Grove

A row of houses
Where once stood an ancient grove
Just the name remains

 

The Adventures of Luther Arkwright

Graphic novels written and drawn by a single author/artist are perhaps the truest vision of what the form can be. Brian Talbot is certainly one of the best creators working in this medium and this is an excellent example of what is possible.

The book was originally published as a 9 issue limited series between 1978 and 1989, and the slow pace is probably due to the phenomenal amount of detail on each page. The artwork is black ink over pencils in a variety of styles, with a substantial amount of text included, ranging from multiple panels slowing time to a crawl up to large splash pages with surreal and sometimes disturbing imagery. The overall effect is stunning, although occasionally difficult to read. I had the kindle edition which allowed me to zoom in on individual panels and pieces of text as needed.

The story is complex, dealing with parallel universes branching off from a prime original. Luther Arkwright is agent from universe Zero-Zero with powers to move between worlds at will. He has psychic powers and high tech weapons at his disposal to aid his fight against the mysterious Disruptors who are seeking an artefact called Firefrost with the power to destroy the entire multiverse. 

The opening chapters start with an assassination attempt on Arkwright and Rose Wylde, his constant companion across many realities, in a Neo-Victorian London by a Crystal Palace that hadn't been destroyed by fire in 1936. Flashback scenes establish more about Arkwright and his origins, as well as the unfolding plot, before the action moves to an Earth where Cromwell and his descendants had held power since the English Civil War opposed by a band of monarchist rebels.

There are many obvious references to the power of puritan religious fanaticism, but the cult like devotion to the royal cause is scarcely much better. There are many powerful images contrasting the Neo-Fascist Cromwellian rallies with the flag waving iconography of the royals, who evoke images of Boudica sweeping the Romans aside in a bloody swathe. Talbot also draws on multiple mythologies and symbols as Arkwright dies and is reborn with even greater powers before the breathless finale.

Comparisons have been drawn between Arkwright and Michael Moorcock's Champion Eternal character of Jerry Cornelius, and Moorcock himself provides an introduction to this edition where he explains the common roots of both their characters in their shared experience of England in the 60s and 70s. Talbot's work is very much grounded in the England that struggled to come to terms with the loss of Empire and the rise of the Thatcherite right in the 70s and 80s, with the inherent dangers of drifting into the incipient fascism that we see today. 

As well as a deep, metaphysical piece of art, this book also stands as a cracking bit of sci-fi adventure in the best traditions of 2000AD although of a considerably more adult nature (both sexual and violent content) than could have been published in those pages.

Highly recommended!

Imagine by John Lennon

Enough has been written about the irony of a millionaire singing about having no possessions, but a bigger issue is a violent bully (by his own admission) writing a song about being “just a jealous guy”. In the entry for this album Robert Dimery describes that track as being one of the greatest love songs written from a man to a woman, which I think is completely missing the point. Even the way it is sung sounds like the feeble self justification of an abusive man.

After some fun, bouncy rock and blues tracks we then get to “How Do You Sleep” which is another bitter and spiteful attack on Paul McCartney, showing that he had still not forgiven him for the breakup of the Beatles. The primal scream therapy obviously hadn’t worked. 

To be positive for a second, with the problematic tracks aside, George Harrison’s guitar adds a lot to the Beatles vibe on this album, compared to his previous solo release. It’s still not on the same level as it used to be though, which makes listening a bitter sweet experience, with the bitter definitely outweighing the sweet.

50%-of-the-Beatles-tastic!

https://album.link/gb/i/1440853752

Valerian

Were the Valerians
The baddies on Game of Thrones
Or Star Trek aliens?

Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane

Jefferson Airplane were a middling West Coast folk band until they were joined by Grace Slick in 1967 and two weeks later went into the studio to record this album. There are some filler tracks on here (although pleasant enough in a folky/bluesy style), but the twin hits of Need Somebody to Love and White Rabbit are much stronger, and captured the harder, psychedelic side of the summer of love. Apparently their producer tried to stop smoking marijuana in the studio so they fired him (and found some even stronger stuff).

Here’s a fun game - you can create your own band and album by combining a US president and mode of aerial transport, with your favourite art movement and something from your bedroom. Mine is Monroe Glider with Post-Impressionist Duvet! 

Wonderland-tastic!

https://album.link/gb/i/281811707

Twittering, Scarecrow

Distinct lack of birds
On social media due to
Twittering scarecrow

Glimmer

Lost in the darkness
Looking for the faintest light
A glimmer of hope