from Jeff Hawke: Overlord, Titan Books, 2007
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Jeff Hawke: Survival Part Two
Jeff Hawke: 'Survival', Part Two
from Jeff Hawke: Overlord, Titan Books, 2007
from Jeff Hawke: Overlord, Titan Books, 2007
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Jeff Hawke: Survival Part One
Jeff Hawke: 'Survival', Part One
from Jeff Hawke: Overlord, Titan Books, 2007
Reading these strips is like stepping into a time machine, and travelling to an era when comic strips, even those printed in black and white, had an intrinsic artistry and were considered major factors in pulling in, and maintaining, newspaper circulation.
Despite the limitations on content that came with newspaper publishing, Jordan and Patterson were able to provide reasonably interesting plots, mainly by placing their characters in situations in which deliberation and careful action were required, a stance that was in keeping with the idea of Jeff Hawke as the embodiment of British restraint and rectitude.
Despite having to adhere to the size and format limitations of a comic strip panel, and the drawbacks of reproducing pen-and-ink drawings onto newsprint, Jordan and his assistants produced some memorable artwork.
They relied on a variety of techniques, such as meticulous cross-hatching, shading and stippling, to provide their images with a depth and sophistication that has long since vanished from cramped, dwindling pages of the comics in today's newspapers.....
from Jeff Hawke: Overlord, Titan Books, 2007
Jeff Hawke was a daily science fiction comic strip that artist Sydney Jordan debuted in the UK newspaper The Daily Express in February, 1954. The strip provided to be very popular and ran for twenty years until April, 1974.
Starting in 1956, Jordan's friend Willie Patterson began contributing to the writing of the strip; as well, at times various uncredited artists did the majority of the artwork.
The strip also appeared in some European newspapers, being particularly well received in Italy.
Jeff Hawke was printed in only one newspaper in the US, the Deseret News, and remains unknown to all but a small part of the American sf readership.
In 2008, UK publisher Titan Books reprinted a selection of Hawke strips: Overlord and The Ambassadors.
I'm posting the story 'Survival', from the Overlord compilation, as a two-part posting. The strip originally ran from June to September, 1960. The Titan Books editions apparently relied on scans of the original black and white artwork, which, despite their age, reproduce quite well.
Reading these strips is like stepping into a time machine, and travelling to an era when comic strips, even those printed in black and white, had an intrinsic artistry and were considered major factors in pulling in, and maintaining, newspaper circulation.
Despite the limitations on content that came with newspaper publishing, Jordan and Patterson were able to provide reasonably interesting plots, mainly by placing their characters in situations in which deliberation and careful action were required, a stance that was in keeping with the idea of Jeff Hawke as the embodiment of British restraint and rectitude.
Despite having to adhere to the size and format limitations of a comic strip panel, and the drawbacks of reproducing pen-and-ink drawings onto newsprint, Jordan and his assistants produced some memorable artwork.
They relied on a variety of techniques, such as meticulous cross-hatching, shading and stippling, to provide their images with a depth and sophistication that has long since vanished from cramped, dwindling pages of the comics in today's newspapers.....
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Book Review: The Missing Persons League
Book Review: 'The Missing Persons League' by Frank Bonham
‘The Missing Persons League’ (236 pp) was published by Scholastic Books in 1976. The cover artist is uncredited.
I don’t usually review ‘young adult’ novels or short story collections here at the PorPor Books Blog, but I made an exception for this novel, mainly because Frank Bonham’s ‘Durango Street’ (1965) remains a classic of the Ghetto Action genre.
As well, ‘Persons’ is set in the sort of dystopian near-future USA that was part and parcel of the Eco-Disaster subgenre of 70s sf. It's the kind of book to be read while Zager and Evans's 1969 single 'In the Year 2525' plays in the background........
The protagonist of ‘Persons’ is Brian Foster, a high-school student living in San Diego, ca. the mid -1990s. The USA is in the grip of an ongoing Eco-catastrophe, accompanied by economic collapse. Its citizens rely on synthetic food; inhale air so baldy polluted that they regularly use oxygen –dispensing ‘breath’ stations; and routinely take a variety of anti-anxiety pills (one brand is termed ‘Lullaby’).
