The Cartoonists' Club

Danish Mohammed cartoons to reappear in new book

nospam@example.com (CCGB Webmaster) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:50:04 +0100

The Danish editor who first published 12 cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed that sparked outrage across the Muslim world said on Thursday he would soon republish the drawings in a new book.

The book, written by Jyllands-Posten cultural editor Flemming Rose and titled "The Tyranny of Silence," is set to hit bookstores on September 30 -- five years to the day after the cartoons first appeared in the paper, provoking angry and, in some cases, deadly global protests against Denmark.
The author insisted in an interview with Jylland-Posten competitor Politiken that he was not trying to be provocative, stressing that he simply wanted to "tell the story of the 12 drawings and put them into a context of (other) pictures considered offensive."

This story is ©Google News
You can ead the full text here

Obviously we can't reproduce any of the cartoons, so here is a photo of a kitten.

This is not a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed

Cartoon Network Goes MAD

nospam@example.com (CCGB Webmaster) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:44:04 +0100

Animation Magazine has announced that Cartoon Network is going MAD, starting Sept. 6 at 8:30 p.m. with the debut of a new animated series based on the classic humor magazine.

The new series is a fast-paced series of comedy sketches, ranging from mash-ups like CSiCarly, Avaturds and The Fantastic Megan Fox to commercial parodies like Toys4Brats and bits inspired by classic magazine features such as Spy vs. Spy and the art of Don Martin.

The UK Cartoon Network schedules unfortunately does not feature the show yet.

You can read the full story here

Queen Margot: 3. Endangered Love

nospam@example.com (Simon Chadwick) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:53:28 +0100

By Cadic, Gheysens, Derenne & Paganotto
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 978-1-905460-41-0

In this third and final volume Margot is at her lowest ebb. She is put upon and manipulated by her family and her husband leading to a hollow and lonely existence. Her brother, the King of France, is deeply unwell and the balance of power threatens to shift, but whatever the result it is not looking promising for the young Queen of Navarre. Until, however, she falls in love with the Comte de la Mole, a dangerous liaison that puts them both at risk, but it is not the only secretive pairing take place. Margot's scheming mother has a spy in the bed of her son, Alençon, and he is plotting the downfall of his brother the King by colluding with the enemy. His treachery is discovered at the same time as the Comte de la Mole's is accused of sorcery. Betrayals follow, and the Comte de la Mole's fate is sealed by torture. Margot pleads with her mother but is rejected and her lover is taken to the scaffold and death, an act that pushes Margot towards finally breaking free of her domineering mother's control.

This really does rattle along at quite a pace, and at times I think it could have been better served by spreading out the story to a fourth volume. It's a fascinating insight into the aftermath of the St Bartholomew's Day massacre, and the life of woman penned in by convention and family, for which the creative team can be justly proud of.

And if you liked that: Try and catch La Reine Margot on DVD

Queen Margot Vol.3: Endangered Love: Endangered Love v. 3 (Book)

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Author: Gheysens

Publisher: Cinebook

Published: 2008-05-08

Format: Illustrated

Number of pages: 52

ISBN: 1905460414

Price: £7.99

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Monster (Volumes 1-18)

nospam@example.com (Simon Chadwick) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 05:57:56 +0100

By Naoki Urasawa
Publisher: Viz
ISBN: 978-1-59116-641-2

For once I'm not going to review a single book but an entire series. Naoki Urasawa's Monster is a manga title presented in those paperback-sized books that seem to now dominate the graphic novel section of bookstores. Each book runs to around 250 pages, and there are 18 volumes in all, so it's quite a read. I'm still rather dismissive of a lot of manga, finding much to be impenetrable, but I'd read on a number of occasions how superb this series was supposed to be so I bit the bullet and bought the first book. Based on the title alone, I was expecting some sort of supernatural horror, but what I ended up with was something entirely different.

