Page 45 Review by Jodie Paterson
It's like stereo surrealists Hans THE SQUIRREL MACHINE Rickheit and Theo THE UNDERSTANDING MONSTER Ellsworth have had their DNA combined in a terrible accident involving a riso printer and decided the only thing they could possibly do was to carry on making comics. Or something. Here is the marginally more coherent explanation from the publisher for this madness...
"This exquisite and mostly silent graphic novel takes place in a fantasy cityscape loosely inspired by German expressionist films. Cult of the Ibis tells the story of an occultist getaway-driver who, after escaping with the loot from a bank robbery gone wrong, orders a build-your-own-homunculus kit and goes on the lam. Steeped in architecture and atmosphere, Tessler's gorgeous cartooning fuels this strangely gripping yarn, which is packaged in a gorgeous hardcover design."
Despite my recombinant ratiocination the closest singular point of comparison would have to be A. Degen's MIGHTY STAR AND THE CASTLE OF THE CANCATERVATER.
It's all so clear to you now isn't it?
...
Could you explain it to me please?
JR
Buy Cult Of The Ibis h/c and read the Page 45 review here
Brazen - Rebel Ladies Who Rocked The World h/c (£17-99, Ebury Press) by Penelope Bagieu...
A heartfelt homage to women throughout history who never feared to stand out from the crowd and stand up for what they believe in. And with 30 fabulously ferocious woman ensconced in this 296 page book, it packs just as much punch as its cover suggests.
In celebration of women from all walks of life, these are stories that exude passion and determination, whilst still being full of heart and loving humour. Each one as pleasurable to read as the last, this is a book you'll want to have on standby, ready to plunge back into at a moment's notice when the inspiration strikes.
I adore the opening choice of Clémentine Delait, a bearded lady living life to the fullest and giving zero fucks. What a babe! Another personal favourite included Margaret Hamilton, who embraced her unique appearance by giving a terrifying portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. But it was a line about her career following the dramatic events of the film that had me happily chuckling away in admiration: "When it comes to being scary, she is the best. She appears in an episode of Sesame Street. An episode the network takes off air for good after parents complain."
As an illustrator and a comicbook lover, taking a huge chunk of my heart, of course, is the tribute to Tove Jansson. I've always had a special love for the woman and this beautifully succinct story of her life, in the familiar primary pop colours of THE MOOMINS, is a small slice of perfection, only improved by its end page illustration of Tove and Tuulikki snuggled together reading a paper out on the lake surrounding their secluded cottage. Oh, how my heart did soar!
Danielle Ceccolini deserves a shout out of her own for the brilliant cover design. Emblazoned front and centre is a clenched fist raised high and powerful, gold and bold, almost trophy-like, the emanating rays highlighting its wonder. Portraits of some of the fantastic women depicted inside are artfully arranged around in bubblegum pink bubbles, which only just manage to contain their uniquely exuberant personalities.
A peppermint green background complements and highlights the pink wonderfully, which in this case is being used as a celebration of femininity and female identity. Pink is a powerful colour. It is bold, brash, vibrant and fun, much like the women whom you're about to discover within the pages of this book. I'll let Janelle Monáe sing us out... "We got the pink!"
