PHENIX (Volume 1)
by Luciano Bernasconi, Jean-Marc Lofficier & Juan Roncagliolo,
cover by Gil Formosa.
Paperback 5 x 8 inch
248 pages,
Black & white
US$ 20.95 + $3.00 p&h
ISBN # 1-932983-63-5 / 978-1-932983-63-0
Contents:
- Foreword by Gerry Conway
- Introduction by Lofficier
- The Origins of Phenix by Jean-Marc Lofficier & Luciano Bernasconi
- Classic Phenix #1 by Luciano Bernasconi
- The Red Box by Jean-Marc Lofficier & Fernando Pasarim
- Phenix in Paris: Prologue by Jean-Marc Lofficier & Stéphane Louis
- Phenix in Paris #1-#8 by Jean-Marc Lofficier & Juan Roncagliolo Berger
- Bonus pages by Stephane Louis, Frederic Grivaud & Willy Hudic
Story: A sexy black-clad vigilante who patrols the streets of Chicago.
Ahh, need a bit more of a hard sell on the Hexagon site I think!
I was really taken aback that the attack on the character (Patricia Hope) was shown -NOTHING graphic but it is made clear that she was raped. Months in a coma during which she gave birth –Marvel and DC could never have done this! It’s not sensationalist but shows what sadly happens everyday around the world. It shows why Hope psychologically changed.
We see the character after coming out of her coma training herself physically and mentally to the peak and beyond. The original art is as good as I’ve come to expect. I have to say, however, that one first looking, Stephane Louis’ artwork didn’t grab me. So I did what I always do which is leave it a few days. Sometimes a mixture of old style art and new style can create an odd imbalance. Louis’ work is good and it does work so I’m glad I never blundered in with negativity straight away!
Jean-Marc Lofficier’s “Phenix In Paris” story arc is good and Berger’s artwork is spot on. The introduction of secondary characters adds to the strips quality and characterisation. Overall the characterisation, story and plots as well as dialogue are excellent which is something I was not expecting because I’d heard many times that these “non arty” French comics were the poorer quality. Having now seen them I have to say that is complete rubbish!
And, yes, it is “Phenix” not “Phoenix”. Does it matter? No.
Jean-Marc Lofficier is producing quality books featuring characters that really should be mentioned in the same breath as Blueberry, Blake & Mortimer etc. If your local shop does not have copies ask if they can get them in.
I always used to think the US was the comics mecca but I’m realising more and more that France is the real centre of comic culture.
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