Sergio Toppi's Arabian Nights Masterpiece, SHARAZ-DE, Coming To U.S. - June 2012 in Crisis On Infinite Comics! Forum

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Sergio Toppi's Arabian Nights Masterpiece, SHARAZ-DE, Coming To U.S. - June 2012

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StrontiumDog	Sergio Toppi's Arabian Nights Masterpiece, SHARAZ-DE, Coming To U.S. - June 2012	Lead	[-]
Posts: 92 Mar 11 12 2:49 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : toppi, sergio toppi, sharaz-de The March PREVIEWS includes a listing for SHARAZ-DE from Archaia. I was blown away by this story when I saw the 2-volume French edition a few years ago. It looks like the Archaia edition collects the full story in one volume. Amazing artwork from Italian maestro Sergio Toppi. And now I'll be able to read it in English! This book deserves its own thread. I'm copying the Amazon link and the pics from an earlier post by Pimp My Shelf, from a thread devoted to Archaia's THE SECRET HISTORY. (Pimp, I hope you don't mind; I'm sure you agree that this book deserves all the attention it can get.) Sharaz-de [Hardcover] Sergio Toppi (Illustrator) A set of tales inspired by the Arabian Nights by European comics master Sergio Toppi, exploring a barbaric society where the supernatural is the only remedy to injustice, as Sharaz-de, captive to a cruel and despotic king, must each night spin tales to entertain her master and save her head from the executioner. Tales filled with evil spirits, treasures, risk, and danger, but always at their center the passions of gods and men. Hardcover: 208 pages Publisher: Archaia Entertainment (June 12, 2012) ISBN-13: 978-1936393480 *********************************************
MattKish87		#1	[-]
Posts: 16 Mar 12 12 9:56 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Strontium, thank you for posting these amazing images! I was excited about this book before, but after seeing these I am over the moon. I first saw Toppi's work a few months ago in one of those little "Sparrow" art books from IDW and was floored. I can't believe I was unaware of him until now. Since you mentioned you had seen the 2 volume French edition, I am wondering if you could answer a question. Is "Sharaz-De" full color, black and white, or a blend of both? I'll be thrilled either way since Toppi's work is strong no matter what, but I was curious.
psykomyko		#2	[-]
Posts: 2338 Mar 12 12 10:23 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Nice! Reminds me a bit of Bill Sienkiewicz's painted work. I'll have to keep an eye out for this - thanks for sharing those images. Mike Hansen All Day Comics alldaycomics.com
4colorfella		#3	[-]
Posts: 520 Mar 12 12 11:05 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	This book was on my radar as well. It will be mine. Looks like Klimt.
Pimp My Shelf		#4	[-]
Posts: 1313 Mar 12 12 11:55 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Be my guest, Dog. You just overlooked one crucial detail to seal the deal: the book is 9 x 12 inches. Archaia is respecting the original European dimensions, which makes this book "oversized" by American miserable standards, so Toppi's art can be appreciated in all its splendor. Sadly, I can't say the same for another European book that Archaia is releasing the same month, a stunning WWII aviation story that will appear shrunken down to US comic-booky dimensions: 6 5⁄8 x 10 1⁄4. A real shame, but if you can live with miniaturized editions, I highly recommend it. The Grand Duke Written by Yann Illustrated by Romain Hugault • Based on actual World War II history: the "Night Witches" was a real unit that included three decorated Heroes of the Soviet Union • Features technical renditions of World War II airplanes by artist Romain Hugault, a trained pilot and aviation buff The Grand Duke is a Romeo and Juliet story set against the backdrop of World War II aerial dogfights. The Eastern Front during the War: Oberleutnant Wulf, a young Luftwaffe pilot, is horrified by Nazi barbarism and at odds with his fellow pilots, even as he finds himself taking to the skies to fight the infamous "Night Witches" — the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, the most decorated female unit in the Soviet Air Force. Motivated only by his desire to return home to his daughter, Romy, Wulf tries to survive the increasingly desperate and ferocious Eastern Front, while Lilya, the "Red Witch," leads her comrades against the German invaders. Last Edited By: Pimp My Shelf Oct 25 12 3:03 PM. Edited 1 times.
StrontiumDog		#5	[-]
Posts: 92 Mar 13 12 2:47 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Here goes with a handful of replies. And thanks to Pimp My Shelf, again, for initially posting the book info and the amazing pics. I merely pulled them out into their own dedicated thread. MattKish87: You're welcome! Toppi's work is indeed amazing. I first came across his work at San Diego Comic-Con several years back. It blew me away instantly. Like you, I couldn't believe I'd never heard of this incredible artist before. To answer your question, SHARAZ-DE is a combination of both b&w and color. I think there's a good deal more b&w than color, but it's all great. I picked up that Sparrow volume on Toppi, and it's a nice little book. The one U.S. source I know of for Toppi's European books is Stuart Ng Books, which you can find at www.stuartngbooks.com. The imported books are mostly in French (even though Toppi is Italian) and a bit pricey, but the art speaks for itself. Perhaps Archaia will release future Toppi books in English, if SHARAZ-DE sells well. psykomyko: You're welcome! And yes, Toppi's work reminds me of Sienkiewicz's, as well! 4colorfella: Yes, it looks like Klimt, too! PimpMyShelf: Thanks for adding that vital bit of info about SHARAZ-DE being printed at its original European size. I wish ALL U.S. editions of European albums were printed at the original, larger size. Hugault's art for THE GRAND DUKE looks quite nice and very detailed; too bad it's being shrunk for its U.S. release. Last Edited By: StrontiumDog Mar 13 12 2:51 AM. Edited 1 times.
