Review: Falcon #1
Are you a fan of classic British comics like The Eagle? Do you enjoy anthologies that offer a variety of genres and styles? If so, you might want to check out Falcon, a new tabloid-sized comic book that pays homage to the golden era of British comics. Falcon is the brainchild of Alan Holloway and Ed Doyle, who have assembled a talented team of writers, artists, and letterers from the independent comic scene. It is currently available on Kickstarter.
The Eagle was a bit before my time. I was a baby during the relaunch in the 80s, so I even missed that since it was all about The Beano for me as a young child in the early 90s. So, other than what I've read previously about The Eagle (I wouldn't be much of a UK comics fan if I didn't know about it). This homage anthology uses the same template but with strips inside that have no set genre or time period. All to create something a little bit unique in today's world of comics.
What makes this comic a little bit unique? Well, it's a collection of single-page comics (apart from one which is a two-page spread). So this review becomes something a little bit different, too. Otherwise, I'm spoiling everything since these are short stories that would be far too easy to spoil.
The single-page format of each story can work really well. It's not perfect all of the time, with some stories possibly needing a bit of extra room. But for the most part, it's quite nice to have little contained stories. Some even show enough, in such a short amount, that they could be expanded upon into a really enjoyable longer story. Others are perfect as single-page funnies or thrillers.
The artwork on display is incredibly diverse, with a wide range of styles and techniques. Most of the pages are absolutely stunning, showcasing impressive talent. While there may have been one or two pieces that didn't quite align with my personal taste, it's not a matter of disliking them, as the skill and creativity behind them is evident.
Some of the creators involved are Michael Carroll, a well-known writer of Judge Dredd and other 2000 AD stories; David Hitchcock, an award-winning artist of Spring-heeled Jack and Whitechapel Freak; and Patrick Brown, a prolific webcomic creator of The Cattle Raid of Cooley and The Ulster Cycle. I'll list everyone at the end, as everyone deserves recognition.
It is also interesting to note that the comic also includes a full-text story in the form of Laurence Alison's 'Whalerman'. There is also the last chapter of Rick Radio's final adventure, which was lost for a long time and is included towards the end of the anthology. Although I haven't read the previous chapters, I can still appreciate that it's a well-written piece.
Falcon is a comic book that pays homage to the legacy of British comics like The Eagle. It features a variety of single-page stories that showcase the talent and creativity of independent comic creators. Whether you're a fan of sci-fi, horror, comedy, or adventure, Falcon offers something fun and nostalgic (if you read The Eagle) to enjoy. The project is currently available on Kickstarter and is definitely worth supporting if you love comics and want to see more of this kind of anthology. Falcon is a tribute to the past, but it's also a glimpse of the future of British comics.
Rating: 4/5
The individuals involved in creating the project are Alan Holloway, Ed Doyle, Paul Spence, Stephen Matthews, Graham Puttock, Paul 'Deadeye' Dick, Jack Bates, Laurence Allison, Pete Howard, Rob Anthony, David Metcalfe-Carr, Morgan Gleave, Stephen White, David Hitchcock, Michael Powell, Gavin Pollock, Garry Wharton, Andy Hayes, Christoff Rodríguez, Andrea Bormida, Grant Richards, Andy Smith, Patrick Brown, Dan Pollard, Dan Goodfellow, Michael Carroll, Jo Bramley, and Gary Whitlock.