Monster opens by following a young Japanese brain surgeon, Dr Tenma, working in Germany in the late 1980s. He's brilliant at what he does and that brilliance buys him the attention of the hospital director's daughter and the approval of the domineering director himself. Despite Tenma's brilliance the director is seeking more power and endeavours to take advantage of Tenma's brilliance while at the same time making decisions that put the more disadvantaged patients at a lower priority when it suits his political purposes. When Tenma is ordered away from operating on a small boy who has been shot in the head to instead work on a different emergency that better suits the director's ambitions, Tenma refuses. He saves the boy, the other patient dies, the director is furious, and Tenma's privileged status is severely reduced, including the rejection of the director's daughter. But these are nothing to the horrors that await him. Unwittingly, Tenma's decision to operate on the boy have severe repercussions almost immediately when the hospital director is found poisoned and the boy (and his traumatised twin sister, also in the hospital) disappear.

A decade later and the shadow of those events still hang over Tenma's life. Events begin to repeat themselves and suspicion falls on Tenma who has both the motive and the opportunity, and yet Tenma knows he's innocent and his determination to find out exactly what is going on leads him to a harrowing and bewildering discovery. This discovery reaches far back into Germany's past, involving the sinister indoctrination of children, twisted psychological experiments and murder. Tenma is forced to go on the run and must reveal the dark conspiracy to save himself and protect so many others.

Monster is a masterpiece - a finely interwoven thriller, a complex but brilliant story, a fine array of well developed characters, and some of the most glorious artwork I've seen in a graphic novel in a long time. It's black and white throughout, but illustrated with such detail and precision, and with a movie director's eye for setting the scene and carrying the story forward, that it brings an enormous sense of realism and drama to the proceedings. If you've ever read Cerebus by Dave Sim with those amazingly beautiful finely-lined backgrounds by Gerhard then you'll know exactly what I mean.

This is a mammoth read, but it's absolutely well worth it. An instant classic for its scope, its scale and its consistency, it has picked up a hoard of awards and been praised around the world. A rare and engrossing read indeed.

And if you liked that: Urasawa is already and good way through his next epic, 20th Century Boys

Naoki Urasawa's Monster: Volume 1 (Book)

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Author: Naoki Urasawa

Publisher: Viz Media

Published: 2006-02-21

Number of pages: 224

ISBN: 1591166411

Price: £9.99

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Yoko Tsuno 5: The Dragon Of Hong Kong

nospam@example.com (Simon Chadwick) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:51:55 +0100

By Roger Leloup
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 978-1-84918-041-2

This is the fifth Yoko Tsuno offering from Cinebook, a series about a Japanese electronics engineer who gets tangled up in all manner of mysteries. This particular tale involves Yoko travelling to Hong Kong and coming face-to-face with a sea monster in the fragrant harbour separating Hong Kong island from Kowloon. Her tenacious personality is determined to get to the bottom of the encounter, leading her to discover genetic experimentation and a second mighty beast of an altogether different nature.

The whole story takes place before the handover to China, and as someone who has seen Hong Kong first-hand, the artwork is superb, capturing the crowded skyline on the city in fine detail, and incorporating many aspects of daily Hong Kong life.

It's a straight-forward adventure yarn with a definite appeal for younger female audiences, although that doesn't mean for a moment that this is intended just for girls. With its themes of friendship, scientific deduction and life-threatening danger there's something for everyone. Yoko is a strong, independent character who uses logic and reason throughout the story, rather than brute force, to do the right thing. This makes it somewhat refreshing to read and she's certainly not a role model you can object to.

And if you liked that: Take a peek at Blake & Mortimer

Yoko Tsuno Vol.5: The Dragon of Hong Kong (Book)

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Author: Roger Leloup

Publisher: CINEBOOK

Published: 2010-07-01

Number of pages: 48

ISBN: 1849180415

Price: £5.99

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Valerian - The City Of Shifting Waters

nospam@example.com (Simon Chadwick) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:57:33 +0100

By Mézières & Christin
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 9781849180382

As anyone who has ever sat down in front of an original Star Trek episode will tell you, Science Fiction does date awkwardly. As a society we're just not great at spotting those technological breakthroughs that transform our lives, and why should we? I'm, of course, ignoring the episode when Scotty upsets Spock by a post on his Facebook page.

This is the first of Cinebook's English reproductions of the classic and highly regarded Valerian series, with this particular title first seeing print in 1976. It involves time travel to that distant space-time destination of 1986, eight millennia in to the past from where the story starts off, ten years into the future from the creators point of view, and a quarter of a century in our current past (I hope you followed that). So, naturally, there are a few awkward plot devices, technological oddities and silly bits that would arise from such imaginative speculation being viewed in hindsight, but despite this, I was pleasantly surprised at how well the book played out.

