Kling Klang Klatch

by Ian McDonald, Davide Lyttleton (Artist)

Kling Klang Klatch is set in a superficially glittering world that, if not exactly human, reflects humanity's desires, corruption, and racism at a fundamental level. Ian McDonald's (Desolation Road) blackly bizarre wit and David Lyttleton's (Punch) razor-sharp eye for detail have created a unique fantasy with a delicious streak of dark humor.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics

117 pages, Paperback

First published October 22, 1992

About the author

Ian Neil McDonald was born in 1960 in Manchester, England, to an Irish mother and a Scottish father. He moved with his family to Northern Ireland in 1965. He used to live in a house built in the back garden of C. S. Lewis's childhood home but has since moved to central Belfast, where he now lives, exploring interests like cats, contemplative religion, bonsai, bicycles, and comic-book collecting. He debuted in 1982 with the short story "The Island of the Dead" in the short-lived British magazine Extro. His first novel, Desolation Road, was published in 1988. Other works include King of Morning, Queen of Day (winner of the Philip K. Dick Award), River of Gods, The Dervish House (both of which won British Science Fiction Association Awards), the graphic novel Kling Klang Klatch, and many more. His most recent publications are Planesrunner and Be My Enemy, books one and two of the Everness series for younger readers (though older readers will find them a ball of fun, as well). Ian worked in television development for sixteen years, but is glad to be back to writing full-time.

Reviews

[EmBe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eine Welt der Roboter und künstlicher Wesen, die sich verändern können und mit menschlichen Eigenschaften ausgestattet sind. Dort treibt der Kling Klang Klatsch sein Unwesen, eine rassistische Organisation. Habe den Comic vor vielen Jahren in der heruasragedenden Reiche Carlsen Lux gelesen. Die vielen Geschöpfe und der eigenwillige Stil sind mit in guter Erinnerung geblieben.

[Minka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comic about world ruled by teddy bears? Hell yes! The story itself was a bit boring, but I give 3 stars for beautiful illustrations. At some point I stopped reading, I was enjoying the artwork only.

[StrictlySequential · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very bizarre alternaworld with plenty of gross but it's good in its fashion.

[Jeff Lewonczyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was attracted to this by the unique artwork, but by the time I elbowed my way through the somehow incomprehensible yet cliched plot, I realized that the art wasn't doing it any favors - it was graphically interesting, yet muddied the storytelling rather than clarifying it. It may take place in a world of toys (not that there's any especially compelling reason for it to be), but it's another tale of racism and misogyny that comes a step too close to reveling in what it purports to revile. I'm giving it an extra star for the weirdness quotient - and I did push myself to finish it, which is saying something - but overall, I didn't care for it.

[Gijs Grob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een hard-boiled detective met een Blade Runner-achtig sfeertje, Tom Waits-invloeden, post-moderne interacties met de lezer en een teddybeer in de hoofdrol: ziedaar het merkwaardige product dat Kling Klang Klatch is. David Lyttleton's tekenstijl is zeer eigen (let op de vele armloze handjes) en hij zet de door-en-door corrupte speelgoedstad treffend neer. Een unieke strip die geen gelijke kent.

[Jesse Callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well drawn and constantly surprising. Love it.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fictional world this book takes place in is great. A dystopian future where bears are the ruling mammal. Its about as gritty as a noir style book can and should be. The story follows the usual noir detective style, too...and it hits every plot point and cliche the genre has to offer. This was a big turnoff for me and I struggled to finish it even though the panels were interesting and the art pleasing and befitting the modern noir style. Also, the fourth wall was broken; a disgusting trick.