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ladymidathPossible spoilers so I am putting this under a
The other day I wandered into one of my favourite second hand book shop's in the city. Quite often I find little gems like When The Wind Blows and the original Morbuis The Living Vampire series.
As I was perusing the shelves filled with second and comics and magazines, I came across an unusual looking comic series. Split into four parts it was called The Stuff Of Legend: A Jester's Tale. Curious I bought the series and took it home to read.
And was immediately blown away. I remember seeing the first part of this comic book series by Th3rdWorld Studios. I have to confess I had never heard about this publishing company before and I thought I knew all the small independents. In fact I used to collect comics from Moonstone until I was told that they were no longer operating.
The Stuff Of Legend is an independent comic book series written by Mike Raicht and Brian Smith. The artwork is done by Charles Paul Wilson III and the colourists are Michael DeVito and Jon Conkling who also happen to be the editors as well.
The Stuff Of Legend is a story set in 1944. As the blurb goes, as 'Allied forces fight the enemy on Europe's war-torn beaches, another battle begins in a child's bedroom in Brooklyn when the nightmarish Boogeyman snatches a boy and takes him to the realm of The Dark. The child's playthings, led by the toy soldier known as the Colonel, band together to stage a daring rescue. On their perilous mission they will confront the boy's bitter and forgotten toys, as well as betrayal in their own ranks. The Stuff of Legend is a haunting and ultimately redemptive tale of loyalty, camaraderie, and perseverance.'
Having only read the third part of the series, I confess I have come into the middle of it. I do intend getting the rest of this excellent series but allow me to review A Jester's Tale
anyway.
Jester is actually a jack-in-the-box but when he and the other toys go in search of the Boy, he leaves his box with it's handle behind. The Boogeyman, one of the most frightening looking villains in comics to date has taken the Boy and dragged him into the closet, which the toys refer to as The Dark. Once they enter they lose their appearances as toys and become frighteningly lifelike, especially in the animal toys.
They embark on a perilous journey where there are many dangers that they have to face. Some including the broken toys discarded in the closet that have grown bitter at their abandonment.
The Jester is a particularly interesting character, he is brave, a fierce fighter preferring a pair hatchets and yet is is also loyal and kind. He won't attack anyone that is weaker than him but he is also quite dangerous when crossed. He is also in love with an Indian Princess and travels across dangerous countryside to find her.
There is also a deep secret in Jester's past, an evil creature that stalks him, The Laughing Ghost who is his twin. But Jester will not be swayed from his mission to save the Boy and be reunited with his beloved. Not even an army of warrior dolls led by the strong Queen Rebecca.
The Jester is probably one of the best characters ever written in comics. He is a romantic warrior, quick with a quip, flirting and charming his way through the army of dolls even though they are holding spears on him. He faces down danger with a smile and a devil-may-care attitude.
The Stuff Of Legend is definitely one of the better comics to hit the shelves. From what I can understand, it was a huge success during Free Comic Book Day.
Hopefully I will be able to find the rest of this excellent series. The artwork is beautiful, done in sepia tones so reminiscent of the 1940's the time where it set. The story has a classic feel to it, the toys of yesterday have been brought to life. This is no comfortable fairy tale though as there are some very dark moments in it. But I promise that you will be cheering these toys on their quest.
Also posted my lj
The other day I wandered into one of my favourite second hand book shop's in the city. Quite often I find little gems like When The Wind Blows and the original Morbuis The Living Vampire series.
As I was perusing the shelves filled with second and comics and magazines, I came across an unusual looking comic series. Split into four parts it was called The Stuff Of Legend: A Jester's Tale. Curious I bought the series and took it home to read.
And was immediately blown away. I remember seeing the first part of this comic book series by Th3rdWorld Studios. I have to confess I had never heard about this publishing company before and I thought I knew all the small independents. In fact I used to collect comics from Moonstone until I was told that they were no longer operating.
The Stuff Of Legend is an independent comic book series written by Mike Raicht and Brian Smith. The artwork is done by Charles Paul Wilson III and the colourists are Michael DeVito and Jon Conkling who also happen to be the editors as well.
The Stuff Of Legend is a story set in 1944. As the blurb goes, as 'Allied forces fight the enemy on Europe's war-torn beaches, another battle begins in a child's bedroom in Brooklyn when the nightmarish Boogeyman snatches a boy and takes him to the realm of The Dark. The child's playthings, led by the toy soldier known as the Colonel, band together to stage a daring rescue. On their perilous mission they will confront the boy's bitter and forgotten toys, as well as betrayal in their own ranks. The Stuff of Legend is a haunting and ultimately redemptive tale of loyalty, camaraderie, and perseverance.'
Having only read the third part of the series, I confess I have come into the middle of it. I do intend getting the rest of this excellent series but allow me to review A Jester's Tale
anyway.
Jester is actually a jack-in-the-box but when he and the other toys go in search of the Boy, he leaves his box with it's handle behind. The Boogeyman, one of the most frightening looking villains in comics to date has taken the Boy and dragged him into the closet, which the toys refer to as The Dark. Once they enter they lose their appearances as toys and become frighteningly lifelike, especially in the animal toys.
They embark on a perilous journey where there are many dangers that they have to face. Some including the broken toys discarded in the closet that have grown bitter at their abandonment.
The Jester is a particularly interesting character, he is brave, a fierce fighter preferring a pair hatchets and yet is is also loyal and kind. He won't attack anyone that is weaker than him but he is also quite dangerous when crossed. He is also in love with an Indian Princess and travels across dangerous countryside to find her.
There is also a deep secret in Jester's past, an evil creature that stalks him, The Laughing Ghost who is his twin. But Jester will not be swayed from his mission to save the Boy and be reunited with his beloved. Not even an army of warrior dolls led by the strong Queen Rebecca.
The Jester is probably one of the best characters ever written in comics. He is a romantic warrior, quick with a quip, flirting and charming his way through the army of dolls even though they are holding spears on him. He faces down danger with a smile and a devil-may-care attitude.
The Stuff Of Legend is definitely one of the better comics to hit the shelves. From what I can understand, it was a huge success during Free Comic Book Day.
Hopefully I will be able to find the rest of this excellent series. The artwork is beautiful, done in sepia tones so reminiscent of the 1940's the time where it set. The story has a classic feel to it, the toys of yesterday have been brought to life. This is no comfortable fairy tale though as there are some very dark moments in it. But I promise that you will be cheering these toys on their quest.
Also posted my lj
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4/3/13 02:03 (UTC)(no subject)
4/3/13 22:17 (UTC)This is a very dark story though and in it's own way, quite complex. My youngest daughter who does not normally reads comics loves this. We have been reading it together. I think it would be too frightening for younger kids though.