Valerian is an agent of the Terran Empire who guards against rogue time travellers ably assisted by Laureline. A prisoner, Xombul, has escaped confinement to 1986 with plans to pervert the future, but when Valerian pursues him he finds New York flooded by the encroaching ocean. This is the creators' vision of their possible future, remember, and surprisingly prophetic it is. There's a good balance of adventure, humour and sci-fi thrills, and although, looking back, we can judge the fiction against the reality that came to pass, the story is strong enough to remain a good adventure yarn today. Certainly a book that's worthy of your attention.

And if you liked that: Try Clifton, also available from Cinebook

Valerian Vol.1: The City of Shifting Waters (Book)

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Author: Jean-Claude Mezieres Pierre Christin

Publisher: CINEBOOK

Published: 2010-07-01

Number of pages: 48

ISBN: 1849180385

Price: £5.99

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The Effluent Society

nospam@example.com (Simon Chadwick) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:00:58 +0100

By Thelwell
Publisher: Methuen
SBN: 414 66500 4

OK, I'm cheating on this one, but it's new to me. My sister-in-law's been living in Hong Kong for the best part of three decades and her son has been visiting us. One of his tasks while here was to sort out the piles of boxes she left behind, and either decide to keep it and send it on or bin it. Fortunately for me they thought I might like this Thelwell hardback.

I hardly need to enthuse about the masterful linework and wit of Thelwell, so I'll share instead the amusing foresight and relevance this particular book has for us today in 2010. It was printed in 1971, the year before I was born, and paints a disturbing picture of our increasing neglect of the world around us. The cover alone, with a tanker driver plugging a hole in his vehicle with his finger to stop oil escaping into the river, pretty much encapsulates BP's efforts out in the Gulf of Mexico. Then cartoon on the title page of the first of the first section, "Water, Water Everywhere" features a caption that says "They'll have to do something soon. It's affecting the polar bears in the Arctic."

It repeatedly felt like a new book commenting on today's world, and I found it deliciously entertaining because of it. Goodness knows if you can track down a copy, but well worth it if you can.

The Effluent Society (Book)

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Author: Thelwell

Publisher: Magnum Books

Published: 1978-02

Number of pages: 96

ISBN: 0417010508

Price: £75.00

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And if you liked that: See if you can get hold of Some Damn Fool's Signed The Rubens Again

Lucky Luke 23: A Cure For The Daltons

nospam@example.com (Simon Chadwick) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 06:42:04 +0100

By Morris & Goscinny
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 978-1-84918-034-4

Doctor Otto Von Bratwurst is over from Europe offering a cure for criminality, but at the US Institue of Science they're having none of it. So it is agreed that the Doctor will head out to the den of desperation that is the West to find the most despicable villain and prove his methods by curing them. For his protection and guidance the Doctor is put under the protection of Lucky Luke, who meets him from the station and takes him on the jail where they eventually, and inevitably, come across the Dalton brothers.

There are some excellent gags in here, mostly running around the theme of psychology, experiences in childhood and the criminal justice system, but this one's particularly good as, for once, events seem to run away from Lucky Luke and he appears powerless to stop them. Also features the most original bank robbery I've yet seen. If I was doing a star system here, five out of five.

And if you liked that: Book 24 out soon!

Lucky Luke Vol.23: A Cure for the Daltons (Book)

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Author: Rene Goscinny

Publisher: CINEBOOK

Published: 2010-06-03

Number of pages: 48

ISBN: 1849180342

Price: £5.99

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Wilson

nospam@example.com (Simon Chadwick) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:43:43 +0100

By Daniel Clowes
Publisher: D&Q
ISBN: 987-1-77046-007-2

Wilson thinks he's a great guy. He's in tune, he's incisive, he's curious and he's thoughtful. He's also arrogant, rude, patronising, self-centred and narrow-minded. He's more than a caricature or a stereotype but at the same time he's so shallow you wouldn't get your feet wet if you paddled in him. Not the kind of guy you'd go out of your to befriend (if he'd let you) but nonetheless a strangely refreshing creation.

