Tpub Comics 2018
Written by Neil Gibson & Michael Gordon
Illustrated by Atula Siriwrdane (present day)
Coloured by Asoka Abeywardena (present day)
Lettered by Jim Campbell (present day)
Touch Up Art by Jess Taylor (Russian arc)
Lettered by Warren Montgomery (Russian arc)
Having been able to watch the series on Sky One and I have to say that I love it. It has an interesting fresh perspective and it’s just hella fun to watch. That down on his luck copper, who has gambling problem, finds himself with a bracelet he cannot take off and is luckier than he’s ever been in his entire life. The trials, tribulations and effects of the bracelet on this man is what makes the story so worthwhile and almost believable if you look at like it’s a cursed object and yes we still believe in those.
I feel like this first issue is one that kind of recaps the show and does it in a way that highlights the pacing. I really like the way we are seeing this here it’s a perfect way to give a reader background while still staying oblique enough to garner the intrigue surrounding the bracelet. The events that we see here are those that are somewhat important to Harry as he’s now the newest wearer of it. The writing and translation from television program to comic book can somehow lose a bit of the punch but this doesn’t miss anything. I still felt the same feelings all over again reading this and that is something extraordinary because it really feels like the perfect adaptation in how it effects the reader.
The way that this book is structured is fantastic I like that we glossed over much of Harry receiving his new trinket not to mention how she got it before him. It really is just enough to grab the readers attention and make them want to know more. The opening where we see that happen does exactly what it is intended and I have to say that rarely have I seen this done better than it has been right here. It very much sets the pace for how the rest of the book proceeds. While having seen the television program I have to admit that I may think this is a better representation.
While James Nesbitt makes an excellent Harry there is something special about the connection the reader has with a comic book. The voice in your head that the character takes on and the imagination and creativity we see translates beautifully to the reader. Also that we can skip a lot stuff that on TV makes more sense but on paper is more filler alters that pacing and excitement level in this medium. I love it and this issue re-ignited that oh my gosh feeling I had when I saw it for the first time.
Big fan of the interior artwork here. The now stuff has this attention to detail like you wouldn’t believe. There are these moments that hit you and you just stare and without even thinking you are like DAMN! The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a darn good eye for storytelling. I love the Russian segment as well there’s this great sense of the love story and the connectedness of the two in how it’s presented to us in the way we see the page layouts. Throughout the book the interiors here are so stunning and the attention to detail in everything is dynamic and the impact it leaves whether bold or subtle is inspiring.
I have to tell you I believe that the work the UK is putting out is on par or better than most of what we are currently offered. Ask your retailer if they can get this if not head over to their website and see what else they have to offer and how to get it. https://tpub.co.uk/