Zorro, Pirates, and Einstein’s Brain

This is the week where Europe Comics publishes their new releases for the month. It’s always an exciting time to look at Izneo and see what’s new. This month, there are a few books I’ve been waiting for and am particularly excited to see.

Brain Drain v1

I saw an article about this book when it was originally released in France back in September and thought it sounded interesting. The description of it convinces me that it’s worth a read and just a little bit nuts:

Certain details surrounding the death of Albert Einstein are so outlandish as to sound like urban legend: namely, the theft of his brain by Thomas Stoltz Harvey, the pathologist who performed the eminent physicist’s autopsy. From these historical events, Pierre-Henry Gomont concocts a picaresque road trip of a tale by turns farcical and moving, whimsical and melancholy, sweeping up in its narrative whirlwind the FBI, a sanatorium, neurobiology, hallucinogens, hospital bureaucracy, and romance. In his dissection of friendship and the forging of scientific reputation, the nimble cartoonist serves up a slice of lovingly rendered Americana for the ages.

As if that’s not enough, the art and storytelling inside the book has a deceptively loose, messy style. It’s a great case of the inks keeping the energy of the pencil work, I have to think. The backgrounds are done in a flat color in a way that’s one of the few times I’ve approved of color holds.

Check out this early page, which you need to read bottom-to-top:

It’s not all like that, but I found that page interesting. I need to save something to say for a review eventually, but I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen in this book so far and I can’t wait to read the whole thing.

Go now to Izneo or Comixology to pick it up.

Update: You can read my review of “Brain Drain” v1 now.

Bootblack v2 (of 2)

I read the first book of Mikael’s two part series last year. While I enjoyed it, I never got around to reviewing it. It’s set in Depression-era New York, where we meet an orphan who hustles to survive and ends up working with the mafia and pining for the cute girl and — stuff just happens.

This second book picks up ten years later.

It’s been a year for me since I read it, though. It’s time for a re-read to get everything fresh in my mind for this conclusion.

In the meantime, I’m skipping the solicitation text to save you any spoilers for the first book.

Buy it on Izneo or Comixology today.

Raven v1

Raven is a fearless young pirate as capable of legendary exploits as he is of epic fails. In this inaugural volume, he finds himself on the high Caribbean seas on a search for a treasure meant for the Governor of Tortuga. Allied with the dreadful Lady Darksee, whose hope is to gain royal pardon, the terrible Governor must act quickly. But the impetuous and talented Raven has grand plans to beat them to it…

Matthieu Lauffray, the guy who drew the amazing “Long John Silver” and a great Valerian one shot, is writing and drawing this new pirate series.

I don’t think I need to say too much more. Lauffray is an amazing artist whose work I think will appear to North American comic fans. It’s spectacular stuff. I’ve only flipped through this book so far, but the art is as strong as ever.

You can find it on Izneo or Comixology.

Update: You can read my review of “Raven” v1 now. Bonus: I also did a second article exploring Matthieu Lauffray’s artistic storytelling.

Don Vega v1

The year is 1849, and the future state of California is under the control of former soldiers from the Mexican-American War. Their leader, General Gomez, is busy buying up the locals’ land for pennies on the dollar, so that he and his cronies can maximize their profits from the coming gold rush. But he and his men are dogged by a series of masked, would-be avengers all calling themselves Zorro. They are an almost laughable annoyance, simple peasants living out the fantasy of a local legend. Until one man shows up and starts picking off Gomez’s men one by one, as stealthy as a fox. He brandishes a sword which he uses to carve the letter Z into his victims’ cheeks… Could this be the true Zorro?

This is the first book from Pierre Alary to be released in English.

That is something I’ve been waiting to type for years.

In the 90s, Alary worked at Disney Feature Animation on movies such as “Tarzan,” and his art carries a definite animation-flavored style. If you like Jose Luis Munuera, you’ll like Alary.

I have three of his books in a bookshelf behind me, but they’re all in French. Even so, they’re a lot of fun to flip through to admire the way he draws movement on the page and the way he stages his scenes. Now I’m excited to be able to read an entire story, too.

This is easily my pick of the week. Let’s hope this is just the beginning of Alary’s books to show up in English…

You can pick it up at Izneo or Comixology.

Bonus: You can read my review of “Don Vega” now.