It seems a long time since I posted about some of my favourite reads, which is a shame as I'm probably reading more graphic novels and comics than I've done for a long time - thanks to my favourite local comic shop, Scott's Pops & Comics!
This doesn't necessary mean I'm up to date with things, although again I am
reading and aware of contemporary releases far more than before, but at least I
am catching up with things as they come to me or I re-discover them from a
previous reading pile or forgotten shelf! So, without committing to doing a full 'best of', I will as time allows in the weeks ahead, try and highlight a few of my recent standout reads, such as;
Mike Mignola's adaption of Bram Stoker's Dracula (IDW)
A feature on the ever excellent Cartoonist Kayfabe's YouTube series (essential viewing for any comics creator and enthusiast!) led Scott to tracking down for me this excellent 2018 hardback reprinting of Mike Mignola's adaptation of this now classic version of the Dracula legend in the 1990's by legendary director Francis Ford Coppola.
I'd not paid a lot of attention to the movie at the time so passed on the
original Topp's Comics adaptation which itself became a bit of a collector's
item, with many claiming it was a 'turning point' for Mignola, discovering his
distinctive art style from a tight Roy Thomas script. Certainly Mignola's
trademark blacks and gothic styling are evident on every page, (although the
inking is actually done by John Nyberg) and the original comics pre-dated
Hellboy by at least a year.
In any case, IDW's excellent hardback is in oversize format about 1.5 times
the comics and maybe half the size of the original art, reprinted here in stark
black n white which best shows off the art and sets the story perfectly.
There's also a delightful bonus section with about a dozen pages of Mignola's
original pencils and covers which round off a great package.
An odd read for January perhaps but I think I originally read this around Halloween, which obviously is better timing?. It certainly made an impression and, not normally being a fan of horror, I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this, given the familiarity of the story and my indifference to the movie, (which I will now endeavour to rewatch!) but maybe it was just one of those occasions when the whole creative team complemented each other perfectly to execute a dramatic story in such a compelling way, comics at their very best!
Recommended
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