Out for lunch

I’ve just had several intensive writing days so that I can get the bulk of the second draft of ‘Juvie’ written. That’s now about three quarters done and I hope to have it complete by the end of next week. At the same time I’ve been enjoying some glorious Edinburgh autumnal weather and eating many nice lunches in the bars round and about town.

I went over to the Botanical Gardens yesterday as the weather was so fine and took some photos, and hope to see the Spain exhibition on at The Mound later today.

I’ve also been catching up on some reading:

‘Dark Entries’ is Ian Rankin’s first attempt at a graphic novel and he decided (perhaps unwisely) to write a John Constantine story. It’s not bad, it’s just not anything amazing. the story is a little predicatable, Constantine doesn’t feel like the John I know and love and the art work by Werther Dell’Edera doesn’t help.

I do however like the format it’s be printed in. Standard book size (about half the size of a graphic novel) with a good hard back cover, though the printed paper inside is a little cheap feeling.

‘All His Engines’ by Mike Carey however is much better, in fact it’s probably one of the best Constantine’s I’ve read. The story is gripping and sinister, the characters are well created and the art work by Leonardo Manco is thrilling and vivid. John in LA is a fish out of water but this highlights his Britishness as he takes on demons and old death Gods. Worth reading and a good starting place if you’ve never read any before.

‘American Jesus’ is a new work by Mark Millar, the l’enfant terrible of comics who’s work seems to be in the ascendency at the moment. I imagine this book causes all sort of issues in those of a slight religious bent, but in truth its a book about being a kid, growing up and taking responsibility for your actions. The artwork by Peter Gross is simple, reminding me of children’s books with its pale colour work.

A good work that no doubt be controversial. I’ll be interested to see them make this one into a movie and who would supply the funding.

‘The Adventures of Jimmy Corrigan - The Smartest Kid on Earth’ is a simply told tale of loneliness and your place in a family. At first the character just comes across as pitiful, but he grows on you until eventually you hope that everything turns out right for the sad Jimmy, with his overbearing mother, new found father and lack of a love life. The art work is brilliantly rendered, like pop art in miniature. A great heartfelt book.

Read this week:

‘Dark Entries’ by Ian Rankin

‘All His Engines’ by Mike Carey

‘American Jesus’ by Mark Millar

‘The Adventures of Jimmy Corrigan - The Smartest Kid on Earth’ by F. C. Ware