An older post from elsewhere:
FAIR LADY from Brian Schirmer, Claudia Balboni, Marissa Louise, & David Bowman is an utter delight. It’s a fantasy PI comic that bills itself as “Magnum P.I. in a post “War of the Ring” world” and that’s good – I was thinking it’s where SAGA and STUMPTOWN would meet. Either way, it’s a very good thing.
This comic just launched from Image Comics, with 2 issues on stands, and the third around the corner, and I absolutely love it, and want everyone I know to buy it and enjoy the Dickens out of it.
I mean, if the cover wasn’t gorgeous enough with the spot coloud bg, it’s got this stamps which means it’s 100% my jam. Stand alone issues are the world’s finest.
The book also is structurally something beautiful, and something I’ve been studying this past weekend. Look at this splash of the location of the story, that’s just a brilliant idea, gorgeously executed.
And look at this smart use of a double page spread to give details, make the audience linger, and also save the artist some work.
I’m digging the single illo with a wall of text pages more and more, and this one is good stuff. Always a tool in the warchest we should remember.
See again: simplicity of format, saving artist time, and immersing us in a moment. The only thing this moment costs is an extra page, but if you have the ability, I think something like this is a wonderful addition to the pacing of your story.
This DPS was also a good bit of world exploring.
Okay, so if not convinced, here’s #2.
This opening page is absolutely phenomenal in regards to luring us in, selling us tone, and ending on a great hook for a page turn.
And then there are these “splash” moments where the artist can chill, the colourist maybe can’t, but it gives the idea of scope very very simply. Love these pages, I hope these become a hallmark of the book moving forward for scene transitions.
If you haven’t dipped a toe, or had been wondering, then take it from me right now – FAIR LADY is good comics, and it deserves your time, your support, and just as much you deserve this good time.
I cannot agree more. FairLady is one of those rare gems that the masses didn’t take to like myself. Little Bird & Kill Lock are also amazing! Little Bird isn’t nearly as simple, as far as plot, but it’s truly a great story! KILL LOCK is a must, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on it! I don’t want to ruin it for you! Let me know what you think if you have read either!
You must, I read everything I can, good, bad, indifferent because I figure outside of the narrative, every title has a lesson for those who aspire to create! BITTER ROOT is so rich, I’m jonesing for the next issue as soon as I put it down! EXCELLENCE is another that got overlooked, in my humble opinion! I hope this finds you well! You probably get this a lot, but I’ve been writing for years, because the stories must be told, and your newsletters, are such a highlight, truly! Congrats on SHE! , I cannot wait for my copy! If you’ve read any good novels lately, point me in the direction! I’m dying for a good read, open to all genres, all time periods! I just reread Clive Barker’s The Great and Secret Show(one of the all time greatest pieces of literature, in my humble opinion!) and I’m reading a beastie boys autobiography, but I’m dying to get a book that just pulls me into the story! Keep up the amazing work! Seeing your reply put a smile on my face! I hope your Fam is all good! Strange Times my friend! Best Regards, David Conine
Hey mate, I agree, Barker’s TGASS is spectacular, a favourite of his for me, alongside the masterpiece theatre that are the Books of Blood.
I just read a bunch of YA fiction, but I would say check out THE FIREMAN from Joe Hill because it absolutely knocked my socks off.
These are indeed weird times, but I hope you find the good in it all, or enjoy the weird, mate!
Thanks for the heads up! I’ll check THE FIREMAN, Hill’s work is top notch. I read N0S4A2 before I knew Hill had any relation to King, but he’s definitely established himself as more than capable. I just finished Cormac McCarthy’s BLOOD MERIDIAN, and talk about a work of art, it has me wishing I could get the rights to turn it into a graphic novel or series. It’s definitely a must read! The characters amazing, ultra violent, but exceptionally well written, bounty hunters hunting Apache in the 1800’s! Highly Recommend It! Currently working on a few projects myself, and for me, writing is rewriting. Hope to catch up soon! Take care! Best- Dave
Without Fear 
I cannot agree more. FairLady is one of those rare gems that the masses didn’t take to like myself. Little Bird & Kill Lock are also amazing! Little Bird isn’t nearly as simple, as far as plot, but it’s truly a great story! KILL LOCK is a must, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on it! I don’t want to ruin it for you! Let me know what you think if you have read either!
Hi David, I agree, too many people slept on this one. I loved LITTLE BIRD, but have missed KILL LOCK. I look forward to fixing that error.
You must, I read everything I can, good, bad, indifferent because I figure outside of the narrative, every title has a lesson for those who aspire to create! BITTER ROOT is so rich, I’m jonesing for the next issue as soon as I put it down! EXCELLENCE is another that got overlooked, in my humble opinion! I hope this finds you well! You probably get this a lot, but I’ve been writing for years, because the stories must be told, and your newsletters, are such a highlight, truly! Congrats on SHE! , I cannot wait for my copy! If you’ve read any good novels lately, point me in the direction! I’m dying for a good read, open to all genres, all time periods! I just reread Clive Barker’s The Great and Secret Show(one of the all time greatest pieces of literature, in my humble opinion!) and I’m reading a beastie boys autobiography, but I’m dying to get a book that just pulls me into the story! Keep up the amazing work! Seeing your reply put a smile on my face! I hope your Fam is all good! Strange Times my friend! Best Regards, David Conine
Hey mate, I agree, Barker’s TGASS is spectacular, a favourite of his for me, alongside the masterpiece theatre that are the Books of Blood.
I just read a bunch of YA fiction, but I would say check out THE FIREMAN from Joe Hill because it absolutely knocked my socks off.
These are indeed weird times, but I hope you find the good in it all, or enjoy the weird, mate!
Thanks for the heads up! I’ll check THE FIREMAN, Hill’s work is top notch. I read N0S4A2 before I knew Hill had any relation to King, but he’s definitely established himself as more than capable. I just finished Cormac McCarthy’s BLOOD MERIDIAN, and talk about a work of art, it has me wishing I could get the rights to turn it into a graphic novel or series. It’s definitely a must read! The characters amazing, ultra violent, but exceptionally well written, bounty hunters hunting Apache in the 1800’s! Highly Recommend It! Currently working on a few projects myself, and for me, writing is rewriting. Hope to catch up soon! Take care! Best- Dave