Last night while watching dvd episodes of Bill Bixby's The Magician, I thumbed through the books I had received. Just wanting to glance through and gazing upon the "real thing" so to say in recognition of my now owning these sought after gems. There is a difference to me in how it feels when you peruse through some book or pictures which are not your own. The owning of the item seems to create a stronger sense of importance and value with a personal worth that increases as you read and explore deeper. While at home I can't seem to stop picking up a book and opening a page simply to look at the artwork.  

Immediately with Valerian I can see how the art quickly changes from the simpler cartoonish stylizing of the 1st story over the 2nd, 3rd and 4th stories in the book. You can see Mezieres evolving his style as he falls in love with the characters, adding depth and nuances in the highly detailed large panel and full page images. Moving away from caricatures and stereotypical designs for more imaginative, creative art. The color work helps set the mood and tone while providing an incredible difference from American coloring in comic books which we usually see. An amazing overall package that I know I will be reading over and over throughout the coming years. 

What to say about Hugo Pratt and Corto that hasn't likely been already stated and talked about in better ways than I can express? Everything from writing to artwork and everything else in-between looks like Pratt was a master from the very start. The line work so smooth and precise delivering the finest lines as well the details (or lack of when necessary) for clothing and architecture all takes you to another place and time where you can lose yourself. With one look you know Corto is a rogue, a man of action and adventure with a quick mind and curiosity who is in command of not only himself, but any situation he may become embroiled in. You can almost smell the sea and salt dripping from the pores of Corto and the wondrous world he travels. 

These last few years have proven fruitful for me in fulfilling my collecting pleasures not with the standard super hero shenanigans but with those more thoughtful and intriguing tales from such masters as Barks, Rosa, Kubert, Sakai, Aragones and now I am adding the Corto Maltese and Valerian books. These are truly some of the very best artistic endeavors to be found and I hope the new readers and youngsters of today and tomorrow invest the time and effort for appreciating and exploring the depths and wealth of yester-years writers and artists...