Pipeline and Sundry: Peyo, Paris, Print, and the Past

It’s a Hard Smurf Life…

Reprinted from an older issue of “The Comics Journal” comes this terrific biography of The Smurfs creator, Peyo.

Peyo once characterized his job as “like that of a playwright. When I’m writing, I enjoy myself enormously. But the production, the drawing itself, is more of a chore.” Although doubtful of his graphic skills, Peyo was unwilling – or unable – to delegate. Every passing year and each new success made him more and overextended.

The man literally worked himself sick and, arguably, to death at the age of just 64.

The success of the cartoon certainly didn’t help…

The author of the piece, Cynthia Rose, is also the writer of the introduction to “Die Laughing,” which expertly explains the book’s background and Andre Franquin’s career.

Looking Back on 2018

Europe Comics posted a couple new articles recently.

The first is their list of highlights from 2018, including their best selling titles and some pictures from their world tour of conventions.

I think I’ve reviewed seven of those best-sellers (and read a couple more), including 3 out of the 4 books aimed at younger readers. What can I say? I like the lighter fare….

They also have a list of their translated comics that saw print editions in 2018, for those who don’t want digital….

“Isabellae” is Coming to Print

Dark Horse Comics is publishing the “Isabellae” series in print form this year!

I reviewed the first two books last year and read the first four. I enjoyed it, though I didn’t get too terribly excited by it. I think it’s just not necessarily my “thing.” But I think it’s a book that Dark Horse could have some success with.