Rira #2
Reviewed by David O' Leary
Rira #2
Cover Da te: Marta 2010
Story by: Various
Art by: Various
Colours by: Various
Cover by: Alan Nolan
Publisher: Comici Gael
Cover Price: 2.50 euro
Reviewed By: David O' Leary
This is one book that has been eagerly awaited for some time. It has been just shy of a year since the first issue proper came out to fantastic critical and sales success. The standout strip in that first issue for a lot of people was that of Blackstar written by Mike Lynch and art by John Cullen, who was featured on a national television programme recently talking about his art and the local scene. So it was one of the first stories that I went to read on getting the issue.
Apart from that, there were some strips returning from the first issue and they were joined some new faces along with a new cover artist in Sancho's Alan Nolan.
The first strip is Lou by Julien Neel, originally a French strip about a girl and her mother who live in an apartment. There are two strips in this issue from Neel and are taken from his five collected editions of Lou! from Glenat publications. It was a nice short piece more about Lou in the first interacting with a friend in Winter and in the second, it shows how her mother can't cook. It was a nice way to start the issue.
The second strip is the big draw of the issue. Mike Lynch's story, telling the tale of Ireland's first superhero in Blackstar. This segment sees Brian get his powers and land himself in hospital after being struck in the chest by what gave him his powers. Five pages is not enough of this story. I would love to see this story as a whole as the concept is one that Irish creators don't do enough of; an Irish superhero story set in Ireland. Lynch obviously has a story to tell and each segment that we see only makes us want more. Back with Lynch on art is John Cullen. The time between issues is very evident as his style has become more tight and refined over the last year while still maintaining his kinetic and unique approach to storytelling. I likened his art to something akin to Jim Steranko last issue and while he stills retains that somewhat in his backgrounds, his character designs are his own. The home-grown highlight of the issue.
Next up is a one page story from Alma O'Carroll followed by a great three page story about a young teenagers first year in school while on a the school hurling team. It is written by Finbarr Christie and art by Cancertown's Stephen Downey.
To follow it is the first of Bob Byrne's two strips, Finkle and Crumbert and later a tale called Joey Ravioli. Bob Byrne being the creator of Mr. Amperduke brings his trademark fantasy and out there stories to the Irish forum.
Next up is two silent Tony and Alberto strips, which are just classic. I could read these two all day. They are brilliant.
Alan Nolan's The Young Detectives is next and tells the story of kids who solve mysteries on their lunch breaks in school. This is a fun story that fits perfectly into what the book wants to offer its demographic.
Philip Barrett returns with his Young Nicole strip and tells a good little story that again is focused on the younger audience that the book is looking for.
To finish it is the return of Leo Passion Rugby, a strip that was originally printed in French and was translated to a bunch of other languages and now Irish. This is another great strip that was hugely enjoyable.
There is nothing like this book at all on the shelves and that is a pity as the book is a great addition to any person's collection. There is something in this book for everyone and the language being As Gaelige, it is not much of a barrier to enjoyment as there is a dictionary in the back of the main phrases in each story. I hope there will be a third issue as it would be a pity to lose something so special. Great stuff.
NOTE: In keeping with the tone of the issue and as support of the book I would like to present, below, the review you have just read in the language in which the book was presented. Any grammatical errors are my own.
Rating the Issue
| Story Story: Overall 9 Concept - 10 out of 10 Plot - 8 out of 10 Dialogue - 9 out of 10 |
Art |
Importance |
Take A Look Inside
Reviewer Bio
Name: David O' Leary
email: idwfan@yahoo.co.uk
Been reading comics: for about 12 years now.
Review Bio: I am a 26-year-old Hotel Manager from the west coast of the Republic of Ireland and think this is a great way to talk to others about this cool medium. I am a husband to one wife and father to one girl (so far).
Favorites: ONI's Whiteout, Vertigo's Scalped and Garth Ennis Preacher and Punisher in Trades. In comic form I am reading a lot of Marvel and a bit of IDW, Dark Horse & WildStorm among others.
Website: Sorry, I don't have one!
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