source material is roughly 50 years old now, that’s really saying something, saying something as loudly as the most accomplished drawings possibly can.

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Midwifed by nilskidoo - 11/05/13 - 0 comments

Ernest & Rebecca 4

 

Ernest4-COVWritten by Guillaume Bianco
Illustrated by Antonello Dalena
Colours by Cecilia Giumento with Florent Bonnin
Original design by Jean-Luc Deglin
Translation by Joe Johnson
Letters by Janice Chiang
Associate Editing by Michael Petranek
Editing in chieferizing by Jim Salicrup
Published by Papercutz

the three cents.
In this adorable and mildly heart-wrenching graphic novella, six and a half year young Rebecca continues her summer vacation with an eventful visit to her dad’s new home by the sea. The change of environment proves a fun escape for the girl, as the shock of her parents undergoing divorce still settles in, but while her best microbe pal Ernest is growing upset by her independence and her big sister Coralie is suffering preteen melodrama of her own, the rambunctious and colorful heroine is still able to stumble into wacky adventures and profound life lessons regardless. This comic book is genuinely enchanting AND it teaches some great fishing tips, among many other things.

Bianco’s writing is so gloriously casual and heart-felt, capturing the imaginative narrative of a child in ways that older readers can identify with and enjoy, and all while not writing down to anybody. His humor is very sweet, and the drama of the plot is surprisingly realistic, as Rebecca and her family playfully survive a rather large turning point in their lives. The unexpected return of an old friend was an extra treat in particular, but the meat and potatoes of this girl relating to her family and friends while learning about the world, and yet still being as impatient and gross and silly and hyperactive as any kid is, like I said, profound storytelling.

Dalena’s artwork is very precise and evocative as well, giving a fun and animated air while never going over the top stylistically. The consistent but angled exaggerations of the linework contribute additional youthful energy to the story, and the brilliant colouring from Giumento and Bonnin is jaw-dropping gorgeous- so lush and full of life. I understand several of these creators have before worked on Disney properties in the past, but I cannot think of any Disney product that comes remotely close to capturing such inoffensively candid earnestness in gentle ways that convey these at times mature themes so effectively well. This really is a comic for everyone, and the virtuosity of the artisans involved is mesmerizing and strangely comforting, presenting a bright tale free of pop culture references but filled heartily with honest, age-old morals.

Ernest & Rebecca: The Land of Walking Stones is a wonderful chapter in a wonderful series, and I unashamedly await the next. If you don’t get it then you’re not reading it, and if such is indeed the case then your life is really missing out on some truly special comic bookery. (And the photo in Salicrup’s editorial involving tentacles is icing on the cake for those missing the good times of an egoless but strong editorial presence- Papercutz rocks!)

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Midwifed by nilskidoo - 26/03/13 - 0 comments

Annoying Orange 1

 

AnnoyingOrange1-COVCreated by Dane Boedigheimer
Written and illustrated by Mike Kazaleh and Scott Shaw!
Letters by Tom Orzechowski and Janice Chiang
Colours by Laurie E. Smith and JayJay Jackson
Associate Editing by Michael Petranek
Editing in chieferizing by Jim Salicrup
Cover by Scott Shaw! (with JayJay Jackson)
Published by Papercutz

the three cents.

This is rich. I literally laughed coffee all over my shirt in reading this debut novella that boldly takes back fruits and veggies from the dubious Veggie Tales crowd. In these trying times of economic depravity and haphazard politics, it is a royal treat to be bombarded Gatling-style by the worst puns ever. Annoying Orange is blessed release.

Filled with a ton of shorter strips from legendary Kazaleh, and a longer Bond-ish tale from legendary Shaw!, we meet the zany cast of stock of fruity gold that was birthed from the youtube serial onto an animated series (which Kazaleh and Shaw! are both involved in, thankfully). Orange is indeed annoying, and the rest of his friends, lovers and enemies are every bit as colorful, without ever once crossing into offensible territory. There are so many out of this world one-liners you will be compelled to believe that Kazaleh and Shaw! are respectfully, in actuality, large studios of foreign artists working around the clock in shifts, hundreds of artisans quietly sipping a nice Brandy while typing and doodling away in creative slavery. Marshmallow and Grandpa Lemon are scene-stealers though, so be forewarned! Yay!

The art is very breezy, very clever. It has an animated look, but the stronger comedy prevails in the plot and silly silly scripts. Shaw! and Kazaleh both are such masters at what they do, they can go all chameleon in the blink of an eye in the ease with which they readily portray so many distinct but brushy styles. These characters are primarily not human, but the range of expressive actions given them is awe-inspiring. The virtuoso lettering, the ace colouring, all of the book is just fun perfection.

And the best part? Like the Simpsons, there honestly is something here for everyone. Even meat-eaters.

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Midwifed by nilskidoo - 17/12/12 - 0 comments

Sybil the Backpack Fairy 3

 

Written by Michel Rodrigue
Illustrated by Antonello Dalena and Manuela Razzi
Coloured by Cecilia Giumento
Translation by Joe Johnson
Letters by Janice Chiang
Production by Julie Sartain
Associate Editing by Michael Petranek
Editing in chieferizing by Jim Salicrup
Published by Papercutz

the three cents.

