Book Palace Books have just published Illustrated British Classics featuring some simply stunning-looking strips collecting three stories – King Solomon’s Mines, Allan Quatermain and Montezuma’s Daughter, each written by H Rider Haggard, the father of the lost-world genre.
The three collected British comic strips that boast the talents of Jesus Blasco, perhaps best known for his work on strips such as The Steel Claw, Mike Hubbard, Cecil Doughty, Bill Baker and John Millar Watt.
The strips are reproduced from the original artboards and have never looked better.
King Solomon’s Mines is one of H Rider Haggard’s most famous of all adventure novels: adventurer Allan Quatermain is asked to help find his friend’s brother who is presumed lost deep in the unexplored interior of Africa whilst looking for the legendary King Solomon’s Mines. The artwork is some of Bill Baker’s best and one wonders why the equally talented C. L. Doughty took over part-way through.
In Allan Quatermain, while mourning for his only son, Quatermain persuades his friends (jncluding Zulu chief Umslopogas) to accompany him into Maasai territory. Travelling by canoe, they find themselves in the kingdom of Zu-Vendis, a country ruled by an isolated warlike white race … The artwork is in line and wash by Mike Hubbard.
Montezuma’s Daughter is superbly adapted and penned by Jesus Blasco. In the story Thomas Wingfield sets off to avenge the murder of his mother. After a brush with the Spanish Inquisition, shipwreck and slavery, his search leads him to the shores of Mexico where he is captured by the Aztecs. He is taken to the emperor who will decide his fate. Then the Spaniards arrive…
• With an introduction by Steve Holland, this edition of Illustrated British Classics from Book Palace Books, ISBN: 9781907081163 is priced at £15.99. Buy it from Book Palace Books here
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: British Comics