The Killer / Fritzi arcs set around Palomor are now nowhere as good as the revitalised older Locas and new generation Tonta & Gomez stories by Jaime HThe Killer / Fritzi arcs set around Palomor are now nowhere as good as the revitalised older Locas and new generation Tonta & Gomez stories by Jaime Hernandez. Maggie and Hopey on a road trip to visit a sick friend, which allows Ray to have a little adventure; and of course there's also Tonta and family! 8 out of 12. [image]...more
The Palomar magic and even magic realism of these serials seems to be fading. Palomar focuses more on Dora/Killer (who's investigating her family histThe Palomar magic and even magic realism of these serials seems to be fading. Palomar focuses more on Dora/Killer (who's investigating her family history) and less on the old faves, of quite a few have now passed on. In some meta fiction mind blowing it turns out that Fritz played Maria in a real-life adaptation of "Love and Rockets, Vol. 12: Poison River"! It is Jaime Hernandez's post-Locas' stories of Tonta, Gretchen, Violent, Ish. etc, whose stories are getting better again! 8 out of 12 [image]...more
A well written, and clever novel centred around the life of a Mexican auctioneer and his teeth! Originally written in Spanish. An innovative piece of A well written, and clever novel centred around the life of a Mexican auctioneer and his teeth! Originally written in Spanish. An innovative piece of collaboration with real input from a Mexican factory workers' reading club, and the translator, gives this work its remarkable feel of authenticity! A 7 out of 12, Three Star jam. :) [image] 2016 read...more
Gilbert takes Luba's sisters to the adult imprint of Fantagraphics, so as well as his trademark magical realism, we also get graphic sex, lots of it. Gilbert takes Luba's sisters to the adult imprint of Fantagraphics, so as well as his trademark magical realism, we also get graphic sex, lots of it. and still this is a good piece of work. 7 out of 12. And no, I couldn't think of a GIF or an image I could use :) 2016 read...more
A one-off graphic novel, with a 'Love & Rockets book' sub title. This is the story of a group of four drifters who don't really know who to trust withA one-off graphic novel, with a 'Love & Rockets book' sub title. This is the story of a group of four drifters who don't really know who to trust within their group and beyond. There are some great magical realist touches as ever by 'Beto (Gilbert Hernández)! 8 out of 12 Four Star read. [image]...more
Half the book is taken up the best story in this collection, 'Proof That The Devil Loves You', see 'Beto take Killer, sad girl and Pipo back to PalomaHalf the book is taken up the best story in this collection, 'Proof That The Devil Loves You', see 'Beto take Killer, sad girl and Pipo back to Palomar which is as weird (magical real?) as ever. As well as other Palomar shorts by 'Beto, Jaime focuses on Vivian (Frogmouth) and her sister Tonta. This universe just keeps on expanding! 8 out of 12 Four Stars. Here's the amazing Latino creative team. [image] 2017 and 2016 read...more
Featuring the final three parts of Jaime Hernández's 'The Love Bunglers' the on and off relationship of Maggie and Ray, and some more revealing and woFeaturing the final three parts of Jaime Hernández's 'The Love Bunglers' the on and off relationship of Maggie and Ray, and some more revealing and wonderfully plotted Maggie backstory, including the cause of the animosity between her and Blanca is finally shown! and 'Beto's King Vampire and a Killer, sad girl continuation story. Surely one of the greatest ongoing series ever written? 9 out of 12. [image]...more
Gilberto Hernández kicks off with a Fritz driven top class 14 pages of dialogue. Jaime brings the series back to the Locas cast. Ray's still pursuing Gilberto Hernández kicks off with a Fritz driven top class 14 pages of dialogue. Jaime brings the series back to the Locas cast. Ray's still pursuing Maggie and their story is in the first two parts of 'The Love Bunglers'. Killer's back angling for a film career which no one is taking seriously in 'Killer Sad Girl Star'. And wow wow wow, Jaime give us ne'er seen before more Maggie backstory which gets all the stars from me. The series is back to its best again. 9 out of 12. [image]...more
More superhero mash-up from Jaime Hernández, and Gilbert Hernández lays down his epic 'Hypnotwist', which to be honest, with its lack of words, I founMore superhero mash-up from Jaime Hernández, and Gilbert Hernández lays down his epic 'Hypnotwist', which to be honest, with its lack of words, I found thought provoking, but felt it left an unclear narrative. Introducing 'Killer', a sad girl, a possible descendent of Luba? 6 out of 12. [image]...more
More Los Bros Hernández work, with Jaime Hernández's superhero Penny Century universe and some magical real shorts by Gilbert Hernández and Mario HernMore Los Bros Hernández work, with Jaime Hernández's superhero Penny Century universe and some magical real shorts by Gilbert Hernández and Mario Hernández. These amazing Mexican-American brothers who given a voice to minorities and women for so many decades continue to expand their collaboratively created universes. 7 out of 12, makes this the weakest collection yet. [image]...more
By this, the fifth Gilberto Palomar collection Liba and family are all settled in California. Ofelia's decision to write a book about Luba stirs troubBy this, the fifth Gilberto Palomar collection Liba and family are all settled in California. Ofelia's decision to write a book about Luba stirs trouble. Luba's children the wonderfully conceived and characterised genius Socorro, out and proud Doralis and sketchy Maricela follow in her trouble making and/or stirring footsteps, but luckily without a hammer in sight. Luba's sisters Fritz and Doralis continue their bed-hopping shenanigans. I rarely summarise a Love & Rockets collection, as they are are so intricately plotted, and no description of the wonderful use of a diverse multi-generational characters, each with their own multi faceted personalities, looks and ways of seeing the world, and each with a complex and inter-connected backstory. It's the closest I'l ever see to comic book writing genius. 9 out of 12 overall....more
