I got excited after a long time reading a comic book and didn’t want it to end. The art is very detailed and is reminiscent of Hergé. Joe Daly even has a panel where the main character gives a kid “The Blue lotus” to read. I laughed out loud on the first page where he describes why designing bricks with faces is sticking to the brief. what is there not to like about a comic which has humor, mystery, local flavor, damn good art and great characters. Get a copy.
2010-01-06
I have been wanting to talk about Mohammad Nor Khalid for sometime now. I read ‘Town Boy‘ a few months ago and was immediately drawn into Lat’s world. Beware, side effects can cause severe nostalgia! Waiting to read Kampung Boy.
I dropped in at the library yesterday and after renewing my membership, I went to see if there were any new arrivals at the comic book section. Right next to the section, there were a bunch of expectant mothers with their firstborns at their side, loudly making plans for a play date. A nice scene for a comic book, eh?! Any case, I came across this graphic novel by Gipi called ‘Garage Band’. I was immediately transported to the world of these 4 teenagers in small town Italy with their quirks and their common love for music. Each character was beautifully fleshed out and unusually revealing. This without stepping out of context of the central theme of the book. Garage Band, without going into details brings up a lot of issues like the state of the music industry, economic philosophy, health, taste, obsessions, love, lost dreams, relationships and friendship. These things form the sub-textual landscape of this book. Just like real life where all these things are a part of every day existence but are rarely ever put into words. Curiously, the dad’s of the 4 main characters also have their respective obsessions. Like model planes, underwater fishing, sculpting and dogs. while the women in the book are warm and indulgent. the art is distinctive and evocative. A must read. Published by First Second Books
2008-10-17
It has been a week since the concert. I am not able to report any sooner. Probably I should take up micro blogging. Anywhoo, Santana was awesome. The only guy from the original Woodstock that I have seen perform live and he didn’t disappoint. He played most of his old singles like, the fleetwood mac classic ‘Black Magic woman’, Jingo and Oye Como Va. The shoreline amphitheater is a lot like the Hollywood bowl. I took binoculars this time just so they didn’t have the big screen projections. The hot dogs were awesome and the drinks expensive. All in all, a terrific concert experience.
Last week I finally got my order of Banne Nawab. A close friend introduced us to banne nawab hyderbadi masalas and I have become a HUGE fan. we made chicken 65 and for a moment I thought I was eating at chandni dhaba on medchal highway. I bought haleem, chilli chicken and biryani masala too. Trust me you need to order this to realize how good this is. And all you hyderabadi’s in hyderabad, please ignore. Don’t waste your time- just step out the door for great food but the rest you hyderabadi’s and foodies, this is an absolute must in your spice cupboard.
‘,’Santana, Chicken 65 & Anime’,’