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A LUCKY LUKE ADVENTURE –WESTERN CIRCUS

Authors: Morris & Goscinny

Age: 8 years and up

Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm

Number of pages: 48 colour pages

Publication: June 2008

Paperback

ISBN: 9781905460557

£5.99

Mulligan’s Western circus—his troop, lion and elephant—arrive in town under the escort of Lucky Luke. Zilch, a rich businessman and organizer of the annual grand rodeo, thinks the circus is going to compete with his business and does everything to prevent it from putting on a show. He even engages killer-for-hire Rattlesnake Joe, but in the end his attempts will provide unexpected publicity for the circus. On with the show!

Now we know that Cinebook is a name standing for quality and this book is no different.  I have a few Lucky Luke books in the English language by other publishers and this current printing is the best quality I’ve seen.

I’m not a great LL fan,though I do prefer the books up to the animated features! And there is the fact that these stories have entertained more than one generation –if you buy the Cinebook albums you,your kids [assuming you have kids!] and their kids can enjoy reading them over and over.

As usual,Cinebook gets 10 out of 10!

 DUCOBOO –YOUR ANSWERS OR YOUR LIFE

Authors: Zidrou & Godi

Age: 8 years and up

Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm

Number of pages: 48 colour pages

Publication: June 2008

Paperback

ISBN: 9781905460281

£5.99

What would a class be without a dunce? A bit like a curry without spice. And Ducoboo sure spices up his fellow pupils’ days. Not one lesson goes by without flavour–with him, school is an endless string of break-times. Of course, there’s always Leonie, the terribly gifted girl who doesn’t put up with Ducoboo’s messing and doesn’t believe in sharing knowledge. Of course, there’s also the teacher, whose index finger turns out to be more threatening than ever… No, school life isn’t one long, smooth ride: For some, the school year is perhaps the most dangerous time of all!

I mentioned to Olivier once that I was unsure just how a comic album about a dunce –someone who is a little slow or dim- could be funny.  After all,in the good old days of British comics and waaaaay before the days of political correctness,we treated “dunces” pretty roughly!

In fact,Ducoboo is a really lovable character.  The art is nice and the gags quite funny in places but always worth a smile.  I’d have no problems recommending this.

Which puts me in the bad position of still waiting for Cinebook to publish something I don’t like!

QUEEN MARGOT –ENDANGERED LOVE 

Authors: Cadic – Gheysens – Derenne

Age: 12 years and up

Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm

Number of pages: 48 colour pages

Publication: May 2008

Paperback

ISBN: 9781905460410

£7.99

1573… Margot became the Queen of Navarre against her will. Neglected and cheated on by an unfaithful husband. Spied on by her mother. Manipulated by her two brothers, Alençon and

Well,I hope Karen over at Classical Comics has gotten her copy!  This third volume is really great.  Again the Medieval scenes from towns,castles,churches and so on are beyond criticism.  The costumes ditto.  The story flows with some nice twists and there are some nice touches when it comes to..er –violent incidents!

The Margot books have done one thing in that it has presented French history and incidents in a way that makes a good read and yet educates [sneaky!].  I had,vaguely,heard of Queen Margot through Medieval history,however,these books have opened my eyes to a lot more.

Anyone wanting to have a good read –whether interested in history or not –will enjoy these books and,rather like Classical Comics,these three albums would be a great addition to any school library and,perhaps,the basis for school projects.

Wonderful book.