Recommendations: Monsters and Sentinel: To be a Hero

After a bit of a break I thought I'd come back with a couple of recommendations.  First up, after a lot of subtle and not so subtle hints I received a copy of Barry Windsor Smith's Monsters, for fathers day.

I'm sure that you've heard of this book by now, or most likely have a copy, but for anyone who hasn't I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to you.  It's a weighty tome, beautifully bound in hardback form, and quite rightly as it sees the culmination of 35 years work from BWS.  He has written, drawn and lettered this magnum opus of a book, 380 pages of beautiful artwork and gripping story.  The lettering and form of the speech bubbles that guide us through the panels is just awesome, a much overlooked skill. 

The story revolves around a young man, Bobby Bailey, who in 1964 walks into an army recruitment office and sets in motion a course of events that he was always destined to become an intrinsic part of. BWS weaves the story on many levels across many timelines involving the physical and metaphysical exploring themes of fate, destiny, reciprocity and redemption. 

It is an intense, often dark, read but it drew me into its world and wouldn't let me go from the turn of the first page. I sat and read the first 100 pages in one sitting, if it wasn't for family life and things I had to do I reckon I'd have just sat and read it in one hit.  

You may have gathered that I quite enjoyed this book, it's already right up there in my top ten of comics/graphic novels.  Get a copy today, you really won't regret it. 

Next up is a recommendation to check out an upcoming release. It's the 8th book from the guys at Sentinel Comics called 'To be a Hero'. Written by Alan Holloway with art and letters from Andrew Richmond.  

This is the first superhero book in the Sentinel releases and takes us on a nice ride with a few surprises along the way.  It is very meta and cleverly self-referential, I won't say anymore so as not to ruin the read for you but it's not like any previous Sentinel issue.  

I really enjoyed Andrew Richmonds artwork and the styles he plays with here including some great silver age Kirby style even with some crackle in one panel.  I hope to see more from Andrew in the future and no doubt will as he's already been involved with other indie projects such as Brawler and The77.

The Kickstarter launches 10th July (to 7th August), with a modest goal of just £800 to cover all costs involved, including commissioning Mike White for his awesome limited cover, featuring the character Kilowatt Kid.