Written and drawn by Drew Hayes (Sirius Comics, www.comisctherapy.com)
Some works of fantasy suggest their own soundtracks. For Tolkien, Vaughn Williams; for those interminable Dragonlance books I read when young, uriah Heep. With Poison Elves it would have to be either The Cramps or Nine Inch Nails.
Lusiphur is an elf with a drug addiction. He lives as an assassin, a profession he is very good at. this is a gritty urban fantasy, which takes what is accepted about Elves, dwarves, wizards, etc, and places it in a city with a dark underworld. the characterisation is strong; even minor members of the cast have backgrounds and motivation enough to make them interesting. if criticisms are levelled for excessive violence, well Lusiphur lives in a violent world where only a swift sword separates life and death. As for sex, Drew draws some very sexy ladies that would be a waste on seweing tapestries!
If you fancy a rock and roll fantasy with booze, quests, magic and plenty of blood, Poison Elves could be the comic for you!
Reprinted from Prism 22.1 Jan/Feb 1998
[Since then, the tale has expanded across the imaginary world and other artists have contributed when Drew got very sick indeed. Hopefully he is well enough now!]
LENORE
Written and illustrated by Roman Dirge (Slave Labour Graphics, www.slavelabor.com)
Lenore is just your average little dead girl. You know: dances ballet, baby-sits, teddy bear possessed by a vampire spirit, fights the Possum King to the death, has pets.... usual stuff.
Roman Dirge is just your average comic book creator. You know: heavily tattooed, one time stage magician, his girlfriend left him after he put her in the comic. He also produced Something At The Window Is Scratching! (subtitled Children's Tales For Disturbed Adults).... usual stuff.
The comic is an average funny book. you know: filled with death, destruction, violence against small furry animals, makes me fall out of the sofa with laughter.... usual stuff.
Black and white. Black comedy, white pallor. To make it easy for folks, issues have been collected. Do yourself a favour...
Reprinted from Prism 23.6 Nov/Dec 1999
AUNT CONNIE AND THE PLAGUE OF BEARDS
Written and illustrated by Jonathan Edwards. (Les Cartoonistes Dangereaux)
Part of the Collection Lilliput range from producer/publisher Les Cartoonistes Dangereaux, Aunt Connie is a distinctly weird look at Thirties' gangsters.
In a big city by the sea, the Boss runs his gang from Sister Mary's Home For Bewildered Cats (complete with a cigar-smoking nun in need of a shave and a poster saying "Cars! God bless 'em!"). The Boss wants Ronnie and Earl to look after his aunt Connie; unfortunately, she suffers from a rear medical condition that manifests itself if she is in the presence of a round fifty men with beards. Also, Ronnie and Earl's last job isn't sleeping with the fishes like he's supposed to. Oh - and there's a George Bernard look-alike competition in town...
Then things start to get complicated.
Jonathan's quirky qork has previously appeared in Deadline, Tank Girl and Old Misanthropes Almanac, and this lovely little forty-page oine shot is sure to secure him a reputation. it's also good to see a new independent British publisher understanding international market needs, as I believe this also comes in French.
Reprinted from Prism 24.4 July/Aug 2000