This latest volume to the series of graphic novellas has young Nina wrestling with keeping her personal fairy Sybil a secret from her family and friends, while King Oberon and Queen Titiana need her help to save…everything. It’s a jumbo-sized fantasy adventure and a coming of age story all in one, as the forces of light and forces of dark unfold over a family drama. Really well done and smartly executed, though best suited for the more imaginative preteen readers out there.

Rodrigue’s story covers a ton of ground, as Nina and her backpack fairy go off with her classmates for a week of horseback riding. But family secrets come forth just as Nina must accept her role in the greater scheme of things. Lots of colorful characters and imaginative scenarios, almost like a Harry Potter setup for younger, primarily (but not exclusively!) female comic fans. While there are many a cute moment therein, the level of drama does keep things grounded, and Rodrigue’s approach to some Shakespearean names is fine and more than adequate. The level of answers given and plot threads tied off in this book are impressively done though, and make for a fine jumping on point for anybody interested in a fun story. These issues are generally self-contained, although there is noticeable continuity, and handled light enough so as to not confuse the young or anyone with a short attention span in general. And really, the payoff at the end is totally worth the huge buildup of this story, and even of earlier issues. Rodrigue clearly has a tremendous imagination, but just as easily writes some rather touching stuff.

Dalena and Giumento handle the art for the Ernest and Rebecca books too, but their work here is a very different style, shades more realistic though every bit as fun and energetic. With Razzi they offer strong panels that serve as windows into this small world where very big things happen. This story obviously calls for a lot from the visual storytellers, and they conduct their efforts stylishly and with tons of flavor. Chiang as well…her recent work for Papercutz has been some of the best of her long career, like the woman is finally able to really cut loose after too many superhero comics. I think there were still some awkward moments to Johnson’s translations here which may have affected the balloon flow, but again this is a large story with many neat factors to it, and the end product is an excellent package.

Like with much of Papercutz’s output, don’t be so quick to presume that this is kiddie fare. The many colorful personas of good and evil in this book alone are stunningly well above and beyond what passes for inventiveness at the big two publishers these days. This is a great work of fiction brought faithfully to the English-speaking market, full of originality and with very human characters in spite of the mythological make believe of the story. Your intelligence will assuredly not be insulted.

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Midwifed by nilskidoo - 29/11/12 - 0 comments

Ernest & Rebecca 3

 

Written by Guillaume Bianco
Illustrated by Antonello Dalena
Colours by Cecilia Giumento
Original design by Jean-Luc Deglin
Translation by Joe Johnson
Letters by Janice Chiang
Associate Editing by Michael Petranek
Editing in chieferizing by Jim Salicrup
Published by Papercutz

the three cents.

This volume from the French graphic novel series, wonderfully translated and packaged by Papercutz, may actually be an example of the “all-ages” label being a bit misleading. This story of a young girl and her microbe friend on vacation in the country to visit her grandparents while her parents sort out a divorce is actually leagues more intelligent, more stylish, and more intuitive than anything featuring Wolverine or Batman. The contents may well have something for almost everyone, but I’d say the sharper among the pre-teen audience might be the youngest audience appropriate, as much of the plot points and dialogue would appeal more to older readers, I think. Maybe French kids are just smarter. Regardless, while Batman and Wolverine get the hype, Ernest & Rebecca: Grandpa Bug is the true work of wonder.

Bianco writes a very thoughtful tale, with Rebecca and her big sis Coralie gradually finding a kind of peace that the high-speed modern world could rarely process. While Coralie is angst ridden over the temporary separation from her boyfriend, Rebecca learns how to deal with the actual separation of her parents through the aid of her stoic but nurturing Granny Doodle and her colorfully energetic Grandpa Bug, as well as the other new faces she meets in this place so far from home. Bianco’s ability to put problems of any sort into perspective is enchanting, and his dialogue especially between the adolescent Rebecca and her elders is incredibly imaginative. The old world common sense factor is so well-played that the reader is fully tempted to take a time out themselves and soak their feet in a quiet pond while catching up on some cloud-gazing. It’s a dramatic tale, but low-key and with just enough comedic elements to keep the premise from going too far in either the full-on cartoony or overly sympathetic routes. The touches of realism are extra keen, such as the Grandpa’s obvious but harmless taste for booze.

Dalena’s artwork is very sharp and dynamic, with a soft style that brings out so much loaded personality from his characters so calmly and coolly. The larger, more detailed scenes are especially panoramic in their scope and vision. His storytelling is very focused, giving humor and heart and horror wherever warranted quite effectively. I’m almost reminded of Humberto Ramos’ work, in the symbiosis of the real masked so well beneath exaggerated expressions. And when combined with the colouring of Giumento the panels really feel like lush animation cells, so full of hues and tones. Disney rarely looks this good, to be blunt. This art is absolutely easy to follow and even easier on the eyes, very rich in textures and affectations alike. And with ace veteran Chiang lettering the translation it feels all the more like what Beverly Cleary was trying for in her own novels so many years back, with a fluidity that carries the adventurous hand in hand with the legitimate life lessons of the tale.

I am a grown man and I loved this comic, and look forward to the soon to hit translation of the fourth book in the series. Its breeziness really does carry some weight, and the lighthearted aspects dance well with the more emotive parts of the story. And the artwork is so verifiably pretty. Grandpa Bug is the most engaging character I’ve read in entirely too long. Honestly great stuff, and not necessarily for the kids at all. Leave the capes and tights to the real kids, this one’s for the learned readers.

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Midwifed by nilskidoo - 20/11/12 - 4 comments

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