Hmmm. I liked it because it was different, it makes use of the freedom that the comics medium gives, and because it had a string storyline. I still ca...moreHmmm. I liked it because it was different, it makes use of the freedom that the comics medium gives, and because it had a string storyline. I still can't decide whether I liked the artwork: some of it worked well, in an unusual watercolor style, but much of it just looked like unfinished sketches. I think I'll have to settle for a non-committal "interesting" verdict.(less)
I'm not normally a fan of Grant Morrison, but I'm enjoying this. It's a nice blend of occult and superhero story. Klarion the Witch Boy is really intr...moreI'm not normally a fan of Grant Morrison, but I'm enjoying this. It's a nice blend of occult and superhero story. Klarion the Witch Boy is really intriguing - looking forward to finding the rest of these! (less)
When this first came out in the mid-80s, I wasn't that impressed with it. I re-read it with very low expectations, and was pleasantly surprised. Sure,...moreWhen this first came out in the mid-80s, I wasn't that impressed with it. I re-read it with very low expectations, and was pleasantly surprised. Sure, it's the kind of cheesy story you expect from a sci-fi King Arthur story issued by DC, but it was good fun.
It was extremely dated: Bolland was definitely drawing on 80s culture for costume inspiration. However, what I hadn't realized is that at the time it was definitely edgy, although it's tame by modern standards, with its themes of transgender superheroes, lesbianism, and so on.
I enjoyed it - it's not a must-read, but certainly a good way to pass a lazy Saturday morning.(less)
"Incoherent but engrossing," says one of the reviews on the back. That's half-true, at least. It's certainly incoherent.
In my student days, I read a...more"Incoherent but engrossing," says one of the reviews on the back. That's half-true, at least. It's certainly incoherent.
In my student days, I read a lot of trippy indie comics from the 60s & 70s, such as the Freak Brothers, Luther Arkwright, Fritz the Cat and so on. I think that says more about my state of mind back then than it does about the quality of the books - reading them felt like we were being rebellious, artistic, and independent, and half the fun was in finding them and showing off to our peers about our counter-culture knowledge. Yeah, penises! Drugs! People saying fuck! Books without narrative! Screw literary conventions! Radical!
This reminded me of those days, but without the hazy sense of genre-busting wonder I had back then. Didn't work for me. (less)
What a mess. I should have enjoyed it, but it just felt incoherent and self-indulgent. It's loaded with British pop culture references, which is fun (...moreWhat a mess. I should have enjoyed it, but it just felt incoherent and self-indulgent. It's loaded with British pop culture references, which is fun (The Rutles, Doug Piranha, Jerry Cornelius, etc), but it's mostly just a mash-up of occultism, sex, pop music and psychedelia with irritating characters (all of whom are drawn from elsewhere) and a formulaic story. I honestly forgot I was reading Alan Moore: it felt more like Moorcock. Somewhere along the line, this series slipped from homage to parody, and it hasn't worked. (less)
Everything disintegrates, as Proof's world is ripped to pieces by internal strife. I don't think I like the way this series is going now; I want to kn...moreEverything disintegrates, as Proof's world is ripped to pieces by internal strife. I don't think I like the way this series is going now; I want to know more about his early life and back story, but I don't care for the current era storyline. (less)
The Pinocchio story works better than expected, and I like what he's doing with his conception of fairies, but the main arc is becoming bleak. This vo...moreThe Pinocchio story works better than expected, and I like what he's doing with his conception of fairies, but the main arc is becoming bleak. This volume ends on a real cliffhanger. (less)
This is a truly exceptional piece of comic book writing. It takes Proof back to the Victorian era, mixing a murder mystery with a heartbreaking romanc...moreThis is a truly exceptional piece of comic book writing. It takes Proof back to the Victorian era, mixing a murder mystery with a heartbreaking romance, and it's all based on real people and events. It's From Hell combined with the Elephant Man. This is undoubtedly the best in the series so far. (less)
The best in the series so far. The mix of folklore and mythology from many different cultures and traditions is fun, and the characters are starting t...moreThe best in the series so far. The mix of folklore and mythology from many different cultures and traditions is fun, and the characters are starting to acquire some depth.(less)
I'm enjoying this series. I wasn't sure what to expect, and I can't tell at this stage whether it's got enough going for it to sustain my interest lon...moreI'm enjoying this series. I wasn't sure what to expect, and I can't tell at this stage whether it's got enough going for it to sustain my interest long-term, but I like the mix of quirky paranormal investigation and snappy dialog. I don't really like the artwork, though - it feels scribbly and rushed. Still, I'm about to star Book 3, so that's a good sign.(less)