As the novel opens, Brian is submitting a message to the Personals column of his local newspaper. It seems that a year ago, while on an outing to the Torrey Pines seashore park, Brian’s mother and sister….disappeared. Vanished. No calls, no ransom notes, nothing. Brian’s father, an absent-minded eccentric who refers to Brian as ‘old man’ and ‘Champ’, doesn’t seem unduly perturbed by the absence of his wife and daughter.
As Brian embarks on his own investigation of the disappearance of his mother and sister, he meets an enigmatic new girl at school: Heather Morse. Soon Heather and Brian are good friends, working together to discover the truth behind the rumors that there has been a steady increase in the numbers of people reported as ‘missing’ in Southern California.
Is there a conspiracy taking place under the noses of the authorities ? And does it involve plans to relocate the human race to another solar system before the Earth becomes uninhabitable from the abuse Man has subjected it to ? For Brian and Heather, time to find the answers to these questions is running out – for Lieutenant Atticus, the cruel and callous neighborhood Environmental Police officer, suspects that they know something about the conspiracy ……
Even making allowances for being a Young Adult novel, ‘The Missing Persons League’ is a mediocre book. Bonham’s plot has a meandering, improvised quality that relies heavily on contrivances and willfully dumb behavior by many of the adult characters. The dialogue has the stilted tenor of a first-draft manuscript; this was a surprise to me, since Bonham’s dialogue in ‘Durango Street’ is particularly good.
Where ‘Persons’ does succeed is in its depiction of a near-future USA in the grip of Eco-catastrophe; there is a distinctly ‘70s’ styling to this aspect of the novel that will undoubtedly trigger nostalgia in those readers who were Baby Boomers and remember seeing ‘Soylent Green’ and ‘Logan’s Run’ as children / teenagers.
But, taken as a whole, ‘Persons’ is one of Bonham’s less impressive efforts. Given his profligate output as a writer, it was perhaps inevitable that some of his books would be sub-par. Hardcore fans of 70s SF may want to give this book a try; all others can pass on it without penalty.
1 / 5 Stars
I don’t usually review ‘young adult’ novels or short story collections here at the PorPor Books Blog, but I made an exception for this novel, mainly because Frank Bonham’s ‘Durango Street’ (1965) remains a classic of the Ghetto Action genre.
As well, ‘Persons’ is set in the sort of dystopian near-future USA that was part and parcel of the Eco-Disaster subgenre of 70s sf. It's the kind of book to be read while Zager and Evans's 1969 single 'In the Year 2525' plays in the background........
The protagonist of ‘Persons’ is Brian Foster, a high-school student living in San Diego, ca. the mid -1990s. The USA is in the grip of an ongoing Eco-catastrophe, accompanied by economic collapse. Its citizens rely on synthetic food; inhale air so baldy polluted that they regularly use oxygen –dispensing ‘breath’ stations; and routinely take a variety of anti-anxiety pills (one brand is termed ‘Lullaby’).
As the novel opens, Brian is submitting a message to the Personals column of his local newspaper. It seems that a year ago, while on an outing to the Torrey Pines seashore park, Brian’s mother and sister….disappeared. Vanished. No calls, no ransom notes, nothing. Brian’s father, an absent-minded eccentric who refers to Brian as ‘old man’ and ‘Champ’, doesn’t seem unduly perturbed by the absence of his wife and daughter.
As Brian embarks on his own investigation of the disappearance of his mother and sister, he meets an enigmatic new girl at school: Heather Morse. Soon Heather and Brian are good friends, working together to discover the truth behind the rumors that there has been a steady increase in the numbers of people reported as ‘missing’ in Southern California.
Is there a conspiracy taking place under the noses of the authorities ? And does it involve plans to relocate the human race to another solar system before the Earth becomes uninhabitable from the abuse Man has subjected it to ? For Brian and Heather, time to find the answers to these questions is running out – for Lieutenant Atticus, the cruel and callous neighborhood Environmental Police officer, suspects that they know something about the conspiracy ……
Even making allowances for being a Young Adult novel, ‘The Missing Persons League’ is a mediocre book. Bonham’s plot has a meandering, improvised quality that relies heavily on contrivances and willfully dumb behavior by many of the adult characters. The dialogue has the stilted tenor of a first-draft manuscript; this was a surprise to me, since Bonham’s dialogue in ‘Durango Street’ is particularly good.
