Vic Spanner Reviews Zombies
Welcome aboard Mark (Vic Spanner) Beechill, not happy with just making fine music Vic add his voice to what seems to be an Accent UK wave of approval, now without further delay, take it away...
“Zombies” Anthology (Accent UK)
Review by Vic Spanner
After several weeks of my local comics dealer politely hassling me to buy it, I finally gave in and purchased the “Zombies” anthology, published by Accent UK in 2007. A collection of short tales mostly written and drawn by up-and-coming UK writers and artists, my first impression of this book was of a bumper edition of Tharg’s Future Shocks. Short, sharp tales, almost all told in six pages or less, most of the stories here manage to nail the art of telling the perfect short story. And even if some of them don’t, or aren’t your personal cup of tea art or story-wise, then there’s thirty-two to choose from, plus a lovely gallery at the end.
The set starts with an introductory guide to all things undead, which has some nice film references in it for the knowing movie fan and a narrator who reminds me of the guy from Creepshow. What follows is a genuine variety of styles and ideas, too many too mention individually. Highlights for me include “Zombies” (Kieron Gillen and Andy Bloor) with its inevitably gruesome ending, the gorgeous artwork of “Tragic Kingdom” (Owen Johnson and Garry Brown), the undead boyband antics of Andy Winter and Natalie Sandell’s “Pop Zombie” (“they only want you fro your brains!”), and the great “Zombie Of The Great Unwashed” by Jason Cobley and Paul Harrison-Davies (a zombie down the jobcentre – worthy of it’s own series).
If I have to pick one story though, my personal favourite has to be Bridgeen Gillespie’s “Dissolution”, which is like “The Bunny Suicides” written by David Lynch. It’s easily the most surreal (and oddly disturbing) thing on offer here in a collection that mixes humour, sadness, history and social commentary. Only a couple of the tales didn’t hit the mark for me, but as I mentioned, there’s something here for everyone, and at £6 for 168 pages, that’s got to be value for money.
With a “Robots” anthology is due in 2008 with an increased page count, this looks to be a reliable source of emerging talent (with the help of a few elder statesmen like Steve Bisette) and ideas. Now I just need someone to draw my short story…
The Invisible Inkster meets Wolfmen
By Dave West and Andy Bloor [Accent UK]
“‘ere mate, you got three quid? Give us it here then.
There you go, mate, “Wolfmen”, best money you’ll spend this week.
What? Yes, it’s black and white, all the best stuff is nowadays, mate, “Sin City” and all that. Come to think of it, it’s sort of a British version of that. Well it’s a crime story anyway and done in lovely monochrome, go on have a look at the art, lovely innit, and some really clever stuff – look at the opening panels with the fish and the text that goes with it. Gets better from there on and there’s this twist later on where ... no hang on, I won’t spoil it for you. It’s a cracking good story, the art is great, so off you go and enjoy yourself – see ya!
‘ere mate, you got three quid ... ?”
David Milne: The Invisible Inkster
Not what i expected at all, and i am kind of glad about that, because what i got rocked, beutiful art, great story what more can you ask for.... cheap price maybe? this little gem is sixty pages, a prestige format Graphic Novel at £3.00. cheap at one half of the price. job done.
both of these score an impressive
9.8 / 10. (The Brits do it again)
Manny Armario: The Bat-Manuel
Robots - The 2008 Anthology
The 2008 Anthology, 204 pages,
Editors :- Dave West and Colin Mathieson.
Hot on the heels of the great Zombies Anthology we get Robots
And anyone who has read and enjoyed Zombies is going to read and enjoy this.
OK some of the art is a bit shabby in places, but the good stuff outweighs this, one of my customers put it very nicely when he said “you can that they are learning there trade, but that’s OK because it’s a bloody good read” Thanks Steve I couldn’t have put it better myself.
With great scripts like Divinity Existence and Toast: by Benjamin Dickson.
Robot: by Kieron Gillan and Andy Bloor.
Robot Interviews, Man Made, and What is Life, how can you not want to read this
So is it better than Zombies? Close, very close, maybe its because I read Zombies first that I prefer it, but having said that its still a very very very good little independet title and deserves a place on your bookshelf nestled next to both Zombies and Wolfmen (which is still my favourite) oh and leave a bit of space for WESTERN and WOLFMEN II,
And while its on my mind, I wouldn’t be ashamed to put my copy of the Eleventh Hour next to these.
Another fine publication to fire your imagination.
It gets a very nice and well deserved 8.9/10.
Reviewed by Manny Armario: The Bat- Manuel.