MattKish87		#6	[-]
Posts: 16 Mar 13 12 9:26 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Strontium, I don't know if I should thank you or rue the day I read your reply. I was not familiar with Stuart Ng Books so I just spent most of the morning there and placed far far too large an order. But, the delightful news is I now have three Toppi art books headed my way along with a new Moebius Arzach collection and a Caza art book. That site is a gold mine and I can see sending a lot of my disposable income their way for years to come.
Silveragemarvelman		#7	[-]
Posts: 10244 Mar 13 12 11:34 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Sharaz-De looks good. It will be on my radar.
KOBE27		#8	[-]
Posts: 5580 Mar 13 12 2:04 PM Bronze Age Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	StrontiumDog wrote: To answer your question, SHARAZ-DE is a combination of both b&w and color. I think there's a good deal more b&w than color, but it's all great. Oh, there's definitely more b&w than color. Out of the 154 pages on volume 1, there are only 16 color pages. Volume 2 is only 64 pages (actually less if we ignore the blank pages) and also has 16 color pages. It's not a problem, though, as the b&w stuff looks just as good!
4colorfella		#9	[-]
Posts: 520 Mar 13 12 5:03 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Huh, what's the reason for the switching?
StrontiumDog		#10	[-]
Posts: 92 Mar 13 12 11:01 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	MattKish87 wrote: Strontium, I don't know if I should thank you or rue the day I read your reply. I was not familiar with Stuart Ng Books so I just spent most of the morning there and placed far far too large an order. But, the delightful news is I now have three Toppi art books headed my way along with a new Moebius Arzach collection and a Caza art book. That site is a gold mine and I can see sending a lot of my disposable income their way for years to come. Matt, I'm glad you visited that site and picked up some books! Your collection will thank me. Your wallet, however, may be another story.
StrontiumDog		#11	[-]
Posts: 92 Mar 13 12 11:03 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	4colorfella wrote: Huh, what's the reason for the switching? I don't have the answer for this one. Artistic preference? Possibly lower printing costs for b&w?
Pimp My Shelf		#12	[-]
Posts: 1313 Mar 14 12 10:45 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	* Edited to remove big ass image that screwed thread * Last Edited By: Pimp My Shelf May 23 12 10:11 PM. Edited 2 times.
StrontiumDog		#13	[-]
Posts: 92 Mar 15 12 12:11 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Here's an online preview that showcases the beautiful b&w art from the beginning of the book: http://graphicly.com/arch...e-arabian-nights/preview
MattKish87		#14	[-]
Posts: 16 Mar 15 12 12:48 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	This just keeps looking better and better. One of the many things I like so much about Toppi's work, especially his comics, is just how unlike anything else out there it is. It is utterly unique, which is incredibly refreshing in this era of stale house styles and overpowering corporate branding.
leveret1	More Toppi	#15	[-]
Posts: 8479 May 23 12 5:47 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Via Amazon & Archaia: The Collector http://www.amazon.ca/Coll...gio-Toppi/dp/1936393840/ref=nosim/marvelmaste03-20 Scenes from the Bible http://www.amazon.ca/Scen...gio-Toppi/dp/1936393522/ref=nosim/marvelmaste03-20 Added: Sharaz-de link: http://www.amazon.ca/Shar...gio-Toppi/dp/1936393484/ref=nosim/marvelmaste03-20 Last Edited By: leveret1 May 23 12 6:03 PM. Edited 2 times.
Pimp My Shelf	More details	#16	[-]
Posts: 1313 May 23 12 10:08 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Archaia FALL 2012 (in pages 332-345): http://media.pgw.com/download/pgw/catalogs/PGWFall2012NewBookSingleHiRes.pdf The Collector An adventuring dandy known as The Collector quests across the globe in search of rare artifacts • This volume collects the first five albums in The Collector series Far from the auction halls of the elite, The Collector seeks out rare and mysterious artifacts across the world. He is as at home in the salons of Paris as he is in the jungles of Borneo. Set against the backdrop of late 19th-century colonialism, The Collector is a delightful swashbuckling adventure. December $29.95 252pp, 9 x 12 Color and B&W illustrations throughout Scenes from the Bible Characters and scenes from the Bible, as illustrated by European comics master Sergio Toppi Sergio Toppi • An astonishing vision of many notable scenes from the Bible • Toppi’s emphasis on ethnographic costume depiction brings grounded realism and verisimilitude to his Biblical subjects This collection of artwork from European comics master Sergio Toppi focuses on illustrations of biblical characters he drew during his lengthy collaboration with the journal Il Giornalino. Hundreds of character portraits and key scene illustrations from both the Old and New Testament are presented in Toppi’s inimitable pen-and-ink style. Sergio Toppi’s art has been displayed in the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris and in the Museum of Comic Art in Angoulême. He lives in Milan. October $24.95 160pp, 9 x 9 Color and B&W illustrations throughout Last Edited By: Pimp My Shelf Oct 25 12 3:04 PM. Edited 2 times.
StrontiumDog		#17	[-]
Posts: 92 May 26 12 12:00 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	leveret1 and Pimp My Shelf: That's great news! More English-language Toppi to look forward to! Thanks for the links and pics!
Pimp My Shelf		#18	[-]
Posts: 1313 Oct 25 12 3:01 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	http://www.facebook.com/p...63.32347.141687089211573
StrontiumDog		#19	[-]
Posts: 92 Oct 26 12 12:47 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	That's a nice, weighty tome! Can't wait!
StrontiumDog		#20	[-]
Posts: 92 Jan 3 13 8:00 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	SHARAZ-DE finally hit comic shops the week before Christmas. I just finished reading my copy last night and really enjoyed it. THE COLLECTOR and SCENES FROM THE BIBLE have not yet been solicited in Diamond's Previews, so we'll have to see when they're actually released. Did anyone else pick up SHARAZ-DE?