Where ‘Persons’ does succeed is in its depiction of a near-future USA in the grip of Eco-catastrophe; there is a distinctly ‘70s’ styling to this aspect of the novel that will undoubtedly trigger nostalgia in those readers who were Baby Boomers and remember seeing ‘Soylent Green’ and ‘Logan’s Run’ as children / teenagers.
But, taken as a whole, ‘Persons’ is one of Bonham’s less impressive efforts. Given his profligate output as a writer, it was perhaps inevitable that some of his books would be sub-par. Hardcore fans of 70s SF may want to give this book a try; all others can pass on it without penalty.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Heavy Metal magazine July 1985
'Heavy Metal' magazine July 1985
July, 1985......on the radio and on MTV, Sting's single If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free is in heavy rotation.
July, 1985......on the radio and on MTV, Sting's single If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free is in heavy rotation.
The July issue of Heavy Metal magazine is out, with a cheesecake cover titled 'Tattoo Two' by Olivia DeBerardinis.
The Dossier section for this issue is filled with quintessential 80s pop culture features.
Foremost is an interview with Australian director George Miller, whose third film in the 'Mad Max' trilogy, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, is being released in theatres in the US.
Also of interest is an interview with the well-known artist Howard Chaykin.
Articles on print media deal with new books from Jack Vance and Richard Bachman (Stephen King).
In his 'rok' music reviews, Lou Stathis indicates that he is suffering from something called 'vinyl fatigue'.........brought on by his feelings of 'boredom and disgust with the music scene.' Those of us not gifted with his degree of hipster-ness are left to wonder why, despite his existential angst and creative despair, Stathis covers bands named Bongos, Death Comet Crew, and.....Cabaret Voltaire ? Maybe for Stathis, it's a case of ......Too many Synth bands, not enough Time....
The video section has some real obscure titles...by all means, drop a Comment if you've ever seen S. S. Experiment Love Camp.....!?
As far as the comic / graphic content goes, the best singleton entry is the striking 'Metropolis', by someone named 'Sesar'.
I suspect that 'Sesar' is a pseudonym used by regular Heavy Metal contributor Jean Michel Nicollet, but I could be wrong.....anyways, 'Metropolis' is posted below.....
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Bob Larkin: Doc Savage paintings
Bob Larkin: Doc Savage paintings
from The Savage Art of Bob Larkin, S. Q. Productions, 2009
from The Savage Art of Bob Larkin, S. Q. Productions, 2009
In 1977 artist Bob Larkin took over the cover illustration assignments for Bantam's Doc Savage paperbacks, beginning novel No. 89, 'The Magic Island', in July of that year.
Larkin's work recalled the amazing illustrations that James Bama had provided for the series (in fact, Larkin used the same model - Steve Holland - as Bama had used).
Doc Savage Omnibus No. 9 (July 1989)
Larkin provided covers for much of the remaining books in the series, finishing up with Doc Savage Omnibus No. 13 in October 1990.
Larkin pulled off the difficult feat of evoking the realistic painting style of James Bama, while providing his own unique take on the illustrations.
Additional Doc Savage illustrations can be viewed at Larkin's website.
left: The Fiery Menace (October 1984), top: Death Had Yellow Eyes (January 1982), bottom, The Goblins (March 1985)
specially commissioned painting for a limited edition print from Graphitti Studios
Doc Savage Omnibus No. 12 (June 1990)
top left: The Pharaoh's Ghost (January 1981), bottom left: The Time Terror (January 1981), right, The All-White Elf (unused)
specially commissioned painting for Terry Allen
left: The Running Skeletons (unpublished), top: Hell Below, (October 1980), bottom, The Golden Man (February 1984)
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Book Review: City of Illusions
Book Review: 'City of Illusions' by Ursula K. LeGuin
‘City of Illusions’ first was published in 1967; this Ace paperback (217 pp) was published in November, 1974. The cover artist is uncredited.
The novel opens on an intriguing note: a man - with unusual amber eyes, possessing slit pupils -stumbles out of the forest and into the encampment of a tribe of Amerindians led by Zove, Master of the House. The man – who is given the name Falk – is incoherent and crazed, the victim of a deliberate ‘mind wipe’ operation by parties unknown.