The book is a series of six panel pages, each titled at the top to suggest a vignette of his troubled existence. Clowes has illustrated each page in a slightly different way, from his more familiar style as found in the likes of Ghost World to a grotesque cartoon exaggeration and on to a more simplistic rendering more familiar with early Peanuts strips. There are others too, and at first they disarm you into thinking that you're reading a collection of unconnected snippets with hit-and-miss sixth panel punchlines, but slowly, as you progress through the book, you realise that there's a narrative here weaving its way through the pages as events catch up with him, characters re-appear, and themes develop, ultimately leading to a large revelation in Wilson's life.

This is definitely a book to read in one sitting if you're going to get the most out of the subtle build-up. The differing styles are quite disarming at first, but end up working in his favour as they directly contrast with the tone of the proceedings. This is an edgy, well-observed and quite brilliant piece of work that revels in its sharp but dark humour.

And if you liked that: Try Clowes's Like A Velvet Glove Cast In Iron.

Wilson (Book)

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Author: Daniel Clowes

Publisher: Jonathan Cape Ltd

Published: 2010-05-27

Number of pages: 80

ISBN: 0224090615

Price: £12.99

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Ern Shaw 'The Boy who Wouldn't Grow Up'

nospam@example.com (CCGB Webmaster) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:04:10 +0100

An excellent exhibition 'The Boy who Wouldn't Grow Up' is showing at the Ferens Art Gallery, central Hull up to October the 10th.

The exhibition covers the life and work of Hull born Ern Shaw (1891-1986) spanning 70 years of artwork ranging from Kids' comic pages, puzzles and games , strip cartoons, sport and politics. Some of the colour work looks so fresh it could have been done a month ago.

The exhibition is the work of Olwyn Cossins who came across some of Ern's originals some four years ago and determined that they deserved a wider audience, it includes a TV clip of Bob Monkhouse introducing Ern Shaw onto the show 'Quick on the Draw' back in 1974 with sketchbooks and personal items on display. Suitable for children and adults the exhibition is a credit to both Ern Shaw and Olwyn Cossins.
The Ferens Gallery is well worth a visit at anytime.

www.ernshawcartoonist.blogspot.com

Many thanks to Mike Turner for this story.

Thorgal Vol 8: Wolf Cub

nospam@example.com (Simon Chadwick) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:48:25 +0100

By Rosinski & Van Hamme
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 978-1-84918-036-8

Thorgal is returning home so Aaricia can give birth to their child in the house in which she was born. However, on their journey they encounter Vikings from the south with an ambitious leader who wants Thorgal to accompany them on a raid to Northumbria. Thorgal refuses and a fight follows, but although Thorgal is victorious he and his family find themselves abandoned on the shore as the Vikings commandeer their vessel.

With Aaricia days from giving birth they must now make the effort to get to the village on foot, not knowing that they're walking into the Viking chief's trap. Their party gradually becomes separated and the trap is sprung, and all would be lost if not for one individual's burning desire for revenge.

Another excellent Thorgal tale and more wonderfully evocative artwork from Rosinski. There's so much going on in these books, with their gentle blending of genres, historical settings and good old fashioned adventure that they're worthy of an instant second reading. Still one of my favourite titles.

And if you liked that: There's a new volume out soon!

Wolf Cub (Thorgal) (Book)

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Author: Jean Van Hamme

Publisher: CINEBOOK

Published: 2010-06-03

Number of pages: 48

ISBN: 1849180350

Price: £5.99

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Donald McGill Seaside Postcard Museum

nospam@example.com (CCGB Webmaster) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:06:40 +0100

Located in Ryde, Isle of Wight, this newly opened Museum pays homage to Donald McGill, who spent his life creating original artworks for the then thriving postcard industry. Known for his saucy imagery Donald created over 12,000 postcards from 1904 till his death in 1962. Visit the Museums website: http://www.donaldmcgill.info/

Donald's Cards depicted anything and everyone, his watchful eye never missed a humorous situation as he witnessed the years as they rolled through the 20th century. His artwork covers: Two World Wars; Suffragettes; Lovers; Matrimony; Motoring; Evolution etc. etc.

The Grand Opening

The Museum is located at 15 Union Street Ryde. PO33 2DU.
Just 3 minutes walk from Ryde Esplanade Station and 7 minutes walk from the Hovercraft Terminus.

