Sharaz-de: Tales from the Arabian Nights Hardcover – January 1, 2013

At Emerald City Comic Con 2015 one of the artists I showed my portfolio to suggested I check out the Italian artist Sergio Toppi, saying "I think he's doing what you're trying to do here". I browsed through this book at the BOOM! studios convention booth and was impressed by how keenly the artist was able to pick up on my artistic sensibilities. Toppi's work is incredible blend of detailed line art and abstract forms - reminiscent of two of my favorite artists, Gustav Klimt and Gustave Dore. 2 of the 12 fables are in full watercolor, the rest are black and white. Each page looks like it should be a poster print. The drawback to this is that, at least in this collection, the storytelling is sacrificed for the sake of the image. Without the text and dialogue, one wouldn't be able to follow the story, which is a big problem in the world of comics/graphic novels. Thankfully, Archaia has printed this and another book The Collector in English, hopefully with more to follow.As for the story itself, it is essential a sample of tales taken from the The Arabian Nights: Tales of 1,001 Nights: Volume 1 (Penguin Classics), which I haven't read yet. It's the same source as the popular story of Aladdin and while that story doesn't appear in this book, there are a fair number of malevolent djinni's that make appearances. These are basically similar to Grimm's Fairy Tales, made more exotic to most Western readers by their setting. This isn't a book to give kids who loved the Avengers films, but rather something for more mature readers who love strange literature that isn't plot or character driven. Probably the most similar thing I know of in "mainstream" comics is what Mike Mignola is currently doing with Hellboy in Hell Volume 1: The Descent.

I never knew about Toppi until he passed away last year and an artist that I know mentioned it. As soon as I saw some of his work by doing a Google search I had to add whatever I could to my collection. I'm not a big fan of purchasing stuff in a foreign language because I like to read as much as I like to look. And in the case of Toppi, you don't get much story without the text due to the graphically stylized nature of his work. Luckily there were two tomes being published in English and were available for preorder at great prices so I went ahead and did so. I finally received this, the first one, the day after christmas and was ecstatic. It's everything I had hoped it would be. A nice hardcover binding with a matte finish and thick pages with just the right gloss to really make the artwork pop, at a great price with beautiful artwork and engaging stories. I'm a big fan of black and white comics when they are as engaging to look at as this, but was glad there were some color sections to show off Toppi's amazing watercolor work. The stories themselves and they way they are told are very European or Heavy Metal comics style, which is a good thing in my mind, but if you don't like that, buy just for the artwork and you may find you do. Archaia did a great job with this and I'm really excited to get the other book I ordered. I hope they end up doing more translations of Toppi's work to publish in English speaking countries as I know I will be right there ordering every one.

Reading Toppi is a trip. I would say that if you're already in love with his artwork, then you'll want this book. If you've seen a little and are intrigued then you'll be doing yourself a real treat in getting this. The line work, use of negative space, abstractions, composition, it's some of the most enjoyable you'll find anywhere. Most of the work is black and white, and very energetic. There are color pages, and they're gorgeous, yet less iconic than his pen work.The storytelling isn't the strongest, but it supports the images, and it isn't super heroes in tights... not that there is ANYTHING wrong with that. I love the genre. What I mean by the comparison is that what the stories really have going for them is that they are not the same old thing.I would recommend 100% for anyone interested in Sergio Toppi, fans of pen and ink illustrations, less mainstream comics, art students or enthusiasts, or anyone who just wants a cool book to look through or have out on the coffee table.

The media could not be loaded. This is a large-format coated paper print. The black is very black. Mr. Toppi's pen and line drawing style is very delicate. The square-cornered book looks more atmospheric, and the cover illustration is particularly mysterious! In order to study and commemorate the master, I have collected 2 copies. This time I found an old version that was sold, and I bought it immediately. Master classics are recommended!

It's not by chance that Walter Simonson himself writes the foreword on this book. And you can go and ask Bill Sienkiewicz.Italian artist Sergio Toppi had a singular, unique voice. His sense for layout has been "invoked" by many, but never imitated.And now, thanks to Archaia, american readers will be able to know and enjoy it. Do yourself a favor and get this book, but do yourself a double favor and get it somewhere else if you want it in good condition. I tried three times and Amazon's terrible packaging service managed to ruin it all three.Amazon's answer to this too frequent problem? Putting the book under review, as if there were something wrong with their stock, when what they should be "reviewing" is their unprofessional and highly inefficient packaging department.