As time passes, Falk regains some of his faculties and is instructed in the ways of the tribe and their world. He learns that humanity is fragmented and dispersed, the consequence of the long-ago invasion and subjugation of the Earth by a mysterious race known as the Shing. Fragments of his lost memories begin to surface in Falk’s mind, and with them, the awareness that somewhere out in the vast wilderness of what used to be the USA, there is a city called Es Toch…..and in Es Toch, he will find the answers to his identity, and the reason for his mind-wiping.
But as Falk is to discover, not everyone believes the Shing even exist. Are they simply legends, created to explain the downfall of civilization by other forces ? Is Es Toch real – or is Falk simply pursuing a mirage ?
Despite these troubling questions, Falk sets out alone on a journey into the wild to find Es Toch. But his travels will take him into regions where murderous bandits and hostile tribesmen hold sway…….people who will think nothing of snuffing out the life of a lone trespasser……….
The first half of ‘City of Illusions’ is an engaging read, as the narrative centers on Falk’s quest for his identity, and his struggle to survive in the dangerous tracts of a far-future USA.
2 / 5 Stars
‘City of Illusions’ first was published in 1967; this Ace paperback (217 pp) was published in November, 1974. The cover artist is uncredited.
The novel opens on an intriguing note: a man - with unusual amber eyes, possessing slit pupils -stumbles out of the forest and into the encampment of a tribe of Amerindians led by Zove, Master of the House. The man – who is given the name Falk – is incoherent and crazed, the victim of a deliberate ‘mind wipe’ operation by parties unknown.
As time passes, Falk regains some of his faculties and is instructed in the ways of the tribe and their world. He learns that humanity is fragmented and dispersed, the consequence of the long-ago invasion and subjugation of the Earth by a mysterious race known as the Shing. Fragments of his lost memories begin to surface in Falk’s mind, and with them, the awareness that somewhere out in the vast wilderness of what used to be the USA, there is a city called Es Toch…..and in Es Toch, he will find the answers to his identity, and the reason for his mind-wiping.
But as Falk is to discover, not everyone believes the Shing even exist. Are they simply legends, created to explain the downfall of civilization by other forces ? Is Es Toch real – or is Falk simply pursuing a mirage ?
Despite these troubling questions, Falk sets out alone on a journey into the wild to find Es Toch. But his travels will take him into regions where murderous bandits and hostile tribesmen hold sway…….people who will think nothing of snuffing out the life of a lone trespasser……….
The first half of ‘City of Illusions’ is an engaging read, as the narrative centers on Falk’s quest for his identity, and his struggle to survive in the dangerous tracts of a far-future USA.
Unfortunately, the second half of the novel is a disappointment, as the narrative becomes entirely static. The plot switches its focus to Falk’s confrontation with the new rulers of Earth, a confrontation waged with telepathy and psychological gamesmanship; there is much philosophizing about the role of memories in defining one’s sense of self, and whether a man who harbors two personalities in his mind can be truly considered an individual.
This melodramatic exploration of ‘innerspace’ was part and parcel of the New Wave approach to sf writing; at the time, it was considered a major step in the maturation of the genre from its juvenile preoccupations with ray guns and spaceships and alien monsters, into a body of ‘speculative fiction’ worthy of critical and scholarly analysis. While sf may indeed have need this revolution in style, it has tended to age poorly. It’s hard to see modern-day readers as having the patience to negotiate the slow-paced, self-consciously ‘writerly’ prose Le Guin employs in the second half of ‘City’.
Summing up, ‘City of Illusions’, while considerably more well-written than many sf novels of the mid-60s, doesn’t offer much in the way of excitement or imagination. But I suspect Le Guin fans may find it rewarding.
This melodramatic exploration of ‘innerspace’ was part and parcel of the New Wave approach to sf writing; at the time, it was considered a major step in the maturation of the genre from its juvenile preoccupations with ray guns and spaceships and alien monsters, into a body of ‘speculative fiction’ worthy of critical and scholarly analysis. While sf may indeed have need this revolution in style, it has tended to age poorly. It’s hard to see modern-day readers as having the patience to negotiate the slow-paced, self-consciously ‘writerly’ prose Le Guin employs in the second half of ‘City’.
Summing up, ‘City of Illusions’, while considerably more well-written than many sf novels of the mid-60s, doesn’t offer much in the way of excitement or imagination. But I suspect Le Guin fans may find it rewarding.
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