The Isle of Wight is a favourite holiday resort, easily accessed by frequent train (buy a ticket to Ryde Esplanade and it will include the ferry!). 2.5 hours from Waterloo. Also you can catch the hovercraft from Southsea or Car ferry from Portsmouth, Southampton and Lymington. The crossing takes between 10 and 45 minutes depending on the chosen service port.

Donald McGill's Seaside Postcard Museum

nospam@example.com (William Rudling) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 09:30:28 +0100

The purpose of this museum is to pay homage to Donald McGill, who spent his life creating original artworks for the then thriving postcard industry. Donald created over 12,000 postcards from 1904 till his death in 1962.

You will find that Donald's Cards will depict anything and everyone, his watchful eye never missed a humorous situation as he witnessed the years as they rolled through the 20th century. His artwork covers: Two World Wars; Suffragettes; Lovers; Matrimony; Motoring; Evolution etc. etc.

Ryde is on the Isle of Wight which is centrally located just off the South Coast of England, UK.

We are located at 15 Union Street Ryde. PO33 2DU. We are 3 minutes walk from Ryde Esplanade Station and 7 minutes walk from the Hovercraft Terminus.
The Isle of Wight is a favourite holiday resort, easily accessed by frequent train ( buy a ticket to Ryde Esplanade and it will include the ferry!). 2.5 hours from Waterloo.

Also you can catch the hovercraft from Southsea or Car ferry from Portsmouth, Southampton and Lymington. The crossing takes between 10 and 45 minutes depending on the chosen service port.

Betelgeuse Vol 3: The Other

nospam@example.com (Simon Chadwick) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:11:00 +0100

By Leo
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 978-1-84918-036-8

The final book in the second Aldebaran story arc opens with Kim and her small party of survivors regaining their strength and planning their next move. Kim goes to visit this planet's river-based Mantris, the version of the mysterious alien being she met on Aldebaran, only for it to attack, and her saviour is something of a surprise, providing both answers and new questions.

Again, there are some superbly realised alien creatures that work because Leo seems to have an understanding of eco-systems and biology that give his worlds depth. My particular favourite is the enormous beast at the watering hole. The story refers back to much that has gone before and strikes the right balance at helping refresh your memory without insulting your intelligence.

According the web, there's another series to come, so I for one look forward to reading it and immersing myself again in Leo's rich imagination.

And if you liked that: You may enjoy looking out the work of Moebius

Betelgeuse Vol.3: The Other (Book)

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Author: Leo

Publisher: CINEBOOK

Published: 2010-06-03

Number of pages: 48

ISBN: 1849180369

Price: £5.99

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A Carrot For Iznogoud

nospam@example.com (Simon Chadwick) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 08:02:54 +0100

By Tabary & Goscinny
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 978-1-84918-021-4

18 months ago I'd not heard of Goscinny's Iznogoud, but as a lifelong fan of Asterix I was keen to try it - and it was good. I was a little disappointed at the brevity of the stories (several to a book) rather than a full blown cover to cover tale, although this didn't detract from the read, it was just that I was expecting something different.

Now Iznogoud is one of the books I most eagerly wait for, and it's the punchy, clever short strips that are its strongest asset. Goscinny and Tabary know how to take a joke and run with it, meaning they'll wring every last bit of humour from the idea before it goes stale and then swiftly move on to the next idea. Think of it as a succession of comedy sketches. Tabary is a brilliant cartoonist perfectly suited to the absurd world of ancient Baghdad with its magic carpets and fakirs, and Goscinny is a genius at witty word play. I've often wondered how hard it is translate his scripts, but whoever does it can't fail to enjoy it.

This book features a story about a fabled mysterious vegetable called a carrot, the pirates from Asterix (I cheered out loud), a spoof science fiction tale called Magic Fiction, another about a Medusa-like women who has a face so chilling behind her veil she'll turn you to ice, and another involving a fly that causes sleeping sickness. Inevitably Iznogoud is trying to turn most of these scenarios to his advantage so he can become Caliph instead of the Caliph. A fun and funny read.

And if you liked that: If you're not reading Goscinny's Lucky Luke's then you're missing out!

Iznogoud Vol.5: A Carrot for Iznogoud (Book)

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Author: Rene Goscinny

Publisher: CINEBOOK

Published: 2010-03-04

Number of pages: 48

ISBN: 1849180210

Price: £5.99

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Information accurate as of September 9, 2010, 5:42 am