Ditching the socio-political allegories of previous collections Gilbert focuses on the ageing Luba's extended family in the United States, especially Ditching the socio-political allegories of previous collections Gilbert focuses on the ageing Luba's extended family in the United States, especially her two sisters and her wondrous niece Venus. This is a collection of yet more superb craftsmanship, super magical realism, 'feck, superb realism. 10 ou tof 12, Five Star read. [image]...more
An older and wiser Maggie visits the Hoppers after years away. Jamie debuts a new fascinating character Vivian the 'Frogmouth'. An older and little biAn older and wiser Maggie visits the Hoppers after years away. Jamie debuts a new fascinating character Vivian the 'Frogmouth'. An older and little bit wiser Hopey tries to grow up.. I think! Ray's life's flat, until Frogmouth explodes into his life. More superb storytelling by Jaime! 9 out of 12. [image]...more
Back to Jamie Hernandez's Locas, continuing from his last volume Perla La Loca with some Penny Century in the pro-wrestling world before catching up wBack to Jamie Hernandez's Locas, continuing from his last volume Perla La Loca with some Penny Century in the pro-wrestling world before catching up with Hopey, Maggie and co. interspersed with Penny Century short stories. Jaime's work, just gets better! One of our key characters gets married, another is divorced. We get more on Costigan (him with the unexplained horns in his head!). We find out what Ray's doing. And Maggie & Hopey, can it be eternal love? Superb series. Superb art. Superb Love and Rockets! 9 out of 12. [image]...more
Mostly all the non Palomar and non Hoppers stories from all three brothers including, Mario Hernández's 'Marzipan' tales, Jaimie Hernandez's Rocket RhMostly all the non Palomar and non Hoppers stories from all three brothers including, Mario Hernández's 'Marzipan' tales, Jaimie Hernandez's Rocket Rhodes shorts and more from all three. Gilbert Hernández's sci-fi epic 'BEM' is from the first issue of the Love & Rockets comic book, and am afraid is probably the story I likes least in all the books. The gems in this collection are a Gilbert's 'The KKK Comes To The Hoppers', 'Death, God & The Devil Are One' and his amazing Frida Kahlo biography. 6 out of 12 for the overall collection. [image]...more
Collecting 'Poison River' the Luba life story leading up to her time in Palomar, words escape for the creativity, it all just feels so real, like I liCollecting 'Poison River' the Luba life story leading up to her time in Palomar, words escape for the creativity, it all just feels so real, like I lived this life. This is then followed by short stories around 'Love & Rockets X', which captures the world that Maricela and Riri find when they moved to the United the States. 8 out of 12 [image]...more
Somehow this series got even better, especially with the master class storytelling of the 105 pager - Human Diastrophism, the only full graphic novel Somehow this series got even better, especially with the master class storytelling of the 105 pager - Human Diastrophism, the only full graphic novel length "Palomar" story ever created by Gilbert Hernández. The story is one of the best stories I have ever read, the presence of a serial killer amongst them impacts on Palomar in many ways. heart ending and deep and so real! The Magical Realist tales of Palomar and the utterly mesmerising Luba are some of the best comic book story and artwork ever produced in my opinion! Not satisfied with that exceptional work the following stories focused around Luba and her descendants and her past are at times just as miraculous! 10 out of 12 overall, although Human Diastrophism got an 11 out of 12 from me. [image]...more
I thought Jamie Hernández's work was great, but Gilbert Hernández's has left me totally an dutterly speechless, the amazing, sometime magical realist I thought Jamie Hernández's work was great, but Gilbert Hernández's has left me totally an dutterly speechless, the amazing, sometime magical realist world of Palomar a remote tiwn with no TV, few cars etc. And lots of pain, love, bitching, learning, laughing, growing, dying and more. Superb - an absolute must-read! This series is superb, but this volume is impeccable on so many levels, from long form plotting, the wonderful art and the exquisite management and control of such a large cast of multifaceted characters. Seriously! 10 out of 12, Five Star Read. [image]...more
The amazing collection continues, after Wig Wam Bam the main story line moves with Maggie to Texas as she tries to build a life of sorts, meanwhile evThe amazing collection continues, after Wig Wam Bam the main story line moves with Maggie to Texas as she tries to build a life of sorts, meanwhile everyone thinks Hopey is missing! Superlative! 8 out of 12. The more I read of this, the less I can read of any graphic novel, the art and plotting has left me compelling to read me about this reality 8 out of 12. [image]...more
This work is almost sublime, from mostly Latino (but many other) communities in LA, we have female wrestlers, a unique quasi-lesbian relationship, ganThis work is almost sublime, from mostly Latino (but many other) communities in LA, we have female wrestlers, a unique quasi-lesbian relationship, gangstas, wild Penny married to a man with horns and more. Most excellent stuff, some of it very powerful. The art is one of a kind and in my mind Jaime Hernandez is Love and Rockets style. 8 out of 12. I read an English language translated volume online. 8 out of 12. [image]...more
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