Centrala to publish Lucie Lomová’s historical graphic novel ‘Savages’

By John Freeman on August 21, 2023

Centrala is publishing Czech comic creator Lucie Lomová‘s historical graphic novel Savages in English this week, in a glorious 192-page colour hardcover.

Savages by Lucie Lomová (Centrala, 2023)

Savages, first published in Czech as Divoši, is a graphic novel based on real events, as captured in his journals by a young Czech explorer and botanist, Alberto Vojtech Fric. In the winter of 1908 he returned to Europe from Paraguay accompanied by Cherwuish, a member of an indigenous tribe afflicted by a mysterious disease.

A captivating story depicting the encounter between two men from two entirely different cultures whose paths crossed for a short time. A fascinating comic-form narrative laced with humour and melancholy.

The story of Cherwuish is a true story. And it was in every respect as incredible, amusing and bittersweet as Lucie Lomova has drawn it.

First published in instalments in the popular Czech journal Pestry tyden in 1943, it was written in his old age by the legendary explorer and collector of cacti A.V. Fric. In those days, as a protest against the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, he grew a full beard of the kind favoured by South American barbudos, and would not leave his house.

During World War Two writing became one of the few sources of his income. The adventures of a savage in the civilised world, written with grace, humour and empathy, gradually expanded into a great existential narrative – not just that of Cherwuish but equally of Fric’s own personal story. The tale of a brave adventurer, a free spirit who sometimes acted impulsively, a dreamer and a brawler, an intrepid explorer of blank spots on the global map and in the human mind, endowed with a great gift for observation and also for asking good questions, an interpreter of truths experienced at first hand, a defender of the values of otherness.

Lucie Lomová, who’s a guest of this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival at the end of next month, is an award-winning Czech comics artist and illustrator, whose books have been translated into French, German, and Polish.

Her latest graphic novel, Každý den je nový (“Every Day Is New”) won the 2022 Muriel Award for the best Czech graphic novel.

• If you order Savages through the Centrala website you can save £5 on cover price: centrala.org.uk/shop/savages/

• Savages is also available from bookshops from 24th August 2023 | ISBN 978-1912278381 | Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link) | Buy it through an independent bookshop via Bookshop.org (Affiliate Link)

• Lucie Lomová is online at lucielomova.blogspot.com

John Freeman

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.