American Mythology Productions 2018
Zorro Burns the Boards
Originally in Le Journal De Mickey #1195
The Betrayal of Garcia
Originally in Le Journal De Mickey #1197
Prisoner
Originally in Le Journal De Mickey #1249
Written by Jean-Marie Nadaud
English Script by Mike Wolfer
Illustrated by Robert Rigot
Translation & Lettered by Natalie Jane
The legend of Zorro is well-known in all corners of the world. Fans from every country have thrilled alongside the incredible adventures of the original masked hero. American Mythology is proud to present Zorro Legendary Adventures which presents an authentic approach to the heroic exploits of Zorro. These stories have never been seen in English and deliver unmatched action with beautiful illustration.
Why is this something you need to have in your life? Simple this is old school comic book storytelling and it’s what influenced creators until here we are. Granted this is from 1975 France, but hey it is an example of what these characters have meant to people and how it’s all been influential. I read this and actually geeked out because there is something about the way this was done that hits you in the feels deep in the soul. As comics continue to advance and grow and gain new readers as well as younger ones the history behind the industry gets lost. Old characters are recycled into something new and they change them for the times instead of truly honouring them. That the folks at American Mythology are bringing this to us to show the world that it’s books like this that paved the way to what we see now. Ironically enough it is really not different to what we see today.
That each story was in a different issue and is collected here the way they are is really well done as each chapter bleeds beautifully into the next and it feels like they were meant to be in a single issue. Surprisingly enough as I was reading this I kept thinking of James West, Wild Wild West fame, the outfits and the way the characters look has that tone and feel to them. Also in the way the adventures are being told as well since there is always some bad guy who needs to be dealt with so the people can live free, free from fear or a tyrant or something. So a plan is made and a deception unfolds then there’s a fight and it’s all over. A neat tidy story that is well told this is the picture of efficiency.
The interior artwork is delightful to me. Robert has a wonderful eye for storytelling as we see through the angles and perspective we see in the panels. I love that the panels tend to be filled (to Rim with Brim) up and backgrounds are so prolific. It feels like that the more that was shown the better and it really makes things feel a lot larger than they were. Oh and the colours here are sensational to see even if what we see and where doesn’t make any sense. The linework here is gorgeous and the faces are so expressive and overall the way it’s been done to bring it all to life should put a smile on your face with how fun and charming it is.
Maybe it’s just me but everyone should be reading this or at the very least aware of it. To see the French take on Zorro from 1975 to have it feel so vibrant and alive and as entertaining today as anything else you’ll read is sensational. It is also a testament to the timelessness of good, strong storytelling. So if your store isn’t stocking this tell them you want them to. Celebrate the past and see how that work is so prevalent in